Springfield, Mass., is where I’m stationed this weekend as the prestigious Panini Hoophall Classic highlights MLK weekend where the game of basketball started. As is usually the case at the loaded event, big-time performances took place and I run down and give my analysis of the top performers of each game in the afternoon and evening at Springfield College.
FAB 50 No. 11 Sierra Canyon Cruises Past No. 37 Columbus
The best team in California and the No. 11 team in the latest FAB 50, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) defeated Columbus (Miami), 75-58, behind the play of 2026 Brandon McCoy Jr., who notched 24 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. He’s a highly-touted prospect that is a problem on the defensive end and in transition. He covers ground well, uses plus arm-length to deflect passes and bother the opposing ball-handler and offensively, uses straight line drives and offers a few counters in order to get to his spots.
UNC signee Maximo Adams was equally impressive to me in accumulating 24 points and five rebounds. A 6’7 small forward that has inside/out scoring chops and plays with a level of physicality that’s hard to match. The jumper has improved, too, but there’s still a ton to unlock offensively that Adams could eventually reach.
For Columbus, the Gaskin brothers of Caleb (Miami signee) and Cayden (2029 prospect) stood out to me. Caleb is a big play-making wing that can legitimately initiate offense when called upon. He used his plus frame and handle to power his way to spots for a bucket or a pass. Cayden is a hard playing forward with an ideal basketball frame. At 6’7, he looks to primarily score around the rim off of put-backs, finishes from the dunker spot or attacking closeouts from the corner to place himself at the basket.
Archbishop Stepinac: A Statement Win vs IMG Academy
No. 24 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) secured a win vs No. 29 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 56-53, as it held the lead for the majority of the game. USC signee Darius Ratliff took home game MVP honors with a 17-point 9-rebound, 6-block performance. Ratliff is a 7-footer with legit touch from inside and out. Primarily perimeter focused, Ratliff is a legit shooting threat once he catches the ball from deep. He also made push shots off the bounce, which was impressive for someone his size. Someone with his combination of size, mobility and shooting touch will always be noticed.
Fordham has a good one coming with Hassan Kouressi of Archbishop Stepinac. I’ll talk more in-depth about him in my next article.
For IMG, 2026 Chase Foster was who stood out to me. He’s a power forward that was playing a lot on the ball on Saturday. Foster got to the rim, was helping set-up offense and created advantages off the bounce, which led to baskets close to the rim or kick-outs to his teammates off drives.
Notre Dame vs Inglewood Was A Classic
Inglewood (Calif.) captured a 81-80 win vs FAB 50 No. 47 Notre Dame (West Haven, Conn.) and it was the best game of the night and one of the best games I’ve seen this scholastic period. Mizzou signee Jason Crowe Jr. put on a Hoophall Classic record-setting 48-point scoring clinic. He’s the best scorer in the country (averaging 44.1 ppg) and showed why he’s one of the best players in the country. A natural bucket getter at 6’3 that isn’t fazed by any contest when he’s looking to launch. Crowe elevates high on his jumper with a high release point as well.
At the end of the day, J2 is a professional scorer.
It’s very hard to top what Crowe did, but for Notre Dame, Arkansas signee Abdou Toure was really good. He’s a freak athlete that’s one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. When he guarded Crowe, he did give him fits and blocked his shot a couple times. How he stays with the ball-handler, times when they will shoot and navigate through screens was remarkable. Offensively, Toure attacks the rim with unmatched power and damn near has his head to goal when he flushes it. Offensively, there’s plenty he can unlock there and he has a strong foundation to build off of. He finished the game with 31 points.
Link Academy Staves Off Montverde Academy In Night-Cap
The Saturday 9pm game was a good one, as FAB 50 No. 5 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) fought to sustain the lead and beat No. 23 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 64-59. Michigan St. signee Carlos Medlock was dialed on Saturday, orchestrating 25 points and five steals. His self creating skills were shown in this one and it has been all year. Also, albeit his size, Medlock has a sizable amount of shots he can execute closer to the rim vs. length that I felt is translatable.
For Montverde, available senior Joe Philon was everywhere on the court. If deflections were tracked at this game, the passes Philon deflected had to be close to double digits. Philon is a defensive and slashing wing that has a high ceiling.
Editor’s Pick
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