NAPA – Prolific Prep-Napa has one more game left on Sunday in the 3-day Crush in the Valley showcase at Napa Valley College, but the game most people wanted to see that drew a packed house was the fourth match-up over the past two years between Prolific star Josh Jackson and Hillcrest Prep big man DeAndre Ayton.
In a display of phenomenal basketball skills, and to the delight of the over 1,200 fans crammed into the gym it was Jackson, the nation’s No. 1 recruit in most scouting services for the class of 2016, that came through again in a 77-72 victory that made him 4-0 against his No. 1 ranked counterpart recruit from the junior class.
There were more dunks than in an arcade dunk-tank, a 3-point shooting exhibition, dribbling skills displayed by the little guys, and physicality from the tallest, biggest, strongest prep basketball players in the nation that the college-level officials handled masterfully.
Included among the throng of fans was also a who’s-who of local high school coaches in a variety of sports, plus tons VIPs, ex pro players, one of whom is a dad, and college coaches evaluating all the talent and looking to be seen by the top recruits.
However, in the end it was the Josh Jackson show. And indeed it was the 6-8 Jackson, now in his second year at Prolific that almost everyone was there to see. He finished with 22 points 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and three steals, and dazzled the crowd with the elevation and ferocity on his dunks, all-around skills including excellent ball handling (both hands) and ability to get to the basket, and some long range shooting where he was 2 for 4 from outside the arc.
“What I really like about Josh is he has a little Kobe (Bryant) in him, and he likes to share the ball,” said former Branson-Ross Coach Jonas Honick from the VIP section under the basket where he was seated with his wife next to Arizona State assistant coach Brian Merritt, and Honick knows a little something after winning three CIF Division V state championships in five tries.
“Yes, I follow Kobe a little bit. I really appreciate that comment,” said Jackson when told of the comparison.
His most remarkable play may have been a blocked shot that came in the waning moments with Prolific holding a 75-72 lead.
Hillcrest guard Julian Payton, the son of NBA great Gary Payton, had connected on two consecutive 3-pointers and was lined up to nail another one that would have tied the game. Out of nowhere came Jackson flying through the air to forcefully block the shot – and it nearly gave the senior Payton a leather sandwich as it flew past the spot where he was seated courtside.
So what did “the glove” Payton say to Jackson when they made eye contact after he had stuffed his son?
“He just looked at me and laughed,” Josh said with a grin. “I heard he was a lot like me so I think it was great that we bump heads.”
Prolific actually trailed 64-61 with 7:06 remaining after the 7-foot Ayton went long range and drained a 3-pointer, however that’s when the newest addition to the Prolific roster made his presence known big-time.
Ira Lee, a junior that was previously accepted into Justin-Siena-Napa (the high school associated with Prolific Prep) but didn’t transfer from Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth until the recent semester break, missed a lot of the game with four fouls, but when he was re-inserted after Ayton made the trey, he battled the big guy who also had four fouls and won the battle down the stretch. The 6-9, 225-pound Lee finished with 12 points and five rebounds but eight of the points and four rebounds came in the game’s final 7 minutes.
“When we fell behind I had to bring him back in a little sooner than I wanted because he gives us a solid scoring punch down low and has a solid body,” first-year Prolific Coach Billy McKnight said with respect to Lee.
“Foul trouble was rough but I’ll take it because I came in the clutch,” Lee remarked.
“Ira makes a huge difference. He gives us that presence and athleticism inside that we didn’t have before, so his addition has been great,” said Jackson about his new teammate.
A young player that played like a seasoned veteran was freshman guard Pierre Cockrell Jr. He only had two points but they came at a crucial time, plus he played the point very well and also had five assists and three steals. His two one-on-one free-throws in the final seconds provided the final margin of victory.
“I try to come in and lead, and even though I’m younger I try to set a good example,” Cockrell said.
“It’s amazing playing on a team like this,” continued Cockrell. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience getting to play with the number one player in the country on a national schedule.”
Jackson really likes his young teammate.
“He fits in really well. Most people don’t even know he’s a freshman because of how he plays,” Jackson said. “He does his job, knocks down shots, facilitates. I think he’s a great player and I thinks he’s going to became a lot better when he becomes my age.”
Another player that had a breakout performance was Abu Kigab, another first-year Prolific player from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The 6-7 junior had 17 points and five rebounds and helped pick up the slack inside when Lee was on the bench with fouls
For his part Ayton was pretty impressive himself, and Hillcrest shot the lights out, but it was the depth of Prolific Prep that got it done, and has them looking like one of the top teams in the nation now that the new additions are rolling with the flow.
Ayton, who is originally from the Bahamas, added to hitting two 3-pointers by putting on a dunking exhibition that included five of his six jams coming in the second half. He also remained physical despite four fouls for most of the final 10 minutes, and was also 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. Ayton exhibited the kind of game that has his main suitors Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky, drooling. He finished with a game-high 25 points and six rebounds.
Payton, a senior that transferred from Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas (Nevada) made five 3-pointers to account for all of his 15 points. He also had three assist and three steals.
Chamel Brooks from Las Vegas also played well for Hillcrest and finished with 14 points (four 3-pointers) and four assists.
Hillcrest made 15 3-pointers to four for Prolific but Prolific out-rebounded Hillcrest 37-18.
“To be outscored that much from the 3-point line and still win means we’re doing a lot of things well other than defending the three,” McKnight said.
I want to beat you
When asked after the game if he gets extra motivation going against his top-ranked counterpart from the junior class Jackson had the perfect answer.
“Of course I want to beat him and I have every time, but anybody, even if it wasn’t DeAndre, I want to beat you.”
Academics and Justin-Siena
Prolific Prep is only a basketball program. With previous reference to Justin-Siena the Prolific program must have all its student attend the same school to maintain a relationship with the NCAA and college coaches, and the Napa Catholic school found in 1966 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, is that school and their student and some faculty were present at the game.
“I have several of the kids in class and had to come and see them,” said Justin-Siena teacher and football Coach Rich Cotruvo, who has won six CIF North Coast Section titles at Justin-Siena and recently got win No. 200 in his coaching career.
College plans?
After it was all said and done the real buzz is what is Jackson going to do about playing at the next level?
“I probably will make a decision in late March about my future and what college I’m going to.”
Jackson is from Flint and some of his best friends are going to Michigan State, but Arizona and Kansas are still among his top three choices.
There was also buzz in the air about Jackson not going to college at all and possibly playing overseas professionally until the NBA rule that says a player must be a year removed from his high school class graduating to be drafted into the league.
Several sources confirmed Jackson already has an offer worth over a million dollars to play in China, and would also be able to secure several endorsements that could significantly raise that million dollar figure for total compensation.
Jackson did not totally dismiss that option but his response was an anticipated “no comment.”
McDonald's All-American
The way he plays the game it’s hard to believe Jackson is still a high school kid but when the McDonald’s All American Game folks come to town on Monday for a presentation ceremony naming him to the team it will be at Justin-Siena and it will be at 12:30 during the lunch hour because Jackson is still a student-athlete and for those kind of kids there are classes to attend.
