Hillcrest Prep Academy has proven to everyone in the country that they are for real and among the very elite programs in all of America. A talented group of college prospects, led by the play of the nation's top overall prospect in the 2018 Class - 7-foot-1 senior post DeAndre Ayton (University of Arizona signee), led Hillcrest Prep to a national title this weekend. The championship came after winning this year's very loaded Grind Session. Held at Arizona Christian University, the event featured many of the nation's top overall prep programs.
In a loaded field of teams in the event, Hillcrest Prep proved to be the class of the event, led by the play of the nation's top overall prospect DeAndre Ayton, a future NBA Lottery pick. While amidst strong competition, Ayton proved to have no match, as he carried his team to victory in the tournament. Ayton saved his best for last though - pouring in 29 points and 22 rebounds in the tournament's final game.
Ayton's presence in the state of Arizona for the past two years has been terrific, and he truly has brought a lot of respect to the state of Arizona just through his presence in it. Having Ayton on our scouting service (Arizona Hoop Review) simply has made the 2017 Class in Arizona look much stronger. So this weekend's final performance throughout the Grind Session was epic and fitting to an excellent high school career - one that will be remembered and appreciated much more when he is gone, and playing on national television for the Arizona Wildcats next season.
Hillcrest Prep also received serious play throughout the event from senior point guard Virschon Cotton. Cotton is a big-time player that has received serious division-I attention with many scholarship offers, but not from the higher levels. Cotton would come up big for his team in this year's event - scoring the basketball when it counted, and with precision from three-point range. Cotton proved to many people in attendance that he is worthy of much higher college recruitment this spring. It will be very interesting to see now where he lands.
6-foot-6 senior wing Alfred Hollins is also a big-time talent with loads of athleticism and defensive prowess, that is worthy of the highest level of college recruitment. Recently, Hollins received offers from some major schools, including Georgetown. Hollins came up big in this event as well, displaying his athleticism and toughness on both ends of the floor - especially the defensive end where he is able to lock up opposing offensive players.
6-foot-5 sophomore wing Josh Green also had his true coming-out-party this weekend, as he provided excellent support on both ends of the floor for head coach Kyle Weaver. Green displayed excellent athleticism and proved whe his considered as a top rated-prospect by many elite programs in America.
Head coach Kyle Weaver also showed that he can lead a team at the highest level and to the highest level, a big deal for him and his staff and players. The season ending national title raised Weaver's overall reputation as a coach, and well deserved.
Hillcrest Prep, led by the strong organization of Nick Weaver and Matt Allen over the past several years, emerged last season as a national player when they received Ayton to their program, and also superstar prospect Marvin Bagley (Sierra Canyon HS). After losing Bagley to a transfer, Hillcrest continued to reel in the nation's top talent for another full season, and ultimately win a national title.
Congratulations to the Hillcrest Prep program on such a big accomplishment. The question now looms as to what will they do for an encore?
