Day 2 Hoophall West Recap

Jacob Seliga
Jan 2
10 min read

Updated: Jan 3

Hoophall West has tipped off day two of action at Skyline high school in East Mesa.

Already this morning in the opening games of the day Bishop Gorman (NV) defeated Gonzaga Prep (WA) 54-47 and Salesian (CA) defeated TMI Episcopal (TX) 60-53.

With the consolation bracket games done for the day, the afternoon brings three EYBL games, a round robin matchup featuring two top prospects in the country, and two winner’s bracket contests that are sure to fill up the Green and Gold gym.

Follow along in this thread as the NextUpAZ team will be providing live updates of each matchup the rest of the day and share on social media.

12 PM - Dream City Christian (AZ) versus Dynamic Prep (TX) - FINAL: DYNAMIC PREP 62-51

Physical game to start, both teams forcing shots a bit. Dream City taking tough shots, aren’t able to get it going inside so far.
A balanced attack for Dynamic Prep so far. Four guys have already scored, forced three DCC turnovers. (9-4 Dynamic Prep, 3:30 1st Quarter)
1:34 1st Quarter - Dynamic Prep leads 13-6, Dream City is struggling. They’ve gotten to the free throw line but haven’t capitalized (3-6). 6 different scorers already for Dynamic Prep

End of the first quarter: Dynamic Prep leads 16-11

Malachi Jordan on the board with a tough layup inside. Struggling a little on offense however he’s getting some good looks off, but is defending at a high level right now. Shooters are shooting 1-4 against him to start.
Dakari Spear (Texas Tech) showing his all around game currently, two tough baskets made
20-13 Dynamic Prep leads 5:23 second quarter
Timeout Dream City (3:49 2nd Quarter) Dynamic Prep leads 28-16. Marcus Spears Jr has started to take over. He’s getting down the court in transition with ease and is finishing through contact. 6 points, back to back tough baskets through contact
Timeout Dynamic Prep (2:11 2nd Quarter) 28-20 Dynamic Prep leads.
Game has gotten very sloppy in the final moments of the first half. 5 combined turnovers in two minutes.

Halftime: Dynamic Prep leads 32-20

As the second half begins, the 2027 battle between Marcus Spears Jr and Malachi Jordan has been the difference. Spears has impacted the game on both ends and has been an all-around menace. His 3 blocks have led to quick baskets for Dynamic Prep and the trio of Austin Goosby and Dakari Spear have had their way in this matchup.
Back and forth second half to start off. Dream City taking care of the ball more this half but can’t string together multiple stops to chip away at this deficit. Houston bound Idenna Alozie and Chris Brown have looked good in the 1-2 game attacking Dynamic Prep right now.
2:55 3rd quarter 40-31 Dynamic Prep leads

End of the third quarter: Dynamic Prep leads 47-33

Third quarter started off well for both sides but became foul ridden and turnover heavy again as the period went on. Most of that can be chalked up to outstanding ball pressure by both sides. Dynamic Prep’s length has been the difference so far as they’ve been able to get inside passing lanes or collapse and force the double. Barring a stunning fourth quarter, Dynamic Prep should pull this out.
3:53 4th Quarter, Dynamic Prep leads 52-40
What a defensive effort by Marcus Spears Jr. He’s forced multiple turnovers, blocked a handful of shots, and his length has taken away the game for Dream City’s offense. ESPN has him as the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class and he’s showed his all around game today.
Chris Brown of Dream City has stepped his game up as the contest has gone on. Very impressive shot blocker/interior defender. One of the best I’ve seen in the 2027 class so far. Just hit a three to cut the deficit to 58-51 with 1:02 remaining

Final: Dynamic Prep defeats Dream City 62-51

Naturally a lot of attention on this game will go to Marcus Spears Jr, and that’s expected. He played a whale of a game on both ends of the court. But I want to highlight two players: Seven Spurlock and David Baliraine. Those two impacted the game from the jump especially defensively. On a talented team that’s so balanced, it is a challenge to standout on offense, but these two disrupted Dream City all game long and deserve their flowers

2 PM - Rainier Beach (WA) vs Mater Dei (CA)

FINAL: RAINIER BEACH 75-67

A fast paced game to start. Rainier Beach leads 9-6, 4:14 1st quarter.
Both teams have gotten out in transition but great defense by both sides to disrupt what would be easy baskets have kept it close. To this point, these teams have missed four fast break baskets off of strong defense.
Timeout Mater Dei, 11-8 Rainier Beach leads, 3:32 1st quarter.
Micah I’ll Menesse for Beach has been rolling to start this contest, three baskets attacking the rim and has been able to finish with ease.
Zain Majeed fresh off a 25 point, 15 rebound contest last night is looking to continue his hot streak in this one. Two baskets early, two really nice passes (one of which led to an assist) and three rebounds, against this Beach team, he’ll need to keep his success up.
Wow… Majeed breakaway poster on Tyran Stokes and draws the foul in the process

End of the first quarter: Mater Dei leads Rainier Beach 19-14

Malloy Smith off to a better start today than yesterday, up to 8 points already matching his total from game one and he just hit a nice three to open the quarter for Mater Dei.
5:19 2nd Quarter Mater Dei leads 24-19
Tyran Stokes is showing his leadership on the court right now, actively talking and communicating and directing the defense to better their rotations and coverages which have been a challenge so far.
4:30 2nd Quarter Mater Dei leads 27-25
As we near halftime, the difference in this half has been Mater Dei’s ability to attack quickly down the court after Beach has settled for contested jump shots early in the shot clock. If Beach can take better looks, they can take the lead.
JJ Crawford with a huge three at the buzzer

Halftime: Rainier Beach and Mater Dei tied at 36

Second half is off to a fun start as both sides are trading buckets. Richie Ramirez has knocked down two buckets, Zain Majeed had a put back dunk, and Micah I’ll Menesse has scored two layups
Timeout Mater Dei, 5:07 3rd Quarter Tied at 45
The three best players on the court have taken over this game. This has become a battle between Majeed, Stokes, and Crawford. This has been an exciting quarter as both sides are running and gunning up and down the court. 1:36 3rd Quarter, Rainier Beach leads 54-51
Stellar third quarter by Stokes who draws a foul on the final possession to extend the Beach lead

End of the third quarter: Rainier Beach leads 57-51

JJ Crawford is taking over this game. Seven straight points for him forces Mater Dei into a timeout. 5:30 4th quarter, Rainier Beach leads 66-54
Four straight turnovers for Rainier Beach has led to a 7-0 run for Mater Dei to cut the deficit to 61-66 with 2:30 to go

Final: Rainier Beach defeats Mater Dei 75-67

3:30: Bella Vista Prep vs Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (TX)

Final - Bella Vista 66-52

We’re only two minutes into this game, but the intensity is unlike any matchup we’ve had today so far. Already seen a posterizing dunk through contact by Xavier Young of FFA and Lyris Robinson of Bella Vista had a nice and-one and a blow by layup.
3:55 1st quarter, Faith Family Academy leads 14-9
Miles Sadler (West Virginia) is showing off his pure point guard skill with a couple of beautiful passes including a halfcourt lob that his teammate couldn’t finish. Next possession, got to the midrange and hit a fadeaway over a much longer defender.

End of the first quarter: Bella Vista leads 17-16

Wake Forest bound Gallagher Placide has stood out so far. Leads all scorers with 8 points and has done it by getting to the line, getting to the rim, and spotting up. Multi-level scorer and is running the floor exceptionally well
4:03 2nd quarter, Faith Family Academy leads 23-22
2:35 2nd quarter, Faith Family Academy leads 27-23
The key to keeping Bella Vista in this game is having Sadler playmake. FFA has tried to make him shoot as opposed to creating shots for his teammates. Since that flipped and Sadler has been able to move the ball, the BVP offense has flowed much better and they’re getting better shots now.

Halftime: Bella Vista leads 32-31

Bella Vista starting to flex its strength a bit. They’re on an 11-3 run to start the third quarter. Miles Sadler got things rolling with a three and Paul Osaruyi is using his strength and size to throw down some grown man jams. Back to back ferocious dunks force FFA to call a timeout. 3:25 3rd quarter, 43-34 Bella Vista leads
This defensive pressure of Bella Vista this quarter has been relentless. FFA scored 30 seconds into the third quarter and hasn’t scored in seven minutes

End of the third quarter: Bella Vista leads 47-38

Both teams have matched effort and intensity this quarter but FFA is struggling to get a basket. They’ve had three shots blocked in the first two minutes of the quarter and had two turnovers. The bright side is they’ve forced two as well and have blocked a shot as well.
With 3:07 remaining in the game, Bella Vista leads 59-48 and currently has a +14 advantage on the glass

Final: Bella Vista wins 66-52

5PM - AZ Compass Prep vs SPIRE Institute (OH)

Final - SPIRE 72-49

Timeout 5:43 1st quarter, SPIRE leads 4-2
Woah, what a fast start for SPIRE who plays at an extremely high tempo on offense and looks to use their defensive pressure to get quick baskets. Compass called this timeout for a reset to get their alignment right and adjust to the game flow.
Update: Compass still hasn’t adjusted. Dragons are struggling against the on ball pressure and have committed six fouls just five and a half minutes into this game to fall behind seven. They need to adjust quickly before the fouls trouble and the margin gets very shaky.
A quick 8-2 has the Dragons back in this game at the end of the quarter.

End of the first quarter: SPIRE leads 18-14

Each time Compass has chipped away at the deficit, one of SPIRE’s trio of King Gibson, Darrell Davis, and Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan has made a stellar play. Compass cut their deficit down to 18-17 but proceeded to give up a quick 8-0 run.
5:05 2nd quarter, SPIRE leads 26-17
Quincy Wadley has been the bright spot for Compass as his 13 points have kept the Dragons in this game

Halftime: SPIRE leads 34-30

SPIRE is rolling once again to start the half. A 12-0 run to start the half pushes the lead to 46-30 with 3:58 left in the 3rd quarter
Here comes Compass! The Dragons are on a 10-0 run to get back in the game after falling down 18 early in this quarter. Kaleb House hit a big three, Kaden House had a dunk, and James Turner had an and-one dunk.
48-40 SPIRE leads with 1:12 left in the 3rd quarter

End of the third quarter: SPIRE leads 53-44

The biggest difference in this game so far has been the lack of aggression and effort on the glass for Compass. Every 50/50 rebound or loose ball in this game has gone SPIRE’s way. Simply put, they want this one more.
The dagger run by SPIRE, currently on a 10-0 run to go up 63-44 with 5:17 remaining
Timeout Compass, SPIRE leads 63-46 with 4:50 left

Final: SPIRE wins 72-49

6:30 PM: No. 5 Wheeler (GA) vs No. 6 Millennium

Final - Wheeler 56-51

Without a doubt, this is THE game of the event to this point. Elite talent all over the court and an amazing Top 6 national showdown
Wheeler point guard Kevin Savage is one of the best 2027 guards in the class. His playmaking has been stellar so far, but his tough shot making his been noticeable to start.
Cameron Holmes and Adan Diggs both picked up an early foul
Wheeler leads 13-11 with 1:16 left in the first quarter. Almost zero stoppages so far, fast, fun, and physical game. Refs are letting these teams play within reason
Millennium has gone 0-4 this period from the free throw line. That cannot happen in a game of this magnitude if they want to win

End of the first quarter: Wheeler leads 13-11

Colben Landrew scores on a dunk as he blows by his defender, then scores on the fast break to force a Millennium timeout just one minute into the quarter. 17-11 Wheeler
Adrian Higuera scores on the fast break which prompts a Wheeler timeout. 19-13 Wheeler with 5:14 left in the half
DJ Spencer has stepped it up for Millennium to help keep this game close. Multiple tough baskets plus an open catch-and-shoot three cuts it to one. Landrew hits a three, Diggs drives inside for a layup.

Halftime: Wheeler leads 30-25

Millennium is in serious trouble. Wheeler has come out rolling this half. 6-0 run and forced three straight turnovers. This game could get out of hand quick if they’re not careful.
The Tigers have started to push in transition but they keep turning the ball over and missing easy layups to cut into the deficit. The defensive pressure is keeping them in it.
One of the worst stretches of basketball for Millennium this season so far. Diggs really struggling to get a shot off and McKinney is 0-6 from the field currently.

End of the third quarter: Wheeler leads 45-39

Millennium has some life entering the 4th, a quick 7-0 run in the final minute of the third cut the deficit to 6 from 13. Tigers get ball to start the quarter.
Injury timeout, Wheeler leads 45-41 with 5:24 to go
A freak injury incident just took place involving a Millennium player and a Wheeler player. Game has been stopped for almost 10 minutes now. One player injured his head and shoulder, the other his knee
1:47 remaining, Wheeler leads 52-47. Adan Diggs has started to come to life down the stretch trying to will the Tigers.

Final: Wheeler 56-51

Update: Cameron Holmes will receive an MRI to determine the extent of the injury

8PM: No. 9 Sunnyslope vs No. 33 DeMatha Catholic (MD)

FINAL: Sunnyslope 60-49

This was a matchup that started off close but like most Sunnyslope games this year, the Vikings balanced dominated this game. Delton Prescott was player of the game, Darius Wabbington knocked down multiple dunks and spaced the floor well, Rider Portela ran the floor on the fast break and took over the game in the early portion.

This game was a 20+ point game for a lot of the second half before DeMatha in garbage time knocked down a few baskets to make it look closer