(3-18-17) The youngest of the famous Ball brothers, LaMelo, is the SSN’s National Public High School Player of the Year. The sophomore has been the most entertaining player in the USA, averaging 27 points a game, which included a 173 3-pointers. He scored 92 points in a 146-123 win over Los Osos, he was 37 of 61 shots from the field,  30 of 39 from 2-point range and was 11 for 14 from the free-throw line.  He has already committed to UCLA, his oldest brother Lonzo is already a Bruin , and brother LiAngelo will play at UCLA next season.

  • LaMelo Ball – Chino Hills -Player of the Year- 5’10 Sophomore

  • Clayton Southwick – Palmer  (Alaska) -6’7 Junior

  • Samuta Avea – Kahuku (Hawaii)- 6’6 Senior

  • Keion Brooks Jr.- Ft. Wayne (Indiana) North Side – 6’8 – Sophomore

  • Jason Whitens – Powers (Michigan) North Central – 6’5 Senior

Clayton Southwick , Palmer  (Alaska), the Junior had a great season for the Palmer Moose, he was named to the Alaskan Class 4A All State 1st team and was named the Region III Player of the Year

Southwick already has over 1,200 points in his career, 500 rebounds and 200 assists with still his Senior year to play.

Palmer Head Coach Chuck Martin told the Frontiersman

“I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of good basketball players, but Clayton is probably the most gifted of them all because of his size and what he can do with his size. He wants to be really good. I love him because he’s so competitive.”

Samuta Avea, Kahuku (Hawaii),  led the Red Raiders to the school’s first ever Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I State Title beating Punahou 70-55. The 6’6 Senior had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in the tile game and was named the tournament’s MVP.

Avea will attend the University of Hawaii next year. His four-year high school career has been quite an adventure, he played two seasons (Freshman and Sophomore) at Kahuku before moving to Utah for his junior season to hopefully get added exposure. While living with his Aunt he helped Bingham (Utah) to a Utah 5A Championship.

After signing with Hawaii before his Senior season he decided to move back home and play his final year back home at Kahuku.

Keion Brooks Jr., Ft. Wayne (Indiana) North Side, the sophomore has helped the Legends gain National attention this year and they are favored to win the Class 4A State title, after knocking off Carmel in the Regional finals and will play this weekend in a state semifinal game.

He’s considered a 5-star recruit and continues to get numerous D1 major college  offers.

He was a 1st All Conference Selection and will most likely gain all-state honors as well.

Jason Whitens, plays for Powers North Central and is one of the smallest schools in the State of Michigan, but don’t let that fool you,  he is one of six finalist for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball.

He led the Jets to their 80th straight game win, and they will play Hillman  in a Class D quarterfinal game Tuesday night in Sault Ste. Marie in search of a third consecutive State title.

Whitens is  a three-time all-state selection and has lost only one game in his four year career  (104-1). This past week he led the Jets to their fifth consecutive Class D Regional Championship. He was the Class D player of the year as a junior and has won the Wendy’s Heisman Award as scholar athlete.

This season he  averages a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds a game, plus 6 assists and 3 assists a game.

The All-SSN team is made-up of two Seniors, one Junior and two Sophomores. Although a young group, they are some of the best representatives of high school boys basketball players participating at a Public High School.

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