Vancouver Metro Basketball League

By Andrew ‘Soda’ Wadden

I’ve been hanging around the Agrodome over the last few days watching the best high school basketball teams in the province battle it out to determine who’s the best in BC. There’s been some very competitive and intense ball going down highlighted by some of the best ballers in the high school ranks. I’ve mainly been watching the championship side of the tourney, charting the best of the best while they fight it out for BC basketball supremacy. I’ll do my complete run down of the tourney after the finals tonight, however, here are a few of the stand-out players I’ve witnessed through the tourney that I see having solid careers in basketball after their prep days are through.

I’ll start with the players off the two teams in the finals, the Yale Lions and the White Rock Christian Warriors.

Marek Klassen PG – Yale
Score first point guard, or a “zero” guard as Bill ‘The Sports Guy’ Simmons likes to call them. Klassen has 88 total points through three games leading into tonight’s final. He’s a floor leader that demands the ball. Can dish if he has too, but looks to drive and is solid with both hands when he does. Could see some NCAA attention, but would prefer to see this kid stay home and play for UBC or SFU, as I think he could blossom in the CIS and may be buried on the bench in the states where guards are a dime a dozen.

Nakai Luyken SG – Yale
Nakai has a very nice overall game. He can score, pass and rebound. He loves to iso his defender and his teammates give him loads of space to do so. At 6’2″ he’s too undersized to play the two in the college ranks, but he could very easily slip in as a combo guard in the CIS. Has hops but needs to work on his jumper.

Eli Mara PG – WRCA
The end is now for this veteran of provincial final tourneys. Mara has played in the provincials every year since grade seven. That’s remarkable as a player and as a system. White Rock produces great players and Mara is just another great one coming out of there. He’ll go south to play college ball mainly due to the fact that he’s got the size to do so. At 6’5″, Eli is big enough to play the two but will play the one because he has the skill set and basketball IQ to do so. Needs to work on his court vision and decisions at times. Six turnovers against Van College in last night’s semis, add that to another six in the quarters versus Argyle. Maturity and playing with a team full of players as talented as Mara will help improve that side of his game. Possible Canadian National team member down the road.

Riley Barker Center – WRCA
Standing at 6’9″, Riley is one of the biggest player in this years tourney. He can score inside, rebound and has a knack for blocking shots. Seven swats in yesterdays semi-final win over Vancouver College. Barker has already committed to Portland University in Oregon. He’s listed at 230 pounds, but I would bet he’s closer to 215. He’ll need to work hard in the gym this summer to improve his strength because they grow them big down south. I think Barker will do well down the road but may struggle at first when he gets into Div One ball. Height and skill are everything when it comes to basketball and he possesses both of these traits. If he can work on his strength, he should be fine.

Christian Weisbrod SG – WRCA
Mr. Big Shot. Weisbrod has been solid for the Warriors throughout the week. His long jumper with under ten seconds on the clock last night versus Van College proved to be the game winner. I’m not 100% sure Weisbrod’s game will even make him into the CIS, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he lands some where playing in Canada West. Weisbrod can shoot the three and at 6’5″ would be a treat to most coaches in the CIS looking for a wing that can shoot.

Phil Scrubb Guard – Vancouver College
Love everything about this kids game and wish he had one more shot to win it all this year because he deserves it. Phil was the best player for VC in last years finals loss to St. George’s, while playing beside his highly touted brother Thomas. He’ll draw attention from NCAA schools but like Klassen, I see him being better suited in the CIS.

Jesse Jeffers PF – Argyle
50 points in the Pipers first round win over Sir Charles Tupper! Did I mention that two of those 50 were to win the game at the buzzer? Jeffers is Argyles go to man and they go to him often. Has the perfect game for the CIS. 6’6″ and athletic. Jesse will have a fabulous CIS career, hopefully staying close to home at either U VIC, TWU, UBC or SFU, where he belongs.

James Lum PG – Sir Charles Tupper
The best pure point guard in BC high school ranks. Lum runs the floor like no other in the tournament. Loves to distribute the ball and sees the floor very well. A lock as a top CIS point guard.