BATTLE OF NORCAL

📆 Aug 20th 2022

⏰ 11am-5pm

📍Modesto Christian 

The 2nd annual “Simply Basketball: Battle of Norcal” (Regardless of Class) returns August 20, 2022 and it is packed with star studded prospects from across Northern California. The event featured 4 teams, “The Bay”, “The 916”, “The 209”, and “The Central”, which represented four major parts of Northern California basketball culture. 

The rosters feature an abundant amount of local and also national names. There are 3 nationally ranked players participating, Jamari Philipps, Mikey Lewis and Zion Sensley. Jamari is the highest ranked NorCal guard since Jabari Brown at #19 on both ESPN and Rivals, with expectations of even moving up to the top 10 after a stellar summer. His summer consisted of being invited to Team USA, a game MVP which was on ESPN, and other numerous big games during events. While Jamari is representing “The 209”, 

“The Bay” has 2 nationally ranked players in Mikey Lewis and Zion Sensley. Mikey shot up the rankings ( #51 on Rivals) as he won an All-American award as a sophomore, for playing in “The Grind Session”, which is the top prep school basketball league and also a big summer with the Oakland Soldiers. Zion also plays in “The Grind Session” and was also invited to compete at the Team USA training camp. He is the most intriguing of the 3 as he is a 6’8 wing who has all the upside in the world. 

“The 916” is led by another heavily recruited D1 prospect in Ben Rosenborough. After transferring to play at Prolific Prep for a year, and a summer with “Team Why Not”, Ben’s game has taken a big leap. Ben has always been known as a scorer, but it seems like he’s gained an extra gear in his speed and 10 inches to his vertical the past couple of months. Varick Lewis is also another name to watch out for. He currently holds offers from Long Beach State and Cal, and is looking to show he is in the realm of elite west coast talent. “The 916” rounds out with 4 players from Inderkum high school, rising incoming junior Tyler Thompson, and numerous local stars.. “The 916” are also the defending champions carrying over from “Battle of NorCal: Senior Edition” , even holding practice because of their competitive nature.

 “The Central” consists of some big under the radar prospects. A name that is rising is JJ Howard, who recently led “West Coast Elite NorCal” to the UAA finals. The Mission Prep guard has gained a bunch of mid-major offers after a stellar summer. “The Central” also exhibits one of California’s top 2024 prospects in Connor Amundsen. Central California has produced some of the biggest names in Nor-Cal basketball recently such as NBA rising star Jalen Green, and “March Madness” hero Jamaree Bouyea. There shouldn’t be any underestimating “The Central” as they look to win it all.