Phoenix, AZ – The 5th Annual Phoenix Spring Showcase is now Chad Groth’s Easter Classic. This event was held at Phoenix College, Sierra Linda High School and Inspire Courts in Gilbert, AZ. 100 games were played starting Friday afternoon April 6 and ended late Saturday night on the eve of Easter Sunday as some of the best basketball games this spring took place.

Let’s see who really stepped their game up this weekend, as over a dozen junior college coaches attended looking for players and scouts and media also dropped in to watch the action like Pointguardu.com, Westcoasthoopsreport.com, Vegaspremierball.com, Hoopsreport.com, Scout.com, Collegehoops.net, Hot100hoops.com, AZcentral.com,  Tristatehoopsreport.com, Fivestarbasketball.com and Areacodesbasketball.com.

This is part I of three reports of the rising stars of tomorrow.

Sedrick Barefield, Compton Magic (CA) 2015 – The 6 foot 1 point guard was the top prospect in his class and some say overall this weekend. Barefield is a high major athletic player that has good speed, defends well and can score. Most of all is a mature individual and could at the end of the day have the potential to be ranked nationally in the top 10 in his class.

Jordan Lee, Powerhouse (AZ) 2015 – Lee really has good shooting range and scored a couple of big shots on Saturday afternoon. Listed at 6 foot 1 still has room to grow and has a high ceiling if he works.

Cameron Walker, Compton Magic (CA) 2015 – Walker is a wing that is long and athletic and does everything well, has good size at 6 foot 7 and can hit the mid-range jumper.

Kendall Lauderdale, Compton Magic (CA) 2015 – At 6 foot 7 can play a couple of positions on the floor, has a strong presence on the floor and has a good feel for the game.

Trey Hoebee, AZ Future (AZ) 2015 – This kid can play both guard spots and has shooting range from 19 feet, the 5 foot 11 playmaker is one to watch in 2015.

Jerome Sherman, Compton Magic Blue (CA) 2016 – Sherman at 6 foot 1 can play both guard positions and scored the ball when needed, knows how to play and defends.

Elston Jones, Compton Magic Elite (CA) 2014 – Jone is 6 foot 9 and has plenty of tools in the post. Uses his body well to play physical and runs the floor well for a post player. The class of 2014 has the best big in Arizona and maybe one of the top on the west coast. His early list includes Arizona, UNLV, San Francisco, Oregon State, Maryland and Arizona State.

Brandon Williams, Aces (AZ) 2014 – Williams plays the PG and is a leader on the floor. The 5 foot 11 guard has good speed and can change directions naturally and is one to keep an eye on this spring for the class of 2014.

Kodi Justice, Thunderbirds (AZ) 2014 – The 6 foot 4 shooting guard committed to Herb Sendek and Arizona State last fall and plays at a high level. Justice is one of the top shooters in the country and can score buckets in a hurry, as he filled it up all weekend in the Easter Classic.

Casey Benson, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2014 – Benson at 6 foot 1 was as crafty as can be, he moves well with or without the ball and is a solid player that has a basketball IQ. He is a game changer and can shoot from deep or attack the basket, early interest from Gonzaga, St. Mary’s, Oregon State, Grand Canyon and Arizona State, Yes I said Grand Canyon.

Rolando Rhymes, Thunderbirds (AZ) 2014 – Rhymes is a tough point guard that has a score first mind, but can attack the basket at times. Only 5 foot 8 is still showing he can be a big time guard.

Tate De Laveaga, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2014 – Attacks the basket and can knock down the open jumper. The 6 foot 2 guard is a tough player.

Connor MacDougald, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2014 – The 6 foot 8 forward has good size and has a good wing span and uses his size well in the post.

John Marshall, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2014 – Marshall has a nice shooting touch and is all over the court, defends well and knows how to play.

Gino Little, AZ Stars (AZ) 2014 – Little hit some big shots this weekend and made a few good plays. Listed at 5 foot 11 can play combo guard and has good upside.

Sam Jones, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2014 – The 6 foot 7 swing man can do plenty of things well. One to watch over the next couple of year’s and this kid will be a special player that could end up being 6 foot 10 at the end of the day. Jones runs well and can block shots, also defends with the best. Leave him open and he will knock down the 15 footer.

Pablo Rivas, AZ Stars (AZ) 2014 – Rivas is 6 foot 6 and can play a few positions on the floor. He has a smooth game and is long and can handle the ball, good upside.

Richaud Gittens, AZ Stars (AZ) 2013 – The 6 foot 2 guard can be unstoppable on offense.

Talbott Denny, Tucson Pump n Run (AZ) 2012 – This 6 foot 7 post rebounded well and is a physical player. Denny played well in all three games and is an unsigned senior that is worthy of being a late signee.

Bubba Mears, Tucson Pump n Run (AZ) 2012 – Mears is a 5 foot 9 PG that is very fast and pushes the ball well, plays tough defense and can score.

Joseph Monreal, Tucson Pump n Run (AZ) 2012 – The 5 foot 10 combo guard can really score in transition and has good shooting range.

William Marshall, Team Zona (AZ) 2012 – Marshall is a big post listed at 6 foot 9 and really blocks shots when he wants to play. Has great upside and is on the radar of College of Southern Idaho, Phoenix College, Howard College and Arizona Western as more junior colleges will get involved late.

Gary Williams, AZ Pump n Run (AZ) 2012 – I liked the way he played physical and at 6 foot 6 can play with anyone in the post, undersized but competes with the best.

Breland Nunn, Team Phoenix (AZ) 2012 – Nunn is 6 foot 9 and can play center and power forward. He moves well and is athletic at times, impressed me with his work ethic in the game I watched.

Nathan Wright, Gamepoint (CA) 2012 – Wright really is athletic and can finish in traffic, at 6 foot 5 plays off guard and can get to the basket.

Isaiah Lopez, Fastbreakers (AZ) 2013 – The 6 foot 1 point guard can excel in the open court and is a scoring guard when he needs to be, but looks to pass first and can knock down the open jumper, solid low major DI prospect.

Aaron Chetum, Team Eleate (CA) 2012 – Has good moves under the basket and likes to shoot the mid-range. Only 6 foot 6 but plays bigger.

Pee Wee Gardner, Team Eleate (CA) 2012 – Gardner is very fast in transition and only 5 foot 6 but makes plays, one that could sign late and is the younger brother of Kee Wee Gardner (Providence College).

Lucas Stivrins, AZ Red Shirts (AZ) 2012 – The 6 foot 11 prospect ran the floor well and showed some flashes. Stivrins needs work but has upside and is raw. DII programs should be all over this late bloomer that went under the radar thru high school due to lack of playing time.

LeJon Johnson, AZ Red Shirts (AZ) 2012 – Johnson is only 5 foot 8 but is a big time shooter, the PG has ability to make others better and showed this weekend. Solid JUCO prospect and getting attention from several schools already.