Beach City Hoops SoCal Invitational 2026 Recap: Team Weatherall 2028 Claims Championship
TUSTIN, Calif. - The 2026 Beach City Hoops SoCal Invitational brought together talented players from the 2027 and 2028 classes at Tustin High School, with four teams competing through semifinals, a consolation game and the championship.
The day featured several strong individual performances, but Team Weatherall 2028 separated itself from the field. After controlling its semifinal against Team Scott 2028, Weatherall finished the job with a 56-39 championship victory over Team Wood 2027.
Semifinal 1: Team Weatherall 2028 66, Team Scott 2028 32
Team Weatherall set the tone early, using its defense and transition game to build separation quickly. Weatherall led 33-9 at the break, with Achilles Orji providing a consistent presence around the basket while RJ Ball, Austin Kirksey and Hank Baskett IV helped create offense in transition. The lead continued to grow in the second half, eventually reaching 34 in the 66-32 win.
Achilles Orji led Weatherall with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, shooting 7-of-10 from the field. RJ Ball added 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Austin Kirksey finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Devin Mitchell also scored 12, and Chris Davis contributed a well-rounded 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Team Scott was led by Chris Paul II, who finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks, while Noah Zeola added 8 points and 2 assists.
Semifinal 2: Team Wood 2027 67, Team Clarke 2027 55
The second semifinal was much more competitive. Team Wood held only a 33-31 advantage after the opening period, and the teams traded baskets early in the second half before Wood finally created separation.
David Connerly was outstanding offensively, while Brandon Granger controlled much of the game as a scorer and facilitator. A stretch featuring baskets from Kai Patton, Connerly and Brooklyn Ross helped Wood build its advantage into double digits. Granger then closed the game with a basket, free throw and assist on a Patton three to secure the 67-55 victory.
David Connerly led Team Wood with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, shooting an extremely efficient 7-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from three. Brooklyn Ross posted 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Brandon Granger filled the box score with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Ender Berg added 6 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.
For Team Clarke, OJ Popoola scored a team-high 18 points, while Asher Haloosim finished with 15 points, 3 assists and 2 steals. Sloane Harris added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Consolation: Team Scott 2028 57, Team Clarke 2027 39
Team Scott responded well after its semifinal loss, jumping ahead early and taking a 29-14 lead into the break. Chris Paul II controlled the game with his combination of shot-making and playmaking, repeatedly creating good looks for teammates while also knocking down shots from the perimeter.
Paul continued his strong play in the second half, hitting multiple threes as Scott maintained its double-digit cushion. Team Clarke made some pushes behind Sloane Harris and EJ Popoola, but Scott never surrendered control and closed out the 57-39 win.
Chris Paul II produced one of the best all-around stat lines of the day with 21 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and a block, shooting 7-of-10 overall and 5-of-7 from three. Noah Zeola added 16 points, hitting five threes, while Jakobi Oware contributed 9 points, 3 rebounds and a block.
For Team Clarke, Sloane Harris finished with 14 points and 2 assists, while EJ Popoola had 8 points and 2 blocks. OJ Popoola added 6 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Championship: Team Weatherall 2028 56, Team Wood 2027 39
Team Weatherall saved another impressive performance for the championship.
Weatherall controlled the first half and entered the break with a 29-16 advantage, getting production throughout its lineup. Orji established himself inside, while Jakobi Oware provided scoring from the wing and Hank Baskett IV consistently created opportunities for teammates.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Weatherall pushed the lead beyond 20 behind Orji's work around the basket and Oware's perimeter scoring. Wood continued to compete, but Weatherall's size, defense and balance proved too much in the eventual 56-39 championship win.
Achilles Orji delivered his best performance when it mattered most, finishing with 18 points and 9 rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting. Jakobi Oware added 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Hank Baskett IV contributed 4 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and a block. Devin Mitchell impacted both ends with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.
For Team Wood, Jaizahn Lewis scored a team-high 10 points while adding 6 rebounds and 2 assists. David Connerly finished with 9 points and 2 steals, and Ender Berg added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Scouting Notes & Evaluations
Achilles Orji - Dream City Christian (AZ) - Team Weatherall 2028 - Most Outstanding Player
Orji was a consistent interior presence throughout Weatherall's championship run. He finished efficiently around the rim, played above the basket and was particularly effective as a finisher in transition and on second-chance opportunities. His 18-point, 9-rebound championship performance on 9-of-12 shooting was a strong example of how he can impact a game without needing plays constantly called for him. He also showed the ability to protect the rim during the semifinal.
Chris Paul II - Campbell Hall HS - Team Scott 2028
Paul showed the ability to impact the game as both a scorer and facilitator. His 21-point, 6-assist consolation performance stood out, particularly with his ability to create separation and knock down shots off the dribble. He looked comfortable operating with the ball in his hands, reading the defense and finding teammates once help arrived. His perimeter shot-making gives him another dimension when defenders go underneath or give him space.
Brandon Granger - St. Bernard HS - Team Wood 2027
Granger played with good control and showed his ability to balance scoring with playmaking. His 15 points and 7 assists in the semifinal helped Team Wood advance, and he consistently created opportunities for teammates by getting into the defense. He can score from the perimeter, attack off the dribble and make reads once the defense collapses.
OJ Popoola - Palisades HS - Team Clarke 2027
Popoola is an athletic wing who is at his best when he can get downhill and play above the rim. He consistently put pressure on the paint throughout the event, finishing plays in transition, attacking closeouts and using his athleticism around the basket. His semifinal against Team Wood was his best scoring performance, finishing with 18 points while repeatedly creating offense at the rim. His combination of size, athleticism and paint pressure makes him an intriguing two-way wing.
EJ Popoola - Palisades HS - Team Clarke 2027
Popoola brought energy and versatility on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he showed good instincts as a help defender, coming up with steals and blocks while also competing on the glass. Offensively, he was effective attacking the basket, finishing in transition and using his athleticism to play through traffic. He scored 8 points in the consolation game and showed flashes as a player who can impact possessions without needing a high number of touches. His defensive activity and ability to turn stops into transition opportunities stood out.
David Connerly - St. John Bosco HS - Team Wood 2027
Connerly was one of the most efficient scorers of the event, highlighted by his 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the semifinal. He showed confidence as a perimeter shooter, knocking down all three of his three-point attempts, while also finding opportunities in transition and around the basket. His ability to score without needing a high number of attempts made him especially effective.
Hank Baskett IV - Oaks Christian HS - Team Weatherall 2028
Baskett's impact went well beyond scoring. He rebounded his position, pushed the ball and consistently created opportunities for teammates, finishing the championship with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. His willingness to move the ball and make the extra pass helped Weatherall play with balance throughout the day. He also showed defensive activity and the ability to contribute around the rim.
Noah Zeola - Orange Lutheran HS - Team Scott 2028
Zeola is a confident perimeter shooter who can change a game quickly when he gets into rhythm. He consistently showed range throughout the event and was comfortable stepping into threes both in the half court and in transition. His best performance came in the consolation game, where he scored 16 points and knocked down five three-pointers. Zeola also showed that he can play off others, relocate into open space and capitalize when the defense collapses.
RJ Ball - Beverly Hills HS - Team Weatherall 2028
Ball is a versatile guard who impacted the game in several different areas during Weatherall's championship run. He can score off the bounce, attack the rim and create separation for his pull-up, but his playmaking and defensive activity stood out just as much. In the semifinal, Ball finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, including a step-back three as Weatherall pulled away. He plays with good pace and showed a willingness to create for teammates rather than hunt his own shot every possession.
Brooklyn Ross - Aquinas HS - Team Wood 2027
Ross brought physicality and activity around the basket, finishing with 17 points and 8 rebounds in Team Wood's semifinal victory. He was effective running the floor, attacking the rim and creating second-chance opportunities. His ability to rebound and immediately become a transition threat gave Wood another way to generate easy offense.
Jakobi Oware - St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy - Team Weatherall 2028
Oware is a strong, active wing who can impact the game inside and outside. He does a good job pursuing rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities and using his strength around the basket, while also showing the ability to step out and knock down the three. Oware was especially productive in the championship, finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds as Weatherall pulled away from Team Wood. His activity on the offensive glass stood out, and he consistently found ways to score without needing the offense centered around him. That combination of physicality, rebounding and floor-spacing gives him useful versatility on the wing.
Sloane Harris - Roosevelt HS - Team Clarke 2027
Harris is an aggressive guard who consistently looks to attack the rim and put pressure on the defense. He does a good job getting downhill in transition and in the half court, and he showed that he can finish above the rim when he gets a step. Harris also flashed some perimeter touch and was productive as a passer, giving him value beyond just scoring. In the semifinal against Team Wood, he finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and he followed that with 14 points and 2 assists in the consolation game. His ability to get into the paint and force rotations is a big part of what makes him effective.
Devin Mitchell - Etiwanda HS - Team Weatherall 2028
Mitchell is a smart, versatile guard/wing whose vision and feel for the game stood out throughout Weatherall's championship run. He sees the floor well, makes quick reads and consistently finds teammates once the defense shifts toward him. Mitchell also showed that he can score from the perimeter, finish in transition and contribute defensively with his length. He finished the championship with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, giving Weatherall production in several different areas.
Final Takeaway
The 2026 Beach City Hoops SoCal Invitational gave an early look at several intriguing players from the 2027 and 2028 classes, but Team Weatherall 2028 clearly made the strongest statement. Weatherall defeated its two opponents by a combined 51 points, using its depth, defense and interior presence to control both games.
Orji's efficiency around the basket, Paul's shot-making and playmaking, Granger's floor game, Connerly's scoring efficiency and several other performances made the event a worthwhile evaluation setting. With these prospects still having multiple high school seasons ahead of them, the SoCal Invitational provided another early checkpoint for players who will be worth following throughout Southern California basketball.