St. Joseph Elite Eight Tournament Recap: Top Performers Shine in Santa Maria (Dec. 12–14)

The St. Joseph Elite Eight Tournament, hosted by St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria, California, from December 12–14, delivered three days of high-level basketball and standout individual performances. Featuring elite programs and top prospects from California, New York, and Florida, the tournament served as a proving ground for players looking to make a statement against quality competition. From dominant scorers and true floor generals to versatile bigs and lockdown defenders, the event showcased a wide range of talent and competitive intensity that made it one of the must-watch high school tournaments of the winter season.

Jason Crowe Jr. - Inglewood - Combo Guard - Class of 2026

The Missouri commit continues to remind everyone why he’s one of the nation’s elite scorers. He was objectively the best player in the tournament, averaging 42 points per game while shooting 45% from the field. He scored with ease at all three levels and also showcased his growth as a playmaker, averaging 5.3 assists per game with a high of seven.

David Conerly - Inglewood - Wing - Class of 2027

He has excellent tools and upside with his long, athletic 6’7” frame. A strong finisher in transition, he also showed the ability to be a reliable three-point threat. He served as Inglewood’s second scoring option behind Crowe, averaging 21.0 points per game.

Andrew Hilman - Archbishop Riordan - Center - Class of 2026

A true floor general, he nearly averaged a triple-double in points, rebounds, and assists, including a tournament-high 11 assists. He shows excellent court vision, consistently looks to push the pace, and thrives in transition opportunities.

JP Pihtovs - Archbishop Riordan - Point Guard - Class of 2026

A solid two-way center who dominates the paint, finishing efficiently, rebounding effectively, and contesting shots with poise. He’s a tough, vocal defensive anchor who also runs the floor well in transition.

Caden Jones - Crean Lutheran - Combo Guard - Class of 2027

He showcased his craftiness and creativity on the court, impacting the game as a scorer, playmaker, and defender. He uses that creativity to get into the paint and finish through contact, while also proving to be a reliable mid-range threat who can create separation from defenders.

Hunter Caplan - Crean Lutheran - Shooting Guard - Class of 2027

One of the tournament’s top three-point shooters, he connected on 42% from beyond the arc. He showed good craftiness by attacking the paint instead of settling for contested threes and finished well through contact on challenged attempts.

Nicholas Giarrusso - Crean Lutheran - Point Guard - Class of 2026

A true floor general with excellent vision, he plays with poise and a high basketball IQ. He quickly identifies mismatches and consistently puts teammates in positions to succeed. A strong rebounding guard who pushes the pace, he’s also capable of scoring when needed but doesn’t rely on it to impact the game.

Chadrack Mpoyi - Crean Lutheran - Center - Class of 2026

A strong finisher who plays with force on both ends of the floor, he was the best shot blocker in the tournament. He’s one of the most underrated and under-discussed bigs in Southern California and in his class overall. One thing that really stood out was his vision—he’s developing into a high-level passer from the post. The University of Minnesota is getting a big man with a strong ceiling and significant long-term potential.

Isaiah Barnes - Crespi - Combo Guard - Class of 2027

He played with improved poise, continuing to develop into a true floor general. He showed the ability to score at all three levels, finishing well in transition and over defenders. His vision—especially in transition—stood out, as he didn’t force the action and allowed the game to come to him.

Cayman Martin - Crespi - Forward - Class of 2027

He serves as the team’s center and is an effective finisher over bigger defenders, while also being a reliable three-point shooter when given space. A hard-nosed yet poised defender, he holds his own in small-ball lineups against quicker, smaller players. He plays with high effort and communicates well on the court.

Lee Robinson - Brooklyn Academy (NY) - Combo Guard - Class of 2028

Motor, energy, and effort define Robinson’s game. He finishes well at the rim, even over bigger defenders, and competes with relentless grit. A fierce competitor who isn’t afraid of contact.

Julius Price - St.Joseph - Point Guard - Class of 2026

A very poised point guard, he controlled the pace in every game for his team and played with consistent effort on both ends of the floor. His defensive intensity makes him especially valuable, and he’s a big-shot maker who creates space in the mid-range to get his shot off effectively.

Malcolm Price - St. Joseph - Shooting Guard - Class of 2027

A fierce competitor who plays hard from start to finish, he was one of the tournament’s best shooters. He can score at all three levels and delivered in key moments, hitting big shots down the stretch—most notably in the championship game, where he scored a game-high 22 points.

Williams Sacre - St. Joseph - Center - Class of 2028

An athletic big who operates primarily in the paint, he defends well, controls the glass, and finishes effectively out of the pick-and-roll. He plays with high energy throughout the game and, as only a sophomore, already shows a strong set of valuable tools.

Myles Fuentes - Riviera Prep - Combo Guard - Class of 2027

A smooth, quick, and crafty guard who gets to the paint with ease, he proved effective both on and off the ball. His sneaky athleticism allows him to finish through contact, and he’s also a reliable three-point threat. He showed great anticipation on the defensive end.

Randy Livingston Jr. - Riviera Prep - Shooting Guard - Class of 2026

He communicates well on both ends of the floor and was one of the tournament’s best shooters. He knocked down big shots down the stretch in the semifinals against Crean Lutheran, finishing with a game-high 23 points. He shows great poise, shooting form, and footwork.

Jonathan “JJ” Watts - Riviera Prep - Forward - Class of 2027

He plays bigger than his size while serving as the team’s center, finishing effectively in the paint and defending it with his athleticism. He runs the floor well and gives his team a reliable offensive option. With a developing three-point shot, he has the potential to become an even bigger threat.

The St. Joseph Elite Eight Tournament once again lived up to its reputation as a premier stage for high school basketball talent in California. Across three days of action, players separated themselves through skill, poise, effort, and impact on both ends of the floor. Whether it was clutch shot-making, elite playmaking, interior dominance, or defensive versatility, the tournament highlighted prospects with the ability to contribute now and grow at the next level. As the season continues, many of these standout performers will be names to watch closely, having already proven themselves under pressure in Santa Maria.