New Freshman Guards Making Waves in Southland Basketball
Freshman Point Guard Phillip Reed Jr. Shines on the Court
Palisades freshman point guard Phillip Reed Jr. has quickly adapted to the rigors of high school varsity basketball, demonstrating resilience and skill as he faces off against stronger and more seasoned players. “I wanted to jump into the water head first,” Reed remarked, embracing the challenge that comes with competing at this level.
Reed’s journey mirrors that of many freshmen thrust into immediate playing time. As he gains experience, his confidence has grown considerably, revealing signs of his potential in each game. “Pressure is a privilege. That’s how I look at it,” he said. “It’s not really pressure. It’s a challenge.”
Since the age of four, Reed has been preparing for this opportunity. Residing in Compton, he attends Palisades through online classes, using additional time for workouts with his father, a former high school football player, while his mother also excelled in athletics at West Virginia Tech.
Initially, Reed encountered significant hurdles as he faced opponents with greater physical strength. “Everybody is pretty much stronger than me, so it was using my IQ,” he explained. “It’s a little more physical.” Standing at 6-foot-3, Reed has proven capable of meeting the demands of a point guard, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Reed stands alongside a talented group of freshman guards in Southern California who have formed a competitive camaraderie over the years. “Everybody in this freshman class is pushing each other to be better,” he noted.
Among the standout freshmen making an impact this season is Will Conroy Jr. from Village Christian, who has recorded a career-high of 41 points in a game. With his father as an assistant coach at USC, Conroy has benefited from strong mentorship, currently averaging 27 points and earning recognition as one of the top freshmen in California. Earlier this season, he clinched a game against Crespi with a crucial last-second shot.
Quali Giran of Long Beach Millikan has also impressed, living up to the expectations set upon him by averaging 24 points from his first game. Zach Arnold from San Gabriel Academy has contributed significantly to his team’s successes against top-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Tariq Johnson at Servite has taken a leadership role, consistently averaging 17 points.
Other noteworthy freshmen include Darrellreon Morris from St. Pius X-St. Matthias, who showcases maturity in setting up plays, Braylon Sherwood from Chaminade, who contributes averaged 13 points, and Travis Walton Jr. from Eastvale Roosevelt, who is adapting to varsity challenges while showing promise. Also, JoJo Mariless has made a significant impact for Damien, now a starter on the 17-4 team, demonstrating both scoring ability and unselfish passing.
As the season unfolds, these young athletes continue to demonstrate their potential, setting the stage for exciting future contributions to high school basketball.
