Meet Seaside's Finest

Coach Jason Hieb's  Seaside's Finest AAU program is one on the rise. In an area of the state -- the Monterey Peninsula -- not known as a hotbed for basketball prospects, his top team is laden with promising youngsters, like four sophomores and a freshman. "These are all high IQ guys who understand the game of basketball at a young age -- their level of play is above their grade"

The roster:

* Wyatt Maker, 6-foot-7, 2016 Palma High, 14.7 points plus 9 rebounds a game

The Most Valuable Player of the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division, he led
Palma to a 12-0 league record and powered the Chieftains to become the first Monterey County team ever selected to the CCS open division. Maker was also named The Monterey Herald Most Valuable Player and to the Prep2Prep Second Team All CCS squad.

Hieb: "Wyatt has some really good post moves and passes well off of double teams. When his feet are set ,he's shoots the three ball extremely well for a guy who only plays the post in high school. He will be a stretch four at the next level."

* Jordan Graves, 6-foot-2 2016 North Monterey County High 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.5 steals a contest

The Most Valuable Player of the Monterey Bay League Pacific Division, Graves was front and center in pacing North Monterey County to a 12-0 league record. The Salinas Californian honored him as The County Player of the Year and he was also a Prep2Prep All CCS Honorable Mention selection.

Hieb: "Jordan can shoot and also attack the basket very well. He's a very physical guard. Jordan is a dynamic playmaker who makes plays for himself and others."

* Brad Sendell, 5"11 2017, Pacific Grove High, 15.7 points an outing

The Most Valuable Player of the Mission Trail Athletic League, Sendell powered Pacific Grove to a league title. He was an All County honoree with both The Monterey Herald and The Salinas Californian as well as the Prep2Prep CCS Sophomore of the Year.

Hieb: "He can really shoot and attacks the basket well and can really finish. He's a kid who won't be out worked and plays extremely hard."

* Jamaree Bouyea, 6-foot 2017, Palma High

A point, he was an All-County Monterey Herald selection in addition to being All CCS Honorable Mention by Prep2Prep.

HIeb: "One of the most dynamic players on the team, he can shoot it and take guys off the dribble and is a great passer who can score it easily but loves to get his teammates involved. He is a difference maker and should grow into his size 13 shoes."

* Parker Olin, 6-foot-1, 2017, Stevenson School, 15.5 points a game, 89 treys

The crafty guard led Monterey County in three-pointers made and also was a member of The Salinas Californian All County team.

Hieb: Parker is a knock down three-point shooter who understands how to get his shot. He can also put it on the deck and get to the basket . A true student of the game of basketball."

* Dominic Johnson, 6-foot-5, 2016, Palma High

Hieb: "A very athletic kid, he can rebound in space and score within 12 feet. A late starter to the game of basketball, he's developing into a really good basketball player with a tremendous upside. He can defend on the perimeter as well as in the paint."

* Jack Brusa, 6-foot, 2016, Palma High

Hieb: "A high IQ guy with the best mid-range jumper on the team, he's a willing passer who has great court vision and and can get to the rim and finish."

* Andrew Wirtz, 6-foot-1, 2016, Monterey High

Hieb: "He's a big body 6-foot-1 and probably our best physical guy. He shoots the corner three extremely well. A really good rebounder for a guy his size, Andrew understands how to use his body "

* Josh Kesilica, 5-foot-6, 2016, Palma High

Hieb: "Josh is our sparkplug, an energy guy. He's our best on-ball defender, can knock down the three ball and excels in transition. As a point guard, he really understands how to run a team offensively."

* Gavin Rippere, 6-foot-5, 2017, Salinas High

Hieb: "Gavin hurt his meniscus and won't play until the end of May but he's an above-the-rim type of player who can put it on the deck and get to the basket and he knows how to finish. We're excited for him to get healthy."

* Garrett Maker, 6-foot-4, 2018, Palma High

Hieb: "A quarterback on the football team, he is a natural athlete who can get to the rim and finish with authority. He's shoots the ball really well,  is only a freshman and we expect really big things in the future for him.

Seaside's Finest will be participating in a number of the major tournaments this spring and summer. Having just gotten back from the Pangos Spring Spectacular, it's the late April Nor Cal Spring Showcase at Jamtown in Oakland next, followed by the City Championship games at City College of San Francisco and then the Bay Area Memorial Day Classic. In July, Hieb's crew will be participating in the Nor Cal Summer Tipoff, then the madness in Las Vegas late in the month quickly followed by a tournament in Anaheim.