Eight days until MaxPreps Holiday Classic: 8 top scorers

There are eight days until the MaxPreps Holiday Classic, so today we present to you the eight top scorers currently — of those who keep statistics on MaxPreps — from the loaded Open Division.

The 12th-annual tournament, which features 148 teams, takes place in Palm Springs, Calif. Dec. 26-30.

The top eight scorers from the Open Division:  

1. Ty Gibson (Issaquah, Wash.) 26.0 points per game
OK, it's early. Very early for Issaquah, which has only played two games, but the 6-2 guard not only went for 31 points in an 83-45 win over Eastlake, but he's averaging 11.0 rebounds per game. A guard. Last season he averaged 16.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per outing.

2. Jared Harper (Pebblebrook-Mableton, Ga.), 21.8 ppg
The 5-10 junior isn't just a scorer as he averages 7.9 assists per game for the 8-1 Falcons.

3. Jordan Ford (Folsom, Calif), 20.7 ppg
The lightning rod 6-foot junior guard opened the season with a 29-point explosion during a 72-46 win over Newark Memorial. He fills up a state book with 3.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

4. Spencer Johnson (American Fork, Utah), 19.4 ppg
The 6-foot-4 junior has games of 27, 25, 23 and 20, all victories for the Cavemen (5-2).

5. Oscar Frayer (Moreau Catholic-Hayward, Calif.), 19.0 ppg
Small sample size (three games), but the 6-6 Cal-bound junior will likely up that average throughout the season.

6. Solomon Young (Sacramento, Calif.), 18.3 ppg
Another small sample size (three games), Young, a manchild at 6-7 and 230, also averages 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.

7. Ty Hudson (Pebblebrook), 17.5 ppg
The 6-2 point guard teams with Harper to form quick a backcourt. Hudson also averages 5.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game.

8. Terrell Brown (Moreau Catholic), 17.0 ppg
Exploded for 26 in a surprising loss to Mountain View.

OK, so here are four more honorable mentions.

- MJ Cage (Mater Dei-Santa Ana, Calif.), 16.7 ppg
The 6-10 post, one of the top juniors in the country, also averages 11.3 rebounds.

- Rex Pflueger (Mater Dei), 16.7 ppg
The 6-6 shooting guard is doing it all for the Monarchs, averaging 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 4.7 steals per game.

- Alec Hickman (JSerra Catholic-San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 16.5 ppg
The 6-3 junior guard has been a model of consistency with six straight double-figure scoring games.

- Brendan Bailey (American Fork), 16.4
The 6-8 junior had a high game of 28 in a 81-75 win over Bountiful.

* * *

As strong as the highest division has been the last several years, the 2014 field tops them all.

Defending high school basketball national champion Mater Dei will join a cast of six state and section title winners from the 2013-14 season. Thirteen of the 17 teams in the tournament's Open Division won 20 or more games last year.

Rancho Mirage will serve as the primary host, but games will be played in seven venues around the Coachella Valley from Dec. 26-30.

Teams from 30 states and six countries have participated in the event during its decade-plus run. Entries from Germany and Spain will be part of the proceedings.

Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley is one of the premier resort destinations in the United States. It's a haven for golf enthusiasts and home to numerous festivals and conventions — including the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in nearby Indio.

For additional information, visit MaxPrepsHolidayClassic.com, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter @MPHolClass or Instagram @maxpreps_holiday_classic.