Simon in the spotlight for MODE Prep at Crush in the Valley tourney

Collin Simon, a sophomore from Coeur d’Alene, had a breakout game for MODE Prep of Liberty Lake at last weekend’s Crush in the Valley tournament in Napa Valley, Calif. 

Simon led MODE in scoring vs. top-ranked Prolific Prep of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. 

"I was really happy to see Collin get his looks and take advantage of his opportunities,” said MODE Prep coach Jon Adams, the former Coeur d’Alene High boys basketball coach. “I heard the Prolific Prep coach yelling, ‘Don't leave No. 22! (Collin's number)’. That has to feel pretty good for a sophomore."  

MODE Prep finished 0-3 at the tournament, playing in the top level of the GrindSession’s Power Conference for the first time. MODE played in the second level at previous Grind Session tourneys. 

In MODE’s first tourney game, an 82-79 loss to Albuquerque Prep, center Alassane Doucoure and point guard Matt Cummins suffered sprained ankles, and sat out the second game, a 91-65 loss to Golden State Prep Grey (a post-grad team). 

"You always learn more about your team from losses than wins,” Adams said. “Playing the top team in the country gave our team a barometer of what it takes to be at the top, and it starts with defensive effort, execution, and bringing it every day in practice."   

"Even while coming up empty with Ws, we must have made an impression.  The tournament was attended by many college coaches, many of whom have already contacted me with interest about some of our players and want to form a relationship with MODE Prep." 

Rayan Elghaly led MODE in scoring at the tournament with 13.3 points per game. Doucoure averaged 11 points and 10.5 rebounds, and Zuby Toms averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. 

MODE returns to action at another GrindSession Power Conference tournament Feb. 14-15 in Los Angeles.