Boys’ basketball: Aaron Holiday scores 54 points in varsity debut

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The opening day of the Crespi tournament on Tuesday produced a stunning performance. Aaron Holiday, an incoming freshman guard at North Hollywood Campbell Hall and the younger brother of Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday, scored 54 points in a loss to Simi Valley.

He made 28 free throws, according to Jack Pollon of the Daily News. He shredded the Pioneers’ pressing defense.

‘He’s a heck of a player,’ Simi Valley Coach Chris Printz said. ‘What’s most impressive was his stamina. He has an unbelievable motor.’

Holiday, who’s 5 feet 10, brought back memories of his brother with his physical play and ability to dribble the basketball, according to coaches who saw his performance.

‘He’s got excellent handles and a feel for the game,’ Crespi Coach Russell White said.

Campbell Hall Coach Steve Wachs said, ‘He’s a physical player like Jrue and can distribute like Jrue, but he’s Aaron Holiday.’

Holiday and Campbell Hall are scheduled to play again on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Crespi against La Verne Damien. And his one game of anonymity is probably gone, because by Tuesday night, word was spreading quickly in the prep basketball world about his performance.

-- Eric Sondheimer