UC Irvine Team Camp: Best Guards
The UC Irvine team camp featured 41 teams from San Diego to Orange County, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and even up to Bakersfield. The games were split between the Bren Events Center and the Anteater Rec Center with the tournament beginning with pool play on Friday and entering bracket play Saturday and Sunday. Huntington Beach Marina took home the camp championship.
Here are the top guard performers from the event.
Isaiah Hill, Bakersfield Liberty
There was no containing Hill Friday night as he picked apart opposing defenses en route to leading his team to two blowout victories. The 6-foot rising senior had his passing chops on display over the course of the two games, working well out of high ball-screen action, throwing left-handed, live dribble pocket passes to rollers and setting up 3-point shooters with accurate dishes off of drive-and-kicks.
Jordan Hilstock, Vista
Hilstock’s defensive abilities are what make him such an intriguing player with Division I potential. He’s 6-feet-3 with great length and lateral speed, add in the fact that he has a strong base and upper body and those attributes lend to his ability to guard three positions at the high school level. You see Hilstock’s true value when he is connecting on 3-pointers at a high clip as he did Friday.
Chris Howell, San Marcos
If you’re a guard who likes to get open shots with little work or a big who appreciates being rewarded for rim-runs, then Howell is the point guard you want to play with. The 6-foot-4 rising sophomore never over-dribbles, advances the ball with the pass in transition and is always thinking the game one step ahead of the opponent. While Howell’s basketball IQ and
Vista guard Makiah Morris had his strong all-around game on display at the UC Irvine Team Camp.passing ability are two things that are always present in his game, his concerted effort to take the open 3-point shot was good to see.
Mojus Mojus, Balboa Prep
If you’re looking for dynamic playmaking in transition and explosive athletic ability, Mojus is your guy. The 6-foot-3 rising senior is as shifty and difficult to cover on the break as they come, wiggling his way through traffic until he can find space to rise up and finish through contact or above the rim. His quick reaction time and first step allowed him to disrupt passing lanes, resulting in steals and transition opportunities for his team.
Makiah Morris, Vista
Morris is one of those players who was solid all the way around. He takes care of the basketball and doesn’t turn it over, runs Vista’s offense to a “T” and is always engaged on the defensive side of the ball. The 6-foot-1 rising senior is a potent 3-point shooter, as well, especially off-the-catch.