COTC: 2020 Select game standouts (Part I)
Aaron Burgin’s Crème of the County brainchild completed its fourth installment Saturday at Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad.
The event featured nine games over the course of the day with squads facing off from the classes of 2023 up to 2019.
The COTC has always been one of the best events to view San Diego’s top and uncovered talent and this year’s edition didn’t disappoint.
Here is the first set of top performers from the class of 2020 Select game.
MVP: Joel Calhoun, Fallbrook
Calhoun caught fire with his perimeter jump shot in the second half, leading team East to the 2020 Select game victory. The 6-foot-3 wing picked his spots slowly in the first half, making sure to get teammates involved, but took it upon himself to create scoring opportunities in the second 25 minutes. Calhoun is an active and high motor guy on both ends of the floor.
Jadyn James, Helix
James was one of the more crafty and heady players in this game. The 5-foot-10 point guard used the advance pass to move the ball ahead in transition, something few players practice these days, especially in a showcase setting. James also got paint touches as he pleased, which he finishes off with drive-and-kick passes to open shooters or with a floater with good touch.
Robert Ligayon, Mission Hills
Ligayon was perhaps the best pure set shooter in the 2020 Select game. The 5-foot-11 shooting guard is always on balance and shot ready, has fundamental shooting mechanics, deep range and a quick trigger from multiple spots beyond the arc. The next step for Ligayon is to expose defenders closing out hard to his shooting hand and put the ball on the deck for a one or two-dribble pull-up.
Declan Bretz, St. Augustine
Bretz stood out most on the defensive side of the ball, providing endless ball pressure of opposing point guards, resulting in numerous turnovers. The 6-foot point guard defines the terms “hard-nosed” and “high motor” on both ends of the floor. Bretz is a reliable ball-handler and decision-maker both in transition and half-court settings.