Mt Miguel Fall Classic: First Five
Mount Miguel Head Coach Jay Rowlett annually provides San Diego basketball fans a fitting completion to the fall calendar the eponymous Fall Class.
The tournament, largely attended by city and South county teams, has historically given us a barometer of the teams’ trajectories on the eve of the regular season.
This installment proved no different, as Mission Bay – without star guard Boogie Ellis and head coach Marshawn Cherry – defeated the hosts 47-37 to claim their second consecutive championship.
We look at some of the top performers in a series of reports. Up first, the “First Five” performers.
Mt. Miguel Fall Classic: First Five
Jay Norton, 2019 G, Mission Bay
The 6-1 combo guard slashed, drove and scored his way to a strong weekend. In the semifinal against Montgomery, a very physical affair, Norton attacked the basket and lived at the foul line. He hit timely shots to hold off a furious second half rally by the Aztecs.
Ronnie Latting, 2019 C, Mission Bay
At 6-7 and 230+, Latting presents a big matchup problem for most teams in San Diego. This weekend was no different, as he grabbed crucial offensive rebounds, giving his team multiple second- and third-chance possessions. Defensively, he altered and blocked shots at a prolific clip. Despite a poor showing from the foul Latting hit the biggest one of all in the semifinals, to give the Bucs a four-point lead. This would be critical, as Kyle Paranada would hit a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot that otherwise would have sent the game to OT.
Andre Scott, 2019 G, Mission Bay
Scott continued his strong fall with a solid two-way performance the entire weekend. Defensively, his strong play on the ball in the halfcourt stifled the other team’s top perimeter players. Offensively, he did a good job steadying the team and facilitating the offense. The 6-1 Scott attacks well from the top and wings, and puts a lot of pressure on the defense when he gets into the paint. His shooting is streaky, but he hit some critical pull-up jumpers from midrange.
Lawrence Gray, 2019 G, Mt. Miguel
The 6-3 point forward has a unique game. He’s equally comfortable attacking off the dribble has he is with his back to the basket, where the lefty can finish with either hand. Once into the paint, Gray makes excellent reads and finds open teammates cutting or spotting up on the perimeter. After sitting out last year, Gray appears prepared to have a strong senior campaign.
Marquise Edwards, 2019 W, Mt. Miguel
Edwards is the most underrated wing in San Diego. At 6-5, he possesses strong athleticism and can finish above the rim in transition and in the halfcourt. His ball skills have improved steadily over the last two seasons, allowing him to score off the bounce and finish with either hand. He also can catch and shoot from three, even though he’s streaky from that range.