Prospect Spotlight: Andrew Ingalls (2020 Mountainside HS)
Mountainside High School will be playing a varsity schedule for the first time in 2018-19 and Andrew Ingalls is ready for the challenge. The solid 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward is going to be key component toward any success the Mustangs will have in the Metro League and possibly beyond, so he focused on using this summer to get better. Ingalls played AAU basketball with Nike Team Northwest and he’s hoping that what he worked on will pay off in some wins and some individual attention.
With one of Nike Team Northwest’s 16U squads, Ingalls played in tournaments in Bellevue, Las Vegas, and Anaheim and overall it was a good experience for him. “We had some good games and I got a lot better,” Ingalls said. “I definitely got a lot more reps in and a lot more competition. I got more physical and I needed to do that. I worked on my dribbling and being more strong with the ball when I’m down low. This summer got me a lot more prepared for varsity and I’m excited to be going up against upperclassmen, because that’s what I am now too.
We got a chance to watch Ingalls in open gym workouts and in a fall league game and immediately noticed his ability to run the floor and score around the hoop. He’s the only size the Mustangs have so he’ll be anchored to the post but he has some versatility to his game and can hit some perimeter shots. With very little height, Mountainside head coach Dustin Hewitt will have the team pushing the pace and running the floor a lot so Ingalls has been getting adjusted to the system this fall.
“It’s definitely difficult but I’ve been working on my conditioning,” Ingalls said. “Coach really likes to play a fast game so we’ll be doing this all year. We just need to get in shape because we’ll be running the court a lot.”
Ingalls is hopeful a good season will lead to some college recruiting interest but he’s keeping things open and knows he has time. “I’m hoping to get some (interest) the next two years,” Ingalls said. “I’m trying to get into a good college but anyone that wants me to play, I’ll listen to them.”
Instead his focus is on the season. Not much is expected out of the Mavericks but they are going to keep their goals high. “As a team we’ll try to make playoffs and win some games,” Ingalls said. “We’re going to be working hard and try to get to the state tournament.”
Ingalls currently ranks as the #45 ranked player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2020 rankings.