The Holiday Classic – Day 1 standouts
The Torrey Pines Holiday Classic perennially brings some of the top high school teams to San Diego for four days of excellent basketball spread over five sites and divisions. On Wednesday, Day 1 of the event, I was able to…
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Continue ReadingThe Torrey Pines Holiday Classic perennially brings some of the top high school teams to San Diego for four days of excellent basketball spread over five sites and divisions.
On Wednesday, Day 1 of the event, I was able to visit four of the gyms – Sage Creek, Torrey Pines, St. Augustine and Canyon Crest – for games.
Here are some of the standouts:
The Holiday Classic – Day 1 standouts
Nolan Naess, 6-7 2021 F, Laguna Beach
Naess was the best player on the court for either team in Laguna’s win over Ramona. A versatile face-up guy with range out to the college three, Naess operates largely out of the high post in the team’s “chin” offense. This fits his skillset, as he has solid court vision and is a willing passer. He can push the ball in transition with either hand, but he must improve his handle in the half court, and be more assertive attacking the basket.
Makiah Morris, 6-2 2019 G, Vista
There might not be a more confident senior in San Diego than Morris, who has scored prolifically all season. In his 32-point effort against Spanish Springs, Morris hit shots from every level – he smoothly attacked off the bounce and finished through contact, dropped several mid-range pull-up jumpers and knocked down threes from both sides of the court.
Albert Pichardo, 6-3 2020 W, Army Navy
Pichardo had his fingerprints on every big play the Warriors needed in their OT win over South Mountain (AZ). He scored a game-high 27-points, slashing his way to the basket and finishing tough plays through contact around the basket. When left open, he also knocked down threes off the wing. Pichardo also proved to be a beast on the boards for the Warriors.
Milos Uzan, 6-2 2022 PG, Desert Pines
Uzan sometimes is overshadowed in his hometown due to its abundance of high-caliber guards, but he flat put out a show on the big stage Wednesday. The smooth, crafty floor general is slight of frame, but not afraid of taking big shots or making big plays. He’s tough to contain off the bounce, and his pull-up is on balance and feathery. And his composure on the ball is beyond his years.
Caedon Flowers, 5-11 2021 PG, Capital Christian
It can be difficult to stand out in a losing effort, but the speedy, grizzled point guard did exactly that for the Sacramento-area team. Flowers is a hard-nosed defender who picks up full-court and turns guards over with his quick hands. His first step in the half court on offense is very impressive, as he used it to exploit a switch and blew by a Mission Bay big for an easy layup.
Sione Lose, 6-3 2021 G, Capital Christian
Lose, listed as a point guard, showed off his knockdown shooting ability in the first half against Mission Bay. When his feet where set, the long combo guard hit two threes and a pull-up jumper, each looked effortless. He will be one to monitor moving forward.