Hoops By Ugland Fall High School Showcase: Top Forwards/Centers (Part I)
ONTARIO — The inaugural Hoops By Ugland Fall High School showcase brought together 20 of Southern California’s well-known programs, in addition to some looking to get their school on the map, and a prep school program from Arizona. The one…
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Continue ReadingONTARIO — The inaugural Hoops By Ugland Fall High School showcase brought together 20 of Southern California’s well-known programs, in addition to some looking to get their school on the map, and a prep school program from Arizona.
The one day event featured 18 games inside the Colony high school gymnasium with highly recruited and under-the-radar players showing out in their respective games. Below you will find evaluations and analysis of the top performances by forwards and centers on the day.
Ethan Bozzo, Beckman
Bozzo isn’t what we’re used to when it comes to a big man nowadays. He’s not a high-flying dunker or a guy who tries to float around on the perimeter, instead, Bozzo has found what works for him as a 6-foot-6 bruiser and sticks to it. The junior has fundamental low-post footwork and the ability to finish with either hand around the basket. He competes on the offensive and defensive glass and does a nice job defensively on the opposing post player.
Paxton Burzell, JSerra
Burzell is more in the finesse forward category as he has soft touch out to 17-feet and can knock down the face-up mid-range set shot with consistency. The 6-foot-7 junior also has some back to the basket feel to his game when he has a size advantage. He can back down a smaller defender and finish with a baby jump hook over either shoulder.
Elisha Cofield, Birmingham
Cofield is an absolute animal on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-6 senior plays with an energy and motor that are infectious to his teammates. Cofield rebounds the defensive glass at a high rate and runs the floor with purpose where he finishes off transition opportunities with power. There are times where he gets sped up, resulting in turnovers, but those situations are expected when you play as fast and as hard as Birmingham does.
Six-foot-11 center Matur Dhal impacted both sides of the floor with his shot blocking ability and interior presence on offense.Matur Dhal, PHHoenix Prep Blue
Dhal is an active and high motor center who can play out of high ball-screen action or in a traditional low post setting. The 6-foot-11 junior is still a bit mechanical in his movements but has good hands and good early footwork on the block. Dhal has fluid shooting mechanics from the free throw line and is a capable shot blocker and rim protector due to his defensive timing.
Anthony Garza, PHHoenix Prep Red
Garza stood out because of his all-around energy and willingness to do the dirty work. The 6-foot-7 senior is an active presence on the offensive and defensive boards and created a ton of second chance opportunities for his team. Garza has the mobility on defense to hedge and recover on the high ball screen and is quick off the floor when contesting and blocking shots at the rim.