Five Takeaways: Day 1 at the BattleZONE
Corona, Ca. — One of SoCal’s top tournaments of the preseason tipped off Monday at Corona Centennial high school. The BattleZONE draws a host of talented squads from the Inland Empire to the Valley and down to San Diego. Top…
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Continue ReadingCorona, Ca. — One of SoCal’s top tournaments of the preseason tipped off Monday at Corona Centennial high school. The BattleZONE draws a host of talented squads from the Inland Empire to the Valley and down to San Diego. Top players at the event include 2020’s No. 1 player Evan Mobley of Rancho Christian, highly-regarded freshman Mikey Williams of San Ysidro, Sheldon’s backcourt duo of Marcus Bagley and Xavion Brown and Santa Clarita Christian’s Caden Starr and Kaleb Lowery. Below are Monday’s results and five takeaways from the action.
Monday Results
Santa Clarita Christian 71, Temecula Valley 52
San Ysidro 89, San Bernardino 53
Sheldon 97, Eisenhower 66
Rancho Christian 81, Great Oak 47
Five Takeaways
Who will challenge Santa Clarita Christian in Heritage League play?
Right now, no one. The Cardinals pummeled a good Temecula Valley team Monday and did it without starting guard Kyjuan Cannady and with senior forward Kaleb Lowery not at his best on the offensive end. Junior wing Josh O’Garro led the way with 18 points, Ty Harper added 15 and Caden Starr had 13. Santa Clarita Christian is deep, versatile and have good chemistry on both ends of the floor. Coach James Mosely does a nice job of letting his guys play a free-flowing style, but slowing it up and running offense when needed.
Is Sheldon the clear Open Division favorite in Northern California?
Probably. I haven’t seen Salesian, which is likely the second-best team in that area as of now, but Sheldon looked extremely impressive Monday night. Marcus Bagley will be the focal point of the offense as he dropped a game-high 35 points and the Huskies have plenty of other scoring options if needed. Josh Williams is a capable 3-point shooter and Xavion Brown is one of the more athletic finishers you’ll find anywhere. Where Sheldon will make its case as NorCal’s best squad is on the defensive end. Coach Joey Rollins has the luxury of having eight players with length, athleticism, speed and toughness that he can interchange as needed.
Rancho Christian wing Jayce Catchings adds defensive versatility and a reliable scoring option to the Eagles.Jayce Catchings is Rancho Christian’s second-most important player
Evan Mobley is obviously the Eagles’ most important player because of his impact on both ends of the floor, but as the season goes on, Catchings will emerge as Mobley’s right hand man. The transfer from St. Louis gives Rancho Christian a solid wing defender and high IQ decision-maker who can also take some pressure off of Mobley on the offensive and defensive glass. Catchings scored all 18 of his points in the first half of a blow-out victory.
Eisenhower has a sleeper post prospect
It’s rare these days when you see an interior player who has high-level footwork and touch with either hand around the basket, so when you do you have to acknowledge it. Eisenhower got beat handily by a very good Sheldon team, but Daniel Rouzan played very well for the Eagles despite the outcome. The 6-foot-7 junior had 27 points and showed off a number of effective low-post moves in the process. Rouzan also hit a face-up 3-point shot and is a reliable free throw shooter.
Rancho Christian’s Stephens is effective when keeping it simple
There’s no doubting the athletic ability of Rancho Christian guard Bryson Stephens. The senior is as explosive as they come with his first step, open floor speed and ability to get to the rim on limited dribbles. When the 6-footer is operating in an efficient manner with his dribbles and using his speed to blow-by defenders, he’s a solid Division II level prospect.