Top 5: Mission Hills vs Mira Mesa
This week, I’ve seen a combined four quarters of Mission Hills and five quarters of Mira Mesa at the Madison Regional Rumble. Today, the Grizzlies outlasted the Marauders 58-51 to finish the tournament with a 3-1 record, the lone loss…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis week, I’ve seen a combined four quarters of Mission Hills and five quarters of Mira Mesa at the Madison Regional Rumble. Today, the Grizzlies outlasted the Marauders 58-51 to finish the tournament with a 3-1 record, the lone loss coming against St. Augustine.
Here are some takeaways from this under-the-radar game.
Mission Hills defense is tremendous
From its fullcourt press to its pack-line defense in the halfcourt, the Grizzlies are stingy on the defensive side of the ball. In the loss to St. Augustine, the Saints only scored 46 points. 2021 PG Austin Schultz puts pressure on the ball at the point of attack, while the other defenders are disciplined, contest finishes and cut off drives.
Robert Ligayon is a college prospect
Mission Hills lone senior, 6-0 G Robert Ligayon, picked up his first college offer during the offseason from NAIA St. Katherine. I could see him playing at the NAIA level. The right-hand dominant slasher attacks the paint and has improved as a finisher and when he’s on from deep, he can score with the best of them. He finished with a team-high 19 points against Mira Mesa.
Justin White is becoming a player
Mission Hills youngest players are sophomore fraternal twins Justin and Jayden White. Justin, a 6-5 — and growing — forward, is a solid rebounder on the offensive and defensive glass, and is improving his finishing around the basket. Today, he showed off the complete repertoire scoring from midrange and hitting a three from the top of the key that looked comfortable and in rhythm. Brother Jayden, a 6-4 G, is in the middle of a major growth spurt. When both finish growing and grow into their bodies, they will have a chance to be playing at the next level.
Grizzlies have an underrated junior class
Mission Hills has a very unheralded group from the Class of 2021, headlined by 6-6 forward Diego Czarnowski. The willowy four man is a true four man rebounds, protects the rim and can finish over his dominant shoulder in the paint, where he possesses solid footwork. Improved guards Schultz and Jared Hanson man the back court and 6-4 four man Mike Miller rebounds and is an unselfish passer.
Mira Mesa has an underrated sophomore class
One of the biggest revelations during the regional rumble was the Class of 2022 at Mira Mesa. The one who catches your eyes immediately is 6-1 athletic slasher Tajon Evans, but 5-9 combo guard Spencer Hall, 5-9 lefty shooter Jack Hudson and 6-2 wing Milkiah Churchill all showed flashes of solid potential. The Marauders could make a big jump in a year or two if the core stays together.