Five Takeaways: Etiwanda vs. Desert Pines (SoCal-Vegas Showdown)
PASADENA — Gerry Freitas hosted his inaugural SoCal-Vegas Showdown on the campus of Pasadena City College last Saturday. The six-game event featured match-ups of some of the best that Southern California and Las Vegas have to offer. Here are the…
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Continue ReadingPASADENA — Gerry Freitas hosted his inaugural SoCal-Vegas Showdown on the campus of Pasadena City College last Saturday. The six-game event featured match-ups of some of the best that Southern California and Las Vegas have to offer. Here are the Five Takeaways from the third game of the event: Etiwanda vs. Desert Oasis.
Eagles’ defense makes them an Open Division threat
Etiwanda has played 10 games so far this season, coming away with a 9-1 record in those contests, and the biggest reason for its success is its defense. Under the direction of coach Dave Kleckner, Etiwanda has always been known as a lock down defensive team and the 2019-20 season is no different. The Eagles have allowed their 10 opponents to score just 34.3 points per game on average and they held Desert Pines to 44 points in this event. Etiwanda doesn’t have a traditional rim protector to secure the paint, but it doesn’t need it because of the on-ball pressure and containment guards like Camren Pierce, Jahmai Mashack, Tyree Campbell and Brantly Stevenson are able to achieve.
Etiwanda’s offense needs a jump start
The Eagles’ defense, as described above, hides some of their offensive struggles against good teams. Etiwanda can go long stretches without scoring a bucket and really run into issues when it comes to 3-point shooting. While guys like Pierce, Campbell, Mashack and Stevenson are capable perimeter shooters ,the Eagles don’t have a go-to knock down guy who can get hot in a hurry. Some of the offensive issues will be remedied when Jaylen Clark becomes eligible after sitting out the first third of the season under CIF Southern Section transfer rules.
Marcus Green should be on recruiting radars
The 6-foot-3 junior wing is fast becoming a Division I caliber recruit because of his versatility on defense and his vast improvements on the offensive side of floor. Joseph has a thick, strong frame and is a much better athlete than you’d think on first glance. He has the strength and physicality to guard post players, but also moves well laterally, allowing him to switch on to and contain guards. Green scored a game-high 19 points mostly on strong drives and finishes. He also did a nice job of drawing contact and converting at the free throw line.
Desert Pines’ Milos Uzan has advanced feel for the game
This takeaway is no secret to anyone who follows high school hoops as closely as we do. The rangy 6-foot-3 sophomore is what you look for in a modern point guard with his ability to play out of high ball-screens and balance scoring and distributing within the framework of the game. Uzan scored 16 points against one of the best defensive units in the country and will be recruited at the highest of levels.
DJ Jackson, Brantly Stevenson, Tyree Campbell are waiting for the right college fit
It seems that lately, Etiwanda products are being overlooked on the recruiting front even though they leave high school as program-ready players. All Eagles’ players are tough, competitive, high IQ defenders and well-coached, all of which are the case with the handful of unsigned seniors mentioned in this takeaway. Jackson is a combo guard who scores in bunches, Stevenson has good size for his position and can play both on or off the ball, and Campbell has great size at the wing and high potential as a “three and D” guy.