Nike Extravaganza: Under-the-Radar Seniors
SANTA ANA — The 25th edition of the Nike Extravaganza tipped off over the weekend with fourteen games spread across two days and featuring many of Southern California’s top programs along with a couple of strong out-of-state teams. Below are…
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Continue ReadingSANTA ANA — The 25th edition of the Nike Extravaganza tipped off over the weekend with fourteen games spread across two days and featuring many of Southern California’s top programs along with a couple of strong out-of-state teams. Below are some under-the-radar seniors who turned in a strong effort on Saturday.
Freddie Dybala, Corona Centennial
Huskies’ coach Josh Giles has been high on Dybala’s performance throughout his senior season. The 6-foot-2 combo guard has made an impact defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions and lock down some high scoring opponents. Offensively, Dybala can initiate offense and hit the open 3-point shot with regularity. He finished with eight points in the Huskies 59-51 win over Salesian.
Griff Higgins, Mission Viejo
Higgins is a three-year varsity guy who brings with him a wealth of experience and toughness, which are the traits that fit perfectly with head coach Troy Roelen. The 6-foot senior shooting guard leads the Diablos in scoring, averaging 14 points per game on the season, and hit one above his average on 50 percent from the field in a 48-39 win over Palm Springs in the 9 a.m. game on Saturday morning.
Garrett Bell, Sonora
Bell caught Los Alamitos off-guard with his ability to stretch the floor to the 3-point line. The 6-foot-6 forward is a consistent shooting threat out of pick-and-pop action and when trailing the play in transition. Bell scored a game-high 22 points on 8-for-16 from the field, hit four 3-pointers and pulled down 12 rebounds, but his strong performance wasn’t enough to hold off a Los Alamitos comeback.
Catchings has an impact in every stat category and is one of the most important bench pieces in the state.Jack Byers, De La Salle
The stat line won’t jump off the page to those who weren’t in attendance as the 6-foot-4 shooting guard finished with four points, two assists and two steals in a win over Long Beach Poly, but it’s very clear that he makes an impact on winning. Byers is a high IQ player on both ends of the floor, rarely turns the ball over or makes a bad decision and doesn’t take bad shots outside the flow of the offense. Byers is being recruited at the Division III and Division II levels and can make an impact at that level with his size and shooting stroke.
Jayce Catchings, Rancho Christian
The Eagles senior continues to show that he’s one of the most valuable bench pieces in all of SoCal if not the entire state. Catchings, a 6-foot-5 wing, is the very definition of a versatile defender and glue guy who does a little bit of everything to help his team win. Catchings had seven points and six boards in reserve minutes to help Rancho Christian defeat Gonzaga of Washington D.C.