The Fast Break: San Antonio Forwards off to a quick start
Preseason play has all but finished up in Central Texas and several San Antonio players have made a name for themselves with their impressive play during the five-week stretch of non-district games played this season. In The Fast Break Series, we…
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Continue ReadingPreseason play has all but finished up in Central Texas and several San Antonio players have made a name for themselves with their impressive play during the five-week stretch of non-district games played this season.
In The Fast Break Series, we highlight players from the Central Texas area who are off to a fast start to the beginning of their season. This article features a group of small forwards, power forwards, and centers from the San Antonio-Metroplex, as well as an honorable mention list, who have balled out for their respective teams to begin the 2020-21 season.
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Here are the top-performing forwards and centers from San Antonio during non-district play this season:
Adam Benhayoune Adam Benhayoune 6'5" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2021 State TX | PF | O’Connor (2021)
Benhayoune has been a key cog for an O’Connor team that has started the season with a 10-2 record. The senior stretch-forward is averaging 16.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game and is a leader on the court for the Panthers. A consistent playmaker with his physical play in the paint, Benhayoune does a great job of getting into position for rebounds, as well as finishing strong around the basket. Benhayoune’s top performance on the season came in a triple-double, 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, in the 83-61 win over Marshall on New Year’s Eve.
Stephen Mahler Stephen Mahler 6'5" | SF San Antonio Jay | 2021 State TX | SF | Jay (2021)
Mahler enjoyed a huge summer circuit putting up great performances against tough competition and he has carried over his impressive play into his senior season, averaging 20.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the Mustangs. The 6’5″ wing is hitting 36% from beyond-the-arc, and had two huge scoring outings in 32 points against Smithson Valley and 30 points versus San Antonio Clark. Not only can he score, but Mahler does a great job of battling for boards and is a tough defender as well.
Jonas Carlisle Jonas Carlisle 6'3" | SG South San | 2021 State TX | SF | South San Antonio (2021)
Carlisle is Mr. Consistency for South San Antonio, recording double-digit points in every game this season and helping the team at several different positions while leading the Bobcats to an 11-2 record. Through 11 games recorded this season, Carlisle is averaging 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. The 6’3″ lefty can do it all on the court, from nailing threes to hitting pull-ups from the mid-range, as well as crashing the boards and playing great team defense. Carlisle is ranked as a top 10 player in San Antonio for the 2021 class and he is playing up to the hype this season.
Jeb Brysacz | SF | Alamo Heights (2021)
Leading Alamo Heights in scoring through 12 games played this season, Brysacz is hitting close to 50% of his shots from the field while scoring 10+ points in every game. The 6’1″ senior wing is averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest, and has scored 20+ points in five contests, including a 28 point performance in the win over a tough Dripping Springs team. Brysacz deploys a sweet shot from deep and in the mid-range, but he also excels at attacking the paint and playing physical around the basket.
Edward Hart | PF | Alamo Heights (2022)
Hart is making waves this year averaging just short of a double-double to start his junior season. The athletic 6’5″ power forward is averaging 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game (13 games). Hart has hit over 20+ points in five games this season with a high of 34 points against Saint Mary’s Hall, and add that with a monster rebounding performance versus Dripping Springs where he brought down 22 boards, and it’s easy to get excited about Hart’s future with Alamo Heights.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson Jaylen Crocker-Johnson 6'8" | PF San Antonio Warren | 2023 State TX | PF | Warren (2023)
A top 30 player in Texas for the 2023 class, Crocker Johnson has been a beast so far this season averaging a double-double for Warren and showing why he is one of the top players in San Antonio regardless of classification. The 6’7″ power forward is averaging 15.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game through non-district play and has been unstoppable around the basket. An aggressive enforcer and playmaker in the paint, Crocker Johnson shows really good footwork and moves in the post, along with being the top rebounder and shot-blocker in the city who plays extremely hard on both sides of the court.
Honorable Mention
SF Stacey Adams Stacey Adams 6'4" | SF Judson | 2021 State TX – Judson (2021)
SF Hunter Darling – Saint Mary’s Hall (2021)
C Reid Higgins – Boerne-Champion (2021)
C Caleb McCrackin – Harlan (2021)
PF Manuel Rabago – Harlandale (2021)
SF Kamden Ross – Steele (2021)
PF Angelo Samudio – McCollum (2021)
SF Luke Whidbee Luke Whidbee 6'5" | SF Boerne | 2021 State TX – Boerne (2021)
C Seth McCarty – New Braunfels Canyon (2022)
PF Christian Pillow – Judson (2022)
C Kendrick De Luna Kendrick De Luna 6'10" | C TMI | 2023 State #246 Nation TX – Cornerstone Christian (2023)
PF Zayden High Zayden High 6'9" | PF AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #40 Nation AZ – Smithson Valley (2023)
SF John Jackson – Seguin (2024)