Small school three-step: 10 Best
This week, I decided to take in some small-school basketball action and teams from schools that don’t have the highest basketball profile. The exercise proved beneficial, as there were a number of players who can play basketball at some level…
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Continue ReadingThis week, I decided to take in some small-school basketball action and teams from schools that don’t have the highest basketball profile.
The exercise proved beneficial, as there were a number of players who can play basketball at some level beyond high school.
Here are my 10 best from the week that was.
Small school three-step: 10 Best
Best performance
Ben Page, 5-9 2021 G, Guajome Park Academy
Page torched the nets during the first half of his team’s win against Pacific Ridge, scoring 15 points on 8 shots. The lefty gets great lift on his mid-range pull-up and doesn’t need a ton of space to get off three-point shots off the catch.
Luke Beesley, 5-9 2022 G, High Tech High
Beesley put together a complete and impressive effort against a physically bigger and stronger La Jolla team, scoring from three (really moves well without the ball), mid-range (off the catch and with the live dribble) and dishing out assists in the pick-and-roll and drive and kick.
Best prospect
Brady Burman, 6-4 2022 W, Pacific Ridge
Burman looks the part of a college basketball prospect, and put together a strong close to the game against Guajome to pull his team within 4 points. He is a solid slasher and a willing passer and playmaker. At times, however, he was far too unselfish and deferred to teammates who turned the ball over or missed shots. He needs to be much more assertive, especially playing in a smaller league and division where he should dominate.
Kenny Calvin, 6-3 2022 W, High Tech High
Calvin struggled against La Jolla, but the lefty junior has some physical tools that make him stand out on his team. He’s got excellent length and he’s an underrated athlete who can play in the passing lanes to collect steals and understands how to use his length on defense. Offensively, his shot looks playable and he showed some solid handles. He’s gotta get stronger and play with more assertiveness, especially against teams that can challenge him like La Jolla.
Hardest Worker
Jaden Bostic, 6-1 2022 W, High Tech High
Bostic is an absolute ball of energy. Despite giving up several inches to La Jolla’s frontcourt players, he consistently out worked them for rebounds on both ends, giving his team second and third-chance opportunities. He also possesses a fluid spot-up shot from midrange and from three.
Most Intriguing
Kendahl Toft, 6-6 2021 PF/C, Guajome Park Academy
Toft started the game against Pacific Ridge showing off some nice footwork and up-and-under moves in the paint to score. He plays too tall at times, which makes it difficult to re-establish post position, but when he gets to his spots, he’s pretty skilled.
Evan Sauer, 6-3 2023 W, Pacific Ridge
The stocky sophomore lefty is a load when he gets downhill, but he also shows some shiftiness with the ball. Defensively, he is a physical presence on the ball. It will be interesting to see how his perimeter game rounds out over the final two years of school.
Fastest player
Regan Esper, 5-9 2021 PG, High Tech High
Esper could easily have been in my best performances category. The senior guard is a blur when he gets to his right hand, and he has a very good layup and floater package. Some of his finishes bordered on spectacular. He also is a very good passer off of his drives. For him to be even more effective, he must develop his off hand, as he was very ineffective once defenses forced him to go left.
Best shooters
Jake Henderson, 6-2 2023 SG, Mission Vista
It doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing, but Henderson’s spot-up shooting from three kept the Timberwolves in the game against Madison. Henderson hit 4 threes, including a couple one-dribble pull-ups. Improving his handle is the next area of development.
Ty Cox, 6-4 2021 SG, Mission Vista
This wasn’t his best shooting performance, but the stocky wing showed how quickly he can heat up by scoring 10 points in roughly a 2-minute span against Madison. When his feet are set, he’s deadly from deep, but he also hit a couple of midrange shots and scored around the basket off of straight line drives. He’s kind of a plodder handling the ball, and he’s right hand dominant, but at the college level, his ability to shoot off the catch is always valuable.