Vista vs RBV A Rivalry Renewed: Standout Players from the City
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Rivalry games, the ones every team has circled on their calendars. These are some of the most exciting environments in all of high school hoops, and after a season with very limited spectators last year you can feel the energy…
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Continue ReadingRivalry games, the ones every team has circled on their calendars. These are some of the most exciting environments in all of high school hoops, and after a season with very limited spectators last year you can feel the energy coming from the players and fans being able to tune back in, especially in the city of Vista. The yearly cross-town rivalry between the Vista High Panthers and Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns has always been a great showcase for the talent in the city of Vista as both schools have had multiple players end up playing at the college level in recent years and after watching their first match up of the year its clear there isn’t any shortage of talent.
Jesse Snider (2022) | 6-5 SG | RBV |
An extremely versatile scorer who plays with unreal confidence. On the offensive end, Snider’s height makes him a mismatch problem as he takes advantage of smaller guards with a variety of post moves and has no problem shooting over them. As a shooter, Snider’s range extends far beyond the three-point line as he will take and make deep shots making him a threat from almost anywhere on the court, but Snider is at his best when he is able to showcase his passing ability. He fits the ball into tight passing windows and is very good at finding open teammates as the defense collapses of him. Snider has shown when he is on he is one of the best players in San Diego
Benji Hilstock Benji Hilstock 6'0" | CG Vista | 2022 State CA-S (2022) | 6-0 PG/SG | Vista |
Hilstock has been a key contributor to Vista’s team since he was just a Sophomore, a starter on all three of his seasons at the varsity level he has improved each year. Hilstock excels playing off the dribble and is a capable scorer from all three levels, his athleticism along with his comfortability to take shots off the dribble allows him to be an elite shot creator as he scores getting to the rim with tough finishes or pull up jumpers over his defenders. Hilstock is also very laterally quick and has a lot of stamina allowing him to be a great on-ball defender and a problem for other guards as he sticks them from full court. One of the more underrated players in San Diego Hilstock is sure to turn some heads continuing the strong start to his senior season
Cyprian Hyde Cyprian Hyde 6'10" | C Vista | 2023 State CA-S (2023) | 6-10 C | Vista |
Hyde has made huge leaps this season becoming a consistent double-double machine with multiple 20 and 10 games already under his belt this year. Hyde has a great touch around the rim being able to score with a variety of movies from the low post and can operate from the high post as well. Hyde has improved on his shooting being able to consistently knock down mid-range jumpers and stretch the floor by hitting open threes making him deadly in the pick and roll or pick and pop. Hyde has also begun to play more above the rim catching lobs and crashing the boards with putback dunks energizing his team. Hyde’s wingspan makes him an elite paint protector and rebounder and he is on track to end up being a high end D1 player
Takoma Rosario (2022) | 5-11 G | RBV |
A swiss army knife on the basketball court Takoma is a very cerebral basketball player and combined with his ability as a leader for his team make him the type of player any coach would love to have on their squad. Takoma’s consistency makes him a very effective basketball player on both ends of the court. His shot selection and court awareness reflect his high basketball IQ and he is always finding his open teammates especially in transition offense with his outlet passes. Takoma’s biggest strength however is his strong frame that allows him to not only be a great finisher driving to the basket but a great defender as well as he is able to play much bigger than he actually is checking not only guards but wings and even some forwards as well.
Shay Todd (2024) | 6-4 F | RBV |
Todd has been a contributor for RBV since his freshman season last year and has so far been a good glue guy for the Longhorns playing his role as a good rebounder creating second chances and finding himself open through the offense, but this season Todd has been slowly coming into his own as a player. Todd has begun to look much more comforable with the ball in his hands taking shots he was passing up last season as a freshman and using his height to take smaller defenders off the dribble and finish over them. Todd has also starting to take more of the open looks he gets from three and hits at a consistent clip keeping centers that guard him honest. Todd scored a career high 13 in the Longhorns rivalry game against Vista and looks to build off of his breakout performance and looks to be an intriguing young prospect to follow as his role grows.
Gabriel Molina (2023) | 5-10 G | Vista |
Molina has been a viable three and D player for the Panthers as he posses a quick fluid release and is comfortable shooting the ball while coming off screens and on pull-ups. On the defensive end he is very quick and lengthy for his height allowing him to contest jumpers and jump passing lanes with ease. Molina is a very unselfish teammate taking a backseat at times for Hilstock and Hyde feeding them the ball when they are dominating the scoring load and his shooting allows pressure to be taken off them but Molina has the skillset to eventually become the Panthers lead scoring guard as well the mentality needed to be successful as he is constantly involved in hustle plays and fighting for 50-50 balls
Josh Yowell (2022) | 5-9 PG | RBV |
Yowell may not be the tallest player but he stays true to the statement heart over height. A hard worker that has found ways to be an effective player despite his limitations, on the offensive end Yowell is a great floor general initiating the Longhorns offense and plays with no fear when driving to the paint as he has developed a elite floater along to score over bigger defenders and doesn’t shy away from them either when driving all the way to the rim being crafty enough to finish around them. Yowell is also a high motor defensive player who has a great sense of timing when it comes to stripping players of the ball especially when they are driving to the rim getting his hand there in time preventing them from gathering for shots and making ball handlers uncomfortable all game long with his scrappiness. A true work horse Yowell is called on to play for the majority of games and never seems to get tired.