LSBA Fall Shootout: Event Standouts, Part 1
The inaugural Lamont Smith Basketball Academy Fall Shootout took place this weekend at Miramar College, a familiar battleground for San Diego high school teams kicking off the fall scrimmage season. Smith, a former college head coach – most recently at…
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Continue ReadingThe inaugural Lamont Smith Basketball Academy Fall Shootout took place this weekend at Miramar College, a familiar battleground for San Diego high school teams kicking off the fall scrimmage season.
Smith, a former college head coach – most recently at the University of San Diego – assembled 23 of the region’s top teams and a very good Dougherty Valley squad from the Bay Area, which won the even’t signature – and opening game, a 60-49 win over St. Augustine.
Standouts dotted the four-court gymnasium on both days this weekend. In the first report, we highlight the top standouts.
Ryan Beasley Ryan Beasley 5'11" | PG Dougherty Valley | 2023 State #228 Nation CA-N , 5-11 2023 PG, Dougherty Valley
Beasley started the 9 a.m. game vs. Saints slowly, but keyed a 32-7 run that turned a 14-point deficit into an 11-point win. Beasley is a streaky, but potent shooter from deep and scores it efficiently from midrange (picturesque pull-up) and in the paint. He has a surprisingly strong frame that allows him to absorb contact on drives and finish through said contact. He uses his paint-touching ability to create opportunities for the team’s three-point shooters, and hits them in their shooting pockets all the time. Beasley is also a prolific thief on defense, creating live-ball turnovers both on the ball and in the passing lanes.
Lolo Rudolph, 6-2 2024 PG, St. Augustine
Rudolph had the converse of Beasley’s game. He had a stretch that lasted from tip-off to early in the second half where he was virtually unstoppable. Rudolph, arguably one of the fastest guards with the ball on the West Coast, is changing speeds more effectively, which makes that third gear even more effective getting into the paint, where he finishes at will or drops nifty dimes. When Dougherty Valley made a concerted effort to shut down his driving lanes and forced him to beat them with the jumper, his efficiency waned. While he’s improving from midrange, Rudolph’s shooting from beyond the arc off the catch must continue to evolve for him to reach his fullest potential as a prospect.
JJ Sanchez, 6-5 2025 F, Montgomery
Sanchez continues to flummox defenders with his combination of skill, savvy and girth. While he’s noticeably trimmer, he still throws his weight around to establish – and take advantage of post position. He has excellent footwork on the block and can score it with either hand or hit turnaround and fadeaway jumpers. But what really makes him effective is his court vision, as he sees plays unfold several rotations ahead. This leads to highlight assists and excellent reads against double teams. And while he’s not really a threat to score it off the bounce, he uses his threat as a perimeter shooter to attack closeouts and find open teammates against the scrambling defense. Sanchez keyed the Aztecs 4-0 weekend with impressive wins over Lincoln, Hoover, Torrey Pines and Scripps Ranch.
Brycen Mackenzie, 6-1 2024 PG, Santa Fe Christian
Mackenzie continues his tear of strong play from this summer with some strong individual play for a shorthanded Eagles team. Mackenzie balances scoring and facilitating capably. As a scorer, he uses his improved first step and stop-start dribble to get into the paint and score from midrange and close range, but his improved consistency from three has allowed him to score with less effort. Mackenzie unselfishly passes in transition with crisp outlets to shooters in stride, and in pick and roll he sees both strong and weakside options and unselfishly kicks to open shooters when he draws helpside defense.
Ozzeno Diallo, 6-1 2023 PG, Hoover
If there is a guard who has a chance to jump on some college radars as an unsigned senior, it’s Diallo, a athletic and agile combo guard who lives in the paint. A right hand dominant slasher and playmaker, Diallo’s burst and first step are difficult to contain. Diallo has improved playing on balance in the paint, employing two-foot jump stops to gather himself and finish through contact or draw fouls and get to the free throw line. Another area where Diallo continues to improve is with his shooting stroke from midrange and three. His playable jumper allows him to attack closeouts and score or find teammates off the bounce. Defensively, his length, quick hands and aggressiveness make him a formidable on-ball defender.