Coast News Class – 2018 Senior Standouts
The destructive wildfires in San Diego County yielded perhaps one positive outcome: The Coast News Classic consolidated what was supposed to be a two-day conclusion to the two-week tournament into a daylong finale, which was more than ideal.
With all 10 teams in action on Saturday, we were able to get a good glimpse on many of San Diego’s top teams and several standout players. This report is the first of several dispatches from the event, an we begin with the seniors who stood out on Championship Saturday.
2018 standouts
Warren Washington – 6-11 PF, Mission Hills
Washington had the full repertoire on display in his 30-point, 15-rebound, 7-assist performance in a win against Westview. The face-up four scored off the dribble from mid-range, off the catch from three and at – and above – the rim. His court vision is the most underappreciated aspect of his game. He has the size to see over double teams and delivers pinpoint passes to teammates. Washington needs to be more engaged on the offensive glass and in the post in general to take even greater advantage of his size advantage at this level.
Jalen Flanagan – 6-3 G, El Camino
Flanagan spearheaded the Wildcats win over Temecula Valley, scoring a game-high 30 points that included buckets from all three levels. He’s best attacking the basket off the dribble, but showed improvement with his pull-up jump shot and three-point shooting off the catch. While not a true point guard, Flanagan handles the ball well enough to initiate the offense, and is improving setting up others in the drive and kick. Defensively, he has the length and lateral quickness to be a lock-down defender.
Finn Sullivan – 6-4 G, Torrey Pines
Sullivan was the best player on the court in Torrey Pines’ 67-55 championship game win over La Jolla Country Day, and did it on both ends. The lanky combo guard scored 27 points and created for his teammates off the dribble, and consistently knocked down shots from midrange. His defensive effort against Torreys’ star guard Ryan Langborg was impressive, as he consistently fought over screens and denied Langborg catches on the wing. Sullivan has established himself as one of the top unsigned guards in not just San Diego, but in Southern California.
Shamar Wright – 6-7 F, Murrieta Mesa
The sinewy utility forward made his money in the paint against the smaller Orange Glen team in the loss, scoring on drives and post touches over his right shoulder. Wright did a solid job being aggressive on the offensive glass during the second half, but his effort level there needs to be more consistent. As with his brother, Wright is very left-hand dominant and needs to continue to develop his off hand in order to take advantage of his skill set.
Lamar Wright – 6-7 F, Murrieta Mesa
Shamar’s twin brother carried the load for the Rams during the first half, assertively attacking the basket and scoring on the offensive glass. Defensively, the long utility forward did his best to contain Orange Glen’s star point guard Damien Miller off the dribble. The Rams couldn’t get shots to fall from deep, but Lamar’s attempts from deep and midrange were playable. This bodes well, that with continued refinement, he could develop into a nice “three and d” wing.
Damien Miller – 5-10 PG, Orange Glen
Miller has long been one of my favorite point guards in San Diego, and his continued to prove why he’s one of the more underrated prospects in Southern California, notching a near triple-double. His game is frill free. He uses his speed and quickness to attack the basket, usually to set up drive-and-kick opportunities for his knockdown shooting teammates. In the fourth quarter, he took it upon himself to finish those attacks. At 5-10, he’s a menace on the glass, which allows him to singlehandedly initiate the team’s potent fast break. Miller has improved has an outside shooter, but needs to become more consistent to keep the defense honest.
Kyle Johnson – 6-6 F, Point Loma
Johnson is a hyper athletic forward with a penchant for the highlight dunk. Against Carlsbad, he had two, including a two-handed dunk off of one dribble off of an offensive rebound, and in the fast break, where he finished over a Lancer defender. Johnson’s mechanics on his pull-up jump shot are smooth, but he needs to improve his first step to create more separation from his defender. Johnson’s versatility on the defensive end makes him a nice unsigned commodity. He holds an offer from Division II Cal State Monterey Bay.