Prep Hoops SoCal Awards: Best Shooters (Part I)
The 2017-18 high school season is officially a wrap, which is the perfect time to release some All-SoCal teams.
But instead of going through the same old worn out, mundane First, Second, Third type of squads, we’ll recognize some of the area’s top players in categorical form.
First up, the best shooters in SoCal this past season, with some names you might not recognize.
Best Shooters (alphabetical order)
Ismael Arellano, Sr., Bishop Amat
The Lancers ran a super high-octane offense filled with 3-point shots and no player was more potent than Arellano. The 6-foot-1 senior hit 117 3-pointers on the season and shot 39 percent from deep. Amat reached the CIF-SS Division 3A finals where it lost to Riverside Notre Dame and fell to the Titans again in the Division III State Regional Final.
Cam Barry, Sr., West Hills
Not only was Barry one of the most deadly 3-point shooters in the San Diego area with his102 3-pointers made on the season, he was also one of its top overall scorers. The West Hills senior averaged 33.3 points per game on the season, shooting 42 percent from the field on the year.
Nick Bowden, Jr., So., St. Bernard
The numbers on Bowden aren’t accessible on MaxPreps, but based on multiple “eye tests,” the 5-10 sophomore has a quick and consistent trigger from deep. Bowden’s confidence to pull on the break and from well behind the 3-point line helped St. Bernard upset its way to the Classic at Damien championship game.
Corona Centennial shooting guard D.J. Davis hit 132 3-pointers during his sophomore season.D.J. Davis, So., Corona Centennial
Davis led the state in 3-pointers made with 132 and did so at a 36 percent clip. The 6-foot sophomore can get hot in a hurry and knocks down shots in a variety of ways, whether it’s the catch-and-shoot, off the dribble or just a straight stop-and-pop in transition settings. Davis hit five or more 3-pointers in 12 of the 31 games he played in.
Ryan Evans, So., Santa Margarita
Evans was another shooter to make some noise at the Classic at Damien. The 6-foot-2 sophomore hit 73 3-pointers on the year with seven of those coming in an 82-80 win over St. John Bosco in the third-place game at The Classic. Evans shot 39 percent from distance and 89 percent from the free throw line.
Jake Kyman, Jr., Santa Margarita
Kyman could’ve found himself in multiple categories to be released over the next few days, but his percentages say he truly belongs here. The 6-foot-7 junior hit 68 3-pointers at a 45 percent clip from deep. Kyman was also consistent from the mid and close-range levels, shooting 54 percent on 2-point field goals and 86 percent from the charity stripe.