SDSU Team Camp: Prep Hoops Takeaways
The Aztec Recreation Center played host to this year’s SDSU Team Camp. The camp serves a dual purpose of providing a solid preview of the upcoming season’s talent pool and gives SDSU coaches a chance to evaluate possible recruiting targets.
A number of top San Diego teams attended the first session, including St. Augustine, La Jolla Country Day and Francis Parker, which will likely be in the preseason Top 10 to begin the year.
Prep Hoops gives you a few takeaways from the weekend that was.
SDSU Team Camp: Prep Hoops Takeaways
Ryan Langborg is underrated
The top 2019 San Diego prospect on hand was impressive in two wins over Temescal Canyon and Basha. In the Basha game, Langborg scored 34 points in very efficient fashion. What was most impressive was Langborg’s willingness to score within the flow of the offense, rather than forcing contested shots. His shot making ability opens up scoring opportunities for the supporting cast, including a noticeably slimmer Collin McGrath, guard Raymond Lu and the Hapgood twins.
Currently holding offers from WCC, Ivy and Big West schools, Langborg showed off his repertoire in front of Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher. It will be interesting to see if it leads to renewed interest from the Aztecs.
Saints guard play will determine team’s ceiling
Saint Augustine gritted out a win against a tough Basha team Saturday morning, and got very solid contributions from its frontcourt rising junior duo of Luke Haupt and Chibuzo Agbo. The biggest revelation, however, was the play of 2020 G Tyson McWilliams. The 6-1 younger brother of Johnny McWilliams is already a standout football prospect. But this weekend, he showed the ability to hit shots from three levels, especially from deep. If McWilliams can continue to improve his playmaking ability to match his shot-making, the Saints will be dangerous. They will also need consistent contributions from fellow guard Misa Rosado and Declan Bretz.
Rancho Bernardo is intriguing and plays hard
The Broncos could be a dark horse team in Division 1 this year, even after graduating program stalwarts Knox Winkler and Jonathan Watts. The reason: effort. Their 2019 backcourt of Sam Rex and Roman Wright make up for physical limitations by competing for every loose ball, defending full court and attacking in the half court. The Broncos best physical prospect, 6-8 C Drew Cisse, is raw, but also plays very hard and competes for rebounds out of the area. The entire team takes on that identity. It will serve them well during the season.
Youth movement in full effect at Sage Creek
A year removed from its Division 3 title run, Sage Creek has lost its starting back court to transfer. But the Bobcats have some intriguing young pieces to build around. Rising juniors Nick Naccarato and James Ellenstein are a solid guard-post duo, and rising sophomores Cedric Jung, Brady Canfield and Kasparas Kasradze are underrated talents. The pieces might not be enough to make an impact this year, but by the former’s senior campaign, the team could be solid.
2022 prospects make an impact
A number of rising freshmen prospects made their unofficial debuts this weekend. La Jolla Country Day guards John and James Hapgood, identical twins, made the biggest splash. The 6-0 guards play with an excellent motor, impacting the game on defense and the boards. Both players out-rebounded much bigger players and dove for loose balls. John Hapgood made his mark toward the end of the Torreys win over Basha, when he scored five points in the final minute.
2022 Francis Parker guard Camden McCormick and Vinny Ferrari also showed flashes of scoring ability.
Mikey Williams could be the next great San Diego prospect
Basketball junkies got their first glimpse of 2023 prospect Mikey Williams, who was playing with his feeder program San Ysidro, and he did not disappoint. Still a full year removed from high school, the 6-1 combo guard was dominant for long stretches, scoring at will from three levels. An explosive athlete, Williams repeatedly attacked the basket looking to finish above the rim. You don’t see that every day from 13 year old players. It is safe to say that Williams, if he continues to refine his handle (off hand), will be one of the premier scoring guards in the class.
San Ysidro got strong performances from 2020 backcourt Philix Kilbourne and Kailen Rains. By the time Williams arrives, the Cougars could have the best back court in San Diego.