San Diego Fall High School Showcase – Opening Night Recap
It’s that time of the year again where “Grizzlies,” “Eagles,” “Panthers,” and “Golden Bears” take the floor.
Fall basketball is upon us in San Diego.
Technically, the teams you’re watching over the next two months aren’t high school teams. They’re travel basketball teams that have many of the players you’ll see during the varsity season, wear the school’s colors but don’t bear the high school name.
Who are we kidding, though?
Fall basketball gives fans a good gauge of where their favorite teams stack up against other teams in the region.
The Top Gun/ Gamepoint San Diego Fall High School Showcase has been one of the best gauges in recent years.
The three-day event features many of the region’s top high school “club” programs, as well as some top programs just outside our region.
Here is a quick glimpse at some of the standouts from opening night:
Top prospect
Warren Washington, 6-11 2018 F/C, Mission Hills – This was an easy call. With only three varsity teams in action, Washington both looked and played the part of a big-time prospect. At 6-11, few players have the court vision and passing ability that he possesses. He locates cutting teammates with relative ease and is a willing passer. He also showed the ability to advance the ball in transition and against the press. He needs to become a more assertive rebounder and use his length better protecting the rim, but it’s obvious why he’s coveted by several mid- to high-major programs.
Biggest surprises
Brook Gray, 6-2 2018 SG, Santa Fe Christian – Gray looks to play a bigger role in his final year with the Eagles, and appears prepared for the task. He has improved in every facet of his game, from attacking and scoring off the dribble, on-ball defense and leadership. His handle still needs work, as does his shot selection, but he’s worked himself into a prospect that Division 3 schools would be wise to monitor.
Tanner Stanich, 6-2 2018 G, and Jackson Israel, 6-1 2018 G, Mission Hills – Stanich and Israel, for the most part, took advantage of the attention Washington commanded from opposing defenses. Stanich moves well without the ball, and received several assists from Washington as a result. Israel did a solid moving into open voids on the perimeter, sticking multiple open threes.
Josh O’Campo, 6-1 2019 SG, Temecula Valley – The smooth lefty combo guard is a knockdown spot-up shooter. But O’Campo has improved his ball handling and playmaking for others.
Best young talent
Trevan Martin, 6-1 2021 G, Santa Fe Christian – Martin has a strong build and a strong feel for a freshman guard. He plays with good pace, makes solid decisions and scores from all three levels. His three point shot is streaky, but much improved.
Jack Schultz, 6-3 2020 G/W, Temecula Valley – Schultz is a very intriguing prospect because he looks like he’s not done growing by a long shot. A former point guard, Schultz has crafty ball skills and makes plays for himself and others.
Garrett Schaefer, 6-2 2020 G, Temecula Valley – Another long and versatile guard prospect, Schaefer’s court vision really popped out in a solid win over Mission Hills. His perimeter shooting is on the come.
Nikko Taylor, 6-1 2021 G, Vista – The left-handed freshman guard has solid ball skills and a great passer. He’s a threat to score off the dribble and midrange. He will need to improve his off hand moving forward.
Notes
- Four 14u teams took the floor last night, each with several standouts. The San Diego SEAL Team survived the California Bearcats 44-43 in a thrilling 7 p.m. game. Gamepoint dominated South Bay Tigers 74-27.
- Santa Fe Christian JV nearly pulled off a 12-point comeback in the final 2 minutes before losing to Temecula Valley 54-50. Sophomore G Alex Yphantides and freshmen guards Keatten Smith, Hayden Gray and Zach Fugmann also played well.
- Temecula Valley dominated Mission Hills in the final varsity game of the night. The Golden Bears are small, but they play hard, knock down threes and pressure the basketball.