5A Mr. Basketball Candidate: Kyle Fischer
Sunnyslope returns their entire team from last season. Further, they had a really strong JV team that was led primarily by freshmen. This program looks like they are not slowing down any time soon as Ray Portela is one of the top coaches in the state, and he has plenty of talent.
As far as specific players who are capable of making a huge impact, Kyle Fischer has to be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Sunnyslope. His ability to do a number of different things makes him one of the most versatile prospects in 5A and one of the biggest game changers in the group.
Why Kyle Fischer Could Win Mr. Basketball
Fischer will also lead this team in rebounding and be very close in leading the team in the rest of the major categories like points, assists, and steals as well. He brings an unusual dynamic to the game that can make him extremely difficult to stop. He doesn’t necessarily score every play, but all of the success seams to funnel through him.
His passing ability is one of his most underrated skills. Fellow teammate, Chris Orozco, benefits grateful from Fischer’s great feel for the game. He identifies where players are open and where they are capable of making plays and gets them the basketball.
In addition to passing, he has an extremely high basketball IQ and makes a lot of game changing plays due to it. One a number of occasions last season, he got a feel for opposing team’s play calls and cheated the gaps for steals. Moreover, he uses this IQ to bring a soothing presence to the team during presses.
Kyle Fischer’s Mr. Basketball Obstacles
Fischer’s biggest obstacle is going to be how talented Sunnyslope is. They are very spread out and anyone is capable of having a big game at any point in time. Due to this, Fischer’s scoring totals will never be overly glamorous.
In addition to his stats looking a little lower than everyone else due to the team focus and the surrounding talent, Fischer has managed to go largely under the radar. He does a lot of little things that the everyday fan does not observe and that does not go into the stat sheet.
Lastly, everyone expects Sunnyslope to be really good. Consistent programs can have a hard time getting awards. Everyone expects them to be good and is overly critical when they faultier.
Kyle Fischer’s Mr. Basketball Chances
If Sunnyslope runs the table like many believe they will, Fischer will be a huge part of that success. This could potentially be his second year in a row as a state champion and the third year that they were in the state title.
Due to the success of the group, his name has to be in the mix due to the number of little things he brings to the table and the impact he makes. He is definitely a legitimate candidate, but his numbers might not look as fluffy as others which could ultimately hurt his chances.