Mt Miguel Fall Tournament Week 2: Senior standouts and Sleepers
Mission Bay continued its strong play this fall, defeating a game Morse team 44-36 to win the Mt. Miguel Fall Tournament.
A Bucs junior point guard was named MVP, but it wasn’t who you would expect.
Andre Scott, a starter on Mission Bay’s Division 1 quarterfinals team last year, impressed in the physical final game, scoring key buckets and providing timely defense.
Who else stood out during the tournament’s second weekend? We review the standouts, as well as some sleepers poised for breakout seasons, starting with the seniors.
Senior standouts:
Christian Choice, 6-5 2018 W, Patrick Henry – Choice played a prominent role in Henry’s overtime win over Serra, but not in the manner we are used to seeing. Choice, a smooth shooting wing not known for his defense, did an excellent job against Serra’s Ryan Flowers in the fourth quarter and OT. He seemed to rise to the challenge of guarding one of the faster guards in San Diego, and used his length and good lateral quickness to limit Flower’s scoring off the dribble. Offensively, Choice hit big shots from the perimeter, and while his handle is a work in progress, he did a solid job attacking and scoring with his right hand. Choice should receive, at the very least, interest from very good D2 programs looking for a shooter on the wing with size and upside, but I think that he could eventually play Division 1 basketball if his handle and consistency improves.
Ryan Flowers, 6-2 2018 G, Serra – Flowers continued to wreak havoc on opposing ball handlers with his pressure on-ball defense, and on offense, he puts pressure on defenses with his breakneck speed attacking the basket. Despite his limitations shooting off the catch from three, Flowers does have an improving pull-up jump shot, which he uses effectively as a counter to his penetration.
Charlie Gal, 6-5 2018 PF, La Jolla – Gal put together two workhorse weekends, and helped lead the Vikings to a solid win over league opponent Patrick Henry. His broad frame and long arms make him a formidable presence on the offensive and defensive glass. Gal also can step out and hit shots from midrange and the college three, hitting three 3s in the Henry game.
Akil Parrish, 6-5 2018 WF, Morse – Parrish was the revelation of the tournament. The wiry wing’s athleticism has improved dramatically, evidenced by a couple of big dunks in transition and in the half court. Parrish has been on our radar for some time, as he has possessed the ideal length and solid ball skills (smooth stroke from mid-range and three, solid handle), but didn’t have the strength or explosiveness to unlock his gifts. He appears to be evolving into a late bloomer that, with perhaps a junior college stint, could be a D2 or higher level prospect.
Senior sleepers
Jayden Holloway, 6-1 2018 G, Patrick Henry – Holloway has been on a tear this fall, and this weekend was no different. He plays at a relentless pace, attacking the basket and scoring off the dribble with his dominant hand (right). Holloway is also a capable, albeit streaky, shooter from midrange and deep. His intensity and energy on the defensive end was infectious. He’s more of a combo guard than a true point at this time, but he’s the type of player who could thrive at a juco.
Jacob O’Hara, 6-2 2018 G, La Jolla – O’Hara is a solid scoring guard who is constantly on the move without the ball, and when he has it, scores on assertive drives with his right hand. He set the tone in the first half by scoring off the dribble and complementing Charlie Gal’s perimeter outburst.
Will Bailey, 6-3 2018 G, Morse – Bailey’s prepubescent face gave onlookers the impression that the Tigers had a super talented freshman, but Bailey is, in fact, a young senior. But that shouldn’t discount the dramatic improvement in Bailey’s strength and ball skills. He has a ways to go still, and will need junior college to continue to get stronger, but his impressive size and length for the guard position bode well for the future.
Chris Stanek, 6-2 2018 G, Otay Ranch – An all-league performer last year, Stanek showed why all weekend. He’s a stocky combo guard who thrives as a catch-and-shoot threat and a straight line driver off of two dribbles max. Stanek is one of the more accurate perimeter shooters you’ll see in San Diego this year.
Malik Campbell, 6-3 2018 G, San Ysidro – Another long, athletic combo guard prospect who impressed over the weekend. Campbell does a good job at the top of the Tigers 1-2-2 zone creating turnovers by getting his fingertips in passing lanes and forcing errant passes over the top of the zone. Offensively, Campbell scores it off the dribble and can create for others. He needs to continue to work on his perimeter shooting, but he’s the type of player who could have an immediate impact at the junior college level.