South Bay San Diego Preview: Top Three-Point Shooters

<p>With the 2019-2020 high school basketball season creeping up and fall leagues just weeks from commencing, it's about that time to start previewing the top players from all over San Diego County. So today, we are going to begin by taking a look at the top shooters from the South Bay. </p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li><strong>Kailen Rains:</strong> A 6'5 guard heading into his senior season, San Ysidro's Kailen Rains is much more than a shooter. In fact, his finishing ability likely outweighs his long-range capability. But thanks to his ball-handling combined with his length and high release point, he is able to remain extremely deadly from behind the arc. So much so that Rains lead the South Bay in total three-pointers made (58 3PM) and averaged nearly 2.0 made threes per game. Kailen will enter his senior season for San Ysidro this winter. </li> <li><strong>Ariene Velasco:</strong> Our next sharpshooter stands at just 6'0 and will also be entering his fourth and final season of high school ball with the Sweetwater Red Devils. Although he doesn't have the height and length to shoot over defenders as he pleases, Velasco's quickness allowed him to get off 171 three-pointers last season, knocking down 50 of them. Although that's not quite at the efficiency you'd hope for, players tend to shoot better as their basketball IQ improves and they continue to play (especially in high school) so it's not something coaches should be too wary of. Plus, it's much easier to teach shot-taking IQ than it is to teach aggressiveness.</li> <li><strong>Pete Flores:</strong> Next up is... yes, another guard entering his senior season at Mar Vista High. Much like Velasco, Flores stands undersized at just 5'8, forcing him to use picks and speed to create shot opportunities. The combination allowed him to knock down 40 three-pointers (1.7 3P/G) in the 2018-19 season.</li> <li><strong>Dj Dudley:</strong> A 6'2 point guard from San Ysidro coming off his freshman season, Dj Dudley has already amassed offers from the University of San Diego and San Diego State University. Due to his athletic frame and smooth playstyle, Dj is able to get to the basket and finish near the rim as well as stay behind the arc and knock down jumpers. He could very easily end up on a "Best Scorers In San Diego" list (24.6 PPG). But for now, we'll leave it at his shooting (46 3PM, 1.7 3PG).</li> <li><strong>Jimmy Mattox:</strong> Jimmy Mattox, a 5'9 guard getting ready for his Junior season at Sweetwater, was fifth in the South Bay last season for total three-pointers made (34 3PM). Although there's obviously room for improvement (26 3FG%), a sophomore finishing among the top of the league in any sort of stat is extremely impressive. Expect to see Mattox among the stats leaders for the next few years. </li> </ul>