Pangos Best of SoCal Showcase 2022 Game 1

<p>September is here, and with that brings several high school basketball fall leagues as well as a few showcases as the start of the regular season approaches. This past weekend, Assumption Church in Long Beach, CA played host to the Pangos Best of SoCal Fall Showcase.</p> <p>The event featured some of the top talent in the Southern California area from the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and even 2024. Each class played a set of two games, one featuring top 40 players of the class, and a second featuring top 20 players of the class.</p> <p>I arrived at the showcase for the start of the game featuring top 40 players for the class of 2022. Here’s a look at some of the top 2022 standouts from Game 1.</p> <p><strong>1. Christian Watson – Long Beach Poly</strong></p> <p>Watson stood out as having the tools to become a lead guard one day. He can run the offense as the team’s primary ball-handler and playmaker. He keeps his head up when dribbling up court, and he looks to make plays for his teammates. He also knows when to look for his own shot, he can shoot from three and he can finish at the rim with contact. Good body control at the rim.</p> <p><strong>2. Donovan Dent – Corona Centennial</strong></p> <p>Dent showed off his ability to be a solid on ball defender on the perimeter. Plays tough and hard on that end of the court. On the offensive end, he’s aggressive attacking the rim and once he gets to the rim, he can finish well around defenders. He handles the ball well and is solid in the half court. He uses nice hesitation moves to free himself up for shots. Good passer in transition, looks for his teammates on the break.</p> <p><strong>3. Derek Schneider – Harvard Westlake</strong></p> <p>Schneider really stood out as a player who moves very well without the ball. Many players today are too stationary and don’t move well when they don’t have the ball in their hands. He is constantly moving and putting himself in position to be effective offensively. He’s a good cutter and he’s always ready to catch a pass near the rim from a teammate. He’s active around the rim where he’s a good finisher and a good rebounder.</p> <p><strong>4. Malachi Scott – Long Beach Jordan</strong></p> <p>Scott is another player who excels at moving without the ball in his hands. He is also never stationary and is always ready to be in position to catch a pass from his teammates. He constantly shoots out ahead of the defense in transition. He’s a very good athlete with good size for a forward. He’s very active around the rim, he’s able to do most of his damage on the glass, especially offensively where he gets in position for second chance opportunities off put-backs.</p> <p><strong>5. Mac West III – Lawndale</strong></p> <p>West has the makings of becoming a great shooter throughout his high school career. He shoots well from both the three-point line and the lost art of the midrange. He is able to free himself up for jumpers, he’s solid at using two dribbles or less to make his move and get open for a good look. He uses his body well, especially on the defensive end where he plays hard.</p> <p><strong>6. Austin Persek – Mater Dei</strong></p> <p>Persek is a versatile big man. He can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. He has a good three-point shot for a big man. If you need him to handle the ball, he can do that too. He’s able to put the ball on the floor and beat his defender off the dribble. When making a move off the dribble, he can get to the rim and finish as well. He’s also able to start the fast break as the ball-handler, and find his teammates in transition.</p>