Corona Centennial vs. Coronado Standouts

<p>This past weekend, Pasadena City College played host to the first ever SoCal/Vegas showdown featuring some of the top high school teams from both Southern California and Las Vegas. I was able to see the game between Coronado(NV) and Corona Centennial, and there was quite a bit of talent on display from both teams.</p> <p>The game was relatively close throughout, with Corona Centennial, led by Portland State commit Paris Dawson, pulling off the win in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Here’s a look at some of the top standouts from that game.</p> <p><strong>1. Jaden Hardy – Coronado 2021</strong></p> <p>Hardy is one of the top prospects in his class, and perhaps the top overall shooting guard in that age group. He is a pure scorer in every sense of the word. He can shoot from anywhere on the court and can rise up and shoot over most defenders. He has a strong slashing game and get to the rim and get himself to the line. His continued development has seen him become more of a playmaker too, he’s able to find his teammates for easy looks off the defensive pressure he draws.</p> <p><strong>2. Paris Dawson – Corona Centennial 2020</strong></p> <p>Dawson is a leader on the court and Centennial’s floor general. He is committed to Portland State. He can run the offense and has great court awareness. He can create his own shot on the perimeter. He’s got a quick release on his three-point shot and he can shoot with defenders running at him or in his face. Knows when to pass and when to look for his shot. He wants the ball in big moments. He helped seal the win with some clutch shots in the fourth quarter.</p> <p><strong>3. Jaxon Kohler – Coronado 2022</strong></p> <p>Kohler is one of the most impressive and talented bigs in the country regardless of age group. He moves very well without the ball, slipping behind the defense and making strong cuts to the rim. He’s a strong finisher at the rim and can shoot over most defenders. He has good footwork and awareness in the post, something you don’t always see from young players. He’s a good rebounder and good at drawing charges.</p> <p><strong>4. Donovan Dent – Corona Centennial 2022</strong></p> <p>In a game that featured no shortage of scorers, Dent stood out for his defensive ability. He spent a big portion of the game guarding Jaden Hardy. While he wasn’t able to actually shut down Hardy, he made sure he made Hardy work for each point he got. Dent looked solid in his ability to stay down on fakes and remain on his feet. He slides his feet well on the perimeter. He isn’t shy about picking up defensively in the backcourt, something that you don’t see very often anymore.</p> <p><strong>5. Tyrelle Hunt – Coronado 2020</strong></p> <p>On a team with Jaden Hardy, Hunt has emerged as a legitimate second scoring option. He could be considered undersized for a forward, but he certainly makes up for it with his energy and toughness. Hunt is a very active player around the rim. He is strong on the glass and he can finish strong in the paint. He can also step out and shoot from the perimeter. He has a strong jumper off the dribble. A legit double-double threat each game.</p>