Five Takeaways: 2019 SCIBCA Turkey Shootout

<p>Ontario, CA - The 2019 SCIBCA Turkey Shootout kicked off Saturday night with a flurry of match ups.  Two days after Thanksgiving, we were treated to another full course, this time with basketball action.  Teams on the menu included Fairfax, Alemany, Colony, King Drew, Los Osos among others.</p> <p><strong>The Fairfax Lions are FAST.  </strong>A trademark of Reggie Morris coached team's have always been defense and pace and it seems to be the case again this year with his new Fairfax team.  Constantly in a full court press or trap, the Lions utilize a ton of speed to blitz opponents and cause turnovers.  <strong>Justin Gladney (2020, guard)</strong> has good length and wrecks havoc in the passing lanes.  He has a good eye for the ball, plays aggressive defense, and gets a ton of steals and deflections.  His back court mate <strong>Justyn Hunter (2020, guard)</strong> utilizes a high IQ and hustle in pressuring the ball.  Both guards are a nightmare for opposing ball handlers.  On offense, senior captain <strong>Keith Dinwiddie (2020, guard)</strong> torches defenses with his outside shooting.  His scoring is a compliment and opens up slashing lanes for both Gladney and Hunter who use speed to get to the rim.  Transfer <strong>DJ Dudley (2022) </strong>is still getting acclimated to the team's offense but will have a huge impact and his role should grow as the year goes on.  He was a bright spot for Ysidro last year and also shone bright at Nike EYBL during the summer.  The only position the Lion's seem to lack at the moment is a true center, but they make up for it with the infinite speed and quickness they put on the floor.</p> <p><strong>Alemany's guards are going to torch the bucket</strong>.  <strong>Brandon Whitney (2020 guard)</strong> who had 32 points, is primed for a huge year and already was on every scout and writer's radar but <strong>Nico Ponce (2022, guard)</strong> has exploded early on this season.  Fresh off a game where he scored 28 points on 12 of 14 shooting including 6 threes against St. Genevieve, Ponce followed his hot performance with a 30 point game against Rancho Cucamonga High School.  Ponce's range and jumper are the first things that are evident when watching him play.  In Alemany's offense, they produce a lot of looks for Ponce in the corners where he is automatic.  The 2022 guard played for BTI this last summer, and things should keep heating up for him.  </p> <p><strong>Colony is full of potential.</strong>  With the absence of <strong>Brenton Knapper</strong> due to injury, the young Colony guards all were thrown into the fire and had tons of chances to showcase their skills.  People are starting to realize that <strong>Kylan Boswell</strong> can score and has unlimited range, but additionally the Titans have a few other role players who are ready to contribute.  <strong>Jaidyn Simpson</strong> is a 6'2 SG who is only a freshman was thrust into the starting lineup with the injury to Knapper.  He's done an admirable job filling in and making the most of his opportunities.  He plays mostly off ball but does a good job of getting to the basket and hitting his open jumpers. Junior <strong>Austin Bunn</strong> is a 5'9" SG who brings a ton of energy off the bench.  Bunn is a player who is willing to do the dirty work.  Once he gets in the game, he immediately plays lanes and shuffles his feet and locks up on defense.  It seems like Colony as a team always forces more turnovers when Bunn is in the game.</p> <p><strong>Fidelis Okereke and Kalib LaCount are developing chemistry.  Okereke (2020 PF)</strong> is an unsigned senior who is strong as a bull and is the epitome of hustle.  The King Drew big man always brings his all and hustles to grab boards and contest shots at the rim.  He is complimented by '22 guard <strong>Kalib LaCount</strong> who is an excellent lead guard with good vision and handles.  If the two keep developing chemistry, King Drew may make a run in City Section.</p> <p><strong>Los Osos has a scoring machine in Albert Matute.  </strong>The 2020 wing dropped 18 points in the Titans gym against Summit one week after scoring 18 on the same court against Colony.  Matute is a scoring machine who is crafty and utilizes numerous moves to get to his spots.  He has a consistent mid range game where he can shoot off the dribble and also uses fade aways and leaners.  He also has range from deep and has college three point range.  He played AAU ball under former NBA players Tracy and Cameron Murray's Prodigy program and perhaps may have learned a thing or two from them as his ability to create space for his shot is very advanced.The scoring wing is underrated and remains unsigned.  </p>