Bosco Dream Showcase: Top Underclass Performers (Part II)
BELLFLOWER — Monday’s Bosco MLK Dream Showcase featured nine games and some of the top teams and players from various regions of Southern California. Sheldon’s Marcus Bagley, Mayfair’s Josh Christopher, Foothills Christian’s Yassine Gharram, Lynwood’s Jaren Johnson, St. Bernard’s Nick…
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Continue ReadingBELLFLOWER — Monday’s Bosco MLK Dream Showcase featured nine games and some of the top teams and players from various regions of Southern California. Sheldon’s Marcus Bagley, Mayfair’s Josh Christopher, Foothills Christian’s Yassine Gharram, Lynwood’s Jaren Johnson, St. Bernard’s Nick Bowden and Bosco’s Wynton Brown made up some of the top seniors in attendance, but in this piece we shine the light on the top freshmen and sophomore performances of the day.
Dylan Andrews, Windward
Andrews didn’t have his normal scoring output but he did have is usual impact on a winning outcome. The 6-foot-3 sophomore finished with eight points and five assists in the Wildcats’ 68-53 win over Lynwood while making sure he controlled the pace of the game, limited turnovers and got the ball inside to his classmate and teammate Kijani Wright who had a clear advantage inside.
Windward sophomore Dylan Andrews didn’t have his usual scoring output, but impacted winning in other ways.Randi Ovalle, St. John Bosco
Ovalle is still getting used to his new teammates and new system after making the move from San Gabriel Academy to Bosco. The 6-foot-6 sophomore provided the Braves with solid minutes off the bench and it had nothing to do with scoring. Ovalle’s size, ball handling ability and vision allow him to rebound the defensive glass and initiate offense, giving Bosco a much-needed extra ball handler off the bench. Look for Ovalle to carve out a much larger offensive role once he becomes more comfortable within coach Matt Dunn’s system.
Darius Carr, St. Bernard
Carr is the other St. Bernard freshman with a feel and basketball IQ well-beyond his years. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard only scored three points in the Vikings’ win over Foothills Christian, and while he’s burst onto the SoCal high school hoops scene as a guy who fills up the scoring column, it was good to see him find other ways to impact winning when his shot wasn’t falling at the rate he’s used to. Carr didn’t force shots, made the extra pass to open shooters, and made the correct basketball play more often than not.
JQ Strong, St. Bernard
Strong’s role continues to grow since becoming eligible in late December after transferring from Orange Lutheran. The wiry 6-foot-7 forward is a fluid athlete with good hands and touch around the basket. Strong scored six points off the bench and showed aggressiveness and confidence on the offensive end. The sophomore has intriguing long-term potential so long as he continues to work on his all-around skill-set, add strength to his frame, and work on his base and balance.