La Costa Canyon vs. Sage Creek: 10 Best

<p>After a three-week hiatus due to COVID quarantining, La Costa Canyon returned to the floor in an emotionally charged game against Sage Creek. For both teams and their respective communities, the game meant more than the score: each school community was mourning the loss of student athlete who had died during the pandemic. </p> <p>In the end, however, the Mavericks emerged with a 78-68 win, breaking open a close game with a 10-0 run in the second quarter and a larger run in the third quarter, before the Bobcats pared the lead down during garbage time. </p> <p>Here’s a breakdown of the players who stood out.</p> <h2>LCC vs Sage Creek: 10 Best </h2> <h2>Best player </h2> <p><strong>Brendan Perry, 6-5 2021 G, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Perry was almost singlehandedly responsible for the 10-0 run that shifted the game back to the Mavericks. The wiry combo scored 10 points in the last three minutes of the second quarter to help LCC open up a 7-point lead. Perry, who recently committed to Point Loma Nazarene University, was able to attack the basket and finish through contact, knock down open threes and create drive-and-kick opportunities for LCC’s bevy of shooters. </p> <h2>Best prospect</h2> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="970253" first="Vincent" last="Berlucchi"], 6-7 2022 W, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Berlucchi heated up in the second half, knocking down 3 threes from the wing and scoring off the bounce, showing off a much improved handle. He has the size and length that makes him an attractive wing prospect. Add the improved all-around skillset and confidence, and he’s taking his game to a different level. I currently see him as a borderline D2/D1 prospect, but he’s on the rise. </p> <h2>Most intriguing</h2> <p><strong>Vishal Jayanthi, 6-4 2022 G, Sage Creek</strong></p> <p>Jayanthi is a prospect that has rapidly improved and has some natural gifts that make him a late-bloomer to monitor. He’s got length for days, a pure stroke from the perimeter, and is a crafty finisher. He has to get stronger, improve his off hand and tighten his handle, but he is definitely a sleeper. </p> <h2>Most surprising</h2> <p><strong>Dylan Walls, 6-2 2022 G, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Nicknamed "Sparky," Walls definitely provided a surprising spark. He’s got a deceptively effective first step and gets great elevation on his pull-up jumper, plus he strong build allows him to finish through contact off the dribble. </p> <h2>Best unsigned senior</h2> <p><strong>Jack Norrbohm, 6-6 2021 F, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Norrbohm is one of several Mavericks who can fill it up from deep. But I like his upside if he chooses to continue his career at the juco level. He has nice length, a quick, smooth release, and knows how to track his misses and hit the offensive glass. </p> <h3>Hardest Worker</h3> <p><strong>Jacob Martin, 6-1 2022 G, Sage Creek </strong></p> <p>Listed as a forward, Martin  has tremendous post footwork and acumen for a 6-1 player. He was able to score over, around and through the much taller LCC front court players, and showed some nice moxie on the boards. His motor runs hot. </p> <h2>Best shooter</h2> <p><strong>Will Richards, 5-10 2021 G, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>The Mavs have a ton of players who can fit this bill, but Richards’ ability to quickly get his shot off without much space stands out. He’s grown and is physically much stronger than he was earlier in his career, which allows him to play some on the ball, but his three-point shooting is his best weapon. </p> <h2>Best sophomore</h2> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="994912" first="Christian" last="Brown"], 6-5 2023 W, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Brown has made an impressive transition from undersized post to bona fide wing prospect. He’s got a strong frame, a smooth three-point stroke, and his able to attack closeouts and score off the drive or locate shooters with pinpoint passes. As he becomes more confident with the handle, it’s going to unlock even more of his game. </p> <h2>Best Passer</h2> <p><strong>Ray Square, 6-1 2021 PG, La Costa Canyon</strong></p> <p>Square isn’t much of a scoring threat, but what he does do well is keep his eyes roving and locates open shooters, delivering crisp passes that find the shooter’s pocket. </p> <h2>Most Improved</h2> <p><strong>Aarya Desai, 6-2 2021 G/F, Sage Creek</strong></p> <p>Desai is another player who early on in high school was a big, but has made a nice transition to the perimeter in his senior year. The slasher has a great first step when attacking with his right hand, and is a crafty finisher around the basket. Like most of his teammates, Desai plays with max effort and is a solid on-ball defender. </p>