San Diego Tip-Off Challenge: Event Standouts
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The final day of the San Diego Tip-Off Challenge gave us two instant-classic games. Cathedral proved that the show will go on even after graduating four of five starters, upsetting San Ysidro on a last-second layup by senior wing Jaden…
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Continue ReadingThe final day of the San Diego Tip-Off Challenge gave us two instant-classic games. Cathedral proved that the show will go on even after graduating four of five starters, upsetting San Ysidro on a last-second layup by senior wing Jaden LeBel Jaden LeBel 6'4" | PF Cathedral Catholic | 2022 State . Saint Augustine, San Diego’s preseason No. 1 team, gave a shorthanded Sierra Canyon all it could handle before bowing out 51-46 in one of the hardest played games you’ll see.
Here were some standouts from the final day of action.
Kijani Wright Kijani Wright 6'8" | PF Sierra Canyon | 2022 State #63 Nation , 6-9 2022 F, Sierra Canyon
Big, physical post had his way throughout the weekend, carving out space against outmatched opponents and finishing around the rim with consistency. When his team needed him the most, he punished Saint Augustine in the fourth quarter with repeated offensive boards and finishes through contact.
Jurian Dixon Jurian Dixon 6'4" | SG St. Augustine | 2023 State #247 Nation , 6-5 2023 G, St. Augustine
Dixon is a walking mismatch. Playing in Saints four guard lineup, he’s often guarded by other team’s four men, and he uses his quickness and craftiness to create scores from the midrange and short range. He’s an effective zone-busting option out of the midpost as well. One area he’s made significant strides since his freshman year is with his athleticism. He finishes above the rim with regularity now.
Lolo Rudolph, 6-1 2024 PG, St. Augustine
The Saints point guard dominated stretches of the Sierra Canyon game with his ability to negotiate pressure and traffic and create for himself (very good finisher through contact) and others ( underrated passer off the drive and in pick-and-roll)
Jaden LeBel Jaden LeBel 6'4" | PF Cathedral Catholic | 2022 State , 6-4 2022 W, Cathedral Catholic
Lebel was electric in the Dons upset of San Ysidro, scoring 34 points – including the game-winning driving layup – and doing it from all three levels. During the second half, Cathedral repeatedly went to Lebel in dribble hand-off action, and he got into the paint and either scored or got to the foul line at will. He also filled the stat sheet: he grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked four shots.
Miguel Figueroa, 6-2 2022 SG, San Ysidro
Figueroa nearly got San Ysidro the win vs Cathedral with his hot shooting. Coming off of curl action on the right wing, Figueroa hit four consecutive threes, each deeper than the one before. He has picturesque form and gets excellent elevation on his jump shot.