Thanksgiving Hoopfest Top Performers: Wagner vs. Coronado

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="889561" first="Austin" last="Nunez"] - Wagner - G</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="889561" first="Austin" last="Nunez"] scored a game-high 27 points and brought defensive intensity when his team needed it in Wagner’s 66-58 win over Coronado. He was knocking down deep three’s, blowing by defenders and finishing through contact, and showed up for his team in the clutch. He is a crafty finisher and he finished above the rim multiple times.</p> <p><strong>Richard Isaacs. Jr. - Coronado - G</strong></p> <p>The battle between Richard Isaacs Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id="889561" first="Austin" last="Nunez"] was the story of the game as each of them were the lead guards for their respected teams and brought intensity on both ends of the floor. Isaacs Jr. finished with 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. He hits tough shots like they’re nothing and his tight handle allows him to create space for these tough shots or for him to blow by his defender and finish at the bucket.</p> <p><strong>Kevin Garcia - Wagner - F</strong></p> <p>Kevin Garcia’s all-around performance was a big reason that Wagner was able to pull off the win against Coronado as he finished with a 20-point and 11-rebound double-double. Offensively, Garcia always plays under control and he showcased his ability to score at all three levels. He scored with his back to the basket and around the bucket, showed his ability to score in the in-between game and utilizing pump fakes, and knocked down two three’s. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986957" first="Josiah" last="Cunningham"] - Coronado - G</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="986957" first="Josiah" last="Cunningham"] and Richard Isaacs Jr. form a deadly duo in the backcourt and this duo combined for 36 points in their team’s narrow loss. He was hitting three’s at a high rate, finishing well around the basket, and rebounding as he led his team with five rebounds. His ability to blow by defenders was some of the best that I saw while at Thanksgiving Hoopfest and once he got to the bucket he showed off his ability to finish through contact exceptionally. </p> <p><strong>Eddie Fernandez - Wagner - G</strong></p> <p>Eddie Fernandez proved himself to be a reliable option for Wagner as he excelled in both ends of the floor in the win. Fernandez. finished with 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four steals. He knocked down two three’s in the win and both of these were from multiple feet behind the three-point line. He also has great basketball I.Q., boxes out when rebounding, and makes great decisions when driving to the bucket and knows whether to finish with a floater or dump the ball off to his big man. He’s an all-around guard that is a key piece for Wagner.</p>