North/South OC Challenge: Top Performers (Pt. 1)
LAS FLORES — In addition to matching up some of Orange County’s top programs and coaches, the 2021 North/South Challenge carried a deeper meaning this year. The event paid homage to the late Tim O’Brien, who passed away from cancer…
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Continue ReadingLAS FLORES — In addition to matching up some of Orange County’s top programs and coaches, the 2021 North/South Challenge carried a deeper meaning this year. The event paid homage to the late Tim O’Brien, who passed away from cancer in October of 2020. O’Brien coached at Estancia, Santiago, Tustin and Northwood high schools during his career, amassing 481 wins, including CIF Southern Section and state championships at Estancia in 1991. Below are the standout performers from the event.
Aiden Del Col, 2022, Laguna Beach – The smooth-shooting lefty scored a team-high 16 points in a loss to San Juan Hills. Del Col is a consistent shooter off the catch who moves well without the ball to find open space to get a clean look. The 6-foot-2 senior has an effective shot fake and one-dribble left or right pull-up in his arsenal, as well.
Asher Gardiner Asher Gardiner 6'6" | C San Clemente | 2022 State CA-S , 2022, San Clemente – There’s an easy way to describe the way Gardiner plays and it can be described in one word: Beast. The 6-foot-6 two-sport senior uses his football strength and frame to overpower smaller defenders inside to get high-percentage finishes at the rim. Defensively, Gardiner is great at plugging ball screens and contesting shots and rebounding misses in the paint.
Brandon Novida, 2022, Aliso Niguel – Novida is just a smart all-around basketball player. The 5-foot-10 point guard runs the show for the Wolverines with limited turnovers or mistakes. Novida did a really nice job in a win over Beckman in finding his team’s hot-hand – Tyler Weaver – and feeding that player in spots where he could be successful. Novida was no slouch in the scoring column himself, scoring 14 points in the big win.
Carson Brown, 2022, Tesoro – Brown was feeling it from the tip in host Tesoro’s win over Laguna Hills. The 6-foot-2 junior created shots well off the dribble with his balanced pull-up mid-range jumper. He also knocked down catch-and-shoot three’s and attacked driving lanes and finished around the basket. Brown finished with a team-high 22 points.
Efe Gucoglu, 2023, Capistrano Valley – Gucoglu put together one of the best performances of the day as he dropped 30 points in the Cougars’ 62-54 win over Woodbridge. The 6-foot-4 junior guard showed flashes of elite shot making from multiple levels of the court and did so without breaking off from Capo Valley’s offensive system. Gucoglu played his freshman season at Corona del Mar before returning to Turkey during his sophomore season and is now one of Orange County’s top scorers at Capo Valley.