North/South OC Challenge: Top Performers (Pt. 2)
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.
Gavin Thompson, 2022, Capistrano Valley – Thompson is Capo’s “jack-of-all-trades” player because of his impact in multiple facets of the game. The 6-foot-5 senior forward is a crafty interior scorer with touch with either hand, can step out and knock down a catch-and-shoot three and guards multiple positions while rebounding at a high rate.
Isaiah Tolmaire Isaiah Tolmaire 5'10" | PG Mission Viejo | 2023 State CA-S , 2023, Mission Viejo – Tolmaire’s lighting quick speed is a difficult thing for opponents to deal with in transition. The junior guard looks to be shot out of a cannon when streaking down the floor with the ball in his hands, yet he remains under control and with his head on a swivel on the break. Tolmaire scored a team-high 14 points on layups and perimeter jumpers in the Diablo’s narrow loss to Cypress.
Kody Papke, 2022, Cypress – Papke was up there as one of the top shooters in the event. The 6-foot-1 senior shooting guard caught fire in the second half of Cypress’ win over Mission Viejo as he scored 18 of his 23 points in the final 16 minutes to lift the Centurions to a three-point victory. Papke gets great lift and has good balance on his jump shot both from the three-point and mid-range levels of the floor.
Thomas Hattan, 2022, San Juan Hills – Hattan had an Orange County high school version of Klay Thompson’s 60 points on 11 dribbles performance. The sharp-shooting lefty hit six of his 10 attempts from three-point range, all of the catch and shoot variety, meaning he scored all 18 of his points without dribbling once.
Tyler Weaver, 2022, Aliso Niguel – Weaver rivaled Efe Gucoglu for top overall performance of the day as he scored an event-high 33 points in just three quarters of play. The 6-foot-7 wing had a number of steals at the top of the key which lead to breakaway dunks and layups, but also flashed his half-court scoring acumen with his smooth three-point shooting stroke.