The Holiday Classic: Day 1 standouts, Part 2

<p>The Torrey Pines Tournament got off to a solid start in spite of the turmoil surrounding teams withdrawing due to COVID-19 protocols. Some teams were shorthanded, others were just getting back to full strength. But it still made for quality basketball for the first day of the four-day basketball event.</p> <p>Here were a few of the standouts on Day 1, from the games I watched:</p> <h2>The Holiday Classic, Day 1 standouts, Part 2:</h2> <h3>Pop Pop Isaacs, 6-2 2022 PG, Coronado</h3> <p>Isaacs; dominant stretch during the fourth quarter of a comeback victory against San Ysidro was special. With his team trailing by 13, Isaacs went to work, knocking down back-to-back baseline threes and setting up several scores in his team’s 27-6 run to seal the win. The crafty lead guard, known for his deep-range shooting, delivered with his playmaking and high-IQ passing, the first of several big games during the event. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="989242" first="Osiris" last="Grady"], 6-9 2023 F, Coronado </h3> <p>This was my first time seeing Grady in person and it was an impressive performance to say the least. A mobile, athletic big who can soar above the rim and finish baskets with straight line drives through contact. Defensively, he’s a very impactful rim protector and a solid rebounder on both ends, finishing with 11 while contending with a very good San Ysidro front court. </p> <h3>Anthony Batson, Jr., 6-4 2024 G, Notre Dame (AZ)</h3> <p>While Zoom Diallo received a lot of the headlines Monday, another 2024 that really caught our eye was Batson, a physical, slashing guard whose eye-popping athleticism allows him to finish at- or above - the rim regardless of what’s in his way. A solid passer off the drive as well, Batson is a consistent jump shot away from seeing his recruitment skyrocket. Also, a 4.0 student. </p> <h3>Miguel Figueroa, 6-1 2022 G, San Ysidro</h3> <p>Figueroa did what he does best in the Cougars near-win against Coronado - stroke the three from deep. Figueroa is a streak shooter who if he sees one go through will quickly look to attack - often with great success. In the third quarter alone, Figueroa knocked down three straight triples to put Ysidro in control before Coronado’s comeback. He also strikes in transition with runners, floaters and quick hitting layups. </p> <h3>Martin Flores, 6-8 2022 WF, San Ysidro</h3> <p>A big wing who can shoot it from deep and score off the dribble from the wing, Flores quietly had 24 points against Coronado, much of his damage in the opening quarters. His presence at the top of Ysidro’s zone defense allows him to use his length to disrupt passing lanes and spark the Cougars transition attack. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="1355789" first="Isaac" last="Peralta"], 6-1 2022 PG, Coronado</h3> <p>Peralta was a big reason Coronado got off to a strong start against San Ysidro, attacking the basket from the point or on the wing and scoring with some acrobatic and crafty finishes both around and through traffic. But one of his most underrated gifts is his court vision. Peralta makes high-level read in the half court (very good in ball screen action) and transition. </p>