The Holiday Classic: Day 2 and 3 standouts, Part 1

<p>The Holiday Classic isn’t just the National Division, which plays out at Torrey Pines High. This year, there were three other divisions with lots of great action and top-notch prospects. On Days 2 through 4, I ventured out to the American, Senators and Governors sites to watch several games. Here are some of the standouts from those games (and yes, there are a few standouts from at least one National Division tilt)</p> <h2>The Holiday Classic: Day 2 and 3 standouts, Part 1</h2> <h3>Aidan Burke, 6-3 2022 G, Archbishop Mitty</h3> <p>Burke offered the heroics in Mitty’s 51-49 OT win over Stockton Lincoln in the quarterfinals, scoring the game-winning driving layup over SDSU signee Miles Byrd. The combo guard scored it efficiently throughout the game, taking what the defense gave him either with aggressive drives to the hoop or knocking down threes off the catch or in ball screen action. He rebounds extremely well for a guard, and his effort level on defense is always relentless. With a 4.33 GPA, I’d hope that schools in the Ivy League or Patriot League would give him a look as a late signee. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="971258" first="Braedyn" last="Benhard"], 6-7 2022 F, Foothill </h3> <p>Benhard controlled the paint throughout the win over Sage Creek. The big lefty swingman operates from 15 feet in, and can attack the basket from that range with one or two dribbles, finishing through contact. A dogged rebounder, he competes for rebounds in and out of his area, and he is also an effective passer out of the post. A solid unsigned prospect. </p> <h3>Cruz Billings, 5-7 2022 PG, Foothill</h3> <p>Billings is usually the smallest player on the court, but regularly has the biggest impact. A dogged competitor and an underrated scorer and passer, Billings hit big shots down the stretch to help repel a late Sage Creek run. Another underrated aspect of his game is his strength, which allows him to compete against players much taller than him. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="971191" first="Toby" last="Harris"], 5-9 2022 PG, Carlsbad</h3> <p>Harris is another player who, despite his size, has a huge impact on games. He gets it done on defense (really good reading passing lanes, and disruptive on the ball defensively), and he is a terrific finisher in transition. Offensively in the halfcourt, his best gift is his passing and screening, both of which create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Division 3 schools would be wise to take a look. </p> <h3>Trevor Ladd, 6-2 2024 G, La Costa Canyon</h3> <p>Perhaps the most eye opening performance over the final three days of the American Division was by Ladd, a sophomore who wasn’t in the rotation during the preseason. But he’s played his way into the rotation the past 7 games by playing extremely hard, rebounding the ball and playing about six inches taller than his listed height. His interior defense for a player his size is exceptional, as is his cutting, which allows him to get to his spots on the floor. But he’s not just an undersized forward. He showed flashes of shooting from the perimeter and enough handle to project that he can play on the perimeter. As it stands now, count Ladd as one of the bigger surprises in San Diego this season.</p> <h3>Noah Marte, 6-1 2023 G, San Diego</h3> <p>Marte entered the tournament on a tear of late, and save for his first game, continued his consistent scoring outbursts. In the team’s win over Madison, he hit critical jump shots from deep and attacked closeouts to create driving lanes where he finished going to his dominant hand or pull-up jumpers from 15 feet. At 6-1, he is also a solid rebounder, willingly crashing the glass on both ends.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>