Real Run Winter Classic Pt. 1
The holiday tournaments and showcases continue this week and on New Year’s Day, Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, CA played host to the Real Run Winter Classic. A few teams had to withdraw due to health and safety protocols but…
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Continue ReadingThe holiday tournaments and showcases continue this week and on New Year’s Day, Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, CA played host to the Real Run Winter Classic. A few teams had to withdraw due to health and safety protocols but for the teams that did participate, there were some good games and good talent. I was able to attend the event, and here’s a quick look at some of the top talent I saw.
1. Andrew Gill – Narbonne 2022
Gill is a flat-out scorer who can put up points quickly. He’s very comfortable with the ball in his hands, a natural scoring wing. He loves to take his defender off the dribble and pull-up for a little jumper near the free-throw line that he hits at a good clip. He can get to the rim too and he uses his strength to finish through the defense. Good step-through moves to score at the rim. He can pull-up for three in transition. Tough cover defensively. He has some playmaking to his game too.
2. Nicholas Hanna – Brentwood 2022
Hanna is a player I’ve seen a couple of times before and he’s one of the best point guards in Southern Section. He’s a good ball-handler who can dribble against defensive pressure. He does a good job finding the balance between scoring and playmaking. He has a good off the dribble game and when he gets to the rim he can either finish or kick it back out to open teammates. Defensively, he’s very good on the wing. Keeps the ball-handler in front of him and fights through screens.
3. EJ Spillman – Pacifica Christian 2025
Spillman showed some good poise for a freshman. He was impressive in the minutes he got. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and he can sort of play as a combo guard. His playmaking skills in the halfcourt were solid; he’s a great passer who can find teammates around the rim. He can also handle the ball in transition and be a passer on the break. A good catch and shoot player from the three-point line, and he can put the ball on the floor and get into the lane with a little floater.
4. Isaiah Brewington Isaiah Brewington 6'6" | PF Campbell Hall | 2023 State CA-S – Campbell Hall 2022
Brewington gets better at finishing in the paint each time I see him and it’s come a long way since he was a freshman. He knows how to be patient and use his size to take advantage of smaller defenders. He has a really good combination of strength and finesse. He knows how to draw fouls in the paint and get himself to the free-throw line where he shoots it a very good clip for a big man. Defensively, he is an anchor in the paint and a strong rebounder.