Wright’s Week In Review: Playoffs

<p>The Playoffs have started in NorCal with plenty of basketball being played all around the area. NorCal is a huge region with multiple teams competing in different divisions and sections. PH was in the gym for 3 of those games. February14-19. All games were playoffs. Here’s some of the players who we thought stood out.</p> <p><em><strong>Game 1:  Alameda 72, Acalanes 49. NCS Div II</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Nick Rondenet a 6’6 2022</strong></em> Forward was the top player for Alameda. He was the games top scorer. He had four 3ptrs, and 19pts. He’s a solid body player who finishes strong inside off two feet. He had a couple of nice drive spin moves for finishes with the left from the high post for points.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253118" first="Theo" last="Stoll"] 5’7 2023 PG of Acalanes.</strong></em> He does an excellent job of running the teams offense. He has the handles, patience and vision needed at the top. Only 5’7 he’s excellent at using his big man in pick and roll situations. He’ll pull-up for 3’s to keep the defense honest, and he has a floater when he gets into the paint. 10pts, 5asts.</p> <p><em><strong>Game 2:  Moreau Catholic 74, Liberty 71. NCS Div I</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1377195" first="Matthew" last="Villanueva"] 6’0 2022 G, of Moreau Catholic</strong></em> was the games top point producer with 26pts. He showed us a variety of ways he can put the ball in the basket. In the first quarter he was 6 of 6 from the free throw line. The lefty can go left or right on the attack from various spots on the court. He does a lot of twisting around the hoop to avoid contact and charges.</p> <p><em><strong>Gavin Cook Whisenton 6’2 2024 G, of Liberty</strong></em> is a rising prospect in the 2024 class. This was his second impressive outing while we were in attendance. He’s a versatile guard who can bring the ball up court, shoot the 3, create his own shot, he has good passing, and he’ll go get a rebound. He joins the double-double club. 19pts, 10rebs.</p> <p><em><strong>Game 3: Salesian Prep 64, American Canyon 48. NCS Div II</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1140161" first="Alvin" last="Loving"] 6’3 2025 G of Salesian Prep</strong></em>, was the teams leading scorer in this game with 15pts. He’s a calm smooth youngster you can’t speed up. He has the wind up 3pt shot that goes down in the corners and on the wings. He uses his thick body on drives and around the basket to score inside. He makes good long passes up court.</p> <p><em><strong>Jordan Nolan 6’0 2022 G of American Canyon</strong></em>. He was the teams leading scorer with 15pts. The shifty ball handler used his dribble to get into the paint for jumpers, and floaters. He dropped a couple of nice 3ptrs early in the game. He had three 3ptrs. A solid ball handler who’s willing to dish and make the extra pass. </p> <p><strong>Notable Players:</strong></p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1115058" first="Jake" last="Davis"] 6’6 2023 F, of Acalanes</strong></em>. The post man is a big target inside. He shows good patience and balance going up inside, he has a   jumper and jump hook he uses in the key. He’ll step out on occasion for a 3ptr. 11pts.</p> <p><em><strong>Mason Harris 6’7 2022 W/SF of Alameda</strong></em>. <em><strong>Harris</strong> </em>the long wiry prospect was active most of the game. He made himself a target in the post to run the offense through. He had good passing from the low block. He gets up the floor fast, had a couple of nice put backs for point. He knocked down two 3ptrs. 17pts.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1256423" first="Robert" last="Morgan"] 6’5 2023 W of Moreau Catholic.</strong> <strong>Morgan</strong> </em>caused several deflections and turnovers playing up front on the trap. At 6’5 his activity up top was a key turning point in the game. He was active and aggressive throughout the game in the paint, rebounding and scoring he had 15pts, 7ebs, 3stls.</p> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1269263" first="Chris" last="Sanders"] 6’6 2022 F of Salesian Prep</strong></em>. <em><strong>Sanders</strong> </em>was active in the paint throughout the game. He was pretty much hard to guard in the paint. His strength and hops helped him get points and rebound in this game. He joins the double-double club with 13pts, 10rebs. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>