Hustle Region Kickoff: 17U Top Performers
Who are some of the top performers that I saw while in Seal Beach, California at the Hustle Region Kickoff? Here are some names to know as we talk about the talent in Cali over the next three/four days.
Jeremiah Calhoun of Team Eleate (6’2 guard, JW North, 2022). Jermiah Calhoun is a player I will be happy to see find his college location. This is a hard working high academic student that is both a basketball and football recruit. Physically, think strength at about 180 pounds and quickness of a slot receiver quickly getting to space. Calhoun did that all weekend long for Team Eleate putting together double figure assist games in both contests I watched. There was simply no player that had the lateral quickness AND strength combination to stop Calhoun from where he wanted to go and he put every delivery on the money for his teammates. He was the best delivery guard I saw this weekend.
Bryson Goldsmith of Texas Pro Skills El Paso (6’2 guard, Chapin, 2023). The best performance I saw this weekend was from Byrson, an El Paso talent coming off an All District honor this winter, and he’s now off to a great 17u start. Goldsmith helped his team win three of four games including two close game victories on the final day. Bryson scored 29 points on 11 of 18 shooting despite being defended by a bigger defender and that shot total included two clutch threes at the end of the game. Goldsmith also made all his foul shots (including late game clutch makes) plus he grabbed FOURTEEN rebounds often collecting the ball ahead of a player six inches taller. Throw in three steals and that Goldsmith had a couple other similar games and you have a top player.
Dalton Norvell of Coastal Elite (6’2 guard, Ramona, 2023). Norvell is the type of player that seemingly coaches would love. Tough, consistent, and a coach can depend on Dalton to carry out assignments on both ends. Type of guy you can likely trust to get you the six baskets, 4/5 boards, 3/4 assists, and be in the right spot on both ends. Norvell’s left hand basket attack got him to mid-range jumpers, it brought him back to the right side of the rim to finish, and it helped him open up teammates. I liked how Norvell was always in his position one pass away forcing the initial read to be stalled or forced the pass to go the other way. Just an all around consistent performance for a 4-0 team.
Xavier Ogle Xavier Ogle 5'8" | PG Rancho Bernardo | 2023 State CA-S of D1 Southern California (5’10 guard, Rancho Bernardo, 2023). First thing I saw from Ogle? After his team huddle he brought the five starters together and they all talked about the game. Each player had a conversation. The stage was set by Xavier and they executed their third win in four games. A very solid performance. I loved the Ogle basket attack. He beat the first defender every time and often it was a transition push but in the halfcourt the first step blitz beat man one. After his leadership, the other thing I loved was how Ogle beat the help to the cup extending for a number of finishes. Ogle scored 27 points with 5 assists on 10 of 19 shooting in the game I took in. Impressive 5’10 guard.
Timothy Parker of Cali Elite (6’4 guard, Notre Dame Riverside, 2022). One of the best scorers at the event was Timothy Parker. A consistent scorer in every game he played, Parker was one of the toughest players to get a shot contest on when he was coming out of his move. Parker has great lift: we saw it on every jumper, we saw it with a couple help over blocks, and we saw it on a few rim finishes. The biggest thing to take home is that Parker has a unique ability to get to his high percentage jumper and the comfort and lift of that move are very tough for a defender to adjust their feet to.
Joel Schwanter of Coastal Elite (6’5 Forward, Maranatha, 2023). Coastal Elite went 4-0 this weekend playing outstanding team basketball. Schwanter is what I would call that anchor of that offense. This is a player that averages double figure rebounds during the high school season and is a high percentage finisher. How? Activity and his attention to the details of what his coach/team want him to do and where he needs to be. Offensively he scored moving behind the defense with cuts, Joel scored catching and turning with great timing off the post to post screen, and Schwanter put up second chance points. Good size, good agility, consistent results.
Caleb Tinker of Team Eleate (6’10 Big, Riverside King, 2022). Tinker missed two shots in the two games I watched him play. 15 of 17 shooting in those contests. My favorite part was surely the floor run into the deep position and then one of the better low post holds on the block that you will see. The low post position hold was so good I went back to the high school season to see if it was there as well and it’s all over Caleb’s highlight clips. Excellent floor run, some of the best low position targets offered you will see, and a high percentage finisher that turned over each shoulder to score. And… Tinker is also an excellent 6’10 pitching prospect on the baseball field.