UCSD Team Camp: First Five
The three-day UCSD Team Camp brought teams from across the Western Region for a weekend of top-notch basketball. The well-organized event concluded Sunday with St. Augustine capturing the Triton Division championship with a 64-58 win over Fossil Ridge of Colorado,…
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Continue ReadingThe three-day UCSD Team Camp brought teams from across the Western Region for a weekend of top-notch basketball. The well-organized event concluded Sunday with St. Augustine capturing the Triton Division championship with a 64-58 win over Fossil Ridge of Colorado, the closest game the Saints had all weekend. Previously, San Diego’s Open Division championship had run roughshod over the camp’s competition, winning games by an average margin of 23 points.
Montgomery won the lower division “Navy Bracket” with an impressive defensive effort over Portola. Mission Bay won the consolation championship of the Triton Bracket.
Here are my top five performers from the weekend that was.
UCSD Team Camp: First Five
Jurian Dixon Jurian Dixon 6'4" | SG St. Augustine | 2023 State #247 Nation CA-S , 6-5 2023 G, St. Augustine
Dixon saved his best for the final moments of the championship game, with Saints trailing by 9 with 10 minutes left in the game. He finished the game with several impressive full-speed drives to the basket, finishing through contact, hit a critical three and used his high-level anticipation to disrupt Fossil Ridge’s dribble hand offs to spring the Saints fast break, where he finished a pair of dunks to seal the victory.
Jaden Matingou Jaden Matingou 6'3" | CG St. Augustine | 2023 State CA-S , 6-3 2023 G, St. Augustine
The camp’s biggest stock raiser, Matingou elevated his game from previous viewings and earned a scholarship from UCSD in the process. He scored the ball at an extremely efficient clip (63% from three and 68% from the field) while showing the versatility to play on or off the ball. While he did many of the things (offensive rebounding, hawkish on-ball defense) that he is known for, his confident perimeter shooting, improved shot selection and more physical finishing allowed him to take over games for the Saints.
Nick Randall Nick Randall 6'7" | PF Fossil Ridge | 2023 State CO , 6-8 2023 F, Fossil Ridge (CO)
Randall impressed with his motor, length, scoring ability around the basket and rebounding out of his area. The rangy five man has great hands and touch around the basket and also showcased some very nifty footwork maneuvering his way from short corners and the high post into scoring position around the basket. His combination of length and bounce allow him to play much bigger than his listed height in the paint.
Andrew McKeever 7-0 2023 C, Granada
McKeever had dominant stretches over the weekend, and it was easy to see why. The camp’s lone 7-footer, McKeever is surprisingly mobile, does a good job establishing and maintaining position on the low block, can finish over either shoulder and is an excellent passer against the inevitable double team. He’s a solid rim protector and works hard to establish good box-out position on the defensive glass. The other area of his game that translates is his physicality. He plays with an edge.
Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ , 6-7 2024 W, Sunnyslope
Bearden was one of the players in the gym that commands your attention with his length, potent athleticism and solid wing skill set. He can shoot off the catch and does a good job attacking from the wing aggressively and plays through contact at the rim. He’s good for a highlight finish or two per game, but his game has a lot of substance beyond the highlight plays. His defensive versatility will carry him as he continues to develop the areas of his offensive skill set.