Creme of the County: 2023 Standouts (Pt. 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO — The 2022 Creme of the County showcase operated by fellow Prep Hoops scout and Full-Time Hoops owner Aaron Burgin brought together many of San Diego's top basketball prospects in a class-by-class showcase game format. In this piece we go in-depth on the standout performers from the class of 2023 games, which include the 2023 "Creme" game, both sessions of the 2023 games and any carryovers into the "Creme de la Creme" game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='994926' first='Angelo' last='Gil']</strong>, San Ysidro - Gil is an aggressive downhill scorer, attacker and playmaker who knows no other way to play but hard and with a high motor. The 6-foot point guard combines his speed in the open court with a physicality and toughness that allows him to power up through contact and finish around the basket. Gil is also a heady passer out of dribble drive action and throws accurate dishes to teammates for open shots. The senior is also a consistent mid-range shooter off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Nassar</strong>, Rancho Christian - Nassar was one of the guys who we hadn't seen a lot over the last year or so and he made a big impression. The 6-foot-4 wing is both strong and bouncy but what separated him in both 2023 "Creme" games was how he was willing to play with physicality and compete inside. Nassar made it a point to get out and run the wing where he slashed his way to the rim for finishes at the basket. The senior also had a couple of impressive dunks in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Chambers</strong>, Rancho Christian - Chambers was another surprise performer whose effort in the 2023 "Creme" game earned him a spot in the "Creme de la Creme" aka Best of the Best game. Chambers is a smooth lefty scorer who, at 6-feet-4, has three-level ability. He knocked down perimeter jumpers with consistency from three-point and mid-range levels and used his shiftiness to break down defenders in isolation and get to the rim where he scored over length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='994912' first='Christian' last='Brown']</strong>, La Costa Canyon - Brown was highly effective as an off-ball player who didn't need a ton of touches to make an impact. The 6-foot-5 wing has great feel and IQ when moving and cutting off the ball and is quick and controlled when catching and finishing around the basket. Brown also showed his catch and shoot ability from three-point range. What made Brown standout the most was his willingness to rebound and run the floor. He finished with 16 points and seven rebounds in the "Creme de la Creme" game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437035' first='Dalton' last='Norvell']</strong>, Ramona - Norvell was another player who earned an invite to the "Creme de la Creme" game after a strong performance in one of the other 2023 sessions. The 6-foot-1 guard had his three-point stroke on full display as he knocked down perimeter shots from a variety of spots and distances of the floor. Norvell also flashed some playmaking chops in transition where he used a shot fake to get into the lane and hit an open teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='994949' first='Jaden' last='Matingou']</strong>, St. Augustine - Matingou is an ultra athletic combo guard who, in the "Creme de la Creme" game, took on the challenge of defending highly-touted classmate, [player_tooltip player_id='1069091' first='Mikey' last='Williams'], and did a stellar job in that assignment. Offensively, the 6-foot-3 pogo stick put on a show in transition with multiple highlight reel dunks and quick and shifty drives and finishes to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992479' first='Jurian' last='Dixon']</strong>, St. Augustine - Dixon is one of the better all-around players in the San Diego area and his versatility was on full display in the COTC. The 6-foot-5 swingman has a little bit of everything in his arsenal from catch and shoot three's to dribble drive finishes and playmaking to defensive versatility and rebounding. Dixon's willingness to play as an unselfish guy, while being one of the better players on the floor, only enhances his impact on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kalik Sharpe</strong>, Balboa School - Sharpe was super effective in transition where he used his combination of athleticism, strength and physicality to absorb contact and finish around the basket. The 5-foot-11 point guard used his quick first step to keep defenders off-balance which allowed him to get into the lane at will in the half-court setting. Sharpe also flashed a balanced pull-up jump shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->