Gamepoint Fall Showcase: Eye Openers, Part 2

<p>The Gamepoint Fall HS Showcase has been perennially one of the top team preseason showcases in Southern California, giving this writer and coaches an opportunity to evaluate both teams and talent in advance of the high school season.</p>   <p>This year, the 14th installment, was one of the best to date.</p>   <p>I had a chance to watch games on each of the three days (Sunday I split my time between the showcase and the Pangos Frosh/Soph Camp). This report focuses on the next group of players who caught my attention throughout the weekend who have lower profiles than some of their teammates. </p>   <h2>Hunter Kennedy, 6-4 2024 G, Murrieta Mesa</h2>   <p>The definition of a "big guard," Kennedy did a nice job initiating the offense for the Rams throughout the weekend and showed off solid passing chops in the half court and in transition, where he pushes tempo and pace but stays under control for the most part. His shooting mechanics from three are also repeatable and playable. Moreover, he plays with confidence, which you want in a lead guard. Very underrated prospect. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0472.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0472-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1608725"/></a></figure>   <h2>Jake Henderson, 6-4 2023 G, Mission Vista</h2>   <p>Henderson's team got whacked in the Friday night game against Canyon Crest, but there's a lot to like about his game and his performance. A wiry, long, and fairly athletic combo guard who handles the ball a lot for the Timberwolves, Henderson can score it from three levels and can push it in transition. His length at the top of the team's 1-3-1 zone gives teams trouble. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0481-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0481-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1608726"/></a></figure>   <h2>Sean Hetrick, 6-4 2023 W, Canyon Crest</h2>   <p>Both he and his twin brother Lachlan, transfers from Torrey Pines, had good weekends for the Ravens, which got a good win over Del Norte on Saturday. But Sean is the taller and longer of the two and he uses his length, combined with his motor, to have an impact on the boards and playing the passing lanes defensively. He gave his team multiple second-chance possessions crashing the glass. Hetrick also is a solid catch-and-shoot guy from midrange. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0470.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/IMG_0470-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1608727"/></a></figure>   <h2>Justin Lubisich, 6-3 2023 G, Poway</h2>   <p>Lubisich has hovered under the radar in San Diego because the Titans have had a few down years, but he's an underrated scorer who, when he's on, is capable of putting up big numbers from all three levels - especially off the bounce. He hit the game winner against Ramona attacking down hill and finishing off the glass through contact against two defenders. </p>   <h2>Christian Gentilucci, 6-3 2023 G, Poway</h2>   <p>Gentilucci, who started last year for the Titans as well, has nice size, craftiness and can pass, dribble and shoot. He is streaky both in his shot selection and shot making, but when he catches fire he's capable of putting up points in a hurry. </p>   <h2>Carson Ward, 6-1 2023 G, Ramona</h2>   <p>Ramona's two-headed monster of [player_tooltip player_id='1502889' first='Chase' last='Newman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1437035' first='Dalton' last='Norvell'] usually account for most of the Bulldogs scoring, but Ward is an underrated support player who has game of his own. A heady lead guard who can knock down shots from three and finish plays through contact, Ward provides the Bulldogs with a solid third scorer in the lineup. </p>   <h2>Calem Costello, 6-1 2023 G, Linfield Christian</h2>   <p>Costello is a steady leader alongside the Lions star wing Michael McNair. He does a little bit of everything for the team, including setting the table for the team's shooters (solid drive-and-kick PG) and hitting shots himself. He hit clutch foul shots down the stretch in the team's overtime slugfest against Mission Bay. </p>   <h2>Quentin Givens, 6-0 2024 G, Christian</h2>   <p>A long, lanky combo guard prospect who handles the ball much of the time for the Patriots, Givens is a solid passer and slasher who can shoot it from three and midrange. </p>   <h2>Gabriel Gustillo, 5-10 2025 G, Foothills Christian</h2>   <p>Foothills might not be the Knights of old, but they are improving, and their second-year combo guard is a big reason why. A compact, physical slasher who can shoot it from three, Gustillo scores it well from both of those levels and gives a great effort on defense. </p>

The Gamepoint Fall HS Showcase has been perennially one of the top team preseason showcases in Southern California, giving this writer and coaches an opportunity to evaluate both teams and talent in advance of the high school season.