LSBA Fall Shootout: Event Standouts, Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The inaugural Lamont Smith Basketball Academy Fall Shootout took place this weekend at Miramar College, a familiar battleground for San Diego high school teams kicking off the fall scrimmage season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith, a former college head coach – most recently at the University of San Diego – assembled 23 of the region's top teams and a very good Dougherty Valley squad from the Bay Area, which won the even't signature – and opening game, a 60-49 win over St. Augustine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standouts dotted the four-court gymnasium on both days this weekend. In the first report, we highlight the top standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1434801' first='Noah' last='Marte'], 6-1 2023 G, San Diego</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marte only played on Saturday for the Cavers, but scored over 50 points in two games against Francis Parker and Mission Hills. A deadly shooter from three, Marte has improved his scoring off the bounce and frequently got to the foul line attacking off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994913' first='Alex' last='Cabulio'], 6-3 2023 W, Torrey Pines</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cabulio had a very good game against Scripps Ranch on Day 1 of the showcase, making play after play from the midpost, where his IQ and feel were on full display. He made quick decisions and used his footwork to create scoring opportunities and shot fakes to get his defender in the air, which he then used to score or pass to cutting teammates for layups. He's not a great vertical athlete, but his understanding of angles allows him to neutralize opponents length. Cabulio's feel for the game was only rivaled by Montgomery's JJ Sanchez all weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502812' first='Tony' last='Duckett'], Jr., 6-2 2024 G, Carlsbad</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duckett is a natural scorer deluxe, who can fill it up from three levels and finishes drives in the paint from different launch points and with either hand. He is starting to fill out his wiry frame, which is allowing him to finish more consistently through contact. He is a smooth shooter off the catch from three and evades closeouts with a smooth one- or two-dribble pullup. Duckett's value as a defensive stopper makes him one of the better two-way guards in the region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502828' first='Derek' last='Edmond'], 6-4 2024 G, Victory Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victory Christian has reloaded this year, and Edmond, a transfer from Granite Hills, could be one of the region's breakout stars. A long, wiry wing scorer, Edmond knocked down at least 5 threes in both games on Saturday, and looks the part of a true two guard. While very right-hand dominant, his strides and assertiveness attacking the basket allow him to get to his spots and hit shots from the second level or get fouled in the process. At 6-4+, Edmond is a solid rebounder and a capable secondary ball handler to the Knights talented freshman Jayden Gray. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Justin Ayubi, 6-3 2023 G, Coronado</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ayubi made a big splash for the Islanders, who went 4-0 on the weekend, including a dramatic sudden death win over La Jolla Country Day in which Ayubi made a one-legged midrange shot to win the game. A transfer from Oklahoma, Ayubi is a physical three-level scorer who can get to his spots on the floor attacking with his dominant hand. He plays on balance in the paint and has nice touch on his mid-range pullup. Ayubi also handles the ball well in the open court and makes correct reads with the pass in the half court and in transition. He plays the game with a ton of confidence, which is infectious. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Kristian Gonzalez, 6-3 2023 G, Mater Dei Catholic </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of securing a D1 offer from Sacramento State, Gonzalez had a strong weekend for the Crusaders, especially in the win over Lincoln. Gonzalez's improvement handle, burst, athleticism and scoring off the bounce has unlocked his potential as a three-level scorer, and he's a willing and unselfish passer, drawing double teams and finishing his teammates for open looks. The other area where Gonzalez has made a huge leap year over year is in his defense, where he truly has become a lockdown on-ball defender and a high-IQ helpside defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->