Premier Senior Showcase Top Standouts Pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend, Apollo Park in Downey, CA played host to the Premier Senior Showcase presented by Beach City Hoops. The event featured many of the top players from the class of 2023 and allowed them the opportunity to participate in several drill stations and culminating with 5-on-5 scrimmages. I was able to attend the event and here's a look at some additional standouts I saw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1 [player_tooltip player_id='994947' first='David' last='Manea'] - Orange Lutheran</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manea is a big forward with a versatile skill set. He's comfortable with the ball in his hands and making plays. He can handle the ball in transition and he can attack off the dribble in the halfcourt. Can start the break off defensive rebounds. Strong on the glass. He can shoot off the dribble and he has consistent range out to the three point line.<br><br>2 [player_tooltip player_id='996387' first='Denzel' last='Hines'] - Colony</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hines is a big man with an expanding skill set. He's strong in the paint and can finish around the basket through contact. Solid offensive rebounder getting put backs. He's expanded his range to be able to shoot it from midrange and from three. Defensively he uses his size well to contest shots/drives at the rim.<br><br>3 [player_tooltip player_id='994923' first='Mateo' last='Duran'] - St John Bosco</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Duran is one of the top point guards in the area. He's a crafty ball handler and gets to where he wants to go on the court. He's a pass first player and does a good job finding the open teammate on the break or in the halfcourt. Good drive and kick player. Gets paint touches and is a crafty finisher at the basket. Range out to three and has a nice pull-up jumper.<br><br>4 [player_tooltip player_id='1436324' first='Brayden' last='Smith'] - Peninsula</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has the makings of being a solid stretch big. He showed off a little bit of a shooting touch from midrange and showed a willingness to take shots from three. He also showed the ability to get position in the paint and use his size to score over smaller defenders. Able to rebound well in traffic.<br><br>5 [player_tooltip player_id='1434840' first='Thomas' last='Metcalf'] - Mission Bay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metcalf did well moving without the ball and getting free around the basket. He's a solid finisher at the rim. He also stood out defensively. He contests shots in the paint and is able to use his quickness to contest jumpers on the wing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->