San Diego hoops: Early season surprises, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weeks into the season, I've had the chance to watch a number of the teams - and players - that are hovering under the radar in San Diego. Here are some that stood out who might not be on your radar, but should be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawne Owens, 6-2 2026 G, West Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best word to describe the Wolfpack's freshman combo guard is "confident." His shot selection borders on ill-advised at times, but he has the confidence to take - and make - big shots, including the pair of triples he hit in a second-half run to take down Orange Glen. Owens is a solid ball handler and can run the point in a pinch, but his value is as an off-ball scorer and shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adam De La Cruz, 6-4 2024 W, Otay Ranch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Cruz is a unique and intriguing prospect. A big-bodied wing who handles the ball like a guard, de la Cruz is a mismatch at the high school level because he often is guarded by the opponent's center and beats them with his deceptive foot speed. De La Cruz is a solid rebounder and screen setter, and can step out and hit threes off the catch from the college three line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MJ Madore, 6-2 2023 G, Orange Glen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots rely heavily on Madore to deliver big offensive games, and so far this year he's responded in a big way. The right hand dominant combo guard has solid burst, a very good pull-up game and has improved his consistency from three off the catch as well as driving ability into the paint. The result: a pair of 30+ point games to start the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baron Noble, 5-11 2023 G, San Diego </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After two years of being a productive sixth man, Noble is now a starter on a very good Cavers team, and his craftiness with the ball and scoring ability off the dribble and off the catch pair well with the Cavers two defensive minded guards, [player_tooltip player_id='994934' first='Miles' last='Harris'] and Trey Degrate. At 5-10+, Noble is an excellent finisher around the rim through contact, despite his wiry frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack Leininger, 5-10 2023 G, Del Norte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest surprises to start the year in San Diego has been the play of Leininger, a true point guard with excellent burst, moxie and feel. At 5-10, he's small, but he is an excellent playmaker and gets paint touches at will. He prefers to set the table for his teammates, but when he calls his own number, he's a knockdown shooter from deep and has a very advanced pull-up game. He could play at some level in college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->