Ten Best: Mater Dei vs. Heritage Christian

<p>SANTA ANA — Friday night's nonleague matchup between Mater Dei and Heritage Christian gave us a look at two of Southern California's top programs in a one-off atmosphere where the teams came in with ample time for preparation. The Monarchs (5-1) executed their way to a 64-58 win over the Warriors (7-2) and below we take a look at the Ten (or eleven) Best performers from the game.</p>   <h3>Best Overall Performance </h3>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='994920' first='Zack' last='Davidson'], Mater Dei</h4>   <p>The Montana-signee paced the Monarchs throughout, scoring a team-high 18 points, while pulling down a game-high nine rebounds. Davidson is the focal point of the Mater Dei offense, and while Heritage Christian was able to limit him to just six points in the first half, the 6-foot-8 forward came out of halftime determined to take over the game - and he did just that.</p>   <h3>Best Shooter(s)</h3>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1630665' first='Owen' last='Verna'], Mater Dei</h4>   <p>Verna's shot is as pure as they come at any level. He's a lethal catch-and-shoot threat from multiple spots and multiple ranges, creates space from defenders when coming off of screens, keeps his shot attempts well within the team's offense and doesn't need much time or space to get his shot off. Verna only hit two three-pointers on the game, but he knocked them down at a crucial juncture of the game on back-to-back shots during a big Monarchs' run.</p>   <h4>Giovanni Goree, Heritage Christian</h4>   <p>Goree was relatively quiet in the first half, scoring just three points on his one three-point attempt from the field, but his second half shooting surge was needed for Heritage Christian to stay within striking distance of Mater Dei as fellow guard [player_tooltip player_id='1502777' first='Seven' last='Bahati'] was battling foul trouble. Goree knocked down three triples in the fourth quarter - and hit four on the game - to lead the Warriors with 18 points on the night.</p>   <h3>Best Passer</h3>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1502807' first='Brady' last='Karich'], Mater Dei</h4>   <p>Karich is the consummate floor general and doesn't get enough credit for the way he runs the team as an unselfish, pass-first point guard. The 6-foot-1 junior dished out a game-high six assists and did so in a variety of ways from hit-ahead passes in transition to drives and kicks to shooters and drives and drop-offs to big men. </p>   <h3>Best Defender(s)</h3>   <h4>Brannen Martinsen, Mater Dei</h4>   <p>Though just a freshman, Martinsen has an advanced understanding of team defensive concepts and the size athleticism to guard multiple positions. At 6-feet-7 with a wide wingspan, Martinsen uses his physical tools and basketball IQ to not only defend well positionally, but also when helping teammates and communicating in ball-screen situations.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1502777' first='Seven' last='Bahati'], Heritage Christian</h4>   <p>Bahati is a different type of defender than Martinsen mentioned above. The 6-foot-5 wing is more of the dynamic, playmaking type of defender than the positional one and made an impact when jumping passing lanes for steals, applying on-ball pressure to ball-handlers and serving as a weak-side shot blocking threat.</p>   <h3>Best Freshmen</h3>   <h4>Che Brogan, Mater Dei</h4>   <p>There are plenty of talented freshmen on Mater Dei's roster but Brogan stands out as perhaps the most impactful across the board. At 6-feet-5, the left-handed forward has the basketball IQ, ball skills and passing ability to play a point-forward role, the back-to-the-basket scoring ability to take advantage of mismatches down low and can step out and knock down a face-up jump shot.</p>   <h4>Delan Grant, Heritage Christian</h4>   <p>I really liked Grant's energy and effort on both ends of the floor as Heritage Christian's sixth man. The 6-foot-1 guard has a sturdily-built frame, good speed and an explosive pop of athleticism around the basket that make him an effective driver and finisher in the half-court and slashing scorer in transition. His strong frame also allows him to absorb and finish through contact around the rim.</p>   <h3>Best Mid-Range Shooter</h3>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1630628' first='Dillan' last='Shaw'], Heritage Christian</h4>   <p>The 6-foot-6 sophomore has really found his niche on the offensive end with his smooth pull-up jumper. Shaw is a consistent shooting threat from 15-17 feet both off the bounce and off the catch. He has the ability to go either left or right into his mid-range jumper and, because of his size and high release point, can elevate and shoot over defenders.</p>   <h3>Best Interior Finisher(s)</h3>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='994920' first='Zack' last='Davidson'], Mater Dei</h4>   <p>Going back to our best overall performer, Davidson was also the best interior scorer/finisher in this game. He was able to get to the rim on elbow face-ups and drives, established deep post position and scored with jump hooks over his left shoulder and set up his defender well for quick shuffle-cuts leading to easy paint baskets.</p>   <h4>[player_tooltip player_id='1630627' first='Tae' last='Simmons'], Heritage Christian</h4>   <p>Simmons is a big, physical forward at 6-feet-6 and 215 or-so pounds. He uses his frame, combined with his rim-running and athletic ability that translated from the football field, to run the floor in transition and glide into one-two finishes at the rim. Simmons also showed some improved back-to-the-basket feel and touch when he got touches on the block.</p>

SANTA ANA — Friday night's nonleague matchup between Mater Dei and Heritage Christian gave us a look at two of Southern California's top programs in a one-off atmosphere where the teams came in with ample time for preparation. The Monarchs (5-1) executed their way to a 64-58 win over the Warriors (7-2) and below we take a look at the Ten (or eleven) Best performers from the game.