Flashback Friday: The Holiday Classic: All-Tournament 3rd Team

<p>Some Fridays I like to look back at events I've attended and shine a light on some of the standouts that I might have missed during primary coverage. Here are some of the standouts I saw back in December at The Torrey Pines Holiday Classic that deserved a mention.</p>   <h2>Jonathan Choyce, 6-3 G, Westchester</h2>   <p>A wiry scoring guard, Choyce was scoring from multiple levels off the catch and off the bounce all weekend for the American Division runners up. He's got a quick release and gets excellent elevation on his pull-up jumper. He's an excellent junior college prospect. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1124080' first='Tyler' last='Jones'], 6-2 G, Archbishop Mitty</h2>   <p>A physically built combo guard with solid burst and shooting, Jones had solid moments in the team's game against JSerra Catholic. He plays with solid pace and gets paint touches consistently, and is a solid finisher through contact. He needs to improve his effort level when the ball isn't in his hands (movement without the ball) and on defense. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1256538' first='Gavin' last='Ripp'], 6-7 F, Archbishop Mitty</h2>   <p>The 6-7 junior got overlooked somewhat this week because of some of the huge performances that other 2024s had, but he was impressive nonetheless. A skilled and mobile four man who can dribble, pass and shoot, Ripp scores in a plethora of ways (excellent cutter and mover without the ball) and can rebound it at a solid clip. </p>   <h2>Teiahjio Gilpen, 6-6 W, Westchester</h2>   <p>Another 2024 who jumped out in the American Division, Gilpen is the Comets best long-term prospect. He's a long, active athlete who rebounds it aggressively on offense and defense and is a capable slasher and finisher. Defensively, his length and foot speed allow him to guard multiple positions in high school. His jumper is best from 15-18 feet. </p>   <h2>Lolo Rudolph, 6-2 G, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>The junior point guard had some huge moments for the Saints throughout the week, and sparked them in the opening round wind over Centennial with his slashing, improved shooting and hawkish defense on the ball. His best attribute is his speed: he's one of the fastest players I'd argue in the country with the ball, and has dramatically improved how he employs his speed in games, especially in the half court. </p>   <h2>Kristian Gonzalez, 6-3 G, Mater Dei Catholic </h2>   <p>Gonzalez didn't have his most efficient effort in a 64-63 win against Vista, a game that ranks as one of the best high school games I've seen in some time. But he hit clutch shots, defended at a high level and did the intangible things to get his team the win. Sacramento State signee. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502889' first='Chase' last='Newman'], 6-5 W, Ramona</h2>   <p>The sharpshooter was dialed in from deep in the Bulldogs opening round win. He has one elite skill: he is a knockdown shooter from the wing and corner three. </p>   <h2> [player_tooltip player_id='1437035' first='Dalton' last='Norvell'], 6-1 G, Ramona</h2>   <p>A scoring guard who fills it up in a hurry, Norvell led his team in scoring in the opening round win over Douglas (NV). Norvell gets to his spot on the floor effectively, and can hit shots off the catch as well as off the dribble from midrange and in the paint. He can hunt shots at times, but he also makes them. </p>   <h2>Reese Widerburg, 6-2 G, Oxnard</h2>   <p>The Jackets leading scorer is a knockdown shooter and plays hard on the defensive end. He moves well without the ball to get to his spots on the floor, and is a very efficient scorer.</p>   <h2>Brycen Mackenzie, 6-1 G, Santa Fe Christian </h2>   <p>Mackenzie didn't have a great first half against Oxnard, as his team fell behind by as much as 20 points before he erupted in the second half, displaying the prolific and crafty scoring ability from all three levels. Once he hits one three, he's likely to hit more in a row, and he oozes with confidence. </p>   <h2>Josiah Jefferson, 6-4 W, Mater Dei Catholic </h2>   <p>If there is a junior who has shown more improvement in San Diego than Jefferson this season, I have yet to see him. A mismatch at the four spot due to his athleticism and straight line scoring mentality, Jefferson scored 20 points and had a number of blow-by scoring drives against Vista's [player_tooltip player_id='994937' first='Cyprian' last='Hyde']. A dogged rebounder, Jefferson gives a great effort on both offensive and defensive glass. Think a poor man's Draymond Green. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994937' first='Cyprian' last='Hyde'], 6-10 C, Vista </h2>   <p>Speaking of Hyde, he had the best game I've seen him play at the high school level in the loss against Mater Dei Catholic. He dominated the paint, scoring with either hand and making a concerted effort to do his scoring from in that area. He also collected 21 rebounds, boxing out and pursuing rebounds out of his area. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502806' first='Isaiah' last='Bernard'], 6-5 W, Foothill</h2>   <p>Santa Ana Foothill has a number of under-the-radar prospects, and the talented junior leads the way. He does a little bit of everything for the team: he can handle the ball as a secondary ball handler, has excellent court vision and feel and can hit shots from midrange. Defensively, he's very good on the ball and versatile enough to switch 1-5 at the high school level. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994949' first='Jaden' last='Matingou'], 6-3 G, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>Matingou had several strong games in the Saints run to the National Division championship, scoring off the catch, handling the ball at the point in a pinch and defending the other team's top perimeter threat. His length and athleticism are potent and he understands how to use them on both ends. Point Loma Nazarene is getting a steal. </p>

Some Fridays I like to look back at events I've attended and shine a light on some of the standouts that I might have missed during primary coverage. Here are some of the standouts I saw back in December at The Torrey Pines Holiday Classic that deserved a mention.