NCS Divisional Games: February 14-18

With the play-offs under way in NorCal. PH NorCal picked a lower seed game to start our coverage of the play-offs. On Tuesday February 14th, we were at the NCS Div I first round game. #8 San Leandro came out on top with a 62-52 victory over #9 Freedom.   Wednesday February 15th we settled in at Las Lomas for a Div II contest between #3 Las Lomas and #14 Washington. The 75-49 win by Las Lomas sets them on their way to a showdown with #7 Alameda who took down #2 Redwood on Saturday night Feb, 18th, 44-32. Here's our standouts for the 3 games we saw this past week.   Donovan McSwain 6'2 2023 Guard from Freedom   The well built guard did all he could. He handled the ball in open court, had good strong passing up court, he had strong finishes going towards the basket, from the baseline, and in transition. He showed good balance using spin moves, and handling contact. He finished with 11pts, 3rebs, 2asts, 1stl.   Kenyon Demuynck 6'8 2024 Forward from San Leandro   He's a long stretch forward with good mobility, he's a bit raw, but has shown steady improvement since the last time we saw him. He recovers well on defense. He has the length to distract 3pt shooters in the corner. He has a quick second jump and is gaining the balance and timing to go after blocks, and rebounds. He's good for lobs, and put backs. He surprised us with a made 3ptr from the wing with good form and release. We'll keep an eye on this one.   Taison Kilgore 5'8 2024 PG from San Leandro   He's strong with a solid body, and good leverage. He was the games leading scorer. The speedy guard has good handles to split the defense, it's difficult to keep him out of the paint, and he's hard to guard in the open space, and in transition. He can make the 3pt shot coming down court, and in rhythm. He had 4-3ptrs, made his free throws, and defended pretty well, 21pts, 4asts, 3stls.   Eshaan Brar 6'0 2024, SG from Washington   A thin guard who showed he could handles the pressures of the play-offs. He was the teams leading scorer in this one sided affair. He played at a good pace, constantly looking to put pressure on the defense. He split the defense a couple of times going to the rim for reverse layups and challenging defenders. 2-3's, 15pts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1510686' first='Jake' last='Davis'] 6'4 2023 Guard from Las Lomas   He has the offensive skills to effect the game. He's a big guard who handles and moves well on the court. He has good vision and passing to handle double teams, he created shots for himself and others. His mid-range jumper off the dribble is consistent, he hit deep 3's, on the catch, and coming off screens. He's active on the defensive end, his long wingspan allows him to play up top in trapping situations. He rounded and started the transition break. 16pts, 7rebs, 2stls, 1stl, 1ast.   Colin Pangilian 5'10 2025 PG from Las Lomas   He's a pass first point guard. He did a solid job of running the teams offense in half-court. He knew when to push in transition, had good long passing up court. He has the ball handling skills to handle pressure, and penetrate the paint. His post entry passes were were noticeable. 5asts, 1stl.   Mike Wood 6'8 2023 Post from Las Lomas.   He's a solid post player with good movement. He goes all out getting up the court, working for points in the paint and rebounding. It was our first look at the 6'8 big who's got a good upside to his game. He starts on the perimeter and works his way into the post area. He works well in the pick and role, has good passing from the high post. He can use a dribble or two. 12pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 1stl   Julian Voucher 6'7 2025 Wing from Las Lomas   He's a good compliment to this balanced team. He's a long wing prospect who looks to spot up for deep 3 point shots. He can hit the long shot coming down in transition with good rhythm or he can spot up along the perimeter for a catch and shoot. He has long strides in transition. His one or two dribbles drives, and length gets him paint jumpers. His lengthy arms allows him to cover 3pt shooters in the corner. 13pts, 2-3's, 3rebs, 1ast, 2blks. We'll get a closer look at him in the spring and summer.   Jack Halpin 6'6 2023 Forward Las Lomas   No one can question the hustle of Halpin on the court. He's not fast, but isn't slow, he plays on go. The thick body prospect at 6'6 plays the game aggressive, and with balance. He handles in open court, can initiate the offense. He'll rebound, and push hard in transition. He actively works the boards on both ends. He has a paint jumper, attacks from the baseline, plays well off two feet inside. 19pts, 13rebs, 2asts, 1blk, 1stl   [player_tooltip player_id='1384820' first='Jake' last='Vasquez'] 6'4 2024 PG from Redwood   A big guard who has point guard duties, and produces points off the ball. He pushes the ball in transition with vision, and good passing. After passing he has good movement using screens, and back cuts to free himself up for points off the ball. His jab step, ball fakes, and good first step helps him on the dribble drive jumper or get into the paint. He's a good rebounding guard. 12pts, 8rebs, 2stls, 1blk.   [player_tooltip player_id='951340' first='Ains' last='Fish'] 6'5 2023 Forward from Redwood   Fish is a versatile unsigned 2023 prospect. He's a tough competitor. The undersized forward works hard defending and battling other bigs in the paint. His skills are good enough to play on the perimeter at the next level. He passes, sets solid screens, and uses hard cuts to the basket for points in the paint. We've seen him hit the 3ptr from the top and in the corner. 10pts, 6rebs, 1stl, 1ast.   [player_tooltip player_id='1806521' first='Jackson' last='Yep'] 5'10 2024 PG from Alameda   He played a good floor game. He was calm, and played with composure up top. He did a good job of running the teams offense in half-court. His handles, and balance allowed him to get into the paint using spin moves, floaters, and paint jumpers. His drive and kick led to open shots on the perimeter. He has good vision in the open court and he can hit the 3ptr up top using a dribble. 12pts, 6rebs, 3stls.   Gabe Garcia 6'1 2023 CG from Alameda   The unsigned Senior has been a consistent performer all season. He's the teams leading scorer. He's a good all-around prospect who scores from all over the court. He's a good finisher when he heads towards the basket, whether it's in transition or attacking from the perimeter, he has strong moves at the rim, he can hit the paint jumper and the floater. He rebounds from the guard spot and defends with good intensity. 14pts, 8rebs, 3asts, 3stls, 1blk.

With the play-offs under way in NorCal. PH NorCal picked a lower seed game to start our coverage of the play-offs. On Tuesday February 14th, we were at the NCS Div I first round game. #8 San Leandro came out on top with a 62-52 victory over #9 Freedom.