Ten Best: Taft vs. Westchester
In this article:
PASADENA – Pasadena City College hosted the Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinals Saturday and we were in attendance for both of the boys basketball games. In the first game, Taft defeated Westchester, 55-46, to advance to the CIFLACS…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPASADENA – Pasadena City College hosted the Los Angeles City Section Open Division semifinals Saturday and we were in attendance for both of the boys basketball games. In the first game, Taft defeated Westchester, 55-46, to advance to the CIFLACS Open Division championship game. In this piece we name our Ten Best performers from each team.
Best Scorers
Keyon Kensie Keyon Kensie 6'7" | SF Taft | 2023 State CA-S , Taft – The 6-foot-7 senior flipped the switch on his scoring output in the second half as he scored 15 points to help the Toreadors pull out the victory. Kensie, a long, wiry and athletic lefty, flashed his versatility on the offensive end with his ability to attack out of the mid-post, slash and score above the rim in transition and spread the floor with jumpers off the catch.
Andrew Martin, Westchester – There wasn’t one guy who had a massive scoring outburst for the Comets but Martin was the guy they went to when they needed a basket. The 6-foot-2 senior knocked down a couple of clutch three-point shots late in the game to keep Westchester within a possession or two of Taft and Martin was able to knife his way into the lane and score over rim protectors.
Best Passers
Adam Grissom, Taft – Grissom, a 6-foot-6 forward, is an intriguing player and that starts with his passing ability. The sophomore has great vision from multiple spots of the floor whether he’s finding a shooter out of the post or a cutter when he’s faced-up on the wing. Grissom really looks to find his teammates and sometimes that was a detriment to his own offensive opportunities.
Michael Hill, Westchester – Hill is the consummate floor general for the Comets. At 6-feet with a quick burst of speed in transition and a slithery driving ability in the half-court, the senior got paint touches with ease, drew extra defenders and kicked to open shooters or looked to duck-in his big men.
Best Rebounders
Souljah Niles, Taft – Niles was a beast on both ends of the floor but he made his biggest impact on the offensive and defensive boards. The 6-foot-3 forward pursued boards in and out of his area and his defensive rebounding sparked the break and helped to create easy baskets for the Toreadors. Niles not only hit guards with quick outlet passes but he also flashed his coast-to-coast finishing ability.
Angel Corona Angel Corona 6'8" | C Westchester | 2023 State CA-S , Westchester – Corona is a true five-man who has improved his body and conditioning over the last three years and it has resulted in him becoming a higher-rate rebounder. The 6-foot-8 senior is a traditional low block presence who isn’t afraid to be physical and meet a defender with contact to block out and secure a rebound.
Best Shooters
Bishop Brooks Bishop Brooks 6'4" | SF Taft | 2024 State CA-S , Taft – Brooks was the catalyst for Taft’s offense in the first half as he opened the game with a couple of smooth and balanced perimeter jumpers. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has mid-range and three-point consistency off the bounce and off the catch and finished with a game-high 16 points on the game. Brooks gets really good elevation on his shot off the dribble.
Jonathan Choyce, Westchester – Choyce didn’t have his best shooting game but it was easy to see that he was the go-to guy when Westchester needed a three-point shot. The 6-foot-3 senior is a long and wiry off-guard with a quick release who moves well without the ball and knows how to use a screen to get space from his defender.
Best Glue Guy
Alexander Bothast, Taft – Bothast did whatever was needed for Taft to come out on top. The 5-foot-10 point guard initiated offense without turning the ball over, knocked down open shots when they came his way and was the first on the floor to loose balls and was willing to step over to take a charge. Bothast’s biggest moment of the game came with 30 seconds to play when his dagger of a pull-up jumper made a three-point game into a five-point game.
Teiahijo Gilpen, Westchester – Gilpen was a major spark of energy for the Comets, especially on the the boards and on defense. The 6-foot-7 forward/center played hard on both ends of the floor, was a physical rebounder and a guy who was able to step over and contest and change shots at the rim.