Aztec Team Camp: First Five
The high school summer season is in full effect with the SDSU Team Camp serving as the unofficial start. The first session of the Aztec Team Camp generally gives local schools a chance to shine before the second session, which…
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Continue ReadingThe high school summer season is in full effect with the SDSU Team Camp serving as the unofficial start. The first session of the Aztec Team Camp generally gives local schools a chance to shine before the second session, which attracts higher profile programs from outside of San Diego.
But it was Murrieta Mesa that emerged victorious, securing back-to-back wins against perennial powers Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon to capture the Session 1 title. Eastlake defeated San Marcos in the B Division title and Corona Santiago defeated Canyon Hills in the C Division title game.
In the first report, we look at the first five standouts from the weekend that was.
Hunter Kennedy, Sr. G, Murrieta Mesa
Kennedy was the star of the weekend, putting on a show on the final day to lead the Rams to wins over Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon. At 6-3+, Kennedy has great size for a lead guard, solid athleticism and impressive feel as a playmaker and scorer. The Falcons sent double teams to take the ball out of his hands and he used his court vision to dissect the defense with spectacular reads to his teammates, passes with either hand. As a scorer, he has a smooth shooting stroke both off the catch and with the live dribble, and got easy buckets with his sharp back door cuts. He’s a Division 1 caliber prospect.
Ty Ingram Ty Ingram 6'2" | CG San Ysidro | 2026 State CA-S , So. G, San Ysidro
Ingram was easily the camp’s best overall prospect, and he was virtually unguardable for long stretches of the camp. A pure scorer who fills it up from three levels, Ingram has become an even more consistent jump shooter from three and has improved his fluidity getting to his spots. And head coach Terry Tucker made sure to showcase that shot-making ability in front of SDSU’s staff, which was front and center for his games.
Jasper Buck, Jr. G, La Costa Canyon
One of the revelations of camp was the improvement of Buck in his expanded role for the Mavs. Known for his floor-spacing ability, Buck will have the ball in his hands a lot more to initiate offense or to create scoring opportunities for himself out of high ball screen sets. He hit big shots all weekend, both off the catch and out of that screen action. However, he hit no bigger shot than the buzzer beater to propel the Mavs into the championship game.
Zach Jackson, Sr. F, Torrey Pines
Jackson’s reliability as an inside-out scorer was on full display this weekend for the Falcons. He’s got sure hands and good footwork on the block (very good jump hook) and nice touch around the basket. Jackson can also pull out bigger defenders to the perimeter due to his ability to hit corner threes. He also does a good job attacking closeouts to score from the wing or corners using one to two dribbles.
Derrion Manson, Sr. G, Lincoln
With Hornets standouts Kyelin King Kyelin King 6'4" | SF Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC and Sebastian Flores missing most of the weekend, Manson shouldered the load for his team. He nearly willed them to the quarterfinals in a tough loss to Mater Dei Catholic. Manson continues to improve his shooting ability off the catch and off of ball screens, and does a good job creating in the midrange. Manson’s strength is arguably his defense, as he is a fierce on-ball defender who can guard 1-4 at the high school level. An explosive athlete, Manson had several highlight dunks throughout the weekend.