COTC: On The Radar – 2028 Creme Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SAN DIEGO — Last weekend's Creme of the County showcase gave us an in depth look at the classes of 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 in the San Diego area. Fellow Prep Hoops writer, and basketball savant, Aaron Burgin, put on his annual event at St. Augustine high school last Saturday. Here's who stood out in the 2028 Creme Game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Deven Hewett, Epic Charter MS</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hewett was one of the more physically and athletically gifted prospects in this event and it showed. He impacted the game in just about every way imaginable from offensive and defensive boards, transition playmaking for himself and teammates and versatility in half-court offense with his inside-out scoring punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Jasir Fontenot, Eastlake MS</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were no better vertical athletes in this game than Fontenot. The track-and-field star carried his leaping ability, speed and ability to cover ground over into the COTC and the fact that he played with a high motor only enhanced his athletic gifts. Fontenot gave maximum efforts on both ends crashed both the offensive and defensive boards with purpose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Kai Blue, Get Better Hoops</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blue did a little bit of everything well. While on the ball, he managed pace and tempo, got the ball to teammates in positions where they could be successful and took advantage of his own offensive opportunities without forcing the issue. I liked Blue's toughness on the defensive end and willingness to do the intangible things.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Kiefer Johnson, Marshall MS</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was another young prospect who showed poise and a high level basketball IQ with the ball in his hands. The 5-foot-8 point guard was patient in letting plays develop, understood when to push the pace and attack in transition but also knew when to pull the ball out and run offense. Johnson has some true point guard feel to his game and is a guy to continue to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2763284' first='Marcus' last='Tuason'], San Elijo MS</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scoring confidence must run in this family because [player_tooltip player_id='2763284' first='Marcus' last='Tuason'] takes after his brother in his self-belief in his game. The 5-foot-5 combo guard is a shot creator and shot maker off the dribble whose size really is just a number at this point. Tuason is quick and shifty, has stop-and-pop shooting ability and is a dynamic playmaker for teammates, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Taj Ingram, Vegas Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ingram established himself as one of the top young big men in the region and certainly a prospect to track over the next four years. The 6-foot-4 lefty showed great hands, footwork and touch around the basket and stepped out to 15-feet where he knocked down face-up shots. Where Ingram really stood out was on the defensive end with his rim protecting instincts and ability to stay vertical on shot contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->