CdM Beach Bash: Notebook

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Fowler, Rancik lead JSerra to hot start</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions are off to a quick 11-0 start which has catapulted them in local and state rankings and pushed them into early consideration for the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoff field. [player_tooltip player_id='1502779' first='Sebastian' last='Rancik'], a 6-foot-9 stretch forward who is committed to Colorado, has been showing his versatility as a scorer with catch and shoot threes, the ability to attack the rim off the dribble and score in the paint and has flashed his high IQ passing and playmaking for teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1502809' first='Aidan' last='Fowler'] hasn't received the same recruiting recognition as Rancik but the 6-foot guard is proving that he should be coveted by Division II and low major Division I programs. Fowler is tough as nails, a steady decision-maker at the point guard spot and has shown the ability to take over a game with his perimeter scoring ability. Both Fowler and Rancik have turned in 20-point and 30-point performances this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Hubbard among the best shooters in Orange County</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's one thing that translates to all levels of basketball, and is valued by next-level coaches, it's the ability to shoot the three-ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1502794' first='Jaden' last='Hubbard'] does that with the best of them in the region. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard has deep and consistent range, great feel when using screens and moving without the ball to get open and high level footwork prior to elevating into his shot. Hubbard doesn't have traditional shooting mechanics - a bit of a low release, but his ability to elevate, with great rotation and arc on his jumper, makes him a tough guy to close out to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dzabatou is a long-term prospect to track</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonathan Dzabatou, a new addition to the Orange Lutheran roster, made quite the impression throughout the week in Corona del Mar. The 6-foot-8 sophomore is one of the more bouncy athletes we've seen this season and has a strongly built frame to go along with it. Dzabatou is most effective offensively as a transition lane filler or rim-runner and finisher and impacts the defensive end with his rebounding, versatility as a multi-positional defender and rim protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">OLu's McCoy an underclass PG to watch</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2131811' first='Ethan' last='McCoy']'s value is in his feel for the game and basketball IQ. The 5-foot-10 sophomore has speed, quickness, shiftiness and creativity off the bounce which allows him to get into the lane, collapse defenses and find open teammates. McCoy is an unselfish playmaking type of point guard who makes the right basketball play more often than not but he also has some craftiness to his finishing ability with floaters and other paint finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">JSerra freshman duo to keep an eye on</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Lions are led by the two seniors mentioned earlier in this story - Fowler and Rancik - the lineage of JSerra prospects could continue with Godschoice Eboigbodin and Earl Bryson. Eboigbodin is already making a major impact as a starter whose 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame allows him to compete physically on the varsity level as a freshman. His strength and physicality make him a viable rebounder, interior defender and finisher around the rim. Bryson plays spot minutes but has shown flashes of why coach Keith Wilkinson trusts him to spell Fowler at the point guard spot. The 6-foot guard plays hard, fast but under control and competes on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->