St. Anthony vs. St. Pius: Standout Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LONG BEACH — Monday marked the opening night of one of the most competitive leagues in Southern California as Long Beach St. Anthony and Downey St. Pius X-St. Matthias met in a Del Rey League opener at Errion Gym. In one of the more tightly-contested games we've been to all season, St. Pius secured a hard-fought 88-85 overtime win. Below we break down the standout performers from each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Pius X-St. Matthias standouts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1896224' first='Jaden' last='Erami'] | Senior | G |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erami is one of the most under-appreciated players in Southern California and he had his full impact on display in this game. The 6-foot-2 guard was a tough cover for the Saints as his ability to take smaller defenders to the block and score in the post, in addition to his perimeter creation off the bounce for himself and teammates, forced St. Anthony into difficult spots defensively. Erami finished with a game-high 25 points, including a last-second three-pointer to send the game into overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1630631' first='Douglas' last='Langford'] | Senior | F/C |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Langford battled foul trouble throughout this game - and fouled out late in the fourth quarter - but still was an important interior presence on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-9 Harvard-commit scored 18 points, pulled down seven rebounds and collected a handful of blocked shots while altering and deterring many others around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2131788' first='Kayleb' last='Kearse'] | Junior | PG |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearse came alive in the second half and overtime after a relatively quiet first 16 minutes of action. The quick and savvy 5-foot-8 point guard scored 17 of his 23 points in the last three stanzas with 11 of those coming at the free throw line. Kearse used his speed, burst and shifty change of direction to get paint touches where he finished around defenders or drew fouls to get to the charity stripe where he converted at a high percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2425651' first='Dayvion' last='Gates'] | Junior | F |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gates is a great glue-type player who doesn't need the ball in his hands to affect the game. The 6-foot-4 wing/forward is an off-ball slasher and finisher whose timely cuts and quick-twitch leaping ability allow him to elevate and score over the top of the defense. Gates is also an active offensive rebounder and versatile perimeter defender. He finished with 11 points on the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Anthony standouts</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2571712' first='Aman' last='Haynes'] | Senior | F |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Haynes is a versatile offensive wing/forward who is best when using his combination of size, strength and ball skills to drive by slower defenders or through smaller defenders and get to the rim where he finishes with right hand touch. The 6-foot-5 senior also flashed the ability to step behind the three-point line and hit catch-and-shoot threes or initiate offense as a rebound and push guy in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Donovan Pitts | Senior | G |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pitts is an under-the-radar guard/wing who has been turning his talent and upside into production so far this season. The 6-foot-4 senior is a consistent three-point shooter off the catch who also has the speed, ball skills and athletic pop to attack close-outs and get downhill for finishes at the rim. Pitts scored 20 points, including three triples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mikey Cortez | Senior | G |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cortez was a great spark of energy off the bench for the Saints and came alive when they needed it the most. The 5-foot-10 guard showcased his elite off-catch shooting ability with a quick release and deep range. Cortez knocked down two three-pointers and provided great two-way energy and scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Austin Ellis | Senior | G |</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis is a strong and physical driver who uses his combination of strength, speed and aggressiveness to get defenders on their heels, get paint touches and power his way to the rim for finishes at the rim. The 6-foot-1 guard scored 15 points in the loss for the Saints.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->