Central Cali HS Hoops: Under the Radar Upperclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season is well underway and about two weeks in, this article takes a look at some under the radar upperclassmen in the Central Section. In particular, this article takes a look at 8 players to keep an eye on this season, as their contributions will be key to their team's success in league play and the postseason. The players in this article are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked order, and is focused on upperclassmen (classes 2026 and 2027), so player positions will range from guard to forwards. Below is a breakdown of each player's skill set and what they will contribute to their team's success. We begin with Gio Fomusoh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2932172' first='Giovanni' last='Fomusoh'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Centennial Golden Hawks-Bakersfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc397f4153"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-2 wing/slasher is a versatile defender, excels in the open court, and has good body control through contact on shots within fifteen feet. Defensively,  Fomusoh has a long wingspan, good lateral quickness, and active hands to deflect passes, the timing jump passing lanes, and alters perimeter shots with timely closeouts. Fomusoh crashes the boards, has enough handle to push the ball up the court, but is at his best when outletting the ball and getting up the court, as he has good on court speed to get ahead of the defense, and good hands to receive passes with touch on shots around the basket. Fomusoh uses the wide crossover to get by his initial defender, uses the spin-move to create separation from his defender, and is effective with the mid-range jumper. Fomusoh has the skill set and frame to be a high-level two-way player and fits perfectly with the style of play the Golden Hawks like to impose on opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3150418,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bryce Hanson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Liberty Patriots-Bakersfield ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800033"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5-foot-11 lead guard has dynamic handles, keeps the ball on a string to survey the floor, uses the between cross, toss-cross, hesitation, and quick crossover to get his defender off balance, has a great burst of speed off the bounce, gets good lift on the mid-range jumper with the body control to score through contact, as well as the physical build to score through contact at the basket or evade his defender with the reverse or Euro-step lay-ups. Hanson has the court vision to find teammates off the drive and kick pass, is a good positional rebounder that likes to push the pace of play, has good on court speed while staying under control, and is effective with the 3-ball off the dribble or the catch. Where to two sport athlete, also a 3-year varsity football standout, is likely most effective is on the defensive end, as he is a great athlete, has the foot speed and lateral quickness to stay in front of opposing guards, quick hands to poke the ball out or rip it from his opponent, the timing to jump passing lanes, and the bounce to alter shots on close outs. Hanson routinely turns defense to offense and makes it tough for opposing guards, as he gets into their dribbling space and makes life difficult. Hanson will be one of the core pieces for the Patriots, who look to get back to their winning ways under the new coaching staff.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3150423,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jensen Hirschkorn ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kingsburg Vikings ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800139"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-7 wing/forward dominates the boards on both ends, providing his team with second chance scoring opportunities while limiting opponents to single shot possessions, has great timing and bounce to block/alter shots in the post with the lateral quickness to step out and contest perimeter shots, and is able to stay in front of smaller players on switch-offs until the defense can reset. Hirschkorn has a solid handle, uses the crossover to create off the perimeter, is effective with the mid-range jumper, but, with his physical build, he is most efficient scoring the ball attacking down the lane and muscling through defenders for points in the paint and trips to the free throw line. Hirschkorn has good touch on shots around the basket, can score with his back-to-the-basket, and makes great reads from the high-post to cutting teammates, as well as passes up the court off the glass to open players in transition. The LSU baseball commit, and potential MLB draft pick, will be the key to the Vikings success this season, as he gives Kingsburg the interior size most are lacking in Division 3 and anchors the paint to make opponents think about trying to score at the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3150427,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grant Hyde","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central Valley Christian Cavaliers-Visalia ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800238"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-4 wing/slasher has solid handles, uses the between cross, crossover, and hesitation to create space from his defender, is gaining more confidence on the pull-up mid-range jumper with good length to shoot over perimeter defenders, has nice touch on shots around the basket with creativity to score over height, and moves fluidly off the ball to get to his shot spots with accuracy on the 3-ball off the catch. Hyde is active on the glass, has the handle to push the ball off the glass, the court vision to make good reads from the top of the key to cutting teammates, and is a dual threat off the pick and roll action, as he can pop off the screen for the jumper or dive to the rim with good hands to receive passes in the paint. Hyde uses his long wingpans to deflect passes and jump passing lanes to get out in the open court. Hyde will be relied upon as one of the upperclassmen to lead the relatively young Cavaliers squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryan Romain Jr.","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Centennial Golden Hawks-Bakersfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc3980035e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot lead guard plays with good pace and control with the ball in his hands, he is a good positional rebounder that looks to get out and run in transition, has the court vision to make timely reads up the court, as well as to open teammates off the drive and kick pass, has quick hands and good instincts to poke the ball out or deflect passes to create steals and opportunities to get out in the open court, and showed off the bounce with a timely chase down block. Romain keeps the dribble alive to survey the defense, uses the crossover in its various forms to shake his defender, the spin-move into the jumper with nice body control to score through contact, a quick burst of speed off the bounce with creativity on shots around the basket, and good off ball movement to get open looks off the catch from the 3-point line. Romain will be a welcomed addition to the Golden Hawks, as it will be without senior guard Derek Jimenez for most, if not all of the season, and his style of play fits nicely with Centennial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Khristian Smith","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McLane Highlanders-Fresno","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800467"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-1 combo guard is a good positional rebounder, has the handle to push the ball off the glass, plays with an uptempo pace but under control, uses the crossover to get his defender off balance, has a nice burst of speed off the dribble, and likes to attack the paint using the spin-move, Euro-step, and reverse lay-ups to score with creativity around the basket. Smith has the court vision to make plays from the top of the key, makes good reads to open teammates off the drive and kick pass, moves well off the ball to get open looks off the catch with the ability to score from the mid-range to the 3-point line, and is a solid on-ball defender with active hands to disrupt his opponents dribbling space. Smith will be relied upon this season to impact scoring as well as running the offense, as McLane looks to make a postseason push with a lot of talent at the guard spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Peyton Swiney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Kingsburg Vikings","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800565"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-2 wing/guard has solid handles, uses the crossover and hesitation to create space from his defender, looks to get paint touches when attacking the basket, is a creative finisher around the basket, and moves fluidly off the ball to get to his shot spots with accuracy on the 3-ball off the catch. Swiney crashes the boards, has the handle to push the ball up the court, runs the floor well in transition, and understands floor spacing to get open for the transition three. Swiney plays good team defense, has the wingspan to deflect passes, and will be relied upon to open up the court for the Vikings with his perimeter shooting.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Acen Zuniga","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Centennial Golden Hawks-Bakersfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692bc39800663"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-1 wing/slasher is a jack of all trades on the basketball court, is an elite perimeter defender, with active hands and good instincts to deflect entry passes, jump passing lanes, rip the ball from his opponents, and is an underrated weakside shot blocker with good bounce, as well as altering shots on the perimeter with lateral quickness and timely closeouts. Zuniga uses the crossover, between cross, and hesitation to get his defender off balance, gets great lift on the pull-up mid-range jumper, can space the with the 3-ball off the bounce or the catch, and is tough to stay in front of in the open court, as he can push the pace or outlet and run the floor, where his on-court speed fits the style of play for the G-Hawks, who like to swarm the ball, fly around on defense, and play fast in the open court. The multiple sport athlete brings the physical attributes that allow him to impact various aspects of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->