Battlezone LA: 2022 Standouts

<p>The Battlezone is a week removed, but we still have a few more reports to go. This one focuses on the 2022 prospects that stood out to us. </p> <h2>Battlezone LA: 2022 standouts </h2> <h3>Dylan Hayman, 6-6 2022 G, Vermont  Academy/ Lakeshow Elite</h3> <p>A recent grad from Healdsburg HS and headed for a prep year, Hayman was the MVP of the event’s top division. A polished combo guard who scores it from three levels with the athleticism to finish above the rim in the half court and transition, Hayman hit timely shots all weekend. An underrated playmaker, he operated effectively out of ball screen action to find the roll man or locate shooters on the drive and kick. </p> <h3>Christian Estrada, 6-7 2022 F, St. John Bosco/ Veritas </h3> <p>A workhorse in the paint for Veritas, his position defense and rebounding neutralized the opposition’s interior attack. The lefty also proved to be a solid finisher around the basket with excellent hands and the strength to finish through contact. When fouled, Estrada consistently knocked down free throws, an underrated attribute for a big. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="680242" first="Melo" last="Sanchez"], 6-4 2022 G, Veritas</h3> <p>Another 2021 who has announced his intent to prep, Sanchez had a strong weekend scoring and facilitating for the Veritas team. He plays largely off the ball, but is best when he has the ball in his hands, where his court vision and feel allow him to create for his teammates. An area where he has shown growth is in his ability to score over length. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="748737" first="Roddie" last="Anderson"], 6-1 2022 PG, Fountain Valley/ Cali Rebels</h3> <p>Anderson’s evolution from a primarily scoring focused guard to that of a pure playmaker has been very impressive. He has solid burst in the half court and transition and when he gets into the paint, he makes solid reads to get find teammates. What sets him apart from other guards in the gym is his weak side reads. He sees the entire court. As a scorer, Anderson’s bread and butter is scoring from the midrange in, where can make plays off of one or two feet. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="748739" first="Devon" last="Arlington"], 6-3 2022 G, San Marcos/ Gamepoint</h3> <p>Arlington’s main strength is his motor. He is a relentless penetrator who exploits gaps in the opposing defense and attacks the paint, often getting to the free throw line in the process. In the pick and roll, he does a good job beating hedges to set up mid-range shots from the elbows, where he is proficient. An underrated area of Arlington’s game is his defense: he plays solid position defense and he creates steals with his active hands. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="972424" first="Cord" last="Stansberry"], 6-4 2022 G, Shadow Hills (CA)/ Los Angeles Elite</h3> <p>Stansberry’s ball skills (right hand dominant), feel and perimeter shooting make him a very good prospect. He can score it from three levels (a very good jump shooter off the catch), and has the athleticism to finish above the rim off of straight line drives in the half court. At times, he can be unselfish to a fault. </p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="970280" first="Donovan" last="Dent"], 6-2 0222 G, Corona Centennial/ Hoop Nation</h3> <p>It’s incredible to me that Dent isn’t talked about in Top 150 circles. The combo guard checks off so many boxes: he scores it, plays with pace, changes speeds and direction, can finish with either hand and is a wizard of a passer. When we talk about floater, runner and finishing packages, his is among the best in Southern California. And he is a very good on-ball defender.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="748743" first="Jaayden" last="Bush"], 6-0 2022 PG, St. Anthony/ Los Angeles Elite</h3> <p>Bush’s toughness and defense on the ball is as good as you’ll see in Southern California. To call him a pest would be an understatement. His foot speed and anticipation allow him to cut off drivfes and he has very strong hands, which allow him to strip ball handlers with regularity. </p> <h3>Makaih Williams, 6-1 2022 PG, St. Anthony/ Cali Rebels </h3> <p>In a word, Williams is explosive. The baby-faced combo guard has scored it effectively from three levels and finishes through contact well for a guard his stature. His athleticism is tremedous. </p>