Standouts at the Holiday Classic: Governor’s Division
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The Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines is one of the biggest annual tournaments in California for the basketball world and a showcase of the talent held in Southern California. The tournament holds four brackets all filled with some great programs…
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Continue ReadingThe Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines is one of the biggest annual tournaments in California for the basketball world and a showcase of the talent held in Southern California. The tournament holds four brackets all filled with some great programs and the Governor’s division is no different and was host to some very good players and performances.
Miguel Yniguez Miguel Yniguez 6'6" | SG Canyon Crest Academy | 2022 CA-S (2022) | 6-6 SG/SF | Canyon Crest Academy
Yniguez is one of the most versatile players in the Holiday Classic, despite his size and prowess as a big man Yniguez has a knack for being able to play the role of ball handler for CCA when needed, he isn’t afraid to take the ball coast to coast in transition finding open teammates and beating presses. Yniguez also showed off his ability to shoot off the dribble and off the catch being able to extend the floor with his fluid jumper and high release point making him a zone buster in the high post as well as a confident volume shooter from anywhere. On the defensive end, Yniguez is very active communicating with his teammates and posses the ability to guard one through five. With colleges such as San Francisico State and St. Katherine’s already offering him Yniguez looks to continue a break out senior year
Elijah Black (2022) | 6-0 G | Mt. Miguel
A very athletic prospect, Black showed his ability to use his use body to create contact and finish around the rim at high consistency and exhibited blazing fast speed in transition. A very sound defensive player Black’s athleticism and big body for his position has him asked to guard one through five for the Matadors as he matched up with guards and centers throughout the day. Once he gets a more consistent jumper Black will be one of the most complete players in the county
Drew Pierce (2024) | 6-1 PG | Temecula Valley
A extremely crafty sharpshooter. Pierce was able to extend the floor very well as the floor general for the golden bears to his range. For an underclassman he is very confident in his offensive game pulling from a few feet behind the three-point line at times and showing off some very tough finishes contorting in the air and using the up and under to get around defenders. He may not be the strongest player of exhibits elite athleticism but these are fixable at his young age and he has the skillset to have a very bright future.
Vincent Signorelli (2022) | 6-1 G | Victory Christian
Signorelli showed why San Diego Christian got themselves a steal with his commitment. Signorelli is labeled as a shooter but he is so much more than that. He showed off a variety of moves getting to the basket finishing with both hands playing off two and off one and was able to set his teammates up for great looks as he commanded the defense’s attention. The shooting ability he is known for was also on display as he came off screens and shot off the dribble at a high clip. Signorelli makes Victory Christian a favorite in Division 4 CIF as he looks to cap his senior campaign off with a title.
Jermaine Rogers II Jermaine Rogers II 6'1" | SG Ayala | 2022 CA-S (2022) | 6-3 G | Ayala |
A rebounding machine both on the offensive and defensive ends, Rogers was creating second chances for the Bulldogs all game long as well as finishing strong under the rim. Rogers was also lockdown on the defensive end giving his matchup fits pressing them full court and forcing turnovers. Rodgers strong frame forces the opposing teams into tough shots when he is blanketing them and he confidently takes and makes open jumpers making him a amazing energy guy for the Bulldogs and a three and D weapon. Ayala emerges from this game as a one of the strongest teams within the Governor’s Divsion
Kyelin King (2024) | 6-2 G | Lincoln
King’s lengthy wingspan and jumping ability make him an extremely promising young player. On the defensive end King was flying in for blocks both in the half-court set and in transition, his long arms combined with his atleticism allow him to gather in lots of rebounds. King is an extremely effective user of ball fakes on the offensive end using them for crafty euro-steps and to create open looks under the basket and has shown the ability to hit jumpers when called on. King is part of a young Hornets team that will return him along with the majority of their young core that looks to grow together as the season goes on.
Nicky Clotfelter Nicky Clotfelter 6'6" | SF The Bishop’s School | 2022 State CA-S (2022) | 6-6 SF/PF | Bishop’s
Clotfelter put on a clinic with his post game showing off a variety of moves. Clotfelter is a smooth operator in the low post finishing with both hands around the rim with post hooks and drop-steps and his face-up game allows him the be a threat from the high post and beyond with a good looking jumper. Clotfelter is consistently there for the Knight’s with his help defense and his big wing span leads to easy blocked shots and rebounds for him. Clotfelter is also deceptively athletic being able to throw down dunks in traffic and a big piece of the Knight’s offense looking to continue a strong senior year