Holiday Classic Tip-Off Night: Under-the-radar performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Holiday Classic Tip-Off Night has rapidly become an institution in San Diego, giving some of the region's top teams a stage of their own before the main event after the Christmas break.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night's installation was one of the most memorable, as the three games yielded two Top-5 upsets and a near third that was decided by a single basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report will go over the performances that went unheralded on the evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1434840' first='Thomas' last='Metcalf'], Mission Bay</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metcalf's defensive effort in the Buccaneers zone was stellar, as he did an excellent job forcing opponents into difficult shots and cleaning up the offensive glass, either with rebounds or controlled taps to teammates. The 6-4 senior finished multiple shots around the basket when his team needed them the most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994909' first='JJ' last='Bartelloni'], Torrey Pines</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartelloni has really turned the corner offensively, becoming much more than a catch-and-shoot threat. He scored multiple buckets off the bounce, including a tough pull-up and fallaway shot in the fourth quarter to pull the Falcons even. The 6-5 wing has made big strides defensively and on the boards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Max Zylicz, Torrey Pines</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A newcomer to the program, the 6-3 junior guard from Poland has one defined skill: he can shoot the cover off the rock. His form is picturesque and his release is extremely quick, which allows him to get his shot off under duress. He had some moments in the Falcons press as he was able to shoot the passing lanes for steals. At times he plays too fast, but given his neophyte status in the Falcons complex system, he's going to be a sleeper to monitor by next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Drew Bickley, Santa Fe Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bickley, who is known as a catch-and-shoot specialist, showed some improved facets in his game in the win. First, the 6-1 senior guard battled valiantly on the boards against the much bigger Falcons. Secondly, he had a few solid moments attacking off the bounce to set up teammates with “hammer” passes and one strong finish through contact. But in the end, it was his clutch shot making that proved huge for the Eagles in the upset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Jeremy Love, Santa Fe Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If it weren't for his foul trouble, Love would've probably had a bigger impact on the game, because in his minutes, he was extremely impactful. Defensively, the athletic, 5-11 guard is a menace on the ball, disrupting opposing ball handlers and strong enough to hold his own in the paint in switches. Offensively, his slashing creates open lanes for his teammates when he'll defenders rotate to him, and he's a solid passer with decent feel. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Greyson Mundis, Santa Fe Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mundis was an unheralded cog in the upset win, defending and rebounding at a high level while also collecting a number of steals in the passing lanes. He's unselfish offensively, making the extra pass and getting a number of hockey assists in the process. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Parker Jelsing, La Costa Canyon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jelsing had a dominant stretch in the second half against San Ysidro, relentlessly driving into the paint and finishing tough buckets around the rim through contact. Wired to score, the 6-0 combo guard hit shots off the pull-up and catch from midrange and the college three, respectively. One thing you have to respect is that he plays with a chip on his shoulder and oozes confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->