Battle At the Bay: Top Guards, Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mission Bay head coach Marshawn Cherry's Battle at the Bay has given us upsets, dramatic finishes and stellar performances over its four installations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth annual showcase gave us all that and then some by the halfway mark of the event. Punctuated by the Game 3 70-69 thriller between Santa Fe Christian and Montgomery, the showcase provided a great day of hoops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first reports, I discuss the guards that stood out in the games I attended. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1434418' first='Rodney' last='Brown'], Rancho Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown, a 6-6 senior who is committed to Cal, was dominant in the Eagles win over a very good LCC team. A smooth scorer who plays at multiple speed and with great pace, got to his spots on the floor all game, and converted from each level efficiently. With his combination of size, length, athleticism and feel, Brown has a chance to be a very good late bloomer for the Bears. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Brycen Mackenzie, Santa Fe Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mackenzie didn't have his best shooting game, but willed his team back into the lead in the game of the day, a 70-69 win over Montgomery. In the fourth quarter, Mackenzie attacked the teeth of the defense for some dazzling finishes, including a floater from the right side to give them the lead late in the game. He scored 24 points in the win, and is playing with next-level confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Kai Brown, Scripps Ranch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The crafty and athletic combo guard sliced up Del Norte's defense for 22 points in a 72-50 rout of the Nighthawks. Brown has a slight build, but can score it from each level - both off the catch and off the dribble- and has a quick release on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Santiago Estrada, Hoover</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estrada has grown a bit to 6-2 and is a smooth scoring guard with deep range on his jump shot. How deep? Estrada hit one to beat the shot clock from the timeline, and did it in his regular shooting motion. He plays with great pace and does a good job not forcing shots. At times, however, he can be too passive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994935' first='Ty' last='Hendler'], La Costa Canyon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Colorado College commit showed off his crafty offensive package en route to 15 points. Hendler's game is a bit unorthodox, but he can score in an array of ways, and can hit shots out to the college three. He also showed some good passing chops in the pick and roll and drive and kick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->