Mater Dei Summer Classic Standout Guards
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The 2023 Mater Dei Summer Classic kicked off on Friday, June 2nd in Santa Ana, California, and featured some of the high best high schools in the Southern California area. Schools like Canyon, Damien, and Los Alamitos competed along with…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 Mater Dei Summer Classic kicked off on Friday, June 2nd in Santa Ana, California, and featured some of the high best high schools in the Southern California area. Schools like Canyon, Damien, and Los Alamitos competed along with the host’s Mater Dei.
Xavier Clinton Xavier Clinton 6'4" | SG Damien | 2024 State CA-S
Xavier Clinton Xavier Clinton 6'4" | SG Damien | 2024 State CA-S
Xavier Clinton Xavier Clinton 6’4″ | SG Damien | 2024 State CA-S spaces the floor really well for Damien and is able to attack close-outs effectively with a quick first step. Clinton has good length for a guard allowing him to shoot over most defenders, and enables him to contest shots well as well as pick up deflections and steals.
Deshawn Gory Deshawn Gory 6'8" | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 NV
Deshawn Gory Deshawn Gory 6'8" | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 NV
Deshawn Gory Deshawn Gory 6’8″ | SF Red Rock Academy | 2024 NV is a dynamic scorer who excels in the open court because of his great athleticism and ability to finish with either hand from whatever angle he has to. Gory is also a very confident three point shooter who is capable of getting hot, but needs to improve his efficiency from deep. Deshawn has good instincts on defense and is able to pick up deflections, steals, and blocks with his length and athleticism but could improve as a 1-on-1 defender.
Ashton McCullough Ashton McCullough 6’4″ | CG Rosemary Anderson Prep | 2025 State OR is a quick scoring point guard who thrives off his ability to beat defenders off the dribble. He uses the space that the fear of his quickness creates to shoot three’s confidently. McCullough is a great playmaker and particularly excels in the open court.
Jaden Goodall Jaden Goodall 6’5″ | SF Anaheim Canyon | 2024 State CA-S is a great shooter who tirelessly runs off screens and only needs a little bit of room to take advantage of defenders. Goodall is left handed but can confidently attack the basket going to his left or right. Jaden is also a plus athlete which allows him to finish over and around defenders, as well as excel in the open court.
Luke Barnett Luke Barnett 6’3″ | SG Mater Dei | 2026 State CA-S is a tremendous shooter who constantly moves off the ball and uses his instincts to find just enough space in the defense to score whether in the paint or beyond the arc. Barnett is a developing athlete and is starting to finish above the rim on drives adding another element to his game on drives to the basket. Luke also has good vision and passing ability to find open teammates.
Owen Verna Owen Verna 6’2″ | SG Mater Dei | 2025 State CA-S is a strong ball handler who is a good playmaker, 3-point shooter, and 1-on-1 defender. Verna’s strong build allows him to finish effectively through contact in the paint, and play physical defense. Owen is mainly a catch and shoot threat, but his mere presence allows other teammates to have wider driving lanes and less defensive attention.
Brady Karich Brady Karich 6'1" | PG Mater Dei | 2024 State CA-S
Brady Karich Brady Karich 6'1" | PG Mater Dei | 2024 State CA-S
Brady Karich Brady Karich 6’1″ | PG Mater Dei | 2024 State CA-S is a steady floor general for Mater Dei who provides solid ball security, good floor spacing, and the ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Karich often gets into the middle of defenses and is able to kick out to open shooters or find bigs down low on the block for layups. Brady is also a good athlete who is a determined 1-on-1 defender.
Brandon Benjamin Brandon Benjamin 6'4" | PF Anaheim Canyon | 2025 State CA-S
Brandon Benjamin Brandon Benjamin 6'4" | PF Anaheim Canyon | 2025 State CA-S
Brandon Benjamin Brandon Benjamin 6’4″ | PF Anaheim Canyon | 2025 State CA-S is an excellent finisher in and around the basket who utilizes his strong build to get ahead and stay ahead of his defender. Benjamin seeks out contact well and is able to finish effectively through it. Brandon has a good handle but could tighten it up a bit to become an even more dangerous scorer on the perimeter.
Marcus Fernandez
Marcus Fernandez
Marcus Fernandez spaces the floor really effectively for Canyon as a good 3-point shooter who can also beat defenders off the dribble to get to the paint for a layup or floater. Fernandez uses his quickness to create in the open court for teammates and to attack the basket himself.
Brady Curry
Brady Curry
Brady Curry has a good handle and uses it to beat defenders off the dribble to create shots for Canyon in the half court. Curry is good at manufacturing space for himself and using it to score or find an open shooter/cutter.
Dion Lewis
Dion Lewis
Dion Lewis is very quick, confident, and aggressive for his age. Lewis had 18 points in one of his first games for Village Christian as a rising 8th grader and attacked the basket fearlessly in addition to confidently shooting the three from a few feet behind the line.
Scotty Belnap Scotty Belnap 6’5″ | SG Mater Dei | 2024 State CA-S provides great length and all around team basketball for Mater Dei. Belnap draws defensive attention without the ball as defenses worry about his cutting to the basket strength as well as his ability to hurt them by shooting the three. Belnap’s athleticism enables him to excel in the open court, play good 1-on-1 defense, and contribute on the glass at both ends.
Wesley Trevino
Wesley Trevino
Wesley Trevino had a breakout performance against Mater Dei and showed tremendous improvement from the last time I had seen him. Trevino led Los Alamitos in scoring in an upset win over Mater Dei, and he hurt the Monarchs repeatedly with drives into the paint and efficient 3-point shooting. Wesley showed improved ball security against a tough guard trio and was able to create for others in drive and kick situations.