Aztec Team Camp: Camp revelations

<p>The high school summer season is in full effect with the SDSU Team Camp serving as the unofficial start. The first session of the Aztec Team Camp generally gives local schools a chance to shine before the second session, which attracts higher profile programs from outside of San Diego.</p>   <p>But it was Murrieta Mesa that emerged victorious, securing back-to-back wins against perennial powers Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon to capture the Session 1 title. Eastlake defeated San Marcos in the B Division title and Corona Santiago defeated Canyon Hills in the C Division title game.</p>   <p>In this report, we look at some of the eye-opening performances from prospects that weren't necessarily on our radar. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Andre Dankha, Jr. G, Granite Hills</h3>   <p>Dankha looks like the next high-scoring guard in the Grossmont League. A crafty, ball-dominant 6-0 scorer, Dankha has the greenest of lights from his coaches and isn't bashful about putting them up. He uses his handle to create separation from defenders, either straight up or in ball screen action, and knocked down shots from each level. He is right-hand dominant and has to improve his shot selection, but expect him to have a prolific junior campaign. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grant Rodriguez, So. G, Poway</h3>   <p>Rodriguez was the biggest eye opener this weekend of players I haven't seen much of. He was a standout on the Titans freshman team last year, but looks primed to take a big step forward as a sophomore. A slender, 5-10 guard with good burst, Rodriguez is a three-level bucket getter and an underrated rebounder and passer. Rodriguez has a great first step and uses it to attack the paint, where he has a nice package of runners and floaters to help him finish over the top of bigs. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_5068.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/IMG_5068.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1983366" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ival Momoh surprised with his athleticism and assertiveness. </figcaption></figure>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ival Momoh, Sr. G, University City</h3>   <p>A little-used player on the Centurions varsity team last year, Momoh has emerged as a key player for the team, and for good reason. He's a late bloomer with pop in his legs, which he showcased with two transition dunks in a win over Valhalla. He's more of a slasher, and definitely favors his right hand, but the combination of length, athleticism and scoring make him one to monitor. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Torrean Smalley, Sr. W, Bonita Vista</h3>   <p>Another late bloomer with some unique physical gifts, Smalley's athleticism looks so easy. A smooth wing with a very fluid pull-up jumper off the bounce, he's starting to knock down threes off the catch with consistency too. There are times where he looks like he's not giving a great effort, but part of that is just his facial expression doesn't change. Blessed with a freakish wingspan and a frame that still has room to grow, Smalley should be on college radars ASAP.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mason Jones, So. C, La Costa Canyon</h3>   <p>I was asked several times during LCC's games, "Who is the big kid?" The big kid was Jones, a 6-7 left handed prospect with a big base, decent hands and improving feel. He's got to improve his conditioning, but time is on his side. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956623' first='Ty' last='Sagaser'], So. G, San Marcos</h3>   <p>Last year, Sagaser was a scrappy, interior minded forward for the Knights who could rebound the ball. Flash forward a year later, Sagaser, 6-3, has become a very capable lead guard that projects well due to his combination of size, length and rapid improvement. He uses changes of speeds to get into the lane, and is an unselfish passer with good court vision. At times, he can over penetrate, which leads to turnovers, but if he can cut down on those, it will only improve his game. Defensively, his length and foot speed make him an ideal on-ball defender who also can shoot the passing lanes for steals. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kevon Fitzpatrick, Jr. W, Mission Bay</h3>   <p>Fitzpatrick was buried on the Bucs bench last season, but with the team's entire starting lineup playing football, Fitzpatrick has shown he's a player in his own right. A bigger-bodied wing with a smooth release on his jump shot, Fitzpatrick can score from multiple levels. He has to continue to improve his frame and has a tendency to force the issue off the bounce, but those are correctable with additional reps, which he's getting during June. He also rebounds the ball well at 6-3 and growing. </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nate Chou, Jr. PG, Del Norte </h3>   <p>The lefty point guard waited his turn the past two seasons as the Nighthawks were guard heavy, but the heady, competitive playmaker looks ready for his star turn. In a game against Mission Bay, Chou sparked his team's comeback with feisty on-ball defense, which led to live-ball turnovers that his team converted in transition. He also knocked down three three-pointers off the catch and one out of the pick and roll. He's very small (5-8), but he has enough burst and moxie to make an impact on the varsity level. </p>

The high school summer season is in full effect with the SDSU Team Camp serving as the unofficial start. The first session of the Aztec Team Camp generally gives local schools a chance to shine before the second session, which attracts higher profile programs from outside of San Diego.