Coast News Classic: 2020 and 2021 standouts
The first game of Saturday’s five-game Coast News Classic finale ended with an unknown sophomore making a big play.
Bradley Smidt fought through Point Loma’s big front line to get a finger on an offensive rebound. It was enough to tip the ball into the basket for the Carlsbad win.
Smidt was one of several sophomores and freshmen to catch our attention at the Coast News Classic. Here’s a quick recap of the standouts.
2020 standouts
Tyler Morris, 6-6 F, Point Loma
Morris is a big-bodied post prospect who can carve out space in the paint, but is also a deft shooter from three. Like his teammate Carlos Torres, Morris took advantage of the smaller Carlsbad defenders in the paint, bulling his way to baskets and showing some good touch around the rim. He needs to improve his left hand (scores exclusively over left shoulder) and his passing IQ out of the post (turned it over when doubled). In addition, his conditioning will have to improve so he can be effective for longer stretches.
Bradley Smidt, 6-3 F, Carlsbad
Smidt was as intriguing as any prospect on hand Saturday. The long, wiry wing type has a tremendous motor and a knack for being around the ball, evidenced by his game-winning tip-in against Point Loma. Bigger defenders struggle to keep him off the boards because he uses his quickness to elude box outs. While he didn’t get a lot of offensive touches, his mechanics on his one three seemed very good, with a very quick release. Smidt acknowledged Saturday that he needs to clean up his ball handling, and if he does, he will be a sleeper prospect in a deep sophomore class.
Garrett Schaefer, 6-2 G, Temecula Valley
Schaefer, whose brothers were standouts at Temecula Valley before him, is a long, big guard prospect who impacts the game with his passing and dribble penetration. He’s right hand dominant, but he does a good job of turning the corner and getting into the paint, where he makes an array of passes to teammates. His shooting mechanics must improve, but he’s got a lot of upside and could develop into a nice point guard prospect.
2021 standouts
Trent Bell, 5-9 PG, Point Loma – Savvy, albeit undersized, point guard prospect knocked down three 3s in the game against Carlsbad, and was instrumental to the Pointers near comeback.
Adam Nieves, 6-2 F, Orange Glen – High-motor forward competed admirably against Murrieta Mesa’s much larger front line, and showed the ability to step out and hit shots from the perimeter.
Keavie Love, 6-2 G, El Camino – Athletic combo guard is an aggressive defender and slasher who was part of the lineup that led the Wildcats to a comeback victory.
Tyson Robinson, 5-11 PG, El Camino – Built like a running back, Robinson is a physical, quick point guard who gets after it on the defensive end.
Caleb Nelson, 6-3 WF, Carlsbad – Long, solidly built wing with good ball skills and a playable jump shot.