Bakersfield Christian’s Tip-Off Classic: Central Cali Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past Saturday, November 22nd, Bakersfield Christian hosted its inaugural Tip-Off Classic, which featured an 8 team slate of four games. For most of these teams, it was not their first game of the season, but the second for most. The focus of these early preseason evaluations is to cover players I have never seen live or are under-the-radar prospects that have received little to no coverage over the past year. In particular, this article, a 2-part series, will focus on six standout players from the Tip-Off Classic. The graduation class and player position vary, as the intent is to highlight unknown names. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='2646533' first='Taiwo' last='Daramola'], Cliff Willis, Gavin Christian, and [player_tooltip player_id='2194700' first='Jeremias' last='Killebrew'] to name a few, had impressive showings at the Tip-Off Classic, but I will cover <em>top prospect performances to start the season</em> in a separate series of articles. The players in this article are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked order, and is Part 1. Part 2 will follow with an additional 6 players from the event this past Saturday. We begin with senior guard Nick Andrade. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3141087,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nick Andrade ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Taft Wildcats","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927520195329"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5-foot-11 lead guard can score the ball from 3-levels, plays with good pace and control, and leaves his imprint on various aspects of the game, as was evident in his stat line of 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a win over Foothill of Bakersfield. Andrade keeps the ball on a string to survey the floor, uses the between cross, crossover, and hesitation moves to get his defender off balance, has a good burst of speed off the bounce to get paint touches, uses the Euro-step and reverse lay-ups to evade height for shots around the basket, is accurate with the mid-range jumper off the dribble with body control to absorb and finish through contact, uses the pump-fake to get his defender off the ground to attack the basket, and moves well off the ball to get open look with the 3-ball off the catch. Andrade has good court vision, looks to find open players off the drive and kick pass, is a good positional rebounder, and can push the pace of play or find teammates up the court in transition.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Isaac Burgess","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"San Luis Obispo Tigers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69275201953d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-2 shooting guard can fill it up from beyond the arc, does a solid job on the glass, and plays with a good motor on both ends of the court. Burgess understands floor spacing, moves fluidly off ball screens to get to the open spot, gets in position to catch and release before his defender can get set, and is accurate with the 3-ball off the catch or the dribble. Burgess is active on the boards, outlets to his lead guards off the glass, and runs the floor well to get ahead of the defense in transition. Burgess had a strong showing against the host team Bakersfield Christian, as he would score 12 points off the bench, connecting on 4 threes in the process, which opened up the court for his teammates to attack.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3141095,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Beau Crew","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"San Luis Obispo Tigers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Next Level 805","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692752019545a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-6 wing impacts the game in a variety of ways, is swiss army knife on the offensive end, and can score the ball from 3-levels. Crew attended the 5th Annual Junior/Senior Showcase, and that was the first time I saw him live and he displayed his ability to facilitate, as well as score the ball. Crew had to take his game to another gear against Bakersfield Christian, with senior standout Logan Missler out with an injury, and he did just that, going for 17 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in the loss to the Eagles. Crew has solid handles, uses the crossover, between cross, back-to-the-basket spin move, and pump-fake to create space from his defender, has good body control and accuracy on the mid-range jumper, which he connected on several times, has touch on shots around the basket with the ability to score with the reverse lay-up and hook/floater, and can space the floor with the 3-ball off the catch. Crew crashes the boards, has the handle to push the ball up the court, the court vision to find teammates cutting off the ball in the half court setting, as well as finding players up the court in transition. Crew has good timing to alter and block shots around the basket, and can step out and contest perimeter shots. Definitely a hidden gem in the Central Section and a player that can impact the next level of play with his versatility on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jesus Delgado ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Foothill Trojans-Bakersfield ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69275201954e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot lead guard has a knack for getting to the basket, plays a physical style of basketball while under control, and is active on the glass. Delgado did all he could to keep the Trojans close, going for 15 points and 7 rebounds, but came up short to Taft, 52 to 41. Delgado has a solid handle on the ball, keeps the dribble alive to survey the defense, uses the crossover and in-and-out dribble to get his defender going backwards, has a good burst off the bounce, gets into the paint routinely, and is able to score through contact at the basket. Delgado has good court vision to find teammates off the drive and kick, is a good positional rebounder to push the pace of play off the glass, and moves well off the ball to knock down the 3-ball off the catch. Delgado has active hands on defense, looks to poke the ball away, and will get on the ground for the loose ball. Tough minded guard that is only a sophomore and room to grow as a player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Josiah Frink","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ridgeview Wolfpack-Bakersfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-692752019559c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-3 wing/guard is active on the boards, can space the floor from beyond the arc, and is loaded with upside having the ideal frame and length to be a two-way impact player. Frink had a slow start to the game against Edison of Fresno, but got it going after halftime in the low scoring affair, scoring 10 points in the loss. Frink has a solid handle, uses the wide crossover, between cross, and behind cross to create space from his defender, uses his long strides to get by his initial defender, and has good hang time on shots around the basket, with the length to get his shot off around height. Frink draws fouls routinely with accuracy from the free throw line, moves well off the ball to get open looks for the 3-ball off the catch, crashes the boards with the handle to push the ball up the court, and is a versatile defender with the length to alter shots in the paint, and the lateral quickness to stay on front of perimeter players. Frink needs to work on tightening his handle and getting to the mid-range jumper, as he is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on, but his guard skill development will determine his ceiling. Frink also had a 14 point, 8 rebound, and 2 block game in a season opening loss to South Bakersfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cameron Hernandez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Bakersfield Spartans","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6927520195620"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6-foot-1 shooting guard can light it up from beyond the arc, is an underrated perimeter defender, and can make plays for teammates once the defense closes out on his shooting space. Hernandez has a smooth handle, uses the between cross and wide crossover to create space from his defender, has a quick burst off speed off the bounce, is a creative finisher at the basket with the use of the reverse or Euro-step lay-ups, and moves fluidly off the ball to get open looks off the catch from the 3-point line. Hernandez has good court vision, is active on the glass, makes good reads up the court in transition, as well as finding teammates cutting off the ball in the half court setting. Hernandez has active hands, a lengthy wingspan, and good timing to deflect passes or jump passing lanes, which turn into easy transition buckets for himself or his teammates. Hernandez had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win over Hanford, as well as 9 points, connecting on 3 threes, and 6 assists in a win over Roosevelt of Fresno Tuesday night.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->