COTC: Top 2027 Performers

SAN DIEGO — St. Augustine high school was the site for another edition of Full Time Hoop's Creme of the County. Aaron Burgin, the brains and talent behind the FTH operation, played host, organizer, scout, coach, referee and emcee as 260 prospects throughout the San Diego area and beyond filtered in for 11 games. The set-up is a class vs. class-based model with a top *regardless of class* game at the end, aptly named, Creme de la Creme. We were in the building for all 11 games and our 2027 standouts are below.    Etheridge's combination of size, length, athleticism, combined with his high motor on both ends of the floor, was very effective in the free-flowing, showcase-style setting. The 6-foot-5 forward impacted the game defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions and rebound in and out of his area. Offensively, he ran the floor in transition and slashed his way to the rim for high percentage buckets.     Berlucchi was one of the best shooters in the gym regardless of class. The 6-foot-5 wing played in the Creme de la Creme game to close the night and was dialed in on his catch-and-shoot three ball from multiple spots and ranges of the floor. Berlucchi has a quick and high release with ideal balance and fundamentals of a great shooter. The senior out of La Costa Canyon knocked down big shots down the stretch and scored 15 points to lead his team to a win and earned MVP honors.     Carpenter's blend of strength, explosiveness and skill led to him being one of the most effective two-way guards in this event. The 6-foot-3 off-guard has a knack for putting the ball in the basket with perimeter jumpers off the bounce or physical drives and finishes at the rim. Carpenter showed impressive feel for picking his scoring spots while also balancing playmaking, moving the ball and not forcing bad shots.     Allensworth is a quick and shifty paint touch and rim pressure guard whose open court speed paid dividends in the various transition opportunities he found himself in. At 5-feet-8, the Temecula-based senior is on the smaller side but boasts a sturdy frame that he uses to his advantage when getting into the body of a defender to create just the right amount of space to score at the rim with his left hand. Allensworth brought a "hair on fire" type of energy and was impactful on both ends of the floor because of that effort and energy.     If one had to pick an overall MVP of the event it would have to be Stokes whose dynamic speed, vertical athleticism and mindset of being in constant attack mode led to one of the best highlight reel performances in COTC history. The bouncy 5-foot-8 guard was throwing down windmill dunks and lob dunks all while mixing in explosive drives to the rim and an elite pull-up jumper off the bounce. One thing that always remains consistent with Stokes, and it's one of his more impressive traits, is the great energy he brings to the floor.     Jones is a savvy left-handed point guard whose "ball on a string" handle and ability to change speed and direction kept defenders off-balance and allowed him to get paint touches with ease. The Francis Parker guard used those paint touches to dish timely and accurate passes to open teammates or score to his strong hand on a floater or through contact.     Goettsche was one of the "sleeper" type of prospects coming into this event and he made his presence felt with his efficient offensive skill-set. The 6-foot-4 wing is at his best as an off-catch three-point shooting threat with a quick release but he also showed a pop of vertical athleticism with his transition finishing ability. Goettsche has earned some Division 3 college interest over the last couple of months.

SAN DIEGO — St. Augustine high school was the site for another edition of Full Time Hoop's Creme of the County. Aaron Burgin, the brains and talent behind the FTH operation, played host, organizer, scout, coach, referee and emcee as 260 prospects throughout the San Diego area and beyond filtered in for 11 games. The set-up is a class vs. class-based model with a top *regardless of class* game at the end, aptly named, Creme de la Creme. We were in the building for all 11 games and our 2027 standouts are below.