BSN Sports Showcase Game 1 – San Diego 77, Brea Olinda 58
San Diego teams got their chance to prove their mettle against some of the top teams in Southern California Dec. 14 at the BSN Sports Showcase. Carlsbad High played host to eight games, beginning with the 9:30 a.m. tilt between…
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Continue ReadingSan Diego teams got their chance to prove their mettle against some of the top teams in Southern California Dec. 14 at the BSN Sports Showcase.
Carlsbad High played host to eight games, beginning with the 9:30 a.m. tilt between San Diego and Brea Olinda and culminating with an instant classic between Capistrano Valley and Poway, which needed a 50-foot buzzer beater to decide the outcome.
We will go game by game with our analysis of the event, beginning with the Cavers and Wildcats.
San Diego 77, Brea Olinda, 58 – Five Observations
No rust from the Cavers
San Diego had only played two games entering the showcase, the last coming on Nov. 30. But the Cavers looked sharp from the outset, playing aggressive man and zone defenses and scoring from the perimeter and the paint. 2021 G AJ Burgin got things started with 11 points in the first quarter, and the Cavers went on to build leads as large as 15 points before stretching the lead late in the contest.
The Cavers perimeter players are tough
San Diego doesn’t have much size outside of 6-6 senior F Tyler Castillo, but its backcourt foursome is talented. Spearheaded by 2021 G AJ Burgin, who scored a game-high 30 points (12-17 FG), each of the guards brings a unique facet. Fellow junior DJ Ralston is a slithery playmaker off the bounce capable of hitting from midrange and deep. Lefty junior Myles Bennett has a nice blend of downhill speed and finishing around the rim, and senior guard Steve Stinson (wired to score) showed no signs of rust after sitting out three weeks due to injury.
Brea Olinda lives and dies by the “3”
Entering the game, the scouting report on the Wildcats was “guard the perimeter.” Brea Olinda has a bevy of shooters, none better than 5-10 senior Dylan “Chuck” Halverson, who hit 7 threes during the contest. 6-2 junior guard Larry Chen also hit four of his own, as the Wildcats shot 16-29 from three in the loss, as impressive a shooting performance as you’ll see.
Dylan Halverson hit seven 3s against San DiegoHalverson deserves D3 attention
The Wildcats unquestioned leader, Halverson doesn’t look like the prototypical basketball player, but he has a huge impact on the outcome of games. He’s a knockdown catch-and-shoot guy and gives a good effort on defense, sliding his feet and using his hands to create turnovers. At the next level, improving his handle to get into the paint more often will open his playmaking for his teammates.
Tyler Castillo continues to improve
The aforementioned Castillo posted an impressive double double (16 points, 10 rebounds) for the Cavers. He is a prospect that plays to his strengths: He scores exclusively in the paint with improving post moves and off of offensive boards and dump offs from teammates. He has soft hands, nice touch and uses the glass to improve his percentages. His length (6-10 wingspan) will allow him to play somewhere at the next level.