Holiday Classic Tip-Off: Event standouts

<p>San Diego talent was front-and-center on a rainy Monday evening at Torrey Pines, as six local teams kicked off the holiday hoops season at the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic Tip-Off event. </p> <p>San Diego vs Carlsbad, St. Augustine vs Foothills Christian and Torrey Pines vs Cathedral Catholic comprise six of the county's top 11 teams. And the matchups gave a glimpse as to why each of the teams are highly regarded. </p> <p>The event had a number of standout performances. We give you a rundown of those top performers. </p> <p>San Diego Tip-Off Classic: Event standouts</p> <h3>Steve Stinson, 5-10 2020 G, San Diego </h3> <p>Stinson torched the nets for six three pointers en route to a team-high 22 points in the Cavers' 77-69 win over Carlsbad. He got started in the first half when he hit three, but it was his third-quarter outburst that stretched a 10-point lead to 22 and essentially put the game away for San Diego.</p> <h3>DJ Ralston, 6-0 2021 PG, San Diego</h3> <p>The slithery point guard was able to slice his way to the rim for some creative layups and floaters, scoring 21 points for the Cavers. Ralston's ability to find get to spots and finish around the rim is uncanny for a guard of his dimensions. </p> <h3>AJ Burgin, 6-3 2021 G, San Diego</h3> <p>After a second-quarter scoring outburst, Burgin didn't look to score much the rest of the game, but corralled 10 rebounds and gave out 11 assists to go along with 10 points in the event's lone triple double. Burgin has solid size at 6-3, 190 and plays at his own pace.</p> <h3>Jailen Nelson, 5-11 2020 PG, Carlsbad</h3> <p>Nelson scored from all three levels, finding gaps in San Diego's zone defense, scoring a game-high 32 points for the Lancers in the loss. Nelson is arguably the top unsigned point guard in San Diego, and showed why. </p> <h3>Chibuzo Agbo, 6-7 2020 F, St. Augustine</h3> <p>Agbo was a man among boys for the Saints, knocking down five threes and powering his way to the basket on forceful drives, or scoring off of offensive rebounds. The Texas Tech signee's 37 points and 13 rebounds were both highs for the events. </p> <h3>Luke Haupt, 6-6 2020 F, St. Augustine</h3> <p>Haupt heated up in the second half, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds for the Saints in the 75-61 win over Foothills. The high-IQ forward passes and scores with both hands, is a sound on-ball defender. </p> <h3>Derrien Carter-Hollinger, 6-5 2021 W, Foothills Christian</h3> <p>Carter-Hollinger used a quick first step to create havoc off the dribble for the Knights, scoring 16 points in the losing effort. Perhaps the most impressive part of the effort was he appeared more comfortable shooting from three off the catch. </p> <h3>Jaden Lebel, 6-3 2022 G, Foothills Christian</h3> <p>Lebel was the beneficiary of much of the attention paid to Yassine Gharram and Derrien Carter-Hollinger on defense, getting behind the defense for scores and knocking down open jumpers all evening. Lebel's 16 points were tied for a team high. </p> <h3>Chris Howell, 6-6 2021 G, Torrey Pines</h3> <p>Howell stood out on both ends, scoring off of sharp drives to the basket, finding open teammates in drive and kick and off of pick and roll sets, and defending Cathedral's 6-8 forward Obinna Anyanwu effectively for most of the night. He nearly notched a triple double, with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists. </p> <h3>Dillon Wilhite, 6-9 2021 C, Cathedral Catholic</h3> <p>Wilhite showed some fire in an intense matchup against Torrey Pines, picking up a technical foul in a second-quarter fracas. But he was active on both boards, grabbing 10 rebounds, and protected the rim (four blocked shots) while picking his spots efficiently on offense (12 points). His driving layup with a minute to go gave Cathedral a four-point lead.</p> <h3>Beon Riley, 6-5 2020 G, Cathedral Catholic</h3> <p>Riley is a force when he gets downhill, and uses a sharp in-and-out dribble to get back to his right hand. Once in the paint, The Hawaii signee is a solid finisher, as his strong frame allows him to absorb contact and finish plays. His perimeter shot has a bit of a hitch, but he hit two in the first half as part of his team-high 15. </p> <h3>Brandon Angel, 6-8 2020 F, Torrey Pines </h3> <p>Angel didn't shoot a great percentage, but continued to attack and got to the foul line often in the 58-51 loss. The Stanford signee's 18 points was a team high, and he also grabbed 9 rebounds. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>