Things We Learned: El Dorado vs. Foothill
SANTA ANA — Wednesday’s Century Conference crossover game between El Dorado and Foothill provided us with a look at two teams we hadn’t seen since last season, and perhaps even longer than that. The Golden Hawks defeated the Knights, 58-52,…
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Continue ReadingSANTA ANA — Wednesday’s Century Conference crossover game between El Dorado and Foothill provided us with a look at two teams we hadn’t seen since last season, and perhaps even longer than that. The Golden Hawks defeated the Knights, 58-52, in a game that El Dorado took control of in the fourth quarter after fending off a scrappy Foothill side. Below are a few things we learned from that contest.
El Dorado’s John Bakke has next level potential
One of the main reasons we were in the gym for that game was to get a look at Bakke, who had been putting up impressive numbers this season. The 6-foot-7 wing didn’t disappoint, scoring 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds to lead both teams in both categories. Bakke has a smooth 3-point shooting stroke and finds himself open quite often because of his ability to move without the basketball. Bakke could easily help a Division III or NAIA program with his scoring prowess.
Golden Hawks center Oliver Penn has JUCO prospect written all over him
The 6-foot-9 senior has a good combination of size, length and mobility working in his favor, add in the fact that he’s an active rebounder both in and out of his area, and he’s a guy who could carve out a role for a junior college in need of size and defensive help. Penn has a long way to go with his offensive skill-set, but he does have good hands and is a good passer out of the high post.
Foothill has a solid young core
The Knights were down a couple of the underclassmen who start for them, but sophomore big man Braedyn Benhard showed that he will be a big time contributor for the remainder of this season and the next two. At 6-feet-6 and a strong 195 pounds, Benhard is physical around the basket and can finish with touch or power in the paint. First-year Foothill coach Yosef Etemadi is high on 6-foot-5 sophomore Mikey Mazurie and classmate Aidan Roman.