The flamethrower who shot Princeton into the state title game, Santiago-Lugo scorched the nets at Wright State University on Saturday in the state semifinals by exploding for 28 points and connecting on five 3-pointers. For an encore performance, Santiago-Lugo knocked down two of his four 3-point attempts and finished with 12 points. A guard who always plays hard and flies around the court, Santiago-Lugo’s energy was a major factor for Princeton all season long. A player who Coach Wyant trusts, Santiago-Lugo played the most minutes for the Vikings in the title game victory. Storybook ending for Santiago-Lugo and the rest of the Vikings senior class, who finish their OHSAA careers as champions.

After falling behind to open the game, Santiago Lugo finally hit a 3-pointer off a BLOB set to get Princeton on the scoreboard with a minute to play in the first quarter. Knocking down five 3-pointers throughout the game, none were bigger than the 3-pointer he hit off a DHO to briefly tie the game at 50 with just over a minute left on the clock. I liked the effort Santiago Lugo played with but wish he could impact the game in more ways than just making shots. He’s one of the elite shooters in all of Ohio and had no trouble adjusting to shooting in a college arena backdrop.

Santiago Lugo is a sniper. He needs no space and can shoot it from anywhere after he crosses halfcourt. He has a nice size and length for a guard, and this allows him to make any shot on the floor, with defense not having any sort of impact. He comes off the screen with the intention to shoot the ball, which is great because it shows the level of confidence he has in his shooting. He does not get discouraged if he misses a shot. He is an unconscious shooter.

I’m not sure there’s a team in Ohio I’ve seen play more than Princeton in June and fall scrimmages. It seems like every event I’m at, the Vikings are competing against some of the top teams in the Midwest. That’s given me plenty of opportunities to see one of the top shooters in the state make shots on any type of rim or court setup possible. With the ultra-green light and a lightning quick release, Santiago Lugo is a guard you have to swarm when he catches the ball. I’ve liked some of the decision making and passing he’s recently shown me when he’s been ran off the line by the defense and becoming more than just a specialist will help him get early minutes at the college level.

Santiago Lugo caught fire in a showdown against Reynoldsburg that saw Princeton make a big comeback to sweep the quarters Vs the Raiders. An elite shooter off movement or spotting up, Santiago Lugo can get his shot off from a variety of angles and actions. I also was encouraged by how much space Santiago Lugo created off the dribble with different moves to get downhill. Despite being a mostly off ball creator, Santiago Lugo makes good decisions with the basketball when he’s attacking the rim and that secondary creation helps get his teammates open shots as well. I expect Princeton to be one of the top teams in all of southwest Ohio this winter.

Princeton has been extremely impressive this summer with Santiago Lugo making it rain from 3-point range the whole month of June. Princeton do a great job pushing the tempo and generating open shots for their shooters and Santiago Lugo is one of the best in Ohio. A picture-perfect shot that looks the same every time, when he gets on a heater there’s not much the defense can do against him. Look for Santiago Lugo to continue to raise his profile as Princeton will play in numerous marquee events this

There haven’t been many better shooters this summer than Santiago Lugo as he has lit up scoreboards across the midwest as Cincinnati Princeton has been busy at numerous team camp and shootout events as they prep for the June live periods. Princeton has a ton of guard talent and their swarming defense creates a lot of steals and transition opportunities and Santiago Lugo isn’t shy to fire away from 3-point range in transition. I expect Princeton to be one of the top teams in the GMC this season.

One of the elite shooters in Ohio, Santiago Lugo had some bright moments with the Puerto Rico national team at a youth level in the past. Few players in Ohio have experience on the international stage and Santiago Lugo can check that box. As a sophomore, Santiago Lugo shot 44% from 3-point range on over 150 attempts! Despite a slow start to this season, I expect Santiago Lugo to return to form when he gets back from an injury.