Mark Keppel Tournament: La Jolla Country Day vs Roosevelt(Eastvale)
Thanksgiving Week usually features some top-notch basketball tournaments with some strong programs on display. This week, Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, CA is playing host to one of those tournaments. I attended the tournament on Monday evening to take…
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Continue ReadingThanksgiving Week usually features some top-notch basketball tournaments with some strong programs on display. This week, Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, CA is playing host to one of those tournaments.
I attended the tournament on Monday evening to take in the matchup between La Jolla Country Day and Roosevelt(Eastvale). The game remained close during the first half with both teams playing pretty solid basketball. La Jolla Country Day took over in the second half, however, using a strong full-court press to rattle Roosevelt and build a commanding lead.
There was plenty of talent on display in that game alone, including Pac-12 commits Te-Hina Paopao(Oregon), and Michelle Onyiah(Cal). Here’s a few of the top standouts that I saw aside from the Pac-12 committed players.
1. Breya Cunningham – La Jolla Country Day 2023
Cunningham is in her first year of playing high school basketball, and her talent and skills are very evident. She is a strong interior defender who alters a lot of shots in the paint. She moves her feet well defensively and can keep up with players making moves to the rim. Her length and mobility gave Michelle Onyiah difficulty in the paint.
2. Sydney Nelson – Roosevelt 2023
Another first-timer in high school basketball, Nelson also looks to have a bright future. She looks to be able to play both guard and forward. She has a good face up game and she is strong when going to the rim. She can finish with contact and she can draw fouls and get herself to the free-throw line. She can post up well too, she can take advantage of smaller guards in the paint.
3. Jazzy Anousinh – La Jolla Country Day 2021
Anousinh’s major value on the court is that she provides the Torreys with another ball-handler in addition to Te-Hina Paopao. Paopao can play a little off ball when they’re on the court together. Anousinh is a solid floor leader with great court vision and passing ability. She looks for her open teammates and she can run the break well as the main ball-handler.
4. Natalia Whitehurst – Roosevelt 2021
Whitehurst stood out for her defensive ability. She gives it her all on the defensive end, something that is a rarity in basketball today. She is a great on ball defender, capable of making her opponent pick up their dribble and get rid of the ball. She also is good off ball in denying her opponent the ball. She moves her feet well and fights through screens.
5. Jaachi Nwanevu – Roosevelt 2021
Nwanevu is a tough player in the paint. She’s strong and can bully smaller defenders. She finishes well with contact and she can absorb it and get herself to the free-throw line. She moves well without the ball, makes strong cuts, and is always ready to catch a teammate’s pass under the rim. She is a good rebounder who boxes out well.