The Register’s Top 10 Players to Watch for the 2014-15 season.
TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
(Listed alphabetically)
Nick Anderson, Canyon, Sr.: Maybe this guard is not as good as older brothers Chris or Jerime, past All-County players at Canyon. Maybe he is better. That it’s even a topic tells you how good this Anderson is.
MJ Cage, Mater Dei, Jr.: Cage, All-County first team last year as a sophomore, has developed into one of the state’s top power forwards. He is going to have to score more this year, and he has the skills to do so.
Brae Ivey, Edison, Sr.: The 6-2 guard was All-County second team last year when he averaged 16 points and five rebounds a game. He can shoot outside and his first step toward the basket will get him past just about everybody.
Eric Patton, Foothill, Sr.: The 6-6 forward was All-CIF and All-Century League last year, and he made All-County third team. He already has set the school record for single-season rebounds, with 315.
Rex Pflueger, Mater Dei, Sr.: There will be a few players expected to provide the points that Stanley Johnson gave the Monarchs last year. Pflueger, who signed with Notre Dame, is one of them. He is a fine all-around scorer and perhaps the best defensive player at Mater Dei.
Rogers Printup, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: He averaged 12 points a game last year, and he will score much more than that this year. Printup, one of the county’s more athletic players, signed with UC Davis.
Eric Rhawire, Saddleback Valley Christian, Sr.: A quick guard at 6-5 and 205 pounds, Rhawire is a tough matchup for any defender. He scored 19 points a game last year. Rhawire signed with UC Riverside.
Ben Rico, Sonora, Sr.: He plays in the fourth quarter of a big game like he is unaware that it’s the fourth quarter of a big game. Rico was clutch for the Raiders last year, and he will hit many more big shots for them this year.
Josh Rodriguez, Sonora, Sr.: Everything a coach wants in a point guard is right here. Rodriguez is an excellent dribbler, good outside shooter, super-quick to the basket and gets the ball to the right teammate at the right time and place.
Brandon Smith, Godinez, Sr.: Meet the best player few know about. Smith, a 6-5 wing, averaged 16 points a game for the Grizzlies and will top that this year. UC Irvine already is familiar with Smith, and that’s why he signed a letter of intent with the Anteaters.
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Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
