While you were sleeping: San Diego's most underrated players - 2021
We highlighted some of the more underrated seniors last week. Now, let's take a look at some of the 2021 class members whose performances hovered under the radar regionally.
Class of 2021's most underrated players
Kyle Dobyns, 6-4 W, West Hills - East County was down overall this year, but Dobyns exploded in his junior year. The crafty, jack of all trades averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game -- one of the best stat lines of any junior countywide. The Wolfpack's junior class - which includes guards Ashton Avestro and Cash Creighton - are regionally underrated.
Momo Stokes, 5-10 PG, Bonita Vista - The undersized-but-explosive point guard (pictured) had a breakout season, averaging 17 points and 3 assists per game. He gets virtually wherever he wants to on the floor and can knock down shots from each level.
Mickey Chew, 5-10 G, Orange Glen - Chew emerged this season as the Patriots leader, both vocally and statistically. Chew, in his second year with Orange Glen, averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on 41 percent shooting from deep. He's one of the region's more unsung point guards.
Shawn Jackson-Ascura, 6-4 W, Serra - The lefty was the de facto center on the undersized Q's, but his slashing ability created matchup problems against teams with traditional bigs. He also improved his focus and energy level on the boards, giving the Q's a nice one-two tandem on the boards with Tre Singleton.
Adrian Thierry, 6-0 G, San Dieguito Academy - The Mustangs struggled this year, but Thierry is emerging as a solid two-way guard in North County. He is an active defender and a capable slasher who can knock down the perimeter shot.
Wes Clarkson, 6-0 G, University City - Clarkson would be a full-time starter on a number of SD teams, but he played a valuable role as 6th man for the D2 runners up. Clarkson is a knockdown spot-up shooter and a pest on the ball on defense. Expect his statistical output to rise next season.
Julian Hutchinson, 5-10 PG, Escondido - The small, sinewy point guard wreaked havoc defensively on Valley League point guards all season after coming back from a knee injury that kept him sidelined all last summer.
Ethan Wolchko, 6-0 G, Santana - You're forgiven if you didn't seen the Sultans play this year, but if you did, you left impressed with the junior scoring guard's ability to score from every level with lots of confidence.
Blake Ledbetter, 6-3 W, Point Loma - It says a lot that Ledbetter was the Pointer's co-captain as a junior. Beyond his great leadership, Ledbetter was a jack-of-all-trades wing whose contributions (hustle, energy, effort) didn't make the stat sheet.
Gabriel Harrison, 6-1 G, Point Loma - Already noted for his vast improvement over his sophomore year, Harrison - an explosive athlete and relentless slasher - is among the region's more underrated 11th grade prospects.
Blake Munson and Bennett Walker, Patrick Henry - Munson, a 5-11 point guard, was one of the more unflappable floor generals in the county, capable of delivering the ball in the shooters pocket and being pesky on defense. Walker, an athletic slasher, was very good down the stretch for the Patriots getting downhill and drawing fouls on opposing guards.
Jeric Lovgren, 6-0 PG, San Marcos - Among the region's most underappreciated guards, Lovgren doubles as a very capable passer/playmaker and scorer in a pinch. Down the stretch, he assumed a greater scoring role, knocking down clutch shots and scoring off the bounce. He will be one of SD's breakout stars next season.
Justin Mitchell, 6-0 PG, RBV - A transfer from Tri-City Christian, Mitchell showed that he was more than capable of making the jump from small-school ball to the Avo East, earning All League 2nd team honors largely due to his on-ball defense and passing. Averaged team highs in assists and steals.
Diego Czarnowski, 6-6 F, Mission Hills - Another very underrated North County prospect, Czarnowski has a nice blend of footwork and basketball IQ for a player his size. Got after it on defense and the boards despite his willowy frame.
Jared Hanson, 6-0 G, Mission Hills - The Grizzlies back court is full of underrated pieces, with Hanson being the most underrated. A stocky guard with solid feel, tough on-ball defense and timely shooting, Hanson was a key piece to the improved Grizzlies.
Henry Hartwell, 6-4 G, El Camino - Blessed with a prototypical frame for a shooting guard, Hartwell helped keep the floor spaced for the Wildcats guards to go to work. He has a chance to make a big name for himself during his senior year.
Ray Square, 6-1 G, La Costa Canyon - A transfer from Bonita Vista, Square often goes unheralded playing alongside stud junior guard Brendan Perry. But Square's defense on the ball and improved handle and playmaking were huge in the Mavericks late-season surge.
DJ Ralston, 6-0 PG, San Diego - Ralston had never played a varsity minute until this year, but that was only because he played at a loaded Mission Bay program his first two years. His physical growth and improved feel and pace allowed him to become an electric playmaker for the Cavers in their D2 run.
Miles Wingfield, 6-0 G, Poway - Injuries robbed him of some of the explosiveness that made him a top guard prospect entering high school, but Wingfield is making his way back due to his determined effort on both ends. And if his late-season dunk is any indication, Wingfield is on his way back to peak form.
Garrett Pyle, 6-1 SG, Poway - When the topic of best shooters in San Diego is discussed, Pyle is often left off the list, which underscores how underrated he is. When his feet are set, there aren't many shooters as deadly as him. His growth as a passer and midrange shooter has made him a more complete player, and a huge piece to the Titans Open Division playoff appearance.
Kasparas Kasradze, 6-5 PF, Carlsbad - Injuries and a shortened season due to transfer rules took away from what Kasradze was able to do when he was on the floor - give the Lancers the enforcer they needed to compete against some of the best teams in the region.
Nate Witte, 6-2 G, Torrey Pines - Of all of Torrey Pines' juniors, Witte was arguably the most underrated. His stats don't wow you, but a look closer at his field goal percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio show you why he's so underrated: he takes care of the ball and hits big shots.
Owen Hill, 6-3 G/F, Bishop’s - Hill played almost the entire season with a hip injury, but cemented his reputation as one of the top shooters in the county, and did it in one of the region's toughest conferences.
Kailon King, 6-1 G, Mater Dei Catholic - A steady shooter and potent third option for the Crusaders, King shot 3 percent from 3 and 81 percent from the line, a testament to his ability to stretch the floor.
Ty Cox, 6-3 WF, Mission Vista - Sweet shooting wing averaged 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds a game and is one of the region's most underrated catch-and-shoot threats. Cox continues to evolve and added some scoring off the dribble this year to keep defenses honest on his way to an All-League first team selection.
Isaac Guel, 6-5 F, Montgomery - Undersized but formidable, Guel has some of the best post footwork in San Diego, and finishes excellent over his left shoulder. His numbers (8.8 points, 7.3 rebounds), understate his importance in the Aztec's egalitarian offense, which saw 7 players average between 5 and 9 points.
