What we learned: LSBA Fall Shootout Recap
Yes, it might be cliche, but the temperature wasn't the only thing heating up at San Diego City College last weekend.
The basketball action at the Lamont Smith Basketball Academy Fall Shootout was equally as hot.
More than 30 teams, including a number of the traditional SD power programs, participated in four showcase games apiece, with four local teams - El Camino, Olympian, Montgomery and Santa Fe Christian - finishing with a perfect record.
What did we glean from the marathon weekend of hoops? Here are several key takeaways.
Montgomery distancing themselves from the field
The Aztecs are entering the fall as the pretty clear pick for preseason No. 1, and nothing that happened this weekend changed that opinion. If anything, they bolstered their case with blowout wins over Clovis West, Weston Ranch, Madison and Poway. The South Bay's standard bearer over the past two seasons hasn't skipped a beat defensively, as evidenced by holding opponents to under 30 points per game on the weekend. Offensively, they added a new wrinkle with the addition of 2026 G DK Montgomery, who led Mar Vista in scoring last season. While Montgomery's impact on the weekend's games was muted, it's clear that he provides the Aztecs with floor spacing and offensive firepower that will take pressure off of the "Big Four" of JJ and Alek Sanchez, Devin Hamilton and Xair Mendez.
Inside the crowded race for No. 2
Behind the Aztecs, several contenders for the No. 2 spot were in action, each showing various levels of worthiness. Mission Bay, who only played two games on Sunday, is the deepest of these squads, boasting a lineup of no fewer than 10 players who would be rotation players or starters at any other school. Led by the rapidly improving junior duo of 6-3 G Caleb Newton and 6-7 F Clay Grebing, the Bucs blew out Clovis West and led Weston Ranch deep into the contest before dropping a close game in overtime. St. Augustine, conversely, played its two games on Saturday, also splitting the games between the same opponents, but with a smaller margin of victory (beat Clovis West by 3) and a similar score in defeat (lost by 6 to Weston Ranch). The Saints played without starting sophomore guard Paisios Polamolu (football), key rotation players Johnny Stone and 6-9 freshman Gustavo Tellez (both injured). And reigning Open Division champions Carlsbad went 2-2, defeating Weston Ranch and Cathedral Catholic while dropping games to Clovis West and Corona Del Mar. In both losses, the Lancers rested their starters most of the second half.
Outstanding content. Great analysis.