Popular Categories

No categories found.

Local hoop players make notable list



Gifted OG guard MJ Madore (24) was one of five local players named to a notable list. Photo by Lenny Kerbs

Five Escondido-based high school hoopsters were recently included in the Union-Tribune’s Players to Watch list compiled by highly respected prep sportswriter John Maffei.

That quintet is made up of Orange Glen senior captains MJ Madore and Axel Riviera, Escondido Charter duo Danney Lopez and John Scates as well as Calvin Christian big man Vincent Patterson.

In the 6’1” Madore, the Pats have a hustling, athletic and smart leader who can score effectively from two levels and really defend. As for Riviera, he returns as an impactful swingman/starter who offers plenty of upside.

Meanwhile, Charter will count heavily on the 5-foot-7 Lopez, a determined point guard that makes contributions in numerous areas including scoring, rebounding, assists and creating steals. And then there’s Scates, a standout football player who also shines on the hardwood. Scates offers both a physicality and a tangible court presence. In addition, the 6’1 senior can hit from both distance and in close as his current 15.5 scoring average through two games would attest.

Rounding out the selectees is the 6-foot-6 Patterson, a genuine force to be reckoned with underneath. After nearly averaging a double-double last season (11.7 points, 9.1 rebounds), expect this evolving Crusader to definitely pad those numbers as he seeks to elevate a club looking to significantly improve on its 5-13 record of last season. 

Obviously, there will be plenty more hoopsters from the Escondido area that will merit keeping an eye on and tracking. Without a doubt, there’s a lot of local roundball talent that will distinguish itself in the weeks and months ahead.

But the aforementioned five that made the UT list will certainly bear close scrutiny because—based on the reviews they’ve generated—much will be expected of them during the 2022-23 season that recently commenced.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *