Boys’ basketball: Get ready for Max Hoetzel mania

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Every spring and summer, there’s a high school basketball player who captures the imagination of college basketball recruiters. A couple years ago, Spencer Dinwiddie of Taft was that player.

I’m predicting 6-foot-8 junior Max Hoetzel of Calabasas will be one of those players by the end of the summer.

He ended his junior season on Tuesday by scoring 25 points against Compton while making five of six shots from three-point range in a 3AAA quarterfinal playoff loss.

He was injured last season, so he has been under the radar, but he’s still growing and if he gets stronger in the weight room, beware.

There could be a battle to see which travel team he plays for. To me, he’s a player on the rise.

With him and point guard Jeremy Lieberman back next season, Calabasas will be just fine.

-- Eric Sondheimer