Templeton’s Hattar making impact on state and national level

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Just when I think I’ve uncovered a hidden gem, you know, one of those basketball players that posts big numbers off the beaten path up North, another diamond in the rough surfaces. This time, it’s Michael Hattar of Templeton, although earlier in the week my sleeper pick was Dylan Royer.

Back to Hattar. No one has been hotter lately, that is, statistically speaking. The senior guard has scored 30 or more points in 9 of 13 games this season, including the last seven outings in a row for the Eagles heading into Wednesday’s Los Padres League game against Cabrillo. Wait, it gets better. Much better if you like crunching numbers.

Two games ago, Hattar scored 50 points against Santa Maria. The effort helped boost his average to 32.5 points a game, a total ranking him second overall in the state, according to MaxPreps.com. Yep, that’s right, Hattar averages more than Southern California standouts Demar DeRozan and Jrue Holiday. In fact, his 32.5 ppg ranks fourth in the nation. Now that’s a hidden gem.

-- Sean Ceglinsky