Manny Fresh! Manny Cortez headlines the FTH All-Glue Team

Manny Cortez earned All-CIF Second Team and All Western League First Team honors, leading the Saints to the D1 Championship

The best teams in basketball are only as good as their role players. And the best role players can elevate a team beyond their statistical output.

We call them "glue guys" because their play is often the adhesive that keeps the team together. When they leave the court, their team tends to struggle. When they return, their team thrives.

St. Augustine senior Manny Cortez, a 6-3 forward, fits this description to a tee. Despite averaging less than 3 points per game, Cortez was often the most important player on the floor for the Saints. He guarded multiple positions, giving the undersized Saints an impactful deterrent in the paint. He often triggered the Saints offense has the secondary ball handler. And his ability to create for others with his selfless passing and playmaking (averaged nearly 5 assists per game) made him a favorite among his teammates.

His impact did not go unnoticed by his opponents, as Western League coaches named him to the All League first team and All-CIF selection committee named him to the All San Diego Section Second Team, an unprecedented honor for a player not among the section's scoring leaders.

To that end, Cortez is the Full-Time Hoops Glue Guy of the Year.

Here is the rest of the "All Glue" Team.

The Full-Time Hoops All Glue Team

Alek Sanchez, 6-4 2025 G, Montgomery

Sacrificed scoring to engineer the Aztecs offensive attack, providing elite ball security and playmaking that elevated the entire unit.

Isaiah Owens, 6-2 2026 W, Victory Christian

Took on more of an offensive role this year, but continued to do the little things for the Knights, including defend, rebound and give his team extra possessions due to his hustle.

Jair Benjamin, 6-3 2025 W, Lincoln

Arguably the hardest playing player in San Diego, Benjamin was relentless on the boards and the defensive end. Earned All Eastern League honors as a result of his exploits.

Treyshawn Degrate, 5-9 2025 PG, San Diego

Another all-Eastern League selection, Degrate's court presence, game management, perimeter defense and competitive fire were integral to the Cavers success. Earned MVP of the Holiday Classic Mayor's Division.

Jake van der Vorste, 6-1 2026 G, Mission Hills

On a team that didn't have a "star" per se, van der Vorste was the glue that held the blue-collar Grizzlies together, earning a first-team All-Palomar selection in the process. The physical guard defended multiple positions and rebounded much bigger than his size.

Nico Whitchurch, 6-2 2027 W, Francis Parker

Quietly provided the Lancers with an unselfish, inside-out scoring presence and rebounded and defended on the interior. Whitchurch steadily improved as the season progressed.

Yaseen Chemsi and Xaiver King, 2026 Fs Olympian

On an undersized team, King and Chemsi, both 6-4, provided the Eagles with a bookend bigs that did all the dirty work on the interior. King was an exceptional position defender and "floor burn" guy who dove after loose balls, while King was a productive rebounder and rim deterrent.

Chato Garcia, 6-1 2026 G, Victory Christian

One of the toughest and smartest on-ball defenders in San Diego, Garcia was typically tasked with guarding the opponent's best perimeter option.

Kai Carlson, 6-5 2026 F, Cathedral Catholic

A big, versatile swingman, Carlson guarded 1-5 for the Dons and his versatility on that end made him an invaluable piece in the starting lineup.

Atreju De La Cruz, 6-0 2025 PG, Mission Bay

Consummate floor general did all the little things for his team: initiate offense, play underrated defense, knock down timely shots and provide senior leadership.

Jaden Hitipeuw, 6-2 2026 G, Santa Fe Christian

Down the stretch, Hitipeuw inherited the "glue guy" mantle from Drew Konsmo who was lost to a season-ending injury, and he thrived. His defense, tough slashing and energy catapulted him from a player in the rotation to an all-league selection.

Jorge Luque, 6-4 2026 W, Madison

One of the City Conference's most unsung players, Luque could be seen knocking down corner threes, defending the opponents best player on the block or on the perimeter and playing an unselfish brand of basketball in the half court and transition.

Kristian Giordano, 6-4 2026 W, Helix

Accepted the task of guarding the opposing team's best player, and frustrated many of SD's top scorers into low scoring nights.

Garry Dillard, 5-9 2025 G, Tri-City Christian

Undersized but phyiscal combo guard often took on the task of guarding opposing wings and bigs much bigger than him, and did so with great success. Unheralded as a scorer, Dillard made winning plays for the D4 champs all season.

Rohan Keswani, 6-1 2025 G, Sage Creek

Energetic defensive-minded guard was one of the more underrated on-ball defenders in San Diego, harassing opponents into turnovers and contested shots. Played a significant role in the Bobcats run to the D1 semifinals.

Shaun Verdida, 6-0 2025 G, Southwest SD

The backbone of the D3 finalist squad, Verdida did the things that didn't often show up in the stat sheet: deflections, secured 50/50 balls, rebounded much bigger than his height and played stout on-ball and off-ball defense.

Will Ralston, 6-1 2026 G, Maranatha Christian

On a team where fellow juniors Adrian Ownbey and Dash Ekeroth got many of the headlines, Ralston emerged as a reliable scorer, phyiscal rebounder and underrated playmaker that often led them in each category.