Little Guys Playing Big
There have been some small guards who are putting up some big numbers around the state during the early weeks of the season. Here is a look at some of those talented little big men.
Brandon Frederick 5’10” Confluence Academy: “L’il Buckets” has been phenomenal during the first three weeks of the season in averaging 30 points a game while shooting an impressive 50 percent from 3-point range. In his first game, Frederick scored 33 points and made nine 3-pointers in the first round of the Washington (IL) Tournament of Champions and he has been rolling ever since. The 2018 guard is quick and he’s able to create a shot for himself at any time from just about anywhere on the floor.
Javaunte Hawkins 5’10” Lee’s Summit North: The talented 2019 guard put on a show at last weekend’s Webster Classic in leading North to a third-place finish. He scored a tournament record 85 points in the three games, including 31 points in a first-round win over Soldan and a school record 39 points in a victory over Staley in the third-place game. His smooth handles, creativity with the ball and perimeter shot making were on full display over the weekend. Very impressive.
Tayari Goodwin 5’8″ Parkway North: After winning only two games last season, the 2019 guard has the Vikings out of the game with three early wins and looking much like one of the most improved teams of 2018. The quick ball handler with the excellent perimeter stroke is averaging nearly 20 points a game. He scored a season-high 29 points in a victory over Parkway South in the Gerald Linneman Classic.
Damien Loyd 5’10” Kirkwood: The 2019 point guard is off to a fast and furious start for the 3-0 Pioneers. An excellent pass-first point guard who likes to set up his teammates, Loyd has really amped up the scoring pace early in the season to the tune of nearly 25 points a game. He scored 31 in a victory over Willard at last weekend’s Ozark Mountain Shootout. Loyd is also shooting 58 percent from the field while averaging four assists and three steals a game.
Isaac Haney 5’9″ Dora: One of the most impressive players in the Class of 2021, Haney has stepped in and become an immediate impact player for the Falcons as a young bucket-getter. In the first two weeks of the season, Haney is averaging 24 points a game while shooting more than 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line. I watched him at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in St. Louis and was impressed with his ability to create his own shot and knock down jumpers from long distance.