Neosho Holiday Classic: Top Guards

The Neosho Holiday Classic featured one of the most competitive fields in the area last week, and there was talent at all levels on display from Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ohio, and Arkansas. The field was packed with impressive guards looking to raise their stock and will their team to victory. Here is our rundown of the playmakers and shooters who caught our eye.   Playmakers: 6'2 Jr Evan Guillory - Joplin Evan has a college frame, college strength, and certainly possesses college athleticism. His bounce is a large reason why his Eagles have coined the nickname "The Joplin Jammers" from Earl and the Prep Hoops staff. The Slam Dunk Contest Champion at Neosho, Evan soared over opponents throughout the weekend and used his tremendous strength to finish his drives through contact.   6'1 Jr Zach Westmoreland - Joplin The other piece of Joplin's highflying tandem, Zach can get off the floor as well and has a knack for getting to the line and cashing in from the charity stripe. He's another strong built wing who can play multiple positions and uses his strength to impose his will and get to the cup. As those two go, the Eagles go this season.   5'11 So Jaden Hameed - Villa Angela St. Joseph (OH) Jaden is the prime definition of "playmaker" and we walked away very impressed with him at Neosho. In a loss against Arkansas powerhouse West Memphis, Jaden did everything in his power to keep his team close throughout. He is a very shifty ballhandler that understands change of pace and can maneuver through the tightest of spaces. He can stroke it from mid-range and has deep range to 3. He also plays with grit and toughness, evidenced by a drive and finish on the highly touted big man from West Memphis. Low to mid-major D1 programs have been clamoring over Jaden, and I expect his profile to continue to rise and the offers to keep rolling in.   6'4 Sr Brahm Harris - Maumelle (AR) Any time this young man is mentioned in Arkansas, the consensus is he is vastly underrated. He finds himself just outside the Top 25 rankings in his state, but you could make a case that he is a top 15 talent. He possesses projectable size and athleticism and can flat out fill it up for a deep and talented Hornets team. He opened up the semi-final match-up against a very good Memphis Mitchell group by dropping 20 first half points. He has a stop on a dime pull-up with good elevation and can stroke it from beyond the arc.   5'6 Sr Cavin Paige - West Memphis (AR) I have seen Cavin now several times this season and am very pleased to see the offers rolling in for him. He is an absolute winner and is going to make a college coaching staff very happy with his high motor and playmaking ability. He is one of the most gifted passers in his state, a tenacious on-ball defender, and can score when called upon.   6'0 Sr's Michael/Mikell Rice - Mitchell (TN) Memphis Mitchell is one of the more storied programs in their area, having reached 6 consecutive state tournaments prior to last season. They have a chance to start a new streak this year in large part due to their talented back-court tandem of Michael and Mikell Rice. Both are very athletic players who excel on both ends of the floor. Either is capable of putting up 30 on a given night. They rebound well and both have a knack for going coast to coast in transition and getting to the foul line.   Honorable Mention: <ul> <li>Connor Deffebaugh - Bentonville</li> <li>Caleb Mosley - Craigmont</li> <li>AC Marion - Neosho</li> <li>Kalun Baker - Ruskin</li> </ul>   Sharpshooters: 6'5 Jr Colton Simmons - Bentonville At 6'5 with a long wingspan and a smooth stroke, Colton stood out as one of the better shooters in the field. He gets a ton of open looks in the Tigers offense, but can use his length to get a quality look off over a defender. When he is in rhythm, he can really fill it up.   6'4 Sr Dawson Bailey - Bentonville West Dawson won the 3 Point Shootout in dominant fashion by hitting 41 out of 50 three point attempts against the timer. Yes, he can knock them down in games as well. Very impressive.   5'9 Jr Immanuel Hoard - West Memphis Hoard was quiet the first time I saw him at the Ozark Mountain Shootout, but he absolutely caught my eye at Neosho burying three after three for the Blue Devils. He is a hand down, man down automatic threat when he is shooting with confidence.   5'10 Sr Michael Lorthridge - Ruskin Michael stood out in the 3 Point Shootout as well. He had a very impressive 17 in the first round which earned him a spot in the final. Although, he didn't win, he had another solid effort in the final round. He has a fluid release and is dead-eye from the top of the key.   5'10 Fr Always Wright - Joplin Outside from having the best name in the state, Joplin's Always Wright already has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc. The fact that he is only a freshman, gaining big time experience, and still has a lot of room and time to grow, makes him a young shooter to keep a close eye on in the years to come.   Honorable Mention: <ul> <li>Josh Smith - Bentonville</li> <li>Corliss Brewer - West Memphis</li> <li>Graham Koppelman - Villa Angela</li> <li>Jordan Calhoun - Villa Angela </li> </ul>