2021 Rankings update: Deep Sleepers at guard position
We have discussed at nauseum some of the top guards in the state heading into their junior year. The 2021 class is a class that due to them being so young we have not seen a ton of them. They…
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Continue ReadingWe have discussed at nauseum some of the top guards in the state heading into their junior year. The 2021 class is a class that due to them being so young we have not seen a ton of them. They are role players or relegated to typically coming off of the bench but there also were some that made an impact from the beginning. Looking at this class, this is one that will have plenty of late bloomers that will make some noise come Senior season. Taking a look back at last season and also with some jumping on the scene in grassroots there were a few guards that jumped out and captured our eyes from this junior class.
We like to call them sleepers, or in this case deep sleepers. These prospects have what it takes to impact the next level, and most likely will. Take a look at the deep sleepers at the guard position!
(Number is their ranking)
Deep Sleepers:
- Dylan Carter – Chatfield
Carter is a place that we dropped the ball. He should be rated higher, we will have to see if he can sustain it for another year. Right now, he is our 28th rated player in the class but looking at how he played last year he might be a bit better, consistency will be key. Carter was one of the readiest scorers in the class as a sophomore. He put up 10.7 points, the most of any underclassmen on his team and will head into his junior season as the leading scorer. It will be up to him to lead the team. He was a marksman from deep as he shot over 42 percent from beyond the arc, he got to the rim and finished as well which showed off his versatility and also found the open man. He will have to continue in those efforts and I think this is the year that he gets the credit that he deserves.
- Luke Yoder — Fossil Ridge
Yoder was another one of those players whose success of the team made him take a dip as he also had an ultra-productive year. He was the leading scorer for the Sabercats at 12.3 points points a game and with a few games where he exploded for over 20 points he showcased that he is capable of having one of those big games, consistency is the name of the game. Yoder is a small but crafty guard that can shoot lights out from beyond the arc. He shot 40 percent from the field and was efficient in his efforts despite being the focal point of the offense. If was able to average double-digits as a sophomore just think about what is in store for him come junior and senior season. He plays tough on-ball defense and runs the offense. Fossil Ridge will look to build and have a better season and it starts with their point guard as he will be forced to be the best player this season and a better leader. Good things are coming from Yoder.
- Boston Staton – Denver East
Staton is a player that got his feet wet in his sophomore season but was a player that made it difficult for Coach Rudey Carey to keep out of the game for long stints as he made winning plays and brought it on both ends of the floor. He is a high IQ player both offensively and defensively and his ability to affect the game on defense gets him going. Offensively he is a talented guard that can score the basketball. He averaged 5.6 points a game and had a few games that he erupted for double-digit scoring. He will have to be able to keep up that play and make it work even on big games. Staton should have a better year and be asked to do a bit more, he will have to step it up a notch in all areas if he plans on being a go-to player.
- Ryan Moe – Thomas Jefferson
Moe is also another player that went unnoticed as the Spartans did not have a year that they were expected to have but Moe was a guard that averaged eight points, three rebounds and just under two assists per game. He also was a player that was utilized on the defensive end as well as he played the passing lanes well and did not get attacked often. For a guard to have that kind of poise in a league with good guard play, there are positives that he can take into the next year. In the Spartans final loss to Centaurus he was able to put up 15 points. That is the type of production that TJ will need from Moe this year as they will not be as big of a team this year but will have some great guard play. He can shoot the ball; can play a bit off ball and he also was pretty efficient. This season with more minutes he should see an increase in all numbers and also will be a player can continue crashing the boards (3.0 rpg) and making the offensive guy work for it. Moe is a hard worker that makes it tough to take him off of the court. Junior year should be his coming out party.
- Brody Gish – Doherty
Gish was an athletic combo guard that used that athleticism to create easy opportunities for himself. He is strong and quick with a high basketball IQ and played with grit which leads to easy baskets. He averaged eight points and three rebounds a game and was also able to go off for a few games in which he scored over 12 points. He can shoot the ball, score in the post and also attack on the perimeter which makes it difficult for other defenders. He does play a bit more off-ball but is a standout guard that has to be guarded. This season he will have to up that play even more and with another year of experience under his belt with the improvements from others on his team I believe that Doherty will be a team that will surprise a few teams.