2022 Rankings Update: Predicting Stock Boosting Guards
This was a rankings update that took us quite some time as we made sure to see as many prospects as we could in person as well as look at how they fared throughout the summer and began the season.…
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Continue ReadingThis was a rankings update that took us quite some time as we made sure to see as many prospects as we could in person as well as look at how they fared throughout the summer and began the season. The 2022 class is a fun one because these players are so young and going through so many adaptations rather it be with their body and growing, adapting to high school life and the idea of practice daily or just understanding the game of basketball in a new way. This was our first time ranking the 2022 class and this is a class that I can already tell will have a MASSIVE movement in the next two seasons. We will have plenty of updates by the time that this group graduates but here are some guards that we are predicting will make a jump in our next rankings.
Jackson Keil – Sterling
Keil is one of the bigger guards in the state as he stands at 6’2 but with a solid point guard alongside him, he plays more off of the ball. He is playing a crucial role for the No. 3 team in 3A and is helping deliver victory after victory. Sterling is 13-2 on the season and has seen their guard blossom as the season has progressed. He is in a groove right now and understands what it is he is supposed to be doing on the team. He does a bit of everything as he is putting up 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and has also been one of the better passers on the team as he is dishing off 3.2 assists a game and finding lanes for his teammates as well. Keil is a strong and crafty guard that plays hard at all times, he is invested on both ends of the floor and he is already off to a great start of a career that I feel will be special. He is No. 20 right now in the class but with how much he is relied on, his production and potential – he will rise.
Jaeton Hackley – Douglas County
A point guard that is off to a really good sophomore season is Jaeton Hackley over at Douglas County. He is consistent, he has a great understanding and feel for the game and he also is a true point guard that scores at ease but also gets others involved. He is a team-first guard that is willing to do everything he can to try and get his team a win. He’s averaging a team-high 14.1 points a game with some pretty good scorers around him, he passes well (3.1 apg) and also defends at a high level as seen by his 2.3 steals a game. He is a guard with high upside that the game seems to slow down for which you don’t see at an early age. He has put up double figures in 14 straight games and even when his shot is not falling he finds ways to affect the game in different ways. Hackley is a guard whose game I really like and feel as if he is only going to get better. He is at No. 23 right now but I think he surely rises.
Jaiden Flowers – Palmer
Palmer is one of the most middle of the pack teams that I have seen this year. They have a really good player that they run the offense through and then a bunch of pieces that work well together to get the job done. One of the important pieces that keep them going is sophomore guard Jaiden Flowers. Flowers is putting up 7.1 points a game and is also dishing out 2.2 assists as well. He got his feet wet on varsity as a freshman and this season has had an up and down start to the season. One thing is about his game is when he is on, he is on. He is a guard that can play on and off of the ball. His jump shot will need a bit of improvement but once he gets that, he is going to be a very difficult player to defend. He is quick, smart and gifted and is a player to look at moving forward that I feel will come into his own. He is at No. 36 now but should move up.
Henry Gamble — Mountain Vista
Henry Gamble is a guard that continues to show flashes. He is not the team’s leading scorer, rebounder or assist-man but what he does do is star in his role and understand his limitations. He does not step out of his comfort zone or try and force the issue but he is a guard that takes care of the ball, gives great energy and hustles when he is inserted into the game and seeing as he exploded for 25 points against a Top-10 team we see that he can be relied on at times. Mountain Vista is a balanced group but has plenty of seniors on the team. When they graduate he will get more time to show what he has and he definitely has intangibles to build around. He will continue to give his all for this team while working on his game and I am sure he will be ready come summer to show that he belongs.
Luke Williams – DSST: Green Valley Ranch
Luke Williams is a guard that has not been spoken about much and plenty of it has to do with the DSST schools not getting the attention that they deserve but make no mistake about it, DSST: Green Valley Ranch is a really good team that is right on the brink and their guard is a big reason why. Williams is helping orchestrate a team that is right on the cusp of being a Top-10 team with a 12-4 record and he is putting up some big scoring games. Williams is averaging 16.1 points a game. He is shooting the ball, breaking defenders down and finishing and also running the offense. He has been playing a bit more off of the ball with his ability to score in different ways but is also dishing out 2.9 assists a game. He is a player that jumped on our radars as a freshman as he played a ton and upped his game this season. He is currently the No.51 player in the class but with how he has played this year and a summer that he is in front of our guys and competing against other top players in the state he should rise by next ranking.