IUSABB/IGBRR State Tourney Review: Point Guards
As an evaluator, you get to a point during a season (whether it be high school or grassroots), where you attend games & events specifically seeking out prospects you haven’t seen in a while (or even at all). This past…
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Continue ReadingAs an evaluator, you get to a point during a season (whether it be high school or grassroots), where you attend games & events specifically seeking out prospects you haven’t seen in a while (or even at all). This past weekend I spent a great deal of time either viewing kids for the first time this Spring, or reviewing kids I didn’t feel I spent enough time watching over the last couple of months. Below are eight point guards who I wanted to highlight today for one reason or another.
Hannah Bolton, 2020, 5-4 G, Monroe Central H.S., Indiana Bears
Hannah is a shorter, but wiry strong combo guard who plays with a lot of fight. She is a solid athlete, but her game is built on understanding situations and knowing when to attack (at both ends), and when to play with a calming poise. She is a very nice scorer at all levels, a good perimeter shooter, and she’s an underrated passer because she doesn’t always play on the ball, as her twin is more of a pure point guard. Hannah has been one half of a dynamic scoring duo at Monroe Central the past two seasons, but this coming season she could be more of a focal point.
Kyrstin Bond, 2020, 5-7 G, South Dearborn H.S., Team Indiana Central
This was my first time seeing Kyrstin this Spring, and she continues to impress with her combination of understanding and skill. She is a strong combo guard, she actually looks a little leaner and more explosive this Spring, she has really good ball skills, an accurate perimeter shot, and she plays under control. She grew up as more of a shooter/scorer, but as her game has matured, she has become much more efficient and is picking her spots to score much better, not forcing shots as much. I just really like her overall feel for the game.
Payton Dissett, 2020, 5-6 PG, Hamilton Heights H.S., Indiana Showcase-Sinclair
Hamilton Heights has a potentially loaded backcourt for next season, with Bayleigh Runner (below) and Jillian Osswald (2021) also returning. Payton is very quick/fast, feisty, and she plays with a great motor. She is a good ball-handler, a more than willing passer, but she can also knock down open perimeter shots when in rhythm. She gets by defenders pretty easily and will attack, but she almost looks to give it up too much, though she also typically makes the correct decision. I really like her poise and patience, and I think she will make a really nice point guard at the next level.
Lexie Green, 2020, 5-8 PG, Southport H.S., Team Indiana-Burton
Lexie is one of my favorite point guards in 2020 who very few people talk about. Her high school team hasn’t been great during her career, and this is the first year she’s played 17U in front of many people. She is a long, fluid, and smooth athlete, she’s a tough kid even though she’s somewhat slender, and she plays with a good motor. She is more of a creator off the bounce, and she seemingly glides to the basket with ease. She can knock down open perimeter shots, but she’s just so good off the bounce right now. Her length and athletic ability also help her at the defensive end of the floor, where she can guard the ball but is also great in trapping situations.
Bayleigh Runner, 2020, 5-7 PG, Hamilton Heights H.S., Indiana Flight-Duke
Bayleigh is another really good point guard flying somewhat under the radar in terms of her recruiting. This was actually my first time seeing her during the grassroots season, because in the other two tournaments I saw this team, she was participating in high school softball. Bayleigh is a bit thin, but she’s extremely long, very quick/fast and athletic, and she has a tough mindset. When she attacks the basket, she goes hard and actually seeks out contact. She can knock down open jumpers consistently, and she plays with a bounce in her step. I think she can become an elite defender, because she is certainly long enough and quick enough.
Aubrey Burgess, 2021, 5-6 PG, Linton-Stockton H.S., Indiana Showcase-Sinclair
I know I mentioned Aubrey the other day, but I can’t go without writing about her one more time. Her play this Spring has been outstanding, and I feel like each time I see her, she’s more confident, more assertive, and just all-around better. She is definitely a point guard, and you wouldn’t necessarily think that by just watching her high school team, as she fulfills multiple roles there. She is quick/fast, good with the ball, and she doesn’t try to do too many things outside of her capabilities. As she continues to get stronger and play against the tougher grassroots competition, I can even see her drawing some solid Division-I interest because the potential is there.
Audra Emmerson, 2021, 5-5 PG, Fishers H.S., Indiana Elite Prime
If you walked by Audra on the street, you probably wouldn’t think much of her as a basketball prospect. She is about average height, maybe a little shorter, very thin, and just doesn’t necessarily look the part. Then when you see her on the floor, she’s long, quick/fast, very feisty, and productive for her size. She has good ball skills, a knack for making the right play, and she can knock down open jumpers consistently when left alone. She will need to gain obvious strength, but her tenacity and grit help her succeed, no matter who she faces off against. I think she can become a high-level defender because of her length and quickness.
Ryan Viele, 2022, 5-7 G, Hamilton Southeastern H.S., Indy Magic-Andrus
This coming season, Hamilton Southeastern will be looking to fill the void left by several graduates, and Ryan could very well earn an opportunity to get quality Varsity minutes. She is thin, but she’s extremely long, extremely fast North/South, and she’s somewhat bouncy. She plays with a lot of energy and explosiveness, and she just blows by defenders off the bounce with ease. She seems tough, she has a good motor, and her skillset is really coming around. She can handle it some and run offense, but she has also improved her perimeter shooting. She has always had athletic talent, and now that the skill and understanding is setting in, she is a really nice prospect long-term.