A Look at Recently Seen Shooting Guards
This post follows on the heals of report on the most recent post players and wings that I had seen. The games I attended involved 1A-3A schools. Inclusive of combo guards, this look also includes players who also play the wing position.
Colby senior Hallie Vaughn Hallie Vaughn 5'6" | C Colby | 2020 State KS elevates on her three point shot during a USJN tournament in Wichita. Photo by Robert Kelly.
#107, 2020, Hallie Vaughn Hallie Vaughn 5'6" | C Colby | 2020 State KS , 5’6″, Colby, Ohlde Elite – Vaughn was a Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 3A honorable mention all-state selection a year ago. A four-year starter she averaged 17.6 points through first 7 games of 2020. In 2019 she averaged 14.5 points and 3 steals. She also shot 70% from the free throw line. Fast and aggressive with the ball, she finishes well with both hands. While not a great shooter, although she has 20′ range and shoots with elevation (see left) on her jump shot she is a strong scorer. Her aggressiveness is found on the glass as well, particularly on the offensive end. Selected to the 2020 Orange & Black all-tournament team.
#24, 2022, Brooklynn Jones Brooklynn Jones 5'7" | PG Colby | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, Colby, Ohlde Elite – Jones averaged 10 points per game through first 7 games of 2020. A year ago she was a Great West Activities Conference second team selection. Fast with the ball in transition, she has a quick crossover dribble to start a drive. She is the quickest guard on a strong team and that includes hands. She is very able to pick pockets. Cutting down on turnovers will help with consistency on the offensive end.
Scott City 2022 Brynn McCormick Brynn McCormick 5'7" | SG Scott Community | 2022 State KS .
#38, 2022, Brynn McCormick Brynn McCormick 5'7" | SG Scott Community | 2022 State KS , 5’7″, Scott City, Western Kansas Elite – McCormick, a 2019 Great West Activities Conference honorable mention selection, continues developing into a strong three point and freethrow shooter – (Jan 2020 vs Colby 7/12 3FG, 4/5 FTM): In Scott’s first matchup with league rival Colby she hung 31 points on them. In the rematch, in the Orange & Black tournament final, she hit four threes in Scott’s overtime win. She also showed she could beat any Colby off the bounce if she did not rush the play, make effective use of a Euro step, and absorb contact on the finish. McCormick has good bounce to her jumpers off the pull-up or catch. Defensively she is very solid against quick opposing guards. Solid motor, handles, and vision in transition. McCormick was the 2020 Orange & Black tournament MVP.
NR, 2020, Jacy Rose, 5’6″, Scott City – Rose is fierce defensively. She also is a solid three point threat. Strong defender against quick, smart guards including against post screens.
NR, 2021, Molly McClure Molly McClure 5'5" | CG Hugoton | 2021 State KS , 5’5″, Hugoton – McClure’s effectiveness often does not show up in the box score. An active and smart on the defensive end, she often draws opposing point guards to defend. Would like to see improvement in ball handling fluidity with both hands. Does not score often, most likely due to the number of scorers and shooters on the team like her teammate below.
#6, 2023, Mikyn Hamlyn, 5’8″, Hugoton, Wheat State Elite – Hamlyn is high IQ with a strong all-around game on both ends of the floor. In Hugoton’s defeat of Sterling in the championship game of the Sterling Invitational she stuffed the box score. She led all scorers with 16 points while shooting 50% from the field, including 1/2 from three, and 9/10 from the line. She also pulled down 11 rebounds. Hamlyn is very fast with the ball in transition but has some propensity to turn the ball over as a result of her aggressiveness. At the July 2019 Reign the Plains she showed a good ball fake from the wing to get to the hole, was fast, and hustled in transition.
#73, 2022, Makenna Linden Makenna Linden 5'4" | SG Sterling | 2022 State KS , 5’6″, Sterling, SC Dream – Linden has good speed with the ball in transition and has some ability to get to the hole off the bounce. Absolute money from the free throw line.
Central Christian 2020 Kaylee Kauffman Kaylee Kauffman 5'5" | SG Central Christian | 2023 State KS beating a Elyria Christian defender off the dribble. Photo by Robert Kelly
NR, 2023, Kaylee Kauffman Kaylee Kauffman 5'5" | SG Central Christian | 2023 State KS , 5’5″, Central Christian – Did a a good job of looking up the floor for open teammates while handling the ball in transition. Showed good speed in transition against Elyria Christian. She is a good three point shooter from the corners.
NR, 2023, Allie Stone Allie Stone 5'5" | CG Elyria Christian | 2023 State KS , 5’5″, Elyria Christian – Stone repeatedly beat Central Christian defenders off the bounce due to her quick, aggressive first step.
Featured image: Sterling 2022 guard Makenna Linden Makenna Linden 5'4" | SG Sterling | 2022 State KS challenged at the basket by Hugoton players while Hugoton’s Mckenna Hamlin Mckenna Hamlin 5'3" | CG Hugoton | 2021 State KS , 2, and Mikyn Hamlin Mikyn Hamlin 5'8" | CG Hugoton | 2023 State KS , 25, and Sterling’s Kayla Morris Kayla Morris 5'10" | SF Sterling | 2021 State KS look on. Photo by Robert Kelly.