Class of 2023: Guards Introduction
Continuing on with our class of 2023 rankings content, it is now time for the guards to get some shine. I am impressed with the depth at the guard position for this class. With continued development and growth, there are…
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Continue ReadingContinuing on with our class of 2023 rankings content, it is now time for the guards to get some shine. I am impressed with the depth at the guard position for this class. With continued development and growth, there are around 10 current freshman guards that could have a shot at playing Division 1 basketball or Division 2 at the least. Speed kills and this group has it! There are also some more skilled guards that will be noted below.
Introducing 2023 Guards:
5’9 PG Mjracle Sheppard (Eastside Catholic HS) – Toughness, aggression and fearlessness are three description words for Mjracle’s playing style. She’s been on Division 1 school’s radars since 7th grade and has continued to see her recruitment gain momentum.
5’5 PG Malia Samuels Malia Samuels 5'7" | PG Garfield | 2023 State #46 Nation WA (Eastside Catholic HS) – A point guard with a scorer’s mentality first and foremost. Malia can drive and score or hit the three ball, but her best attribute is probably her defense. She picks up full-court and gets into passing lanes with the best of them.
5’7 PG Hope Hassmann Hope Hassmann 5'7" | CG Tahoma | 2023 State WA (Tahoma HS) – Hope put together one of the most impressive freshman seasons out of any player on this list with her nearly 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals per game. The skill set is there and she is on pace to become another household name in the state.
5’9 PG Nikole Thomas Nikole Thomas 5'10" | CG Kamiakin | 2023 State WA (Kamiakin HS) – An athlete who’s skill set improved some over the high school season by running the point guard for Kamiakin all Winter. Nikole can play on or off the ball at this stage, but continued development of her ability to play the one was huge for her! She has some Division 1 schools that are already in contact and tracking her progress.
5’8 SG Isabel Sullivan Isabel Sullivan 5'11" | SG Eastside Catholic | 2023 State WA (Eastside Catholic HS) – A lefty guard that can get hot from the outside with the best of them. She is very much a “shooter”, but she is more than that when you watch her play several games. Isabel can make plays off the bounce, she has a good handle and can set her teammates up as well. Finished the season with 15 points per game and 39.8% from three. *Feature image
5’7 SG Angie Cavanaugh Angie Cavanaugh 5'7" | 145 lbs | SG Tahoma | 2023 State WA (Tahoma HS) – Tahoma’s second backcourt standout with a promising future. Angie has a good skill set for her age, as well as the basketball IQ to compete against older players.
5’8 CG Baylee Young Baylee Young 5'8" | CG Gig Harbor | 2023 WA (Gig Harbor HS) – The next one up out of Gig Harbor! Gone are Maddie Willett (Cal Poly) and Brynna Maxwell Brynna Maxwell 6'0" | CG Gig Harbor | 2019 State WA (Utah), but Baylee is ready to fill the void. She has outstanding footwork and gets to her spots on the floor well. Her midrange pull up is strong and Baylee can play either guard position.
5’9 CG Nevaeh Patterson Nevaeh Patterson 5'8" | CG Davis | 2023 State WA (Davis HS) – Not too many freshman lead their team in scoring, but Nevaeh did just that, regularly putting up strong scoring performances every night. She has a craftiness to her game that is fun to watch.
5’8 PG Kaylia Jackson Kaylia Jackson 5'8" | PG Eastlake | 2023 State WA (Eastlake HS) – Kaylia stepped into a big role as a freshman point guard for Eastlake and I expect that experience to really pay off in the future. She has athleticism and tools to work with that came out in flashes.
5’7 CG Myana Calloway Myana Calloway 5'7" | CG Bellevue | 2023 WA (Hazen HS) – An agile combo guard that excels in the transition game. Myana had a solid freshman season with 8 points and 2 steals per game, contributing at the varsity level each game. I will be tracking her progress over the course of time.
5’7 PG Rylee Leishman Rylee Leishman 5'7" | CG Ellensburg | 2023 State WA (Ellensburg HS) – Rylee got some big minutes during crunch time for Ellensburg throughout the season and that will pay dividends for the future. She is a solid player all around and capable of hitting the outside shot.
Others to know:
5’6 SG Jewel Young Jewel Young 5'6" | SG Decatur | 2023 WA (Decatur HS)
5’8 CG Ella Kaleta Ella Kaleta 5'10" | CG Bothell | 2023 WA (Bothell HS)
5’10 SG Kendall Omlin Kendall Omlin 5'10" | SG Ferris | 2023 WA (Ferris HS)
5’2 PG Jersey Huerta Jersey Huerta 5'4" | PG Kentwood | 2023 State WA (Kentwood HS)
5’5 PG Dulcy Solomon (Inglemoor HS)
5’6 CG Monique Carter Monique Carter 5'7" | PG Emerald Ridge | 2023 State WA (Emerald Ridge HS)