Victory Region Finals: 16U Point Guards
The featured image is of Emiyah Cobb (2023) of Clarksville Northwest H.S. (TN) and the Tennessee Sol Black 16U team. Memorial Weekend 2021 was the conclusion of the very first Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. There were three regional finals spread…
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Continue ReadingThe featured image is of Emiyah Cobb (2023) of Clarksville Northwest H.S. (TN) and the Tennessee Sol Black 16U team.
Memorial Weekend 2021 was the conclusion of the very first Prep Girls Hoops Circuit. There were three regional finals spread across the country, with Fishers High School in Central Indiana playing host to the Victory Region Finals. All of the teams in attendance were from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee. I was tasked with covering the entire 16U Division, so I wanted to take the time to highlight those players who stood out throughout the weekend. This is the first of four articles breaking down the 16U Division by positions, and yes, some of the highlighted prospects might have appeared earlier this week on our 16U All-Tourney team.
Asia Cochran, 2022, 5-7 PG, Westfield Preparatory H.S. (MI), Hype Athletics Red
Asia was undoubtedly one of the most athletic guards in the 16U Division at the Victory Region Finals last weekend. She is wiry strong, she possesses some length, and she has speed and quickness. She plays with a tough and determined attitude at both ends of the floor, she really gets into opposing guards defensively, plus she can make shots at all three levels, though she’s most effective attacking the basket to finish inside.
Devyn Barton, 2023, 5-6 PG, Castle H.S. (IN), S.W.I.S.H. City
Devyn has always been a strong, physical lead guard, but now that she has gotten older, she has grown a couple of inches, and she’s learning how to use that size and strength as an advantage. She is a nice downhill attacker, and I think where she has improved the most is in learning how to make a singular move, get the defender on her hip, and draw fouls. She plays with a motor, and her perimeter shot is more consistent.
Leah Brown, 2023, 5-7 PG, Holly Springs H.S. (NC), ABC Lightning Performance
Leah is a very intriguing talent with a lot of potential/upside. She is extremely long and wiry, she has nice North/South speed plus good lateral quickness, and she has a little bounce to her game. She is definitely a downhill attacker, first and foremost, and she loves to use the high ball-screen from her ‘bigs’. She can also be a real problem at the defensive end of the floor, using her length to cause deflections/steals.
Jermyra Christian, 2023, 5-5 PG, East Jessamine H.S. (KY), Overtime Performance-1
Jermyra is one of those kids who just has a nonstop motor. She’s a solid athlete, strong for her size, and she has good speed and quickness. But it’s her willingness to be as active as she is that really helps her team. She can also get to the basket like a lot of these girls, but it’s her ability to also make shots outside that set her apart from much of this group. Jermyra is a really nice on-ball defender, and she causes a lot of turnovers.
Mattie Clanton, 2023, 5-4 PG, Meade County H.S. (KY), Team Firstep
Mattie isn’t very big, but she is extremely long at her height, and she’s a very quick/fast little water-bug who flies around the floor with great energy. She is a solid ball-handler and can change directions in an instant, but I think as she gets stronger, she’ll be more affective attacking the basket North/South. She can knock down a rhythm jumper when left alone, and she’s another quality on-ball defender who turns people over.
Emiyah Cobb, 2023, 5-7 PG, Clarksville Northwest H.S. (TN), Tennessee Sol Black
In my opinion, right now Emiyah is the most complete point guard on this list. She has a nice combination of talent, skill, and upside. She is extremely long, quick/fast, and she plays with a nice motor. She is tremendous in transition, nearly always making the correct decision, plus she can get to the rim and finish. Defensively, she uses her length and physical ability to be a high-level defender both on and off the ball.
Naiya Darden, 2023, 5-3 PG, Westfield Preparatory H.S. (MI), Hype Athletics White
Naiya is a strong, physical, athletic little bulldog who never stops. She has good burst, absorbs contact well, and explodes through gaps to finish inside the paint. She also has a solid pull-up game, and she is capable of knocking down a perimeter shot when in rhythm. I really like her aggressiveness, but once she learns how to sense tone and change speeds better, I think she could be an even bigger problem for opponents.
Grace Stapleton, 2023, 5-5 PG, Eastern Hancock H.S. (IN), Indiana Showcase
Grace is maybe the most skilled kid on this list, and she acts as a solid game manager at the point guard position. She does a really nice job of taking care of the basketball, she gets her team in their offense, she moves well when she doesn’t have the ball, plus she has a nice motor. She is a high-level perimeter shooter, with range, and she even began her high school season with a 7-9 performance from 3-point range.
Staci Williams, 2023, 5-6 PG, Holly Springs H.S. (NC), ABC Lightning Performance
When you pair Staci with Leah Brown (above), it gives this ABC Lightning team a backcourt duo that is tough to stop. Staci is another really nice athlete, she is fairly strong for her size, and she moves well in all directions. She’s another downhill attacker, she changes directions well in traffic, plus she can knock down an open 3-pointer if defenders try to sneak under the high ball-screen. I also enjoyed her effort defensively.
McKenzie Roark, 2024, 5-6 PG, Kettering Fairmont H.S. (OH), Dayton Metro
McKenzie is the lone 2024 on this list, and it’s usually pretty tough for younger point guard prospects to play ‘up’, but she has noticeable skill and ability. McKenzie has really good length, good speed and quickness, and she has a natural instinct for the game that allows her to often be a step or two ahead of her opponent. She also possesses an accurate jump-shot, with range, and her release is very quick and hard to defend.