Best Area Guards: Corvallis
The Corvallis area is loaded with talented guards from seniors to freshmen. Today we take a dive into a few of the best guards in the area in Corvallis as we approach the final regular-season games of the season ahead of the 5A state playoffs.
Elka Prechel Elka Prechel 5'7" | SG Corvallis | 2022 State OR (2022 Corvallis) – The elder Prechel sister on the CHS roster, Elka is in her final season at Corvallis High and is an absolute nightmare on the perimeter for opposing defenses. Coming in at 5’7 Prechel is a sniper from behind the three-point line. Elka never stops moving on offense and is always a threat for a quick shot coming off a screen. In back-to-back games against conference rivals Crescent Valley and West Albany, Elka knocked down 5 or more threes in both games and averaged near 20 points per game in both contests.
Taylor Brasfield (2024 Corvallis) – Taylor Brasfield may not be the most physically imposing figure on the floor coming in at 5’3. But she still plays with a fire on both sides of the ball. Coming off the bench she is another weapon in the Spartan’s arsenal to light it up from beyond the arc. Brasfield runs well off of screens to get open for shots and can put the ball on the floor to create some action for her teammates. Defensively she isn’t afraid to mix it up with the bigger guards and try to poke some steals away from them. In a game against close town rival, West Albany, Brasfield knocked down 4 threes and ended her night with 18 points and 5 rebounds.
Gabby Bland Gabby Bland 5'8" | SG Crescent Valley | 2023 State OR (2023 Crescent Valley) – Bland has been one of the Raiders best scoring options this season and has been a big part of their success this season. She is a top-notch shooter from the outside. Measuring in at 5’7 she causes mismatches for smaller guards and can outmaneuver slower wings on her way to the hoop. In an earlier season matchup against Lebanon, Bland lit them up for a game-high 22 points followed later by a 29 performance against Central on the road to secure the Raiders in the top 10.
Nicole Huang (2023 Crescent Valley) – Though Huang might find more comfort on the soccer pitch after being selected to first-team all-state in 5A, her soccer skills translate really well to being able to see the whole floor and make the correct read to the open teammate. Standing at 5’9 her ability to see over smaller guards gives her a huge advantage. Huang is also a tough defender with her length and speed opposing guards have a hard time getting past her. She is also a capable shooter and finished with 14 points in the Raiders most recent win over Central.