Guards in Charge: Floor Generals You Want at the Helm
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Every team needs that player who’s the coach on the floor. A player who can control the tempo of the game with their keen sense of when to attack, when to slow down and work the defense, and one who…
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Continue ReadingEvery team needs that player who’s the coach on the floor. A player who can control the tempo of the game with their keen sense of when to attack, when to slow down and work the defense, and one who can get a good look no matter the circumstances. More often than not, such a player is the PG, and this list features six natural point guards who lead their team in high pressure moments. Dig in!
Shelby Companion Shelby Companion 5'6" | CG CVU | 2023 State NewE , 5’9 G – Lone Wolf Athletics Class of ’23
Companion is a two-way combo guard who can take the reins at point guard or play off ball. When Shelby handles the rock, she exudes poise and control. Companion can push the ball in transition and get to the rim at will with her strength, and if nothings there, she’ll allow the play to develop as shooters and rim runners fill lanes. Shelby’s vision, facilitation, and passing ability are impressive; I’ve noticed her calmy see the play unfold and snap a pass through a window that she knew intuitively would open up. In the halfcourt too, Companion isn’t one to force the issue. She’s capable of finding her own look but usually she’ll let the play develop organically. Defensively, Shelby moves her feet and uses her strength well, making ballhandlers uncomfortable with her pressing ability. She disrupts passing lanes with active hands and can rebound as well as any guard. Shelby leads by example on both ends of the floor and affects every play.
Yvonne Roberge, 5’7 G – Blueprint Basketball Class of ’23
Yvonne has got grit! Roberge is the type of player who might force a turnover with her defensive prowess, break out in transition and finish at the rim with contact. Or she might bring the ball up with composure against pressure and get the offense in rhythm while dealing with a defender in her face. Yvonne has no quit in her, and she lifts her teammates’ abilities with the confidence and trust she puts in them. Yvonne is capable of getting her own shot, but she’s more apt to get everyone involved in order to work the defense and get the best look possible. Roberge is feisty team player with great intangibles, furthermore, she’s got the mentality and drive to go head to head with anybody.
Karsyn Bellomo, 5’8 G – Blueprint Basketball Class of ’23
The game seems to come so naturally to Karsyn that it looks like she was born to hoop. Against pressure, Karsyn displays her tight handle and ability to change pace, shaking defenders loose. In the halfcourt, Bellomo is capable of creating shots for herself or others quite easily. She’s got a crispy crossover that she can go left or right with and it pairs nicely with her ability to score at all three levels. Defensively, Karsyn grinds. Her feet are quick, she’s strong through her core and she has solid anticipation. She puts all that together seamlessly by pressing handlers, sticking in their air space, and making life difficult for the opposition’s whole offensive unit. Bellomo is capable of running a full 32 minutes with essentially the same energy from start to finish. She’s got a lot of game.
Elyse Macdonough Elyse Macdonough 5'7" | PG Rice Memorial | 2025 NewE , 5’8 G – Lone Wolf Athletics Class of ’24
If you don’t know about Elyse, you’re basically out of the loop. MacDonough is VT’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore, she was integral to Rice Memorial High School’s championship run and has been burning up New England’s AAU circuit. Elyse is an all-around hooper who plays hard on both ends of the floor and is as hungry as anybody. She’s a consistent threat from all three levels whether it’s off the catch or the dribble, a poised ballhandler and an intense on-ball defender. Elyse can rain threes from 20+ feet or slash by defenders who are playing her too tight. Even with all her scoring ability, she does a good job of setting up teammates in the offense, getting others in rhythm and making the defense work. On the defensive end, Elyse does a good job of pressing while rarely getting burned and rotates well into help position. MacDonough is the full package.
Cassie Beste Cassie Beste 5'6" | CG Phillips Exeter Academy | 2024 State NewE , 5’6 G – Lone Wolf Athletics Class of ’24
Beste is currently out as she takes care of an injury, but no one should be mistaken, she’s got game. Cassie is a smooth lefty with a compact handle, and her size plays in her favor as she’s able to keep the ball and her center of gravity low. With that, Beste is adept at dismantling presses or calmly setting up the offense. Furthermore, her shot is beautiful with nice arc on it, and her range stretches out to 20+ feet. Cassie can facilitate with the ball in her hand and create shots for others, but when she’s off-ball she spaces well and finds openings to break the defense down. Beste can clamp up on defense and she excels with help rotations and communication. Cassie is a real one.
Bree McDonald, 5’7 G – Blueprint Basketball Class of ’25
McDonald is a scoring point guard who can fill it up in a hurry. Bree can score at all three levels, and I expect her consistency to improve as she ages and her game matures. McDonald has a clean handle that she utilizes well against pressure in both the halfcourt and against the press, and moreover, her handle makes her highly capable of getting to her spots. McDonald has a good sense of tempo and is an intuitive scorer, furthermore, she has great quickness and speed which she uses nicely on both ends of the floor. I’m excited to see how Bree flourishes as her game continues to grow.