Southwest Prairie Conference: Which Returning Guards Should You Be Keeping An Eye On?

As we continue our look at the Southwest Prairie Conference, lets take a deeper dive at some players that look to control the tempo of the game and make a huge impact on both ends of the floor. The SPC is absolutely loaded at the Guard position and will make for some very fun match ups throughout the season. &nbsp; Joliet Central Sophomore PG <strong>Jalysa Stokes</strong> is a 5'6" point guard and returning all-conference player who averaged 15.2 PPG as a Freshman. <strong>Jazz Evans</strong>, Stokes’ teammate at Joliet West, is a returning two year starter. She, too, received all-conference recognition last season and can both shoot from deep and finish at the hoop consistently. Minooka SR PG <strong>Cierra Bachmann</strong> is back for a final season and prepared to hound opposing guards. Bachmann may be the best on-ball defender in the conference and scores a good deal of her points in transition. In the half-court game, though, she can also shoot it from deep with the rest of them. Oswego East JR <strong>Christine Corpuz</strong> returns for her third year on Varsity, during which she averaged 14 PPG Christine is the floor general of the team and doesn’t take any plays off. Her coach says she may be one of the best ball handlers in the state. Corpuz’ SR Oswego East teammate <strong>Chelsea McCullum</strong> can handle the ball as well and has ridiculous speed in the open court with odr without the ball.  She improved her shooting over the course of the past year and is ready to be a bigger scorer this year.  McCullum averaged about 10 PPG last year while coming off the bench, though she had multiple games of 20+ points including a 28-point game. Oswego HS 5’5’’ JR <strong>Angelina Schlinger</strong> is coming into her 3rd varsity season.  She will play point guard most of the season, but she can shoot the ball and attack the basket as well. Plainfield Central 5'4’’ SR <strong>Katie Kearney</strong> had her best season on varsity last year playing as a combo guard.  She is a very good shooter who plays hard on both ends of the floor. Her coach expects Katie to have a great final year at Central as she will likely break the all-time career three point record this season. Kearney’s Plainfield Central JR teammate <strong>Kachae Donald</strong> is a 5'8’’ Combo Guard who lead the team in scoring and hit a school record 69 three pointers last season.  Donald was team MVP, an all-conference selection and has a great chance to see her stock rise this season. Plainfield North<strong> Lexie Hernandez</strong> is a 5’4’’ SO Guard with unlimited range, which will help open up lanes for penetration. <strong>Shannon Smith</strong> is a 5’6’’ Sr Guard from Plainfield South who returns for her 4^th year on Varsity. She was the leading scorer last year (250 Total Points), best outside threat (28 3PM) and main ball-handler all year.  Shannon is tough, experienced and has made huge strides in the weight room in the off-season. Romeoville JR Guard <strong>Karina Ortiz</strong> will be playing in her third Varsity Season. She is a hustler and a tough defender, and her coaches are anticipating her being up top in the area in steals.