Rankings Review: Class of 2022 Guards
Last week we released our updated rankings for the Class of 2022. I’ve written over and over again about how the Class of 2022 has a chance to be one of the better classes ever, but a lot of that…
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Continue ReadingLast week we released our updated rankings for the Class of 2022. I’ve written over and over again about how the Class of 2022 has a chance to be one of the better classes ever, but a lot of that revolves around a very strong frontline class. At the same time, however, there are several very talented and productive guard prospects in this class, and I wanted to take the time to highlight them below. Here are the Top-15 guard prospects in the Class of 2022:
1. Jessica Carrothers, 5-7 G, Crown Point H.S.
I had the opportunity to see Jessica play during the Summers heading into her 8th Grade and Freshman years, and while I always thought she would be a nice high school player, I’m not sure I expected her to explode onto the high school scene the way she did this season, averaging more than 20 points per game and helping lead Crown Point to a 28-1 record. Jessica is a strong wing guard with a tremendous motor. She chases down rebounds, dives on the floor for loose balls, and she’s a willing defender. She is probably best attacking the basket and either scoring or earning trips to the free throw line, but she can also knock down an open jumper when in rhythm. She has a bright future ahead of her, and I expect something similar out of her next season.
2. Olivia Smith, 5-3 PG, Fort Wayne South Side H.S.
If you haven’t seen Olivia play yet, you really need to. She is an explosive, strong-for-her-size, dynamic point guard who can really handle it. She is one of the best young playmakers in the state, and she just has a natural feel and good creativity for the game. She can break down just about any defender and go by them, she collapses defenses and finds open teammates, but she’s also capable of scoring inside the paint with a variety of moves and finishes. Add to that a solid outside jumper, and you have a real threat because you must determine if you’re going to give her space or risk getting blown by. Defensively, she can also be a real pest and hound ball-handlers all over the floor. At the end of the day, she is just a competitor trying to win each possession.
3. Tanyuel Welch, 5-6 PG, Indianapolis North Central H.S.
Tanyuel had a solid year, playing immediately on Varsity for a very good North Central team. She is an extremely long, slender, but quick/fast point guard who just knifes through the defense and creates opportunities for others. She has grown a couple of inches over the last year, so I’m hoping she might still have another inch or two left in her. But, she already is a playmaker offensively, and the combination of her length and quickness should help her become an elite defender over time. She already gets her share of steals and deflections, but I think she can become a lock-down on-ball defender as well. The next steps for her are to add more strength and make her perimeter jumper a bit more consistent. She will have plenty of Division-I interest moving forward.
4. Teresa Maggio, 5-4 PG, Lafayette Jefferson H.S.
On a solid Lafayette Jeff team with four players scoring in double-figures this season, Teresa ended up as the team’s second leading scorer, plus she was second in rebounding, second in assists, and she led the team in steals. She is somewhat unassuming at first glance, but she plays with so much energy, good speed and quickness, and she’s one of the tougher kids in the class and doesn’t back down from a challenge. She has a good handle, she can get to the basket and finish or find open teammates, and she can knock down an open jumper as well. I also think she has the quickness to become a very good on-ball defender, she’ll just need to continue adding strength to better prepare herself for the next level.
5. Iatia Poston, 5-8 W, Gary Lighthouse College Prep Academy
Iatia is someone I am much less familiar with, but in what little I have seen of her, and based on what others in her area of the state tell me, she is obviously talented and is deserving of this spot. She is extremely long, fluid and athletic, and she can get to the basket just about anytime she wants. She is more of a slasher than anything right now, and her perimeter shot will be the next thing to work on to make her game more complete, but when she’s set and in rhythm, she can knock down the occasional 3-pointer. She’s also good at using her length and athleticism to create steals at the defensive end of the floor. She has a very nice ceiling, and as she gets stronger, I anticipate her really taking off.
The Next 10:
6. Gracie Shorter, 5-4 G, Sullivan H.S.
7. Kuryn Brunson, 5-9 W, Franklin Community H.S.
8. Hadley Lytton, 5-4 PG, Heritage Hills H.S.
9. Delainey Shorter, 5-6 PG, Sullivan H.S.
10. J’Asia Scott, 5-6 PG, Fort Wayne Northrop H.S.
11. Karsyn Cherry, 5-6 G, Lafayette Central Catholic H.S.
12. Ali Saunders, 5-7 PG, North Harrison H.S.
13. Koryn Greiwe, 5-6 G, Columbus East H.S.
14. Kenna Kirby, 5-7 G, Tri-West H.S.
15. Bailie Stephens, 5-6 PG, Warsaw Community H.S.
Header photo of Jessica Carrothers of Crown Point High School; photo courtesy of John J. Watkins of the Northwest Indiana Times at nwitimes.com.