Top Debuting Point Guards in the 2021 Rankings

Every team needs a quality point guard or three. The rankings refresh that was released earlier this week includes seven in the top 25 overall. In this article we take a look at the top seven point guards making their debut in that release. [player_tooltip player_id="160909" first="Reaghan" last="Henry"], Clay Center, 5’7" -- Henry was instrumental in her team’s run to the 2020 Class 4A state tournament after the team advanced to the 3A a year ago. She h<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Handles with speed in the open court. Able to attack the basket while defended in transition. Quick hands to pick pockets. Three point threat off the catch."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4675,"3":{"1":0},"4":[null,2,16777215],"9":0,"12":0,"15":"Verdana"}">andles with speed in the open court, is able to attack the basket while defended in transition, and has quick hands to pick pockets. She is a quality three point threat off the catch. [player_tooltip player_id="160911" first="Lexi" last="Jones"], Riverside, 5’4" -- With a strong competitive motor Jones handles the ball well in the open court. She has quick hands, can shoot quickly from the perimeter with range, and can finish athletically. She averaged 2.6 points and 1 steal. [caption id="attachment_162180" align="alignleft" width="200"] McPherson 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"] looks over the defense. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"], McPherson, 5’4" -- As teammates [player_tooltip player_id="91874" first="Grace" last="Pyle"], 2021, and [player_tooltip player_id="45719" first="Emma" last="Ruddle"], 2020, agreed she is the straw that stirs the Bullpup drink. Missed nearly half of 2020 season due to early injury. Not a statistics generator but impact is on defense, ability to beat off the bounce, and set up teammates to score inside or from the perimeter. Good open court handles, against presses, has good full-floor vision and passing strength. [caption id="attachment_162182" align="alignright" width="199"] Hugoton 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="160895" first="Molly" last="McClure"] awaits action to restart against Sterling. Photo by Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="160895" first="Molly" last="McClure"], Hugoton, 5’5" -- In averaging 1.9 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.9 steals it is notable that McClure’s effectiveness, like that of [player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"], often does not show up in the box score. It can be argued, as with Malm at McPherson, that due to the numbers of scorers and shooters on the team that team does not rely on her to score. McClure is active and smart on the defensive end as she battles opposing point guards in a deep league. Some improvement is needed in ball handling fluidity with both hands. [player_tooltip player_id="160887" first="Morgan" last="Meyers"], Cunningham, 5’5" -- Meyers is the top debuting point guard in the rankings, coming in at #49. In leading her team to the 2020 Class 1A state tournament she proved to be a dominant point guard in the classification. She has strong handles and ability to beat defenders off the bounce to get to the basket, can finish on both sides with pace against contact, and elevates well on the finish. A high IQ player she has strong transition vision, look-off ability to create scores, and is able to use high screen for the step-back three. Meyers also shoots quickly from the perimeter. Meyers was selected to the 2020 Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal 1A first team, 2020 KBCA 1A second team, and is a two time Heart of the Plains League first team. [player_tooltip player_id="160891" first="Macy" last="Smith"], Olpe, 5’4" -- Smith has good hands and timing for steals. She makes use of a good change of pace in transition, has good floor vision, and averages more than 10 points per game. Smith was a KBCA 1A and Lyon County first team selection. [player_tooltip player_id="160890" first="Katherine" last="Weigel"], Mill Valley, 5’7" -- Weigel has good transition speed and is quick off the bounce. She handles the ball well under pressure, aggressively looks to score in transition, and shows toughness defensively in the full court. Featured image: Clay Center 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="160909" first="Reaghan" last="Henry"] looks over her shoulder before getting set for an inbounds play against Eudora in their 2020 4A state tournament game. Photo by Robert Kelly.