Notable Backcourts

Backcourts to Note: A backcourt refers to a point guard and a shooting/combo guard that will bring up the ball and set the offensive tone, push the transition and set up plays on the offense. A strong backcourt is essential as these guards are typically responsible for scoring a high number of points, creating plays and finding open players within the offense. To be successful, these guards must work hand and hand. A strong backcourt must be able to move and handle the ball well, shoot, pass and play good defense. Take a look at players who have done just that for their teams. [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] Silver [player_tooltip player_id="156076" first="Braelyn" last="Torres"] & Mallory Hoitink Impact Silver has multiple guards on their team that all work together to have a successful backcourt. The entire team is patient and composed with the ball and every player on their roster could run the offense if need be. However, Torres and Hoitink stick out for the talent they displayed this summer. Torres can simply knock it down from anywhere. She is lethal in transition and confident far beyond the arc. She sets her feet well and can knock it down with consistency. Hoitink uses her height to be an impact guard and floor general. She's proven she can create her own scoring game and get to the basket with ease. When Hoitink starts to facilitate and find the open man, she is so difficult to defend. [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] Blue [player_tooltip player_id="155776" first="Khendel" last="Rolison"] & [player_tooltip player_id="202263" first="Sara" last="Kasar"] This duo does a great job sharing roles on the floor. Kasar seems like she would be the go-to point guard for her squad as she is quick, a playmaker and crafty with her handles. She's comfortable with the ball in her hands and running the offense. But Kasar really shined this season as the second option and knocked down the three point shot. Her confidence is high on the perimeter and she was a shooting threat this summer. Rolison brings versatility to her position and is able to create her own shot at the rim or beyond the arc. She has good floor vision and finds her post players with ease. [program_tooltip program_id='713043' first='Wisconsin' last='Impact'] 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='338941' first='Tess' last='Wiczek'] & [player_tooltip player_id="209618" first="Gracie" last="Gopalan"] An impressive tandem to watch, as they play much older and more mature than they are. Wiczek is actually a 2025 guard, but plays with experience and talent unlike most in her class. She pushes the ball on offense and has a bag of dribble moves to hold off defenders. She can knock it down from deep and is lethal off the pass. Gopalan is a floor general that plays with so aggressive and intense on the floor. She's super quick and isn't frazzled by taller defenders. She gets her teammates involved but will take the open three point shot if left open. WI Dynasty 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='337017' first='Riley' last='Czarnecki'] & [player_tooltip player_id="209909" first="Sam" last="Schmitt"] Both of these players thrive in the backcourt as they are so athletic and have a great understanding for their role on the floor. Czarnecki uses her size so well on the floor. She executes the offense well and has crafty handles for a prospect her size. Her tempo is high and she see's a lot of minutes as she gets up and down the floor effortlessly. Schmitt adds facilitating and IQ to this due. She finds her open teammates well and can handle pressure. She will knock down the perimeter shot if left open as well. [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="132357" first="Sheridan" last="Flauger"] & [player_tooltip player_id="202314" first="Charley" last="Apple"] Flauger and Apple work well together setting the tone on offense. Both are composed and patient on the court. Their passes, shot selection and pace are all patient. Apple isn't forcing anything on the floor but could easily take over offensively if her team needs a bucket. Flauger does well handling pressure and has a crafty book of passes in her bag. She finds her post players open well and seems to enjoy getting her teammates involved. [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="204129" first="Leah" last="Lemke"] & [player_tooltip player_id="155780" first="Emma" last="Krueger"] Lemke is certainly a first option for this [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] team. She's a floor general but also an impact scorer who gets to the lane effortlessly. She goes strong against contact and doesn't shy away from taller defenders in the lane. She has added an impressive floater and her mid-range game is elite. Lemke plays high- tempo and has a great feel for the game. Krueger can put up huge minutes and points for this squad as well. She uses her teammates to get open and sets good screens within the offense. Krueger is impressive in transition and has tremendous footwork setting up her perimeter shot. [program_tooltip program_id='712778' first='Purple' last='Aces'] 2024 [player_tooltip player_id="209605" first="Claire" last="Bjorge"] & [player_tooltip player_id="209879" first="Trista" last="Fayta"] A backcourt with such a high ceiling for success. These two work so well together and see a lot of points per game. Fayta has fantastic on-court vision and moves well with and without the ball. She sets the offensive flow and impacts the game with her passing, defense and scrappiness. She plays 100% the entire game and is comfortable handling the ball with high pressure defense. Bjorge can put up numbers for this squad as she has tremendous offensive skills. She can score from anywhere on the court and is impressive in the open floor. She pushes the ball in transition and thrives on creating contact and finishing at the line. Midwest Elite [caption id="attachment_188972" align="alignright" width="196"]<img class="wp-image-188972" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Kamorea-Arnold-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="196" height="196" /> Arnold[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="155940" first="Kamorea" last="Arnold"] & Lisa Thompson This 2023 is undoubtedly the most impressive backcourt I've seen this season. Both major division 1 recruits, Arnold and Thompson have so much swag on the court together. Arnold plays with great experience and her confidence is high. She has elite ball handling skills and ability to create a shot for herself or her teammates. She pushes the ball and plays with high energy on the floor. She is composed down the stretch and hits clutch baskets for her team. Thompson can knock it down from deep and thrives on handling the ball with multiple defenders on her. She too creates a game for her teammates and threads the needle with her passing. She can finish well in the lane and has a smooth floater. WI Flight [player_tooltip player_id="156071" first="Macy" last="Donarski"] & [player_tooltip player_id="156058" first="Antionique" last="Auston"] [caption id="attachment_191247" align="alignright" width="139"]<img class=" wp-image-191247" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Auston-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="139" height="185" /> Auston[/caption] This tandem adds a different type of style when they are on the court together. They feed off one another and seem to be comfortable together when handling defensive pressure. Auston has incredible handles and isn't frazzled by anyone guarding her. She can get to the basket well and uses her body well to shield off defenders despite being shorter than they are. Donarski brings a consistent perimeter shot with a smooth release. Her ceiling for being a go-to shooter is high as she is so confident beyond the arc. She is also a playmaker for this squad and continues to improve her passing. [player_tooltip player_id="132383" first="Kamy" last="Peppler"] & [player_tooltip player_id="171810" first="Aaliyah" last="Smith"] Two of the top guards in the state in both of these WI Flight standouts. Both play with swag and confidence that is almost unheard of. Unafraid of any match up, Pepplee and Smith will take anyone guarding them to the rim. Peppler developed more of her scoring ability this summer and added finishing moves. Her ball handling skills make her an even bigger threat as she uses her skills to create her own shot on the perimeter or to fly by defenders. Smith is a facilitating point guard that leads her team and could easily be the go-to scorer as well. She is a confident passer and a smooth shooter when she sets her feet. She's an adequate finisher through the lane as well. [program_tooltip program_id='712636' first='Let' last='It Rain'] [player_tooltip player_id="206576" first="Ellie" last="Magestro- Kennedy"] & [player_tooltip player_id="157531" first="Avree" last="Antony"] [caption id="attachment_183488" align="alignright" width="208"]<img class=" wp-image-183488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/Ellie--300x197.jpg" alt="" width="208" height="137" /> Magestro- Kennedy[/caption] A fun combo to watch compete both of these guards play with so much intensity on the court. Magestro- Kennedy has such a high ceiling to be a top playmaker and scorer for this team. Her ability to create her own shot on the perimeter is already very advanced. She doesn't back down from an open shot and is lethal in transition or off a quick dribble pull up move. A playmaker as well, Magestro- Kennedy finds her teammates open well and does well setting them up for the shot. She sets the tone and has high-energy. [caption id="attachment_183287" align="alignright" width="210"]<img class="wp-image-183287 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/Avree-Antony-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="138" /> Antony[/caption] Antony adds dynamic guard play as well. She could be the floor general and lead the offense. She has efficient ball handling skills and court-vision for finding her open teammates. Antony has a tremendous three point shot and continues to improve her shot selection beyond the arc. WI Blaze 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="156100" first="Emma" last="Jossie"] & [player_tooltip player_id="206724" first="Karissa" last="Smith"] A solid duo that will continue to improve with experience. They work well together and really set the tone for their team. They are high energy and move well with and without the ball. Both can knock down from deep but seem to be more comfortable attacking the rim. They both get their teammates involved and do well pressuring the defense the full length of the court. WI Blaze 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="155420" first="Lexi" last="Day"] & [player_tooltip player_id="202268" first="Graysin" last="Hartjes"] Day is a smooth guard who can knock it down from deep. She is comfortable on the perimeter and excellent off the pass. She does well play off the ball but can lead the offense if her team needs her to. She is a good defender as well and uses her long arms to alter passes and shots. Hartjes can finish strong in the lane and put up multiple points per game from her steals and the free throw line. She's a great facilitator and does well finding her open teammates in transition. A high motor and strong basketball IQ. 1on1 [player_tooltip player_id="155772" first="CJ" last="Romero"] & Olivia Osborn A unique backcourt and two guards that have great feel for the game. Romero brings speed and energy to the floor. She pushes the pace in transition and gets up and down so fast. Her handles are precise and she flies by defenders within the offense. She's added a more consistent jumper and perimeter shot as well, making her even more difficult to defend. Osborn is smooth and composed. A steady point guard who makes the right read and doesn't force anything. Her court vision is impressive and a major reason this team is successful.