9 2021 Point Guards Seen this Summer

The number of ranked 2021 players stands at 233 heading into the winter high school season.  Within that mass of players are far more talents than were able to be included in the 2021 Kansas all-summer ball team.  Digging deeper into the pool, enjoy this look at nine point guards I also saw this summer. Regan Ast Regan Ast 5'7" | PG Ingalls | 2021 State KS , 5'7", Ingalls, Western Kansas Elite 2021 -- The 2020 Southern Plains-Iroquois Athletic Association first teamer left no doubt as to why she was selected.  While she needs to improve on her three point percentage (only 23% in 2020), she is unafraid to shoot often and from 25' away.  One of the few players I saw that made challenged three pointers.  While she had 179 attempts last season, she also has the speed and handles to get to the basket.  She owns a terrific whirl move, handles well in transition traffic, can finish with either hand, and follows her shot. She averaged 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals. Cherrish Gails Cherrish Gails 5'7" | PG Wichita West | 2021 State KS , 5'7", Wichita West, No Boundaries Athletics -- A Greater Wichita League honorable mention selection in 2020, Gails will make some noise in the upcoming season.  Gails has speed and athleticism.  She looks to score off the bounce and can do so by splitting defenders.  She also has good hops, an edge over opponents in the rebounding arena.

Jaila Harding Jaila Harding 5'7" | CG Wichita Southeast | 2021 State KS , 5'7", Wichita Southeast, Next Level Eclipse Henry -- Harding earned Greater Wichita League second team honors in 2020.  At the end of the summer she also was a 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool E 17U all star. Harding has solid perimeter smarts.  She spaces well, has solid three point range, has a quick shot, creates well off the dribble, and leads the break with speed.  She is also a good free throw shooter. Hayley Hughes Hayley Hughes 5'9" | PG Hutchinson Trinity | 2021 State KS , 5'9", Hutchinson Trinity, Wheat State Elite Stewart -- A two-time Heart of America first team selection, Hughes also earned Kansas Basketball Coaches Association honorable mention honors in 2020.  With a solid build, good length and strength, a strong face-up and back-to-basket game, and strong handles Hughes is a serious match-up problem.  Among the specific things I saw from her were a quick first step off a reverse pivot once she squared up in the mid-range, quick elevation off the catch and offensive rebound, and a rare to see ability to dribble jump through two defenders and go up off the jump stop.  Would like to see her put more arch on her interior shots, get a step quicker on the drive, and handle less talented defenders of similar build and speed better.  Hughes is a walking three-point play given she shoots 80%+ from the line.  Likely to see her play on the wing more at the next level.

Morgan Meyers Morgan Meyers 5'5" | CG Cunningham | 2021 State KS , 5'5", Cunningham, Twin Lakes Stars/Wheat State Elite Ferguson -- Meyers is a 2020 Wichita Eagle and Topeka Capital Journal 1A first team, 2020 KBCA 1A second team, and two time Heart of the Plains League first team selection.  As good as she has been in high school what stood out is how well she excelled competing with and against stronger players throughout the summer.  A dominant point guard that led her team to the 2020 Class 1A state tournament, she is a high IQ player who creates off the dribble, can finish on both sides with pace against contact, and elevates well on the finish.  Meyers also has strong transition vision, look-off ability to create scores, and is able to use high screens for the step-back three - which she can shoot quickly.  She also is a high energy defender.

Macy Smith Macy Smith SF Hayden | 2022 State KS , 5'4", Olpe, Kansas Triple Threat Smith -- Smith is another dominant point guard who led her undefeated team to another Class 1A state tournament appearance.  A 2020 KBCA 1A first team and Lyon County League first selection Smith is a quick, smart, floor leader.  She showed the ability to control offensive transition pace using good floor vision and ball handling skills. A perimeter scoring threat and strong passer, she works hard to get open away from the ball. Defensively, Smith boxes well on the perimeter.  She also has instincts and quick hands to pick up steals.  Smith averaged more than 10 points per game. Kisa Unruh Kisa Unruh 5'8" | PG Dodge City | 2021 State KS , 5'8", Dodge City, Wheat State Elite Crain -- Unruh has been a significant influence on the Red Demons rising competitiveness in the past year.  Earning 2020 KBCA 6A honorable mention and being a two time Western Activities Conference first team selection recognizes that.  Where she shines is in her court vision and effectiveness as a passer.  She also is a three point threat and solid defender.  However, to maintain a lock on her point guard position she needs to improve her ball handling skills against full court pressure and improve consistency in her offensive game.

Kiara Williams Kiara Williams 5'6" | CG Shawnee Mission North | 2021 State KS , 5'6", Shawnee Mission North, Next Level Eclipse 17U Red -- The returning Sunflower League honorable mention was someone I did not get to see enough of.  What I did see is a player who can get open versus back court pressure, hustles, and has three point range. Mallory Woolston Mallory Woolston 5'6" | PG Andover | 2021 State KS , 5'7", Andover, Next Level Eclipse Henry -- Woolston is poised to have a strong senior season.  A 2020 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div II second team selection, she averaged 11.9 points, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 assists.  Woolston has 25' three point range, runs the floor well in transition, and can knock down the pull-up jumper when stopped in transition.  At the end of the summer she earned USJN Battle at the Border pool E 17U all star honors.