2021 Hidden Gems (Guards) Part 2

The 2021 Class is so deep with college prospects that it may very well go down as the most talented class from top to bottom ever for the state of Arizona. With a class this deep, some players may not have received the exposure and accolades that they would have received in a normal recruiting year. Here is Part 2 coverage of guards that are definite college prospects at some level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136271" first="Alanis" last="Delgado"]</strong> (Valley Vista, PG)  -  Delgado has been as solid and pure of a lead guard as anyone in the class during her junior season. Valley Viista boasts a couple of national ranked players with [player_tooltip player_id="136237" first="Marisa" last="Davis-Jones"] (2021) and [player_tooltip player_id="36790" first="Jennah" last="Isai"] (2022) but the consistent play from Delgado was a definite factor in Valley Vista securing the 6A title last year. Delgado earned a 2nd team spot on Arizona’s top conference (6A).  She has a nice blend of mental and physical toughness and her ability to run an offense was on full display this summer playing for the Basketball Science AAU team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136263" first="Autuymn" last="Franks"]</strong> (Casteel) - Franks is a very good player in transition play, a top notch defender and she has good basketball instincts.  Franks is a quick player that can make things happen defensively that leads to easy  baskets for Casteel.  She also showed us this AAU season that she is more than capable of running a team.  Franks will get the opportunity to shine this year for the loaded Casteel team that boasts some of the best guards in the region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="218394" first="Paola" last="Perez-Mendoza"]</strong> (McClintock) - Perez-Mendoza is an athletically gifted combo guard with an improving skillset.  She was very impressive this past AAU season playing for the Arizona Elite Program. Perez-Mendoza is so fast going end to end and now she has shown the ability to control her speed and use it to impact the game with dribble penetration on offense and playing the passing lanes on defense. McClintock hasn’t really been a factor of late and this has contributed to Perez-Mendoza being one of the most underrated players in Arizona. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="218404" first="Victoria" last="Saucedo"]</strong> (Xavier Prep) - Saucedo has quietly gotten better each year for the Gators. Her basketball efficiency as well a desire to be a glue type player is what stands out for Saucedo. She led Xavier Prep is 3 point percentage last year while averaging more than 8 points a game. What stood out last year was her veteran leadership as Xavier integrated a talented group of 2024 players to the team. Saucedo is a great teammate and she has demonstrated that she can defend multiple positions.  Another player from the Arizona Elite program who is expected to have a very good senior campaign. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136278" first="Mia" last="Carter"]</strong> (Safford) -. Carter is a player that every team needs.  She will do the dirty work, she doesn’t take a play off and Carter makes good basketball decisions on the court. She doesn’t have to score to have an impact on the game. We don’t get a chance to see Cater play much during her high school season but she has had some really good moments playing for the Tucson Rattlers.  Carter is one to continue to watch as she will find a home on some college program next year.