Top Unsigned 2021s : The Point Guards

This time of year is an opportune time to explore lists of top available seniors by position. And with the high school season in some ways half way over yet is just starting and given the pandemic's impact on college recruiting, it is especially important to take a dive into the talent pool. This the first of a series that will look at players by position. Because new players are discovered all the time and the last 2021 rankings refresh not due for another month plus, a look at unranked players will also be included. Statistics are primarily drawn from MaxPreps although other credible and transparent sources may be drawn upon as well. To kick the series off we will start with the top dozen point guards. #21 [player_tooltip player_id="123498" first="Ja'Neysha" last="Hendricks"], 5'4" Topeka - The two time Centennial League honorable mention selection is averaging 4.3 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. She also has a 3.5 assists to turnover ratio. She is not shooting as much beyond the arc as last year and has 4 made at a 31% clip. In 2020 she made 24, shooting 45%. Hendricks has good court vision, looks to set teammates up, and is aggressive defensively. [caption id="attachment_194572" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-194572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/08/Reese-Althouse-Shawnee-Mission-East-Kansas-Elite-17U-Novicoff-2021-300x296.png" alt="" width="150" height="148" /> Shawnee Mission East and Kansas Elite 17U Novicoff 2021 PG [player_tooltip player_id="123501" first="Reese" last="Althouse"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption]#30 [player_tooltip player_id="123501" first="Reese" last="Althouse"], 5'5", Shawnee Mission East, Kansas Elite - The two-time Sunflower League honorable mention selection is fast, scrappy, athletic and would the first person in line to step in to draw a charge. Speedy with the ball, she can put together ball handling moves to beat defenders including using a strong whirl. Able to finish off the dribble drive she also will pull up to hit 10' jumpers in transition. Fierce and quick defensively, she boxes well on both ends. [caption id="attachment_243727" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-243727" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Kisa-Unruh-Dodge-City-2021_Joel-Hannigan_cropped-289x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="156" /> Dodge City 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="123535" first="Kisa" last="Unruh"]. Photo: Joel Hannigan.[/caption]#32 [player_tooltip player_id="123535" first="Kisa" last="Unruh"], 5'8", Dodge City, Wheat State Elite - <span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"MAYB Summer Kickoff (June 2020) - Consistency of offensive game needs improvement 2020 KBCA 6A honorable mention. Two time Western Activities Conference first team Unruh's court vision stands out. It makes her an effective passer, which translates into assists. She is also a three point scoring threat. Needs to improve her ball handling skills especially against full court pressure."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4609,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"15":"Verdana"}">MAYB Summer Kickoff (June 2020) - Consistency of offensive game needs improvement 2020 KBCA 6A honorable mention. Two time Western Activities Conference first team Unruh's court vision stands out. It makes her an effective passer, which translates into assists. She is also a three point scoring threat. Needs to improve her ball handling skills especially against full court pressure. PGH scout Joel Hannagan <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2021/01/by-the-numbers-the-10-top-players-in-southwest-kansas/">reported</a> earlier this month that Unruh was averaging 15 points and 3 assists. #37 [player_tooltip player_id="123508" first="Alissa" last="Heskamp"], 5'8", Spearville, Wheat State Elite - Through 7 games the two-time SPIAA League first team selection is rolling. She is averaging 25.6 points, is shooting 61% from the floor including 44% from three point land with 8 made. She also 5.7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Her assists to turnovers ratio is .83. Heskamp sees the ball well and has solid down-the-court vision. She is fast with the ball and can finish with speed. Heskamp is also athletic enough to score on unorthodox finishes. [caption id="attachment_209776" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-209776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/NEW-Jordyn-Rowe-1-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="225" /> Sumner Academy and Missouri Phenom 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="106920" first="Jordyn" last="Rowe"]. Photo: Prep Girls Hoops.[/caption]#42 [player_tooltip player_id="106920" first="Jordyn" last="Rowe"], 5'5", Sumner Academy, Missouri Phenom - Like all of the other ballers in the Kansas City Public Schools she has been victimized by district pandemic related restrictions. She has not been able to step on the floor until after the first of the year and has only played one game. Rowe can flat play. A year ago she averaged 27.4 points per game while earning Kansas City Atchison League first team honors for the second time. She was also selected the league's 2019 defensive player of the year. Rowe can score at from all three levels and do so around the basket with both hands. She also can split defenders well. As much as she scores what can be overlooked is her ability to distribute. #45 [player_tooltip player_id="160888" first="Lilly" last="Smith"], 5'1", Topeka - Through 9 games is averaging 9.3 points shooting 41% from the floor including 37% from three point land. She is also averaging 3.1 assists and 2 steals and has a assists to turnovers ratio of 3.1. The 2020 Centennial League second team selection brings speed with the ball, a great three point shot, and the ability to create off the bounce to the table. [caption id="attachment_242671" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class=" wp-image-242671" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Emma-Malm-McPherson-1.3.20-278x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="162" /> McPherson 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption]#54 [player_tooltip player_id="162171" first="Emma" last="Malm"], 5'4", McPherson - Malm is McPherson's long-time floor general. Not a statistic generator but impacts on defense, is able to beat defenders off the bounce, creates well for teammates to score on the perimeter, inside, and in transition, and has terrific floor vision and passing strength. She does have three point range and otherwise can score at all three levels but she thoroughly embraces her leadership and creator role. #57 [player_tooltip player_id="123471" first="LaSharea" last="Richardson"], 5'6", Olathe East - A crafty and player with good vision, Richardson earned Sunflower League second team honors a season ago while averaging 3.4 assists. #60 [player_tooltip player_id="123517" first="Regan" last="Ast"], 5'7", Ingalls, Western Kansas Elite - Through 10 games Ast is averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 4 steals per game. Her assists to turnover ratio is 1.53 and she is shooting 43% from the field. A first team SPIAA selection a year ago Ast is one of few players I have seen who has the ability to sink challenged three point shots. Ast has the ability to use whirls and other ball skills to get into the lane, pull up in transition for the short jumper, handle well in transition traffic, and finish with either hand. She also follows her shot well and has 25' perimeter range. #62 [player_tooltip player_id="160890" first="Katherine" last="Weigel"], 5'7", Mill Valley - Weigel has a strong frame and a good first step. She is a solid ball handler under defensive pressure, has good transition speed, and is quick off the bounce. A tough defender in the full court. [caption id="attachment_190563" align="alignleft" width="151"]<img class=" wp-image-190563" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Jaila-Harding-Wichita-Southeast-Next-Level-Eclipse-Henry-2021-236x300.jpg" alt="" width="151" height="192" /> Wichita Southeast and [program_tooltip program_id='716118' first='Next' last='Level Eclipse'] Henry 2021 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="160900" first="Jaila" last="Harding"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption]  #64 [player_tooltip player_id="123519" first="Ashlyn" last="Bigelow"], 5'7", Trinity Academy, Kansas United - Bigelow was a Central Plains League second team selection a season ago and a 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool F 17U all star in August. She is quick with good transition speed, is a perimeter threat who can shoot quickly, and also has good hands. Bigelow finishes athletically and can score off the reverse layup. #76 [player_tooltip player_id="160900" first="Jaila" last="Harding"], 5'7", Wichita Southeast, [program_tooltip program_id='716118' first='Next' last='Level Eclipse'] - Harding was a Greater Wichita League second team selection a season ago and a 2020 USJN Battle at the Border pool E 17U all star in August. Harding has strong handles to weave through transition traffic and finish and create off the dribble in the half court. She spaces well on the perimeter, has solid three point range, a quick perimeter shot, and is a strong free throw shooter as well.