High school preview: Who are the 10 best guards in Class A?

We spend a ton of time and energy focusing on big school basketball. It makes sense because that is where the majority of the higher-level college prospects do their thing. That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t great players at the smaller schools in Minnesota. There are, and today that’s where our attention is aimed. So who are those players? And which ones are the best? That’s the question we’re here to answer! When it comes to rating and ranking players we are almost always talking about prospects – those kids who will make the best college basketball players long-term. In this case we are talking about the best current performers – those players who get the job done on behalf of their current high school teams. In doing evaluations, we tend to separate players by grade. Not here. This review is about the best overall players in Class A. Today we’ll look at the best 10 guards. We’ll follow tomorrow with the Top 10 forwards. Each player's prospect ranking in their respective classes is included. Keep in mind that the rankings haven't been updated since June and a number of the kids profiled here are due for a jump up the ladder. TOP 10 GUARDS IN CLASS A – senior, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s (South Dakota State) (#12) There will be plenty of debate about who belongs where in this compilation, but probably not about Maddie. The 5’10 workhorse, who had an outstanding summer with North Tartan EYBL, is the only Division 1 commit in the class so far, and for good reason. SESM has to be a favorite to return to state and Mathiowetz is the number 1 reason why. – sophomore, Mountain Iron-Buhl (#16) Only in 10th grade, Zubich has already collected D1 offers and rightly so. Jordan had an unbelievable summer with Starks Elite during which she went head to head with the best Minnesota has to offer and excelled in the process. The 5’11 sharpshooter will have the opportunity to do that on a bigger stage next summer with Minnesota Fury UAA but a trip to state for MIB is her first priority right now. – sophomore, Sleepy Eye (#19) Speaking of Division 1 prospects, this savvy point guard from the Minnesota Rise is uber-skilled, with light feet, terrific handles, a great sense of timing and pacing and excellent athleticism. Only a sophomore, the 5’10 Hesse is a coach’s kid and she plays like it, consistently displaying a high level of intelligence, maturity and leadership. – senior, Minnesota Valley Lutheran (Upper Iowa) (#53) Abbie is one of the most explosive players in Class A, with straight-line speed, excellent elevation and the ability to play the game really fast. Her rise in prospect status, which culminated in a D2 opportunity with Upper Iowa, was a slow, steady rise. After posting big numbers early in small school ball, the 5’8 combo guard proved in AAU that she could do it against all comers. – senior, Cass Lake-Bena (#84) Size matters, but if there’s one position where undersized athletes can really excel it is at point guard. That’s exactly what Taryn has done, parlaying her quick feet, fast hands and rapid release into a high school career that has been most impressive. She did it this summer, too, with Minnesota Stars Bjorgaard. One of the most entertaining players in the Class of 2022, Frazer has earned next-level opportunities. – senior, Mayer Lutheran (#85) This multi-sport athlete is one of the most quietly effective players in the class. Emma has a big frame and exceptional strength which she knows how to employ to her advantage at both ends of the floor. Lade is a great rebounder and she can also score against the toughest competition, having put up 28 against Mountain Iron-Buhl, 20 against Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s and 18 vs Minnehaha Academy. – junior, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop (#78) The 5’5 point guard from the Minnesota Rise is one of the most dynamic small floor generals in the state. Both in summer ball with the Rise, and leading the attack for her dad/coach’s program at GFW, Brynn knows how to run an offense, distributes with aplomb, and can score in multiple ways. We love PG’s who play with a little bit of swagger. That’s Brynn. – freshman, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (#77) We have been watching the Kottke twins put in an unbelievable amount of work over the past few years to turn themselves into solid collegiate prospects. Last weekend at the Nickle Dickle 3x3 tournament in Waconia, the sisters showed just what they are capable of by knocking off the premier team in the tournament featuring four D1 players. Rachel has no fear and it showed in Waconia. – freshman, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (#78) It can be difficult to tell the 5’9 twins apart. At least for me it is. Just like her sister, Kristi plays with passion. She’s fast, with quick feet and the ability to make good decisions while playing at a high tempo. Both girls are long and wiry, and much stronger than they look. They can handle it, shoot it and score it. They’ll also lock down opponents with terrific perimeter defense. – junior, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton (#85) Jordan is flat out fun to watch. The 5’8 combo guard loves to handle the basketball, push the pace and she can score, score, score. Just ask TMB’s Camden Conference opponents. For that matter, ask anyone in Southwest Minnesota who has watched girls basketball in recent years. After a summer with the Minnesota Fury, Munson returns to high school as a more seasoned performer with a high ceiling. 10 MORE CLASS A GUARDS TO WATCH