Standout Guards at the Hanson Classic

The Hanson Classic is loaded with talent each year as it garners some of the best programs in the state of South Dakota.  Games were hosted on January 15th at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.  There was no shortage of guard play at this event.  Let’s break down the top 10 performances from the perimeter on the day. [player_tooltip player_id="246742" first="Annalyse" last="Weber"] - The Hanson junior helped her team hold their opponent, Wolsey-Wessington, scoreless in the last stretch of the 4th quarter, pushing them on a 17-0 run to secure a 60-45 win.  In a game featuring two very balanced scoring attacks, Weber stood out.  She created shot after shot for herself and stepped up in key moments on her way to a 16 point performance.  This kid is AGGRESSIVE.  She plays upfront in the press extremely effectively and goes hard to the boards as a guard.  She snagged 8 rebounds as well on the game. [player_tooltip player_id="99752" first="Julia" last="Weber"] - This Bridgewater-Emery guard is no stranger to basketball fans in South Dakota.  She has been lighting it up from beyond the arc her whole career.  The senior will shoot it from all over and isn’t afraid to knock down a contested shot when her team needs it.  She finished the day with 19 points and 5 rebounds.  She also set her teammates up possession after possession adding 6 assists in the effort.  Weber is a true combo guard that can find her own shot and create for others.  Her team would pick up a win 60-45 over Highmore-Harold after trailing by 15 at one point in the first half.  Weber was a huge reason why this team mounted a comeback victory. [player_tooltip player_id="14248" first="Bella" last="Swedlund"] - The Kansas commit had yet another big performance in a 55-40 quality win over the incoming undefeated Andes Central/Dakota Christian.  Swedlund has a rare ability to pull up off the dribble and knock down jump shots.  You just don’t see other guards around the area who can pull up off the dribble and hit jump shots like this super-talented guard.  If she gets a 1 on 1 in the high post area you almost know she’s going to break her defender down, elevate, and send the ball through the net.  She finished with a game-high 23 points and added 5 rebounds.  She was Josie Brouwer - The freshman Andes Central/Dakota Christian guard had the best day from beyond the arc of all the perimeter players.  She got her team an early lead and kept this game within reach most of the day with big-time shots from three.  You wouldn’t know this kid is a freshman as you watch her perform.  She doesn’t back down from any challenge on either end and plays with a tenacity that leaves an impression.  She finished the game with 19 points, including 5 three’s. Allison Muckey - Another Thunder guard stood out in a loss to the talented Winner Warriors.  They were no match for the Swedlund-led team in the 4th quarter but they gave them a great battle for most of the game.  Muckey was a big reason for this as she put up 15 points and 7 rebounds.  She is a guard who is good at just about everything you need her to be.  She takes care of the basketball, hits shots, rebounds hard on both ends, and plays tenacious defense.  Every team would love an Allison Muckey on their roster as she improves each category for her team.  This team has plenty of risers and is a group to watch for sure as the season progresses.  Loads of talent on this Thunder roster. [player_tooltip player_id="100500" first="Denae" last="Mach"] - The Viborg-Hurley guard put up yet another stellar performance playing beside her talented teammate [player_tooltip player_id="166689" first="Coral" last="Mason"].  The latter guard draws a lot of attention but don’t sleep on the talented Mach.  This junior guard has an important combination of length and athleticism and plays with a high IQ.  She has a nice variety of moves to attack the rim paired with a consistent shot from 3 point land.  She creates havoc for other teams on the defensive end as well with her length and ability to anticipate passing angles.  She led all scorers with 19 points including three 3-point makes and helped her team secure a 49-38 win. [player_tooltip player_id="188213" first="Ava" last="Lingemann"] - A household name for Ethan Rustler fans, Lingemann did her best to help her team get a W against the talented Viborg-Hurley.  She plays well in their zone defense disrupting passing windows and making her opponent work to get shots off.  To go with her defense, she shoots it well, reads the floor well in transition, and attacks the rim.  This combination of offensive skills helped her to an 18 point, 5 rebounds, and 4 assist performance. [player_tooltip player_id="100493" first="Abby" last="Hohn"] - This Parkston guard has led her team game in and game out this season.  She led the Trojans to yet another victory over the number 2 ranked St. Thomas More Cavaliers.  In a 42-38 win, Hohn put up a game-high 21 points and snatched 4 rebounds.  She moves well without the basketball and refuses to be guarded, finding herself open for shot after shot in games.  This young lady knows how to score it and has her team ticking on all cylinders this season. [player_tooltip player_id="154266" first="Reese" last="Ross"] - If you don’t have [player_tooltip player_id="154266" first="Reese" last="Ross"] on your board for South Dakota college basketball recruits, you should.  Whether you call her an effective post player or a talented guard you would be correct.  This talented athlete can play all over.  She is deadly when she catches in the high post area with a nice jump shot, as well as length and moves to step to the rim.  One of the most versatile players in the state, she is a player all should watch if you want to see quality basketball.  Ross kept her team in a tight battle and finished the game with a 17 point and 12 rebound double-double. [player_tooltip player_id="99754" first="Rachel" last="Gerlach"] - When you watch Corsica-Stickney it is easy to focus on their post players, and what they do near the basket, but you would miss out on some great basketball if you forget to watch this talented guard operate on the perimeter.  Gerlach is deadly if you give her space to shoot the deep ball and knows how to use her combination of quickness and strength to score off the drive as well.  She led her team to a 58-47 victory shooting 6-10 from the floor with three 3’s for a total 17 points on the night.