Division 5 Spotlight: Best Unranked Guards
Rankings season has ended, but that doesn’t mean we can’t show some love to the players that just missed the cut. Here are some of the best lower division guards who still deserve recognition for their outstanding play this season:…
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Continue ReadingRankings season has ended, but that doesn’t mean we can’t show some love to the players that just missed the cut. Here are some of the best lower division guards who still deserve recognition for their outstanding play this season:
Alana Nelson | Ithaca | Guard | Class of 2023
Though listed as a guard, Nelson does a majority of her offensive damage off-the-catch in the painted area. She reliably finds the seam between two post defenders, and her footwork allows her to create space for her shot amidst the trees. This same talent for slipping between the cracks of defenses around the blocks makes Nelson a stronger-than-expected offensive rebounder. She attacks the seam with intention and finds herself in greate position to make a play on the glass, using her savviness to offset size disadvantages.
But Nelson’s game isn’t entirely predicated on her interior scoring. Her movement off the ball and sharpness getting to her spots forces the defense to react in unorganized fashions, and this is where Nelson’s vision shines. Her interior passing makes her teammates better and opens up another layer of Nelson’s game that the defense must account for. Playing her as a pure scorer will enable her to find the opposite block low-post player and create easy layups. A classic case of heart over height.
Grace Ganshert | Argyle | Guard | Class of 2022
Ganshert is looking to kill you in transition, where her speed, creativity, and touch are all highlighted in full force. Her ability to ever so slightly change her speed or angle of attack without compromising ball control or fluidity makes her a perennial threat in transition/semi-transition. Her aggressiveness on the defensive boards (more on that later) initiates coast-to-coast opportunities, and Ganshert excels when provided the chance to break through the mess of defenders and find one-on-one opportunities on the break.
But my favorite quality that Ganshert brings as a combo guard is her toughness. She’s an absolute dog who will not be punked by the physicality of opposing bigs. She initiates contact on both ends and uses her quickness and ability to recover to wreak havoc defensively. And becomes of her willingness to bang down low and recover to the paint, Ganshert often finds herself in prime position to collect the defensive rebound herself and detonate in transition (as previously mentioned). Her toughness, two-way fortitude, and creativity around the basket should be heralded.
Jaden Bautch | Eleva-Strum | Guard/forward | Class of 2023
Bautch is a two-way forward who’s demonstrated some impressive versatility throughout her 2021-2022 campaign. On the defensive end, Bautch loves to peel off of her assignments and create utter chaos along the perimeter. This can be a maddening habit for a coach, but the results are tough to argue against. Bautch averages 3.5 steals per contest and ignites fastbreak opportunities in doing so. Her strength also allows her to take contact against larger post players without relenting positioning on the interior.
Offensively, Bautch is at her best operating as the control tower around the nail and elbows. Her vision and processing speed unlock the best version of Eleva-Strum’s half-court offense, though her decision-making may be too opportunistic at times. And while passing is her strongest skill, she’s not afraid to attack space with a lowered shoulder and power dribble. Again, her physicality allows her to play larger, amplified by her twitchiness and aggressive play. A reliable two-way presence who still has room to grow.
Jenna Gianoli | De Soto | Guard/Forward | Class of 2022
Gianoli is a lengthy two-guard with high shooting upside, though her inconsistency from beyond the arc holds her back from realizing this potential. Her high release point and shooting touch allow her to launch over the top of smaller guards, but it’s her keen footwork that establishes a strong base for these contested looks. Especially in the midrange, Gianoli is adept at finding small pockets of space and is comfortable shooting in tight corners.
At the bases of her offensive game, including her threat as a shooter, is her off-ball movement. Gianoli sells her shoulder fakes well and comes off of screens tightly. She finishes cuts thoroughly into the corners and opens up the halfcourt for her teammates. Despite her struggles with consistency, she’s found a way to be a perennial threat in these sets.
But Gianoli provides much more than just shooting. Similar to her comfort shooting against tight coverage, her handle amid a flurry of smaller guards is impressive, especially on the break. She’s also flashed potential as a creator given the attention she draws, though she’ll need to improve as a pick-and-roll threat to maximize this latent talent.