2023 Rankings: Top Combo Guards
In this article:
As we approach the end of the high school season, we want to highlight some of the top combo guards in our latest 2023 rankings update. Haven Ford Haven Ford 5'5" | CG Rowan County | 2023 State KY |…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs we approach the end of the high school season, we want to highlight some of the top combo guards in our latest 2023 rankings update.
Haven Ford Haven Ford 5'5" | CG Rowan County | 2023 State KY | Rowan County
Ford is the type of player who could have a “bad” game and when you look at the stats, you see she still dropped a triple-double because she is such an elite level player. I’m not sure that there’s anything she can’t do well. I mean, she has already surpassed the 2,000 point mark, 1000 rebounds, 500 assists, and 500 steals. I mean she has faced some of the top teams in the state who have all placed the focus of their defense on stopping her and they still couldn’t stop her. She can play any guard position effectively because she is an outstanding scorer and passer. She is a great defender as well.
Jakayla Thompson Jakayla Thompson 5'9" | CG DuPont Manual | 2023 State KY | DuPont Manual
Thompson is a versatile guard who makes it extremely hard for anyone to defend her. She can do it all off of the dribble – stop and pop, jump stops, pump fakes, euro steps, taking it all the way to the hoop, and anything in between. She finishes really well with contact, but she also does a great job of kicking it to whoever is open when she is double-teamed. She makes great passes down the floor also. On the defensive end, she keeps her hands active and comes up with a lot of steals and deflections. She goes after rebounds hard and she’s very strong with the ball.
Taylor Guess Taylor Guess 5'9" | CG Crittenden County | 2023 State KY | Crittenden County
Guess really makes things happen. A top 15 scorer in the state, she has already became Crittenden County’s all-time leading scorer and it’s not like she’s just scoring off of easy baskets. She works for all of her points. She really makes great moves in the paint to create scoring opportunities. Her hesitation move and pull-up jumper are really strong. Guess can finish with a hand in her face and with contact. She’s great at following her shot and she plays so hard when she’s on the floor.
Sydne Tolbert Sydne Tolbert 5'6" | CG DuPont Manual | 2023 State KY | DuPont Manual
Tolbert plays like she’s about a foot taller than what she is. She is absolutely fearless when she’s on the court. Defensively, she makes you work so hard. The second you relax, she’ll steal the ball. She is always reading the passing lanes and if her teammate deflects the ball, she’s probably going to be the one that comes up with the steal. Tolbert is so fast and good with the ball on the offensive end as well. Her dribbling, passing, and scoring skills are all impressive, but I love how smart she plays when it comes to getting the ball in the basket. Very high basketball IQ.
Ellie Heid Ellie Heid 5'6" | CG Portland Christian | 2023 State KY | Portland Christian
Heid has a natural scorer’s mentality, but she brings a lot more to the court than just getting buckets. She has good floor vision and can facilitate an offense. She’s quick and has strong handles. Heid can really put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. She’s got great range on the outside and finishes tough shots on the inside. She plays hard and she’s clearly proven that this season, earning a spot on the 1st team all-region team which is extremely hard to do when you play for one of the smaller schools in Louisville.
Kaela Ballard Kaela Ballard 6'1" | CG Portland Christian | 2023 State KY | Portland Christian
Ballard is a very versatile player with great height and length. She keeps her head up when she’s got the ball and she’s really good at making the pass ahead or over the defense. She can finish on the left and right side, and she can finish with contact as well. Ballard’s really good at putting herself in a good position to get rebounds and put backs. She’s also a good shot blocker on the inside.