Border War 2022: Standout Guards

I enjoy watching players that give maximum effort on both ends of the court. With so many schools in attendance at Border Wars 2022 in Springdale, Arkansas, that is exactly what college coaches are looking for. Here are the guards that stood-out and made an impression. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197959" first="Alexis" last="Martin"] | 5-9/CG | Oologah HS (Team Griffin Select 2023) </strong> Alexis is a player that many college coaches need to start paying attention to. The standout from Oologah High School has a wide range of abilities that make her an appealing recruit. She is a high energy player with good size that gets the job done on both ends of the floor. Her ability to attack her defender and get downhill to create for herself or her teammates is next level. When handling the ball, she knows what she is doing and doesn’t waste a dribble. Not many players can defend all 5 positions effectively, but Alexis can. She has a motor that translates well at the next level—plays the passing lanes and is always in the correct spot. One of her special attributes is her shot. Her shooting form/mechanics are solid and graceful to watch. She is good creating space off the dribble and if she is left open with the ball behind the three-point line, 9 times out of 10 you can count it for 3. She currently has no offers, but I have a feeling that is about to change. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="238727" first="Alex" last="McGarrah"] | 5-7/CG | Union HS (Shock 2024)</strong> Alex is an athletic-guard that is at her best when she is attacking the basket. She can either blow past her defender or create contact when attacking the rim. She can hit the open shot and is a great rebounder at her position. She plays fast in transition and does a good job finishing. I look forward to see Alex continue to get better this offseason. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="309979" first="McKenzie" last="Mathurin"] | 5-10/CG | Broken Arrow HS (Oklahoma Swift 2024 Mathurin)</strong> McKenzie is a player that commands respect every moment she is on the court. She leads by example and is a relentless competitor that wants to win and will do what it takes to win. At the point guard position, she is versatile with great ability to attack the basket, create the mid-range shot, and even post up down low. Defensively she will lock you down and will never give up on a play. One second you think you have an open lane to the basket, then McKenzie will come out of nowhere and send your ball to the stands with the spectators. She plays on the ball with active hands, has good instinct in the passing lane and is a good help-side communicator. She is all-around a solid player and will look to add to her list of Division 1 offers this summer. <strong>Lexi Hensley | 5-6/PG | Edmond Memorial HS (Team Oklahoma 2023 Red)</strong> Two words: Spark Plug. Lexi ignites her team in so many ways. She is fundamentally sound and tough as nails. Lexi is a leader that does a good job getting her team involved. She has a motor that translates well at the next level due to her effort and consistency on both sides of the court. She pressures the ball and plays the passing lane with the best of them. She will dive on the floor for a loose ball and out-hustle a bigger player for a rebound. She knows how to play the game the right way and can get you a basket when you need one. She has a beautiful shooting form and will consistently make the shot from behind the three-point line. <strong>Mikayla Pilley | 5-10/CG | Kickapoo HS (Oklahoma Swift 2025)</strong> Mikayla is smooth like butter! She can score in a variety of ways. Her ability to create off of the dribble makes her tough to guard, and her footwork down low in the post is impressive. When attacking the basket, she is a tough player that knows how to take a hit and keep on ticking, then make her free throws. Defensively she is disciplined and plays with a lot of effort. I had a chance to speak with her coach Amber Mathurin and she says that Mikayla is the “hardest worker in the room” type of kid and that was exactly what I saw this past weekend at Border War 2022 in Springdale, Ar.