Early High School Preview NEPSAC Guards to Watch: Smooth as Silk

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NEPSAC is always very competitive. Here is an early high school season preview of 5 Guards to watch in the NEPSAC this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fe4e0cbdd7b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Jessie's game is smooth as Silk. (Pun Intended). I have seen Jessie play since she was in 4th grade in an all boys league, and I always thought she was a special talent. The lefty guard is an explosive play maker, and scorer. She is a real three level scorer. She can shoot the three consistently, and is a slasher with good finishing skills. She has a built up frame, and she is really good at finishing through contact. Jessie does a great job of creating separation. On defense she is versatile, and active in the passing lane. Jessie had a big season last year for beaver, and I expect that to continue this season. Jessie is definitely a college level prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["184006"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[caption id=u0022attachment_369554u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022200u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/901F5745-501C-4149-846B-55F5207E3027.jpegu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-369554u0022 src=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/901F5745-501C-4149-846B-55F5207E3027-200x300.jpegu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022200u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e Photo: JT Shotz[/caption]rnrnI have seen Mariana play for a number of years, and I always really like her game. She is a lefty guard, who does a bunch of things to impact that game. She is a sharp shooter, and has a smooth shooting form. She can shoot from the outside, and is also a strong shooter from midrange. Mariana is very good in transition, and likes to push the ball up the floor. She is a good finisher at the rim, can play at many different  speeds, and is a precision passer. She is a pesky defender, and forces a good amount of turnovers that lead to fast breaks. Mariana is a crafty guard, who Is hard working, and very coachable. It was a strong summer for her with the Bay State Jaguars, and I expect another strong season at Dexter Southfield this winter.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["183924"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[caption id=u0022attachment_361619u0022 align=u0022alignnoneu0022 width=u0022200u0022]u003ca href=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/CD6CFE5F-F668-45FD-83ED-BC9362FE0804-scaled.jpegu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022size-medium wp-image-361619u0022 src=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/12/CD6CFE5F-F668-45FD-83ED-BC9362FE0804-200x300.jpegu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022200u0022 height=u0022300u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e Photo: Produced4Soul[/caption]rnrnNina had a strong season last year at Rivers, and was a leader on one of the younger teams in the NEPSAC. Nina is a high level talent, who has the skill set to play at the division 1 level. She has a high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game. Nina is aggressive attacking the basket, and can also step outside and shoot the three. She plays very well within the flow of the team's offense. She has the ability to lead the team in scoring, or lead the team in assists. She has a very high motor, and brings great energy to the team. She rebounds the ball very well for a guard, and can also get timely stops on defense. Can't wait to see what Nina does in her senior season at Rivers.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["184048"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Alanna is a talented combo guard, with a division 1 skill set. She impacts the game in many different ways. She had a strong summer, and was recently named most outstanding player at the Sacred  Heart elite camp. Alanna has a strong competitive drive, and the ability to control the game. Alanna showed she can attack many different matchups, and is tough to guard one on one. Alanna has good size and length for her position. She can attack down hill, and also shoot the three. On defense she is versatile and can guard multiple positions. Alanna is a very hard working player, and a good teammate.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["299249"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jessica is a sharp shooter from three point range. She had many games last season with multiple three pointers made. She is not the biggest player on the floor, but she can create separation from the defense, and has a high arcing shot, with a quick release. She needs little space to get her shot off. She can also attack the basket, or draw the defense in and kick it out to the open teammate. Jessica is a tough gritty Guard. Last year Jessica was a part of the Loomis team that won the NEPSAC Class A championship. Jessica will be on mission this coming season to help the team repeat.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /-->