Guards Who Excel at Getting to the Rim
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Today, I want to hyperfocus on guards who like to get downhill and how that helps their teams succeed. Kids who get to the rim put force every defender to react, which opens up opportunities for their teammates. Let’s talk…
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Continue ReadingToday, I want to hyperfocus on guards who like to get downhill and how that helps their teams succeed. Kids who get to the rim put force every defender to react, which opens up opportunities for their teammates. Let’s talk about a few kids I’ve seen that fit that bill.
Lilly Meulemans Lilly Meulemans 5'8" | PG Appleton East | 2025 State WI
If you’re talking about first steps in the 2025 class, Meulemans is with some elite company. The Appleton East guard can get by anyone that defends her one-on-one. She’s been excellent this season in the best conference in the state and will only get better with time. Meulemans is a kid who puts in work on her own time, and that’s shown this season with a heavy increase in responsibility.
Autumn Dibb Autumn Dibb 5'10" | SG Muskego | 2025 State WI
There aren’t many kids who shy away from contact less than Autumn Dibb Autumn Dibb 5'10" | SG Muskego | 2025 State WI . The Muskego guard/wing doesn’t need much finesse in her game because she’ll go right through her defender. The Warrior constantly puts pressure on defenses and makes them react to her, and she’ll gladly find her open teammates when teams collapse on her. Even from this past summer, Dibb has gotten better. She’s making good decisions with the ball, not shying away from the talent in the Classic 8, and taking the challenge of defending some of the most talented guards every night.
Gracie Gopalan Gracie Gopalan 5'4" | PG Waupun | 2024 State WI
There may be about five ball-dominant guards I trust more than Gopalan in the state. There is an aura in the gym when she has the ball in her hands that few others have in the state. Her teammates trust her to make plays, and she makes things happen. Few kids take hits harder than Gopalan, and she gets back up as if nothing happened. She’s one of the most physically and mentally tough people I’ve ever come into contact with, so even though some D3 teams may smell some blood in the water with some of the Warriors’ struggles as of late, be careful what you ask for, because they’ll be the toughest out in D3.
Presly Samz Presly Samz 5'7" | PG Arrowhead | 2026 State WI
Usually, when you look at a freshman, you’ll see a kid who wants to find their role and play a little tentativley. With Samz, it’s differnet. She is probably best as a ball-dominant guard, but playing more off-ball this season, but she’s using that to her advantage. When she catches the ball against recovering defenses, she can attack the rim and goes through her initial defender. Samz is a physically strong kid, and can make things happen with the ball in her hands. She has a bright future with Arrowhead.