Queens of the South: All-State Guard Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Featuring Schools: Hewitt-Trussville High School, Bob Jones High School, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa High School, Pleasant Grove High School, and Brewbaker Tech High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alabama has been a hotbed for talented high school basketball players in recent years, and the state is currently home to some of the most promising young guards in the country. As someone who has had the privilege of watching some of the best teams and players in Alabama, I can attest to the level of talent on display. In particular, I had the opportunity to witness the skills of five elite female guards who have made a name for themselves on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='323391' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'], [player_tooltip player_id='371498' first='Ja'Kyah' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='323426' first='Jareah' last='Branch'], [player_tooltip player_id='381452' first='Erin' last='Martin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='323402' first='Tamya' last='Smith'] are all All-State players who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in handling the ball, shooting from long range, and making smart decisions in high-pressure situations. In this article, I will provide an in-depth analysis of each player, and discuss what makes them stand out among the rest of the talented guards in the country. Yes I said it "In the Country" these girls are perfect examples of growth, ability, and knowing the game of basketball extremly well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I always say let's dive into some Alabama girls basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["323391"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='323391' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'], a guard for Hewitt Trussville High School, possesses a diverse range of abilities that make her a standout player on the court. She excels in passing, rebounding, and defense. With her height and quickness, she is a formidable defender who can guard multiple positions and uses her agile hands to disrupt the opposing team's offense. Additionally, Hunter is a prolific rebounder, averaging close to seven rebounds per game, and often uses her rebounds to initiate fast breaks and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.rnrnHunter's offensive game is equally impressive. She is a versatile player who can thrive in both fast-paced and slow-paced games. Her mid-range and floater shots are well-honed weapons that she uses to penetrate defenses and create scoring opportunities. Furthermore, her ball-handling and passing abilities allow her to set up her teammates for easy baskets.rnrn[player_tooltip player_id='323391' first='Jordan' last='Hunter'] is an exceptional female guard who possesses a unique skill set that enables her to make a significant impact on both ends of the court. I look forward to watching more of her in the 2023-2024 season.rnrn[embed]https://x.com/HT_GIRLS/status/1637490458736705539?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["371498"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='371498' first='Ja'Kyah' last='Smith'], is a highly versatile player who possesses impressive skills on both offense and defense. Smith's ability to score from various positions on the floor is one of her most notable strengths. She shoots well from beyond the arc, hitting close to 40 percent of her three-point shots, which is amazing due to her young age.rnrnIn transition, Smith showcases her exceptional ball-handling skills, often taking control of the ball after a rebound and charging down the court to score a quick layup. On defense, Smith is equally impressive, with the ability to defend both interior-scoring bigs and perimeter-scoring guards and forwards. Her above-average lateral movement enables her to stay in front of her opponents and force turnovers on the perimeter.rnrnRebounding is another area where Smith shines, often securing offensive rebounds to give her team second-chance opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='371498' first='Ja'Kyah' last='Smith'] is an outstanding guard whose versatile skills make her a valuable asset to her team. She is a young player who is being recognized by tons of coaches and fans throughout the state.rnrn[embed]https://x.com/rahdigital247/status/1640360712986927106?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["323426"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='323426' first='Jareah' last='Branch'] is a standout prospect due to her exceptional skills and athletic abilities. Despite standing at 5'11, she uses her size to her advantage and thrives in various aspects of the game. Branch is an outstanding shooter, particularly from beyond the arc, and her skills in the paint are equally impressive. She has a strong presence on the court and can easily dominate her opponents. Branch's footwork is impressive and allows her to get past defenders with ease. She has good court vision, allowing her passes help get point on the board by giving the ball to open teammates. Lot of teams try to double team her due to her amazing talents which allows her to pursue other basketball techniques to help her team win. Nevertheless, her all-round game is remarkable, and she is a rare talent who can excel in every aspect of the game. With such a set of skills and potential, Branch is undoubtedly one of the most promising prospects to watch out for in the future. Branch will continue to thrive in every category of the game and will soon pave the way to other young hoopers coming up after her.rnrn[embed]https://x.com/2025Branch/status/1637960136235917312?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["381452"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='381452' first='Erin' last='Martin'] is a 5'10 junior guard from Brewbaker Tech High School who has shown great promise in the sport of basketball. Her skills in ball-handling, shot-creating, shooting, and finishing have made her an impressive player this past season. Martin has a unique style and is able to break down the defense with ease through her crossovers and quick movements. She is a great shot creator and has a fearless attitude when attacking any defender. Martin's shooting is also impressive, as she has incredible range and is a threat to score from anywhere on the court. While she is only 5'10 but she has great athleticism, Martin can finish at the rim with both hands and is not afraid of contact. However, Martin is an excellent passer and has a superb tunnel vision on the court. Martin has the potential to be a threat to teams and players across the country.rnrn[embed]https://x.com/erinm_6_12/status/1637544049753174016?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["323402"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='323402' first='Tamya' last='Smith'] was a key player on the 2022-2023 AHSAA state championship team. She is known for her exceptional basketball IQ, athleticism, impressive ball-handling skills, which allow her to easily drive to the rim and finish through contact. However, like many players, Smith has shown a lot of improvement this past season.rnrnOn the perimeter, Smith was a savage with her outside shooting and made a lot of 3-pointer last season . While she has shown flashes of being able to make the shot around the court, she most definitely have the confident to get any job done. Smith is a true defensive player with a lot of hustle and grit. Any team that she plays automatically knows that she coming hard every play non stop.  [player_tooltip player_id='323402' first='Tamya' last='Smith'] is an exciting player to watch and has become a top talent in the future of the game. With continued hard work and improvement in certain areas of her game will reach amazing heights in her basketball career.rnrn[embed]https://x.com/AHSAA_hoops/status/1632059420464013312?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6422f7fcbe613"} /-->