Top returning backcourt duos series – Edition 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ther aare some extremely talented backcourt players who will be returning for their teams next season. I am going to do a few of these articles, in no particular order. These may not be the top duos in this article but they are no doubt among the best tbackcourts returning next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Seattle </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='301064' first='Carmen' last='Cruz'] [player_tooltip player_id='279611' first='Lucy' last='Larson']The sky is the limit for West Seattle next season. They return these two two top guards who were juniors on this seasons state qualifying team. Cruz has unlimited range and shoots it from NBA three range. Larson is a lefty and does more of the ball handling duties, with a great feel for the game. She can also shoot the lights out from long range. Larson is a good facilitating guard with good floor vision. Both are around 5'11, which will make it even tougher to match up with them on the perimeter. Both are also great at getting into the shooting position and have a quick release. past season. You would be hard pressed to find a better shooting combo. to be next year at West Seattle. Cruz is one of the best shooters around the state, making 80 threes last season. Larson is more of a point guard who can score. This is a team that has a ton of talent back season, led by two of the top returning guards in the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kennewick </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='584371' first='Haylee' last='Johnson'] [player_tooltip player_id='584296' first='Ashlyn' last='Dress']<br>Class of 2024, Johnson was one of the leading scorers in the Mid-Co 3A/4A conference all season long. She has good size at 5:11 for a shooting guard. She averaged 15.5 points last season. She is capable of scoring from anywhere. She is best at getting to the basket, and is good in the open floor. A good athlete who can defend win her length and quickness.[player_tooltip player_id='499170' first='Dylyn' last='Dress'], class of 2025 averaged 12 points per game. She is a greaat shooter and led the Mid-Co conference in threes. She had games of multiple threes in most, including 8 in the final game of the regular season. There is also her twin sister [player_tooltip player_id='584296' first='Ashlyn' last='Dress'] who is a good all around player who sees the floor well, often finding her sister for open looks. All three have decent size and they can all run the floor and play up tempo basketball. Kennewick should make a return trip to the state tournament next season with their nucleus of players coming back. All three are skilled players who understand the game and play well together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hermiston </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='589896' first='Izzy' last='Simmons'] [player_tooltip player_id='591218' first='Ellie' last='Heideman']<br>This is a backcourt that can shoot it with the best of them as well. Both are class of 2025. Simmons might be the best long range shooter in the state and is ranked #5 in Prep Hoops Class of 2025. She frequently pulls up from way beyond the arc, and has one of the best looking jumpers I saw last season. She can do more than shoot. She has craftiness around the basket, handles the point guard duties much of the time and was the leading scorer in the conference at 19.1 points per game. She has good quickness, and can get to the basket and score with nice floaters in the lane. Her backcourt mate Heideman is another shooter. These two have similar type game, both are quick, can shoot well, and usee that quickness on defense. She also has the nice floater she uses and both will pressure the ball and get steals, which is trouble for opposing teams once they get into the open floor. They can both run. They aren't as big as the first two combos but Simmons is an elite guard who can score with the best of them</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sumner </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='301066' first='Lainee' last='Houillon'] [player_tooltip player_id='318805' first='Olivia' last='Collins']<br>Sumner will be in good hands withClass these two talented guards back next season. Huillon, Class of 2024, is a lightning quick point guard who was MVP of her league. She goes all out, all the time. She is a great ball handling guard and team leader. She is a scoring point guard, and averaged 23 points a game last season. She can break down the defense with her quickness almost anytime she wants. She gets into her opponent on defense and will create havoc with the ball pressure she applies. One of the most intense, hustle style guards that I watched last season. Collins was just a freshman but she is one of the best players in the Class of 2026. She has decent size and can shoot well, and create mid-range shots. She plays with a high IQ and has the potential to be a superstar. Both of these players have the possibility to climb up the rankings in their respective classes. Sumner also make it to the regional round of the state tournament last season. They have a couple players who are more than capable of getting them further next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->