2024 Rankings Update: Versatile Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='495930' first='Trinitee' last='Holmes'] - Burlington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holmes brings an especially unique and skilled playstyle for a tall guard at roughly 6' tall. The incoming senior is an especially capable shotmaker in the mid-range, having no trouble rising up over nearby opponents. Her decision making has continued to slow down in the halfcourt, proving patient for the right opportunity to create a shot or move the ball. Her height allows her to be a fairly versatile defender against 2s and 3s, with continued improvements in strength Holmes may be capable of guarding up against bigger forwards. Given her shooting gravity, Holmes' upside still resides in her playmaking vision, where she commands a large responsibility as is.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='216728' first='Penny' last='Urquhart'] - Littleton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Urquhart has been a versatile offensive weapon for Littleton, more than capable of scoring and facilitating from anywhere on the floor. The guard embraces the fundamentals, maximizing her strength to back down opponents in the post to find her spots. Showing prowess getting to the drop step to skate by immediate interior defenders, Urquhart has soft touch with either hand or while taking the short jumper. There are few guards who utilize the post as much as Urquhart, finding ways to back down opponents into advantageous positioning eight to ten feet out. Her continued growth as a facilitator cannot be overlooked, doing well to find shotmakers from kick outs when the lane opens.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='216648' first='Brooklyn' last='Bickerstaff'] - Eaglecrest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bickerstaff is an intriguing complementary guard that brings efficient scoring upside in a variety of areas. The guard has shown value as a shooter beyond the arc, often coming from kick outs or skip passes, allowing time to settle into the shot. Should the opponent close out too quickly, Bickerstaff is adept at taking it to the rim through contests or contributing on the short floater. Her impact with Eaglecrest this upcoming season will be incredibly important, given the departure of multiple high level 2023 prospects.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='474578' first='Alana' last='Biosse'] - Cherokee Trail</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biosse is showing tangible improvement in her passing game, proving assertive out of the pick and roll or transition. Her passing ability will be a crucial aspect for her and Cherokee Trail's collective upside, given the myriad of talent on this program. Along with Biosse's role as a facilitator, she has shown the ability to score as a shotmaker in the mid-range. Either from pull-ups or short fadeaways against contact, the guard brings multiple skills on that end. This is all on top of her dependable defensive ability versus 1s and 2s, proving quick and twitchy reacting to drivers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='216679' first='Julia' last='Hodell'] - Holy Family</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hodell has played a pivotal role with Holy Family, finding ways to be an efficient contributor through facilitating and defensive rotations. The guard has especially quick processing speeds, using her quick instincts to block shots or make the extra pass for an open shot attempt. She was an elite glue player, although this July will be a good indicator of her upside going into the upcoming season. Exciting times ahead for Hodell and Holy Family, who just came away from the 4A title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->