Unheralded Senior Guards for 2024
INTRODUCTION: Many junior guards are getting ready for a breakout senior season. Here’s a look at five ready for the 2023-24 season. LEA LLAMAS – is a 5-3 senior-to-be shooting guard for Pima High School. She definitely played under the…
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Continue ReadingINTRODUCTION: Many junior guards are getting ready for a breakout senior season. Here’s a look at five ready for the 2023-24 season.
LEA LLAMAS – is a 5-3 senior-to-be shooting guard for Pima High School. She definitely played under the radar in 2022-23. Pima lost to Phoenix Country Day in last year’s 2A State Championship game, 54-43. In 29 games, Lea averaged 4.5 points per game and 2.5 rebounds per contest. Pima finished the year with an overall mark of 27-3 and a perfect 12-0 in their section. Lea made a crucial steal late in the game that helped Pima advance to the Championship Game with a 48-42 win over San Carlos.
EVALUATION: Lea improved her overall game in 2022-23 and helped take Pima to the 2A State Final. Her skills as a ball-handler and shooter have gotten better every year of her high school career. She has a great work ethic and has become an all-around leader for the Lady Riders. Phoenix Country Day spoiled Pima’s bid for a third consecutive 2A title but with many players returning in 2024, Lea and her teammates could make a title run.
JAZLYN NOSIE – is a junior 5-5 point guard for Alchesay High School. In 31 games last season, she averaged 13.9 points per game to go along with 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.0 steals. The Lady Falcons beat Chinie High School in the 3A State Championship game. Jazlyn had 16 points in the game, having shot 54% from the floor. Alchesay won, 66-64. As a sophomore, she shot 52% from the field and also, as a sophomore, she was awarded Player of the Game honors by Max Preps. This was in December of 2021 against Show Low.
EVALUATION: Jazlyn has become a true point guard who helps all of her teammates get involved at both ends of the court. She averaged almost 14 points per game to go along with 4.4 assists and 3.0 steals. In both her sophomore and junior seasons, she shot over 50% from the floor. She is a vocal leader for her team both on and off the court and should come into her own as a senior next fall.
AMYA BEKELE – is a 5-9 senior-to-be shooting guard for Mesa High School. Playing in Division 6A East Valley, she averaged 7.6 points per game last season as well as 5.8 rebounds per contest. Mesa finished the year with an overall 18-12 mark and 8-2 in their section. A transfer from Red Mountain High School, Amya had four three-pointers in two different games last year – against Westwood High School as well as Mountain View. She also had four fast-break baskets in a game against Maryvale.
EVALUATION: Amya is a 5-9 Junior guard who has improved her offensive skills – ball handling and shooting – every year of her high school career. She is also becoming a better team defensive player and has played consistently in transition. She had four three-pointers in two different games last year and led Mesa for easy fast-break baskets on a number of occasions. She is now preparing for her Senior year at Mesa.
KOROL ORTIZ – is a 5-5 junior shooting guard at Sahuarita High School. As a freshman during the 2020-21 school year, she averaged 10 points per game and 5.8 rebounds. One scout commented on her game: “She defends the ball well and is able to use her quick hands to take the ball from the other team. She had 10 steals in a game as a freshman, showing that she is not afraid to play tough with the older kids. As she gets more and more comfortable in the high school basketball scene, I think she will be able to show her improved skills even more.” Overall, Sahuarita finished 21-8 and 7-3 in their division.
EVALUATION: Korol is beginning to come into her own as an all-around player at Sahuarita High School. Her fast hands make her the best defensive player on her team and she has improved offensively as both a ball-handler and shooter. Korol has become both a vocal and team leader for Sahuarita. As she prepares for her last year of high school, she should have an outstanding senior season.
MIA KELLEY – is a 5-3 senior-to-be point guard at Cienega High School. She made a total of 38 three-pointers last season. As a junior, Mia averaged 8.2 points per game and 2.3 rebounds. Cienega lost to Casteel in last season’s AIA state tournament, 57-42. She had a career-high 22 points in a game against Desert View earlier in the season. Last November 30, in a game against Cactus Shadows she was honored as Player of the Game by Max Preps, although they lost the game, 62-45. Over three seasons as a varsity player, Mia, in 48 games, averaged 6.5 points per contest. In all three seasons, she improved her points and rebounding numbers each year.
EVALUATION: Mia will become a four-year varsity player for Cienega beginning this fall. She has improved both her offensive and defensive skills each season and she should be ready for a breakout season in 2023-24. On two occasions, once as a sophomore and once as a junior, she was honored as Player of the Game by Max Preps. She was also nominated for the WaFd Bank Arizona Girls Basketball Player of the Week in late January for her performance against Desert View. In addition to scoring 22 points, Mia had four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.