2026 Guards Ready for Larger Roles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are few guards within the 2026 class set for important roles on winning programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='510716' first='Audrina' last='Nelson'] - Air Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is an effective facilitator, bringing in a refined perimeter skill set throughout her freshman season at Air Academy. Doing a valuable job as a complementary perimeter playmaker, the guard will step into the new season as a valuable playmaker for a quickly progressing roster. She embraces the small areas, such as boxing out opponents for defensive rebounds or cutting into the middle following a pass.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='495885' first='Kniyah' last='Dumas'] - Highlands Ranch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dumas is an effective downhill scoring threat, capable of changing directions on a dime to create driving lanes. A team first guard, she prioritizes passing opportunities while on the attack, proving effective at keeping her eyes up constantly for passing lanes. Whether for kick out opportunities or dump offs to baseline cutters, Dumas does a great job of setting up teammates of easy shot attempts. Although undersized, the guard is an effective shotmaker around the rim, possessing soft touch on tight angles around the rim. While around the rim, she has no trouble slowing things down, keeping the dribble live around the baseline to seek out passing lanes. Her continued progression as a perimeter shooter will be intriguing, given how tough she is to slow down while attacking the basket. It should also be mentioned that Dumas is among the most difficult perimeter defenders to get by, given her supreme lateral quickness and active hands.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='495852' first='Enyiah' last='Contreraz'] - Holy Family</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Contreraz will be highly impactful in her second year at Holy Family, returning from a title run where she remained valuable through the whole stretch. A notably consistent shooter as is, the guard still has plenty left on the table as a playmaker. Undoubtedly attracting gravity out to the three point line, Contreraz holds an advantage most lead guards need to possess in order to control the halfcourt. The guard is always on the prowl for another shot attempt along the perimeter, carefully moving in space to remain a potent shooter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='471053' first='Sydney' last='Ramirez'] - The Vanguard School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramirez is a well rounded scoring guard who seeks out efficient looks around the rim or beyond the arc. Effective utilizing a crossover or another self-created move to get by her nearest defender, the guard is a proactive downhill scorer. Effective finishing through contact on layup attempts, Ramirez is especially efficient contributing attempts with her right hand. Ramirez has continued to impress with her jump shot, stepping into three pointers with ease.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='470962' first='Lily' last='Blanchard'] - The Vanguard School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanchard is a capable perimeter shooter off of spot-up attempts, effectively spacing the floor. The sophomore is much more well rounded than just a perimeter specialist. She keeps her eyes up while handling the ball, surveying the floor for passing opportunities back along the perimeter. Capable of sending one handed dimes to perimeter shotmakers, Blanchard does her part to keep the halfcourt flow going. Outlet opportunities has been another area for the guard, getting out onto the wings and alleys immediately following a defensive rebound from a teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->