Season Preview: 2026 Guards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we preview the upcoming high school girls basketball season here at Prep Girls Hoops, the attention in our series of articles now shifts over to this year's junior class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As is the case with the 2025s, the list of noteworthy 2026s reads like a who's who from one end of the state to another – as is expected in a state with such a vast talent pool.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And as was the case with our senior articles, we begin our look at standout juniors by spotlighting beasts of the backcourt. Here are four guards that should be on the radars of hoops aficionados of the Hoop State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505455"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67181be15793e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington is not only the top-ranked guard in the Prep Girls Hoops 2026 class, she is the top-ranked player in the 2026 class. When one is a 5-foot-11 backcourt standout, that will certainly earn a litany of attention from coaches at the collegiate level. While Washington primarily operates in the backcourt as either a two or a one, she can also give a team productive minutes in the frontcourt as a three. Unfortunately, she will miss time due to an ACL injury but expect her comeback to be bigger than this setback. Queens, Radford, Winthrop, Davidson, Appalachian State, Elon, East Carolina, Monmouth and Lafayette have all extended offers in Washington's direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["457411"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67181be1579c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is no shame in seeing a team's season end at the hands of a team that was 4A runners-up. That was the case for the 2023-24 rendition of Rhyne's Lake Norman team. The Wildcats finished the season with a 26-3 record along with going a perfect 13 out of 13 in its conference. Charlotte Catholic, last season's 4A runners-up, brought an end to the Wildcats' season deep in the playoffs. Rhyne had herself a banner 2023-24 as she averaged a robust 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.2 steals per contest. She will have two more seasons at the high school level before she heads to Navy to play her collegiate ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621980"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67181be157a24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Throughout her high school career, Carelock has had a very stacked athletic plate. In addition to what she gets accomplished on the basketball court, Carelock also partakes in cross country competitions alongside playing volleyball. Instead of wearing the red of Northside Christian this season, Carelock will instead sport the purple of Winston Salem Christian in 2024-25. The time she spent on the travel circuit throughout the spring and summer with [program_tooltip program_id='713516' first='FBC' last='Carolina Elite'] Phoenix should translate into a stellar season with the Lions. Carelock is listed at 5-foot-5 and will give a team productive minutes at the point, at the two or as a combo guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509517"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67181be157a7c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was not that long ago that Hobbs wore the uniform of [program_tooltip program_id='713552' first='1' last='of 1'] Prep before she opted to trade its red for the maroon and gold of 3A Jay M. Robinson. As her career has blossomed, it has already led to her attracting a litany of interest. Hobbs has garnered Division I offers from Appalachian State, Pitt, George Washington and Western Carolina. Hobbs was a major reason why the Bulldogs completed its most successful season since 2012-13 when Jay M. Robinson got in the win column on 23 occasions. Hobbs' team finished with a 19-8 mark in 2023-24 (12-4 in 3A South Piedmont play) and she averaged 21.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 steals in those 27 contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->