3A 2026 Guards who are ready to ball out this season!

Small town players with big time aspirations. These players are ready for the next level of basketball.    [player_tooltip player_id='876305' first='Drew' last='Jackson'] is coming off an injury that derailed her sophomore season with Bald Knob High School. Before that, she put the state on notice, quickly becoming one of the premiere guards in her class. Now, she is entering her junior season fully recovered and ready to play. If I am an opposing team in the 3A-6, knowing that I have Bald Knob next up on the schedule, then I am having nightmares of Jackson torching my team.   Jackson has a quick trigger on her jumpshot, and she is lethal from outside. No matter if she has a catch-and-shoot look, a look off the dribble, or around a screen, Jackson is taking and draining them. Jackson's game can be taken inside as well, and with a fantastic handle, there is not a place she will not be able to maneuver herself to. She uses her quickness to drive inside, where she can hit a floater or take it straight to the defense. Jackson can also use a euro-step or a pass fake to get her extra separation.   Jackson is also an opportunistic scorer, and I mean that to say that whenever there is an opportunity to run out on the fastbreak, she jumps at the chance, scoring a fair number of easy baskets.   [player_tooltip player_id='876305' first='Drew' last='Jackson'] is a star in the making, and a name a lot of people around the state already know. Of course, Jackson will be coming into the season with something to prove, and we should all grab our popcorn and watch it happen.     I would hate to play against a player like [player_tooltip player_id='1050476' first='Kaylin' last='Caraway']. Caraway is one of those players who can fire her teammates up on the offensive end, but then tear you down on the defensive end. She made a massive impact for Melbourne High School last season, and now as a junior, she is expected to make an even bigger one.   I do not know if Caraway runs track and field, but if she doesn't, then someone needs to sign her up right now! It is evident that she is by far the fastest player on the court at all times. Being that fast allows her to be deadly with the ball in her hands. She can drive to the basket and leave the defense in the dust on the way. Caraway also adds a ridiculously good handle into the mix, and she makes defenders look silly on her crossovers. That is all great, but now add a killer 3-point shot, then you have a complete scoring prospect. Of course, Caraway is not just one-sided.   Caraway's speed comes in handy on defense, and when a pass hangs just a little bit too long in the air, she is taking it the other way. If opposing ball-handlers think that they can find their rhythm with their handles, then they are mistaken. Caraway will poke the ball free and take that the other way as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1050476' first='Kaylin' last='Caraway'] is going to have a great junior season with Melbourne, and as long as she continues to use her speed to her advantage, she will continue to crush the hearts of her opponents.     You absolutely cannot leave [player_tooltip player_id='876333' first='Claire' last='Citty'] open, nor can you play loosey goosey with the basketball around her. Citty had a good summer with her AAU squad, the [program_tooltip program_id='712401' first='Arkansas' last='Sting'], and now is the time for her to carry that momentum into her junior season.   Citty is best on offense if she is situated on the 3-point line. She remains ready to shoot every offensive possession, and she has a nice jumpshot. With a good release point and solid arch, Citty becomes hard to stop once she has it going from outside. Her teammates always look to find her for catch-and-shoot opportunities, and they also know she is ready for any challenge on the defensive end.   Citty has a long wingspan, and that allows her to easily tip passes away, leading to a turnover. Citty is better known as a pick-pocket, as she can take the ball out of anyone's possession with her overwhelming defensive aggressiveness.   [player_tooltip player_id='876333' first='Claire' last='Citty'] was 3A-6 all-conference and an all-state honorable mention last season, and now the expectations are much higher for her and her squad. The 3A-6 might be very interesting this season.     Laney Marsh is one of the best guards in the 2026 class hands down. With her offensive skills, there is no way she should not have another all-state season with Episcopal Collegiate.   Marsh has a quick release on her jumpshot and if she has enough space, she will pull it from anywhere, and I mean "anywhere." Caitlyn Clark would tip her hat to the shots Marsh is dialing up when she is way beyond the arch. Regardless, she is cashing in on them, and she is equally dangerous in catch-and-shoot and off the dribble situations.   Marsh also has a great handle, and she uses that to find her way inside. When she has a lane to the basket, Marsh can and will find a way to finish at the rim, no matter what the defense throws at her.   Laney Marsh has college prospect written all over her, and with a great 2024/25 season, she will be raking in the offers.     Jaci Cooper was a 3A-2 all-conference selection last season as a sophomore, and had some notable performances during Mountain View's 3A state tournament run. This season, Cooper is expected to take on more responsibility, and she looks to expand on the success she had as a sophomore.   Cooper is an excellent 3-point shooter, and it seems that she loves the right corner. Regardless, Cooper has a quick release, a solid flick of the wrist, and good arch on her jumpshot, and once she has it going, she is a hard player to stop. There were several games last season where Cooper's largest impact on offense was her hot 3-point shooting, usually making multiple threes per outing.   Defensively, forcing turnovers was Cooper's biggest strength. Cooper reads the defense extremely well, and she can anticipate where the ball is going. Stealing passes was one of her specialties last season, and expect her to continue to do more of that in 2024/25.   Jaci Cooper is a solid two-way player for Mountain View, and she is one of the several star-caliber players they have at their disposal. Do not miss the chance to watch this team this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060812' first='Jordyn' last='Gamble'] might be the best 2-guard in the 3A-8. Gamble has incredible abilities, and she makes a massive impact on both sides of the ball. I would not be shocked if Gamble starts to rack up offers if she continues to expand her game as a junior.   Gamble has a lethal crossover, obliterating ankles once it is in motion. Gamble then uses her quickness to drive inside and finish through contact. She can also stretch her game out to the perimeter and knock down plenty of triples. Her shot may be a bit unorthodox, but it still gets the job done. Gamble is especially dangerous in catch-and-shoot scenarios, but is also a threat to knock down triples off a screen.   If you are an opposing ball-handler trying to dribble around Gamble, that in of itself is a gamble, as she will poke that ball away and take it to the other end. She does not mind playing aggressive on-ball defense as well, making the opposition frustrated.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060812' first='Jordyn' last='Gamble'] is a fantastic basketball player with a lot of potential. She is already a great two-way guard, and she will surely breakout in the 2024/25 season.     Olivia Fenner is a flamethrower from beyond the arch. The southpaw can get it going from outside quickly, and she is a dangerous weapon for Lavaca High School. There is no doubt in my mind that Fenner could very well be the best shooter in the 3A-4 this season.   Fenner is a lefty, and sometimes that is enough to throw a defense off. If it is not that, then it would have to be her quick release and the high arch on her jumpshot. The defense is often caught stumbling with a look of panic on their face when trying to go out and contest one of Fenner's looks. Despite the closeouts, Fenner never seems to be fazed, just about draining every shot she takes.   If the closeout is good enough to chase Fenner off the 3-point line, then she has no problem driving inside and taking a floater or a layup. Though 3-point shooting is her strength, I would like to see her play more on the interior, which would add another element to her offensive game.   Olivia Fenner is Lavaca's markswoman, who can light it up any time she wants. I would not be surprised if Fenner shoots 40% from three or higher this season, and if that happens, you better believe Lavaca can make a deep run in the 3A state tournament.    A lot of great shooters are on this list, and it is not hard to find noteworthy college talent here. I know I speak for a lot of people when I say this, but I cannot wait to watch these small town stars in action this season. Coming soon to a device near you: 3A 2026 wings!

Small town players with big time aspirations. These players are ready for the next level of basketball.