Guards Edition: The Experienced and Resilient

In a season brimming with excitement and promise, five upperclassmen are making headlines: three standout guards bringing offensive firepower, court vision, and skill, and two comeback stories that embody resilience and determination. This article highlights the impact of these seasoned leaders and the adversity others have overcome to get here.    Jenkins is fundamentally sound as a player. She possesses a high basketball IQ, which is evident in her role as a point guard. Her vocal leadership makes her an ideal court commander, something that coaches appreciate. Jenkins remains poised and patient, never forcing plays that aren't there. Instead, she waits for defensive mistakes or opportunities to create angles, and then she capitalizes on them. She is also capable of scoring from 3-point range, as demonstrated in several clutch moments last year. Jenkins averaged 10.4 points per game and shot 50% from the field during her last season with Menasha. I look forward to seeing her lead her team this season as an upperclassman.     As the leading scorer for Waukesha East during the 2023-2024 season, [player_tooltip player_id='509696' first='Emma' last='Close'] faced tough defenders all season long, but that didn't stop her. Shooting 41% from beyond the arc, she is a major threat at the perimeter. She has beautiful shooting form and a quick release. Against aggressive defense, she was able to use quick bursts of speed and sharp cuts to get herself open – a valuable tool for her as a sophomore. Clever and shifty, she's a threat driving to the rim, often executing moves that showcase her impressive footwork. She also excels in the open court, finding her teammates with perfectly timed passes. On the defensive end, she's fierce and highly anticipatory. Close averaged 15.4 PPG, shooting an impressive 48% from the field last year. After a stellar sophomore season, I look forward to seeing how she steps into her role as an upperclassman leader on the court.     Grant has a smooth shooting stroke and a finesse-style game. She effectively brings the ball up as the point guard, getting the offense running efficiently before integrating herself into the flow of the game. She doesn't force shots – instead, she allows them to come to her. I was impressed by her ability to fulfill the roles of both point guard and court commander while also being a lead scorer. Last season, Grant averaged 31.2 points per game with Brown Deer, with a high of 41 points in a victory against Milwaukee School of Languages. Another aspect I noticed was her strategic use of energy, playing in bursts of speed that catch the defense off guard. She can easily slice through the defense and finish at the hoop, often using a hop step to maneuver around defenders. As a senior, I am confident she will lead her team to another successful season.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Comeback Kids:</h2>    Standing at 6 feet tall, Alexis has the ability to bring the ball up the court and manage it effectively, which is highly appealing to colleges at her height. Beger made a strong impact on the Sheboygan Lutheran Crusaders varsity team during her sophomore season. Averaging 11.2 points per game, she demonstrated impressive efficiency shooting 44% from the field and 37% from three-point range. Notably unselfish in her play, Beger led Lutheran with 4.2 assists per game, showing her skill at both ball-handling and decision-making on the court. For the 2023-2024 season, Beger transferred to Plymouth High School, where, due to WIAA regulations, she was unable to play varsity but shined on the junior varsity team. Despite suffering a torn ACL mid-season, she is expected to return strong for her senior year at Plymouth. Her dedication to the sport is evident through her commitment to AAU basketball in the off-season, and she has already gained attention as a prospect for both Division 1 and Division 2 colleges. After a summer focused on recovery, Beger is expected to help lead Plymouth to a successful season. I'm looking forward to seeing what her senior year will bring!     Martin missed the majority of her sophomore season due to an injury, but her resilience was evident in her comeback as she participated in the last five games of the season, helping her team reach the sectional finals against Neenah. Upon her return, she took on a prominent role. She has quick, active feet on defense and is tenacious overall. Martin excels at boxing out for rebounds and aggressively pursues offensive boards, leading to valuable put-backs. She can shoot from deep beyond the perimeter, and her shot mechanics are impressive. Martin also has a quick rip and go move, along with a nice peak fake on the perimeter that I'm hoping to see more of this season. I have no doubt that she will be a key player for Hortonville in their pursuit of a championship, especially after continuing to compete and improve over the summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='713038' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze']. I am excited to watch her play a full junior season, allowing her to play a bigger role in developing with her team before the playoffs.

In a season brimming with excitement and promise, five upperclassmen are making headlines: three standout guards bringing offensive firepower, court vision, and skill, and two comeback stories that embody resilience and determination. This article highlights the impact of these seasoned leaders and the adversity others have overcome to get here.