X-Factor Guards: Gluey Players with Game

From the outset it ought to be understood that this crew is thoughtful, intuitive, and often knitting together their team's cause. In turn, there are times where stats dip due to their interest in establishing rhythm as they dissect opponents. Regardless, there's a whole lot of game here and each brings sincere impact to winning. Let's dive in!   Addison Ely, 5'6 G - St. Johnsbury Academy Class of 2026   A scrappy guard who relishes some physicality, Ely brings an edge to the court. She's tough out of St. J's zone defenses, knows her rotations and is fearsome when she pressures because she doesn't relent. On the offensive end, she's connective. Addison is aware of defensive changes, moves the rock quickly, attacks closeouts, and hits the 3 or makes a play in transition. Efficient with the ball, efficient with her shooting. She's functioned as St. J's PG and it looks like she's comfortable in it.   [player_tooltip player_id='630359' first='Delilah' last='Locher'], 5'7 G - Mount Mansfield Union H.S. Class of 2026   An active presence at all times, watching Dee you can tell she has a great feel for the game. Her awareness of floor spacing is obvious; she knows when to backcut an overzealous defender, she balances the floor wisely with her movement and is always available as a pressure release. Moreover, she's a playmaker. Her slashing + finishing is tough, she sees passing windows before they open, and she has a great passing package to deliver dimes. Defensively, that floor awareness translates, she's a pest on the ball and anticipates oh so well to disrupt. A joy to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='645688' first='Peyton' last='Guay'], 5'9 G - West Rutland H.S. Class of 2025   A 2,000-point scorer and the engine behind the D4 dynasty, Guay keeps coming at you. Her playmaking is versatile, able to see the floor and gaps in the defense and in turn, slash into that space for buckets inside or hit the cutter on the money. With that, her shooting from range opens up and she can knock it down at a good clip. Defensively wry and active, Guay makes good reads out of the zone pressure and turns defense to offense in a hurry. An aware two-way guard who ties it all together.   Eloise Lilley, 5'8 G - Harwood Union H.S. Class of 2025   Lilley just dropped her 1,000th as Harwood's go-to player yet she's more than a scorer. Eloise is a hardnosed defender who enjoys a competitive matchup, always ready to go head-up at a tough guard and take them out of their game. She consistently captures a couple steals and forces plenty of other disruption too. Offensively, she thrives turning defense to offense. Moreover, I like her aggressiveness to get inside in the halfcourt, getting to her spots off the bounce or attacking closeouts. Rugged on both ends, Lilley loves to compete.   [player_tooltip player_id='645778' first='Katelynn' last='Hadwen'], 5'7 G - Fair Haven Union H.S. Class of 2025   A critical element to FHU's title run last year, Hadwen steps into a slightly larger role for this year's push. She has a bit more ballhandling responsibility and she handles it in stride, organizing the offense, hitting the open teammate on time, and using her 3pt shooting + drive/kick to bend the defense and create opportunity. A tough defender who digs her heels in, Hadwen's effort keeps players in front, forces tough looks, and keeps opponent rhythm at bay.   Mya Lumsden, 5'7 G - Hazen Union H.S. Class of 2027   As a freshman Mya proved herself as a top player in D3 and there's no slowing down. Lumsden's offensive facilitation combined with her ability to get to her spots off bounce equals plenty of offensive creation. She attacks closeouts well, hits open 3s, and knows when to finish or dish on the drive. It should be noted, her defensive impact is just as great. Her long wingspan is bothersome, she moves her feet well and she's a hawk off the ball, turning the transition offense all the way up for an up-and-down affair. Lumsden takes care of business.   Emma Harrison, 5'6 G - BFA St. Albans Class of 2027   Harrison has been on a tear lately dropping the ball in the bucket. She's posted numerous 20+ games in the last couple weeks, showcasing her finishing in the open court along with a clean jump shot. She's someone who balances her scoring with clean offensive coordination, moving the ball well with crisp passing to create open shots. Defensively, Emma's an aware defender who covers cuts well, anticipates actions, and keeps the ball out of the middle. A tough two-way player just finding her groove.

From the outset it ought to be understood that this crew is thoughtful, intuitive, and often knitting together their team's cause. In turn, there are times where stats dip due to their interest in establishing rhythm as they dissect opponents. Regardless, there's a whole lot of game here and each brings sincere impact to winning. Let's dive in!