Watch List guards shining in February!

February marks the season kicking into high gear as all of the teams are peaking just before playoff time. Check out these players who are fueling the push for their teams.    Akens is a quick and efficient guard for Ralston Valley. She is calm on the court, making great decisions with the ball in full court pressure situations. This also helps her to find the big scorers on her team in the right spots. Don't overlook Khloee as a scorer, at 5'4", she is not afraid to get into the paint to get points or get to the free throw line. She can also hit shot from mid-range and 3pt line, making her a perfect backup guard. Defensively, Akens is quick with her feet and hands. She is great in a press, getting traps and steals for her team. She is also great in the half court, guarding wing players. Khloee has no far when it comes to getting in help side and battling bigger post players. As a sophomore, Akens has all of the skills to keep Ralston Valley in the top rankings in the Jeffco league and in the state.     Reuter is a do-it-all player for Legend. She is a reliable SG with the ability to hit shots from mid-range and from behind the arch, keeping in line with the rest of the fire power from Legend. She can get to the basket and finish, but also has great court vision for making the entry post pass or the next skip pass to an open teammate. She can also get buckets in the paint from the high post, or with her back to the basket. Defensively, Jaida is a threat to both dribblers and shooters. She has quick hands and feet, so she can close out tough and get steal on dribbles and in the passing lanes. She can also guard a taller post if needed. Behind Reuter, Legend will not be short of talent for years to come.     A quick, shifty guard is an excellent description for Rutter. Her handles are great for a CG, making her quick in the open court and also when slashing through the defense with to the hoop. She is shifty enough to get through screens for shots or get to the hoop for strong finishes. Autumn also has the necessary range for her position, she is very reliable from mid-range and behind the arch. Rutter is full of energy for Kennedy on defense. She is aggressive in passing lanes and on dribblers, making her a force for any scorer. Her energy is great to watch when she is playing against bigger post players, she gives up nothing in the paint. Kennedy will need Rutter's toughness as they go into the playoffs and in for future years.     Listed as a SG, Drake can play many positions on the court. She is reliable with the ball in her hands and can easily catch the ball in the middle of a press or on offense and make great plays. In the halfcourt, she is strong getting to the paint and can even finish with her back to basket. Emerson is a team staple for go-to scores, she can hit effectively from two points or three. On defense, she uses her height and strength to force turnovers in the full court and half court. She can guard dribblers and shooters on the wing, but can also get stops on paint players. Drake is definitely a key player to watch for A-West in this tail end of the season and beyond.     Byers has basketball in her veins. She is shorter in height but not short for energy and skills. On offense, she is fast with and without the ball in her hands. She has nice handles and can get to the basket where she can finish strong and get to the free throw line. Don't leave Shawne open anywhere on the court, she has mid range and 3pt range alike. She's truly a great shooting guard, that can both score and lead the team. On defense, Byers has a great nose for the ball. She always seems to be in the right place at the right time to get steals, traps and just generally force turnovers and create defensive chaos. Even at her height she is always battling in the paint in help side or sneaking in to get rebounds. Shawne is making her own way with Vista Ridge this season, keep her in your sights for the future.

February marks the season kicking into high gear as all of the teams are peaking just before playoff time. Check out these players who are fueling the push for their teams.