Underrated Guards in the 2028 Ranking Everyone Should Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These incoming sophomore guards are underrated, but that could be subject to change this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180592"],"_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-68584ca6d5f36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Southside Charter is full of young players, including [player_tooltip player_id='1180592' first='Maci' last='Witt'], who runs the offense. She is ranked at #24 for now, but she could fly up the rankings with a strong sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Witt was an all-conference and all-state tournament selection as a freshman in 2024-25, and she is looking to repeat her success this coming year. Witt has been impressive at the team camps the Lady Southerners have participated in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She has shown that she can move the ball around effectively, keeping her eyes up in transition, waiting for a teammate to get open. The guard is also a threat to score at will, whether she is driving inside and finishing amongst the trees, or stepping back and hitting a three with a hand in her face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180592' first='Maci' last='Witt'] knows how to create space for her shot, but she has shown the potential to be one of the best floor generals in the 4A-6. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198791"],"_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-68584ca6d5f93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGehee is a team that is ready to make some noise in the 3A classification. After amassing a 20-5 overall record and a 9-3 record in the 3A-8, the Lady Owls are looking like a 3A title contender, with a lot of credit dedicated to their 2028 star, [player_tooltip player_id='1198791' first='Makaelah' last='Green'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green led the way last season in most categories for McGehee. She averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. She was McGehee's offensive catalyst through much of the season, scoring effectively in the paint and along the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even as a freshman, Green proved that she was a capable ball-handler and floor general. She seemed to always know where her open teammates were, hitting them with accurate passes. Like a lot of great guards in this state, Green is an excellent on-ball defender. She plays hounding defense for the entirety of every possession, forcing turnovers against any opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198791' first='Makaelah' last='Green'] is a name you should start to hear more of in 2025-26. Keep an eye and an ear out for Green and the McGehee Lady Owls, who should be making a lot of noise very soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1214398"],"_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-68584ca6d5fdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1214398' first='Kennedy' last='Hudson'] is ranked at #39 in this class, even after only playing 4 games on varsity this past season. Despite the short stint, Hudson made her opportunity worthwhile, proving that she can be one of the best guards in this class next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson averaged 11.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. In her first appearance on varsity, she starred in Lead Hill's 34-point victory over Mount Judea, scoring 17 points. In their next game against Jasper, a 1A powerhouse, Hudson accounted for over half of her team's total scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson is a solid 3-point shooter who connected on 35% of her threes this past season. With Lead Hill's junior varsity squad, she was more of an inside scorer, hitting 43% of her shots from inside the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1214398' first='Kennedy' last='Hudson'] is a bit of an unknown as we head into 2025-26. However, she has shown that Lead Hill was missing her offensive production, and they will need her if they want to have a record better than 5-28. Keep an eye on this guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091112"],"_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-68584ca6d6020"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1091112' first='Madison' last='Reese'] is expected to be a major contributor next season for Bentonville West. Ouachita Baptist has already hopped on the hype train, extending her an offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far this summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='715977' first='AAO' last='Flight'], Reese has been putting on a scoring clinic. She is hitting shots from beyond the arc, pulling up and knocking down mid-range jumpers, and driving inside and shooting over taller defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Reese's quick release, she can get her shot off quickly, especially off the catch. If she sees a lane to the basket, she will not hesitate to exploit it, absorbing contact and finishing through traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1091112' first='Madison' last='Reese'] has a tremendous amount of potential, and she could be the missing piece Bentonville West needs to get over the hump. Keep an eye on this 2028 guard who could, without a doubt, out-play her current ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196081"],"_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-68584ca6d6062"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There has to be a mistake, because [player_tooltip player_id='1196081' first='Daijah' last='Bradley'] should not be at #50 in the 2028 class. After the next update, she is surely going to fly up the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradley had a great start to her freshman season, playing well against several tough non-conference opponents. Against Manila in December, Bradley posted 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. In a November contest against Osceola, she led the way with 16 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a conference victory over Trumann, Bradley made plays all over the court, putting up 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. She also scored 13 points against a good Stuttgart team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stats speak for themselves: [player_tooltip player_id='1196081' first='Daijah' last='Bradley'] can make plays all over the court. She can score, rebound, make plays for others, and stop the opposition in their tracks. With Bradley returning, Forrest City is even more dangerous than it already was.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guards are underrated, but they are bound to rise in the rankings. Keep up with these players as the summer progresses and as we approach the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->