Guards Who Belong in the Conversation

Over the summer, we got a chance to evaluate a number of guards who may not always dominate the headlines — but they can flat-out play. Some are under the radar. Some haven't had the same exposure as others. But make no mistake: these players made their presence felt on the court. Whether it's their ability to create off the dribble, defend with intensity, or lead a team with poise, each one brought something special to the game. In this article, we take an extensive look at some of the guards who quietly put together strong summers and proved they belong in the conversation.    [player_tooltip player_id='514910' first='Ja'Niya' last='Corbin'] was one of the top young freshman guard to emerge on the scene last year. She really stood out with her speed, stood out with her ball handling and her ability to knock down the three-point shot. The young guard is a very clever and savvy and has the ability to put defenses in binds and off balance. In the state championship, the guard shot over 10 free throws. Her quickness and speed were too much for the defense to handle. Corbin is that kind of player who can score in many ways. When discussing the top guards in the 2028 class, [player_tooltip player_id='514910' first='Ja'Niya' last='Corbin']'s name must come up.     [player_tooltip player_id='1235886' first='Addy' last='Curry'] really made a big impression during the final weeks of the travel period. Her athleticism and her ball IQ jumped off the page. Curry has the ability to get downhill to the rim and with power. Watching her create separation of the dribble, making backdoor cuts and being in sync with her teammates was impressive. Curry really made a huge impression on the court. She will be in the conversation of under -the radar girls who can play.     [player_tooltip player_id='912252' first='Naomi' last='Gill'] is a young guard whom everyone on the First Coast better pay close attention to. Early on, Gill played solid defense. She already Watching her this summer and seeing how far her offensive game has come was a treat. Gill can get to the rim with a quick first step, take the hit and explode to the basket. At FABC her offense was potent: She knocked down threes, ripped to the mid-range, and got to the free-throw line. Gill is a young baller whose potential is not limited. She will be a player in the upcoming next season.     Deja Corbin proved in the State's final that that she's one of the up-and-coming guards in the state. Her performance in the state championship this year as well as the semifinals was impressive. Corbin has always been a reliable three-point shooter. She is also good ball handler and does a good job of playing in sync with her teammates. She can get to the rim and score, but the three point shot is what shew does best.     [player_tooltip player_id='248681' first='Alayiah' last='Johnson'] is a major contributor to her team and she brings a lot of talent and skill to the table. At the FABC Showcase she illustrated ball handling skills and showed her ability to score the basketball. On the defensive end Johnson is athletic and has the speed to cover fast and more physical guards. She is at her best in the open court.     [player_tooltip player_id='752544' first='Ja'Niyah' last='McCoy'] is a bonaf-ide bucket-getter and her three point arsenal is as good as anyone's. McCoy's underclassmen years saw her setting records from behind the arc. McCoy averaged nearly 16 points per game and got involved in assists, rebounds, and in the steals department. McCoy is electric on the defensive end as well with the quickness to disrupt the opponent. She definitely belongs in the conversation and she is one of the best guards in the Marion - Alachua county area.

Over the summer, we got a chance to evaluate a number of guards who may not always dominate the headlines — but they can flat-out play. Some are under the radar. Some haven't had the same exposure as others. But make no mistake: these players made their presence felt on the court. Whether it's their ability to create off the dribble, defend with intensity, or lead a team with poise, each one brought something special to the game. In this article, we take an extensive look at some of the guards who quietly put together strong summers and proved they belong in the conversation.