The Floor General: Power of the Point Guard

In girls basketball, no position shapes the game more than the point guard. Often called the “floor general,” the point guard is the heartbeat of the team—controlling tempo, setting up the offense, and dictating the flow of every possession. Their impact goes far beyond scoring; they read defenses, make split-second decisions, and put teammates in the best position to succeed. What separates a good point guard is a unique blend of skills and intangibles: sharp court vision, steady ball-handling under pressure, unselfish playmaking, and the ability to lead with poise. Add in defensive grit, scoring when needed, and a relentless work ethic, and you have the most complete and influential player on the floor—the one who makes everyone else better.    At 5'7, [player_tooltip player_id='373866' first='Lani' last='Smallwood'] (Class of 2026) has built one of the most decorated résumés in Alabama high school basketball. The Mississippi State commit has already surpassed 2,000 career points, earned Alabama 7A Player of the Year honors, was named All-State, and shined as the North Team MVP in the All-Star Game. The only achievement missing from her storied career is a coveted 7A state championship.   Smallwood, the dynamic guard for Albertville High, is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying talents in the state. She is an elite three-level scorer with limitless range, capable of taking over games with her ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Beyond scoring, she is a skilled playmaker whose high basketball IQ allows her to control tempo and create consistent opportunities for her teammates.   What sets Smallwood apart is her ability to deliver in the biggest moments. A true clutch performer, she thrives under pressure and leads with both her production and her poise. Her work ethic and leadership have been the foundation of her consistent excellence, making her one of the premier guards to come out of Alabama in recent years.     At 5'9, [player_tooltip player_id='371498' first='Ja'Kyah' last='Smith'] (Class of 2026) has emerged as one of the standout players for Bob Jones and across Alabama. A three-time All-State performer and 1,000-point scorer, Smith has also competed at the highest levels nationally, helping her team capture a UA 16U Championship.   Smith is a versatile scorer, capable of producing from all three levels—attacking the rim with power and quickness, knocking down mid-range shots, and stretching defenses with her range beyond the arc. Her athleticism stands out, combining speed and agility that make her a constant threat in transition and a force on both ends of the floor.   Defensively, Smith's physical tools and energy allow her to disrupt opponents and guard multiple positions. Offensively, her ability to impact the game in so many ways makes her a player that opposing teams must game plan around every night.   With her blend of skill, athleticism, and versatility, Smith has firmly established herself as one of the premier talents in Alabama's 2026 class.     At 5'7, Deshler's Reese Davis (Class of 2027) has already established herself as one of the premier guards in the state. An Ole Miss commit, Davis is a two-time All-State selection, a 1,000-point scorer, and coming off a sophomore season where she poured in an incredible 825 points. She averaged 24 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, while shooting an impressive 42% from three.   What separates Davis is her ability to be an elite three-level bucket-getter, scoring with ease from anywhere on the floor. She thrives as a playmaker, creating offense for herself but just as quickly recognizing defensive rotations and finding open teammates. Behind the arc, she is deadly—comfortable pulling up off the dribble or knocking down catch-and-shoot opportunities.   Her basketball IQ is advanced well beyond her years, most evident in her command of the pick-and-roll. While she may not be the biggest athlete, Davis competes with an edge that makes her presence impossible to overlook. Watching her play brings comparisons to a young Trae Young—not someone you could ever really stop, but a player you had to make work for everything.     At 5'5, [player_tooltip player_id='382901' first='Heaven' last='Bailey'] (Class of 2027) has quickly established herself as one of Alabama's most dynamic guards. The Stanhope Elmore standout has already surpassed 1,000 career points, while also recording 500 assists and 500 steals. She made history with two games of 15 or more steals, including a 20-steal performance—the second-highest single-game total in Alabama high school girls basketball history.   Bailey is a quick, confident scoring guard who thrives with the ball in her hands. She relies on speed, craft, and skill rather than size, using her explosiveness to attack the basket and create offense. She is a versatile scorer, capable of pulling up from three, hitting mid-range jumpers, and finishing creatively around bigger defenders. Her smooth shooting stroke and fearlessness in clutch moments make her a constant threat.   As a playmaker, Bailey runs pick-and-rolls effectively and consistently finds open teammates, but she is at her best when hunting her own shot and applying pressure on defenses. On the defensive end, she compensates for her size with tenacity, quick hands, and a high basketball IQ, frequently disrupting passing lanes and challenging opposing guards.   With her combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive intensity, [player_tooltip player_id='382901' first='Heaven' last='Bailey'] is one of the most exciting young talents in Alabama girls basketball.     At 5'4, [player_tooltip player_id='371481' first='Tiauna' last='King'] (Class of 2026) has made a name for herself as one of the toughest two-way guards in Alabama. The Pelham standout is a two-time 6A All-State selection and has already surpassed the 1,000-point milestone in her career.   King is a shifty three-level scorer, with the ability to break down defenders and finish in the paint despite her size. Her tight handle makes her extremely difficult to contain, and she thrives on keeping defenses off balance with her creativity.   What makes King special is that her impact isn't limited to offense. On the other end of the floor, she is just as disruptive with her on-ball defense, using her quickness, toughness, and relentless energy to pressure opponents. As a lead guard, King's competitiveness and intensity serve as a tone-setter, elevating the play of everyone around her.   A true two-way force, King's combination of scoring ability, defensive grit, and leadership make her one of the most complete guards in Alabama's 2026 class.     At 5'7, [player_tooltip player_id='520231' first='Sloan' last='Williams'] (Class of 2026) has distinguished herself as one of the most defensively-minded point guards in Alabama. The Hazel Green standout averages 4.3 steals and 3.6 rebounds per game, bringing toughness, energy, and leadership to every possession. Her size for a guard allows her to be a disruptive presence on the perimeter, and she is especially known for her on-ball defensive intensity.   Offensively, Williams is a pass-first facilitator with excellent court vision. She has consistently led Hazel Green in assists, thriving in transition and in structured half-court sets where she can read defenses and deliver the right pass at the right time. Her combination of defensive acumen and playmaking ability makes her a true floor general, setting the tone for her team on both ends of the court.    These young guards represent the best of Alabama basketball—each with unique strengths, elite skill sets, and the competitive drive to elevate their teams. From scoring explosions to disruptive defense and leadership on the floor, they are players to watch as they continue to make their mark in high school and beyond.

In girls basketball, no position shapes the game more than the point guard. Often called the “floor general,” the point guard is the heartbeat of the team—controlling tempo, setting up the offense, and dictating the flow of every possession. Their impact goes far beyond scoring; they read defenses, make split-second decisions, and put teammates in the best position to succeed. What separates a good point guard is a unique blend of skills and intangibles: sharp court vision, steady ball-handling under pressure, unselfish playmaking, and the ability to lead with poise. Add in defensive grit, scoring when needed, and a relentless work ethic, and you have the most complete and influential player on the floor—the one who makes everyone else better.