The Top Guards outside of the 2027 Ranking’s Top 25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top 25 is full of dynamic guards, but who are some names to look out for beyond those 25 spots?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877662"],"_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-68c5d574e8c1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='877662' first='Taylor' last='Reese Richardson'] had a great 2024-25 season, and that success carried over into the offseason. She recently picked up an offer from Texas A&amp;M International, and expect her to pick up more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson averaged 18 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, proving to be a lethal scorer. She can put up buckets with ease whenever she has the ball in her hands. Creating her offense with her handles comes naturally for her, and she hurt the defense by pulling up and knocking down a jumper from mid-range or three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If she sees a driving lane, there is no way she is not taking it. She drives hard to the basket, absorbing contact and finding a way to finish. Richardson can also make the next pass to an open teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='877662' first='Taylor' last='Reese Richardson'] also has offers from Lyon and Stephens College. She is trending upwards, so expect her to have a big junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091189"],"_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-68c5d574e8cc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of why the Lady Eagles tore through the rest of the 1A classification last season was because of [player_tooltip player_id='1091189' first='Lainee' last='Gentry']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gentry was a crucial piece in Greers Ferry's state title run. She averaged 12.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest during postseason play. She is a sharpshooter, and she proved it during this run, knocking down 35% of her triples, including 5 against Rural Special in the district championship game. She made 4 threes multiple times as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gentry also proved that she could play solid defense when it mattered, picking up 4 steals in one postseason contest. Her rebounding was solid as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1091189' first='Lainee' last='Gentry'] showed that she was capable of making plays all around the court, and I imagine she plays even better this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180793"],"_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-68c5d574e8d55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1180793' first='Alaina' last='Owenby'] had a great sophomore season with Life Way Christian, and that success carried into the summer, where she picked up her first offer from Southwestern College. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owenby averaged over 20 points per game last season, along with 7 boards. Scoring-wise, she can't be stopped. She can finish at the rack, regardless of the defensive pressure, but she is even better when she has a look from beyond the arc. Her shot is pure, whether off the catch or off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owenby is obviously a good rebounder, as she displays her toughness and athleticism on backboards each night. She can also play some solid defense, proving that she is an all-around talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180793' first='Alaina' last='Owenby'] is a talented player who you can expect to see take off this coming season, so stay tuned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090332"],"_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-68c5d574e8dde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1090332' first='Anniston' last='Moore'] does not play like her height. She is scrappy and plays like she is a foot taller than she is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is coming off an all-conference sophomore year where she put up some solid performances, especially in the postseason. She scored 15 and 13 points against Bryant and Springdale, respectively, and then put up 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists against the eventual 6A champs, Fort Smith Northside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She also had a great summer with Shock Hoops, as well as with Bentonville during their team camp. During the 16 games the Lady Tigers played in camp, Moore knocked down 54 triples on a 42% clip. She also averaged 3 rebounds per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1090332' first='Anniston' last='Moore'] is proving to be one of the top guards in the 6A classification, and she just recently picked up an offer from Hendrix College, so expect a big junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093314"],"_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-68c5d574e8e68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1093314' first='Lucy' last='Farmer'] continues to rise in the ranking after every update, and I doubt that she is finished moving on up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmer is a great interior scorer who can blow by defenders thanks to her great first step. Once she has that separation, she can finish at the basket with both hands. She can also pull up from beyond the arc and knock down some big-time jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manila's guard is also a great defender. She plays with active hands and can take turnovers to the other end of the floor quickly, scoring with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1093314' first='Lucy' last='Farmer'] has an excellent offensive skillset, but she is an underrated defender. I would expect a big year out of her in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090318"],"_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-68c5d574e8ef3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1090318' first='Makenzie' last='King'] had stellar performances last season on a loaded Mills squad. Now heading into her junior season, her role and her expectations have increased.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Against Heber Springs in late February, King had a great all-around performance, putting up 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Earlier that month, she had a 20-point performance in a win over Fountain Lake. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King is capable of getting going in a short period of time. All she needs is to see a couple of shots go in, and there's no stopping her. She is a great 3-point shooter, particularly off the catch. King can hit those perimeter looks from anywhere, especially from the wings and the corners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1090318' first='Makenzie' last='King'] is prepared to have a big year, so be prepared for a breakout season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->