Guards Looking To Step Into Bigger Roles This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of guards who figure to step into bigger roles this season after the graduation on a standout teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='907925' first='Kenzie' last='Keys'] (Saxony Lutheran): A 5'8" 2028 guard who played well as a freshman last season, but will be really counted on more this upcoming season after the graduation of All-District players Evie Caruso and Becca Johnson from a 19-win team. She is a good athlete who excels on both ends of the court. She is very slasher on drives in the lane and she can score with either hand in the lane from a variety of angles. She can also hit the stop-and-pop jumper and the open 3-pointer. She spent the summer playing up two levels with the [program_tooltip program_id='948123' first='TC' last='Hoops'] 17U team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1259590' first='Essence' last='Robinson'] (Westminster Christian): A 5'6" 2026 combo guard who came on strong late to help the Wildcats to a surprising run to a district championship. She will step into a lead role this year with the graduation of four-year standout Addie Kane, who averaged 17 points a game. Robinson plays an old-school game where she uses her strength to back down defenders and get buckets in the lane. She was tough down the stretch as she had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists against St. Charles West in the district championship game. She followed up with 13 points, six rebounds and six steals against Mexico in the Class 4 sectionals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='851186' first='Payge' last='Kemnitzer'] (St James): An athletic 5'9" 2027 guard who has been a key player for the Tigers, who won a district championship last season. She averaged eight points a game and played a strong complimentary role next to her sister, Lydia Kemnitzer, who has graduated after an All-State senior season. Payge will now step into a bigger role on offense, to go along with all of the other things she does to help her team succeed. She is a good ball handler who also can rebound and play solid defense. She spent the summer playing with the [program_tooltip program_id='712694' first='Missouri' last='Phenom'] 16U squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabby Bonge (Parkway South): A 5'7" 2027 guard who was one of the top young perimeter shooters in the St. Louis area. She was the Patriots' second-leading scorer behind now-graduated forward Ava McCullough, who was a dominant force in the paint. Bonge will now assume the role as a leading offensive player. She can shoot it well from 3-point range, as shown by the 62 triples she hit as a sophomore last season. She is very good at moving without the ball to get herself open for shots. She is also improving at attacking close outs and being able to create her own shot off the dribble. She will also have many more ball handling responsibilities to get the offense going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lilly Todd (Lutheran St Charles): An 5'6" 2027 point guard who will finally get to play this season after missing last year with a knee injury. The Cougars will be missing graduated standouts Jordan Speiser and Chloe Reed from last year's team. They also return some good veteran guards, but having a healthy Todd back will make them an even stronger team. She is a good ball handler and passer with a high basketball IQ. She can also excel off the ball because she can really shoot it from 3-point range. She is very good at playing at her own pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1117235' first='Shelby' last='Redd'] (Skyline): A 5'5" 2027 guard who will one of the players stepping to the forefront for Skyline, the winners of back to back Class 2 state championships. She got a head start on that in last year's state championship victory over St. Vincent. With Player of the Year Ashlen Garrett hobbled by injury and fellow senior standout Kenzi Cheek in foul trouble, Redd stepped up to score a team-high 18 points to lead Skyline to the title. She also scored 13 points in a victory over North Platte in the state quarterfinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->