Shifty and Skilled:Guards Ready to Break Ankles This Season

There are players who can handle the ball and then there are BALL HANDLERS. These types of players have the ball on a string and can break a press by themselves if needed. You can't guard them too close because before you know it, you're on a highlight reel. These guards use their skills to blow by defenders or create their own shot with ease. With so much talent across the state, it's hard to name them all but here are a few you need to see this season    [player_tooltip player_id='428887' first='Kayden' last='Gause'] has the ability to stop on a dime and change direction with ease. It's tough for defenders to time her dribbles as she constantly changes pace and uses her explosive first step as a weapon. At our PGH Expo, she showcased her ability to create separation and get to her midrange shot effortlessly. Now transferring from Gibbs High School to Haines City, she fits perfectly into their fast paced playing style.     [player_tooltip player_id='248643' first='Naya' last='Hardisson'] is one of the smoothest point guards in the state. She creates tremendous space with her ballhandling, and if you're an aggressive defender, she doesn't mind taking the contact and using it to her advantage. Her ability to change direction keeps defenders off balance, and when you add in her court vision and how she uses her handles to get teammates open, it's like watching a tutorial video she makes it all look effortless.     [player_tooltip player_id='221602' first='Kori' last='Edge'] is one of the fastest players you'll see with the ball in her hands often quicker than those chasing her without it. Despite her speed, she maintains incredible control, rarely losing her dribble or getting stripped. She can stop as quickly as she accelerates, and her stop and go move is faster than most defenders' reaction time. Combine that with her ability to score from all over the floor, and she becomes nearly impossible to slow down. These skills have already earned her Division I attention and offers, and as just a junior, this could be her best season yet.     [player_tooltip player_id='439457' first='Nevaeh' last='Lee'] is one of the most impressive guards to watch on the floor. Her ball handling is quick and decisive, allowing her to change direction and get to her spots with ease while protecting the ball like a pro. Her ability to accelerate quickly off her first dribble makes it nearly impossible to stay in front of her and when she's going downhill in transition, it's a nightmare for defenses.     [player_tooltip player_id='873419' first='Gianna' last='Conklin-Jones'] keeps the ball tight and constantly keeps defenders on their heels with one of the purest crossovers you'll see. Her ability to shift her body one way and immediately snatch back the other creates instant separation, allowing her to either attack the rim or pull up for a shot. Gianna is a certified BUCKET with the ball in her hands and one of the best shot creators in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1232661' first='Laylah' last='Dawkins'] is a fearless player with great confidence in her game. Her ball handling is one of her standout skills, and combined with her quickness, agility, and decisive decision-making, she embodies the type of point guard every coach wants. Her ability to split double teams while staying in control is impressive, and one of the most exciting aspects of her game is how she uses her off-hand to shield defenders during crossovers, along with hip swivels to protect the ball while scanning the floor. Dawkins' next level ball handling skills make her a truly impressive player to watch.     [player_tooltip player_id='1052606' first='Jazmine' last='Jones'] is a problem in transition, able to change direction faster than defenders can react a true lightning bolt with the ball in her hands. She has a quick first step that gets her into the paint and a natural ability to draw contact and earn fouls. Her hesitation moves and hip swivels are textbook-worthy, and her creativity with the ball makes her unpredictable. Jones can run the show and create her own scoring opportunities with ease.     (Cover Photo) [player_tooltip player_id='1151383' first='Ruby' last='Patterson'] has the ability to put together some of the smoothest combos to get to her shot that I've ever seen. She is one of the best shot creators in the state and she's only getting started as a freshman. Her confidence with the ball and her shooting ability come from hours in the gym, competing against older players, and excellent conditioning. Her low stance on the dribble gives her the explosiveness to get her shot off consistently. The more she competes, the better she will become. Expect her to be a scoring leader in Alachua County, even as a freshman.

There are players who can handle the ball and then there are BALL HANDLERS. These types of players have the ball on a string and can break a press by themselves if needed. You can't guard them too close because before you know it, you're on a highlight reel. These guards use their skills to blow by defenders or create their own shot with ease. With so much talent across the state, it's hard to name them all but here are a few you need to see this season