Stellar Guard Play at the Walnut Grove Tournament

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri took in the action from the Morris Bros. Holiday Tournament via the stream. The four quarterfinals games were held at Walnut Grove with the consolation games at Ash Grove.   In the quarterfinals, Walnut Grove defeated Fordland, Pierce City defeated Marion C. Early, Ash Grove defeated Appleton City and Marionville defeated Lamar.   The Walnut Grove Tournament features a plethora of very talented guards who play for small schools in the SWMO area. Very talented. Here is a look at some of those guards that I got a chance to watch. There were so many that I watched, but I narrowed it down to 10 guards.   [player_tooltip player_id='848994' first='Millison' last='Sapp'] (Walnut Grove): The 5'6" 2027 point guard is a terrific offensive player who can distribute the ball, but she really shines as a scorer with her ability to get buckets at all three levels. She creates well off the dribble to either get to the mid-range for the pull up jumper or out beyond the 3-point line for the step-back. She also plays well off the ball with her ability to pass and relocate to make open perimeter shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1097050' first='Lanie' last='Stokes'] (Marionville): The 5'5" 2027 point guard scored 18 points in the Comets victory over Lamar in the quarterfinals. She really got her team off to a fast start as she asserted herself in the first quarter. She was constantly getting into the paint and scoring on short jumpers and runners. She plays with good pace but she stays under control. She can either attack with her left or right hand when she's getting to the basket.   [player_tooltip player_id='874639' first='Faron' last='Linn'] (Pierce City): It was my first time watching this 5'10" 2026 guard play and I was more than impressed with what I saw during her team's victory over Morrisville. First, she can really shoot it from downtown. She made five 3-pointers in the first half alone with a very smooth shooting stroke. She is a matchup problem with her height on the perimeter. She also handles the ball and facilitates offense. She used her length to block and contest shots in the paint. She also ran the court to score on a putback in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='849013' first='Baylor' last='Brownsberger'] (Appleton City): A 2027 point guard who possesses the combination of being an excellent playmaker/scorer. She performs both tasks at a high level. She is a nifty passer with excellent court vision. She dropped some very impressive dimes. Her scoring ability was also on point as she was coming off screens to make 3-pointers and also creating her own offense off the dribble. She broke down a couple of defenders with slick escape moves to knock down 3-pointers. She also touches the paint a lot on dribble penetration.   [player_tooltip player_id='1233823' first='Dally' last='Pomeroy'] (Marionville): A 5'5" 2027 guard who excels with the ball in her hands at the point of off the ball as a scorer. She is an excellent two-way player who makes things happens at both ends of the court. She is quick and smooth on the drive and she can also hit the 3-pointer. I was also impressed with her quick reactions and anticipation on the defensive end. She can put pressure on the ball and also play the passing lanes very well.   [player_tooltip player_id='999789' first='Kinley' last='Reed'] (Marion C. Early): A 5'3" 2028 point guard who is one of the best passers that I have seen during the first month of the season. She sees the court so well that she passes her teammates open. Her passes are crisp and accurate and she can deliver them with either hand. She is also a speed merchant in the open court with her pace. She constantly touches the paint on her dribble penetration to collapse the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113090' first='Kayla' last='Hamilton'] (Hollister): A 5'9" 2028 guard who had an impressive performance in her team's victory over Spokane in the consolation bracket. She scored a team-high 24 points in the game. She has the height and versatility to excel at any spot on the floor. I like her unselfishness as she was constantly looking to make the pass ahead to a teammate to get an early transition opportunity. She can also score from all three levels. She is a very good shot maker from 3-point range, especially when she's coming off screens. She also attacks well from the high post to get a tough bucket.   [player_tooltip player_id='849019' first='Lily' last='Carr'] (Spokane): A 5'7" 2027 point guard who has a smooth overall game as a scoring, ball handler and passer. She moves with excellent pace up the court faster than people thing because she is so smooth with it. She can thread the needle with her passing and court vision. As a scorer, she can create as well as anyone with her slick handles and shot-making ability. She has the stop and pop from 15-feet and the step-back 3-pointer off the dribble.   Ashtyn Anderson (Walnut Grove): A 2027 wing player who is an excellent all-purpose player who does many things to help her team succeed. She is a ball-hawk on the defensive end who was converting steals for transition layups. She also did good work from the high post area. She wheeled and scored on a tough drive in the lane and she also made a nice touch pass to a teammate for a layup. She also made an open 3-point shot. She was making a lot of hustle plays with her strong motor.   Sabrina Loehr (Walnut Grove): A 2028 guard who did an excellent job off the bench in the victory over Fordland. Things started to pick up as soon as she entered the game. She did multiple positive things to help her team. She ripped through on a drive and drew a foul to get the free throw line. She then got a steal off the full court press, and then converted as offensive rebound for a bucket. She also swished home an open 3-pointer

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri took in the action from the Morris Bros. Holiday Tournament via the stream. The four quarterfinals games were held at Walnut Grove with the consolation games at Ash Grove.