North Coast Open Division Semifinal Preview: Guards to Watch

We are down to the Final Four in what is setting up to be a historic finish to the North Coast Section 2025-2026 season. The remaining teams in the field are highly ranked with elite prospects across the board. Who will be the game changers on the perimeter?    Ella went off (25 points) in the NCS Open Title championship just a year ago. The crafty two-way junior guard is a 1,000 point career scorer for several reasons: lightning-quick 1st step, elite finishing ability with either hand, long-range sniper, good size, the list goes on. Ella is a north-to-south attacker who can create her own shot whenever she chooses. She keeps opposing guards on their heels on both ends. Engaged, in-your-face defender. Quick, downhill guard with solid court vision to find cutters and shooters. Growing offer sheet that includes the likes of UNLV and Arizona State.     Quick-twitch two-way guard who is elite in transition. Deoujenea shows good burst and acceleration with the ball in her hands. She is a ball thief AND a ball hawk. Deoujenea is gritty with quick hands, allowing her to poke the ball and rip the ball away if necessary. She keeps her head on a swivel, allowing her to jump passing lanes and be a dominate off-ball defender. She makes quick, sound decisions with the ball in her hands on the fastbreak. She can come off screens and spot-up at the 3pt line. Deoujenea has the ability to provide a spark like no other.     Versatile, high-IQ guard with the frame and skillset to dominate on both ends. Layla sees the floor well. Very comfortable with the ball in her hands. She has the stature and ball handling ability that is hard to keep out of the paint. Impressive 1v1 defender, particularly in transition. She can defend 1-4 at the high school level. Layla delivers on-time, on-target passes. She has the ability to catch fire from long-range! Quick release, sets her feet, sound mechanics. Very few guards can match up with her on the perimeter. Battle-tested senior who checks all the boxes!     Kaitlyn is a fearless, emerging sophomore who can score on all 3 levels. Deadly floater in the lane. Knockdown shooter. Has the ability to create for herself and others off-the-dribble. Kaitlyn is creative with the ball in her hands. Opposing defenders know she is a threat from long-range, so they close out recklessly at times. This allows Kaitlyn to ball fake and quickly attack the basket. Her ability to spot-up, drive, and facilitate gives the loaded San Ramon Valley squad an advantage on the perimeter.     Jenelle can finish in the lane. She can also shoot the lights out from long-range. Reliable floater to go along with a tight handle and quick 1st step. The lefty floor general is able to draw the defense with her penetration, resulting in drive and dish/kick opportunities. Jenelle is able to score in isolation and spot-up off-the-ball. Shifty guard who gets down to business! Great feel for the game. The standout sophomore has the ability to take the game over offensively as a scorer and playmaker.     Olivia is a gritty, skilled guard who can do a little bit of everything. She finishes through contact and makes open shots. She moves well without the ball. Elite on-ball defender with active hands and a picture-perfect stance. Olivia blocks shots on the perimeter and guards multiple positions. She is able to score quickly and efficiently on the offensive end. Understands how to use her body to absorb contact around the basket. UC Merced is getting an elite all-around talent.     Elite bucket getter on all 3 levels. Alyssa is able to get to her spots and score at will through the natural flow of the game. She routinely makes shots with a hand in her face. Turnaround jumpers, contested layups, tough floaters, you name it! Alyssa understands how to read and react. She makes the right play time and time again as a scorer and facilitator. Proven talent who's track record speaks for itself. Alyssa will be the face of San Jose State for years to come at the next level.     Pure shooter alert! Hania has the ability to break the game open from long-range. Quick trigger with range extending well beyond the 3pt line. Hania understands how to find those open areas in the corner and on the wing. Exceptional footwork, high release point, nice follow-through. She can also put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. Hania has an effective step-through in the lane. Arguably the most reliable 3&D guard in the 2027 class.     Tough, hard-nose 2-way guard who is a flat-out gamer! Taylor has a nice combination of size, skill, and athleticism on the perimeter. She has a soft touch around the basket. Her ability to finish in traffic with either hand stands out. Good frame and an all-around game to match. Very few weaknesses and a lot to like. Expect Taylor to be a gamechanger defensively while giving Piedmont the offensive scoring punch that can propel them to victory.     Skilled, unselfish guard who can fit in any system. Carly excels as a cutter without the basketball. The size and instincts stand out on the perimeter. Legit sharpshooter with DEEP range. Doesn't need the ball much to be a difference maker on the offensive end. Her playstyle translates to winning. Carly is one of the top hidden gems in the junior class.

We are down to the Final Four in what is setting up to be a historic finish to the North Coast Section 2025-2026 season. The remaining teams in the field are highly ranked with elite prospects across the board. Who will be the game changers on the perimeter?