Playoff Preview: CIF SS D1 Crafty Guards to Watch

Its the best time of the year in California; playoff season! The Southern Section is chalk full of talent in every division looking to make their mark and catch the eye of college coaches! The Division 1 playoffs will be must see basketball, especially at the guard position. Check out 5 guards ready to do everything they can to keep their seasons alive!    Kelsey is a high level lead guard that has had a phenomenal junior season as the lead guard for an undefeated league champ Brentwood team. Takes care of the ball, handles pressure and attacks with vision and composure in chaos. Comfortable shooter with a quick release that can knock down from behind the arc (30% + on 100+ shot volume) + off the bounce. High motor athlete constantly moving and cutting to create space and opportunity. Guards the ball well, gets out in transition. Her ability to control pace/flow of the game could be a game-changer late in these playoffs!     Bella is quietly and consistently one of the best scorers in her class! Dynamic, big guard that attacks the rim without fear/hesitation, scores through contact and has shown a soft touch when needed. Prolific shooter that can get her shot off with limited space. Can and will light up the scoreboard when needed -- finished out the regular season with a 33 pt game! Runs the floor, dives for loose balls, consistently does the little things needed to win. Unsigned dynamic 2026 guard looking to make one last run in the playoffs!     Shifty, dynamic guard that gets out in transition to create for herself and others. Can and will go 94 feet for a bucket if you don't stop ball. Handles the ball well, quick first step, very hard to keep in front. Always on go to attack, comfortable attacking downhill on both sides + finishes well at the rim. Shown a soft touch with her floater. Lead guard tendencies with vision and a super high ceiling. Active defender, flies around and applies pressure. Rebounds like a big guard, creates second chances and easy buckets for herself on the glass. Important piece on a very discipline, talented Oak Hill squad looking to make a deep run this February.     Shifty, dynamic guard having a super productive sophomore campaign with Villa Park. Attacks with purpose, exposes bad close-outs and has great feet in traffic to find space to score at the rim. Handles the ball/pressure well, attacks space with vision to create and find open teammates. Comfortable shooter with a fluid release and range beyond the 3point line. Catch and shoot threat + threat to attack and pull up off the bounce.     Jackie is one of the top unsigned 2026 in the Socal area and an absolute problem to guard! Tough, gritty, shifty guard that keeps the ball on a string, evaluates the floor well and exposes gaps at high level. Keeps defenders on her hip + finishes incredibly in traffic and through bigger defenders. Dangerous shooter that can heat up from behind the 3 point line and change a game. Tenacious defender willing to sit down and guard with active hands and voice. Talented, multi level scoring lead guard looking to guide Rialto to a deep run.

Its the best time of the year in California; playoff season! The Southern Section is chalk full of talent in every division looking to make their mark and catch the eye of college coaches! The Division 1 playoffs will be must see basketball, especially at the guard position. Check out 5 guards ready to do everything they can to keep their seasons alive!