Live at the Lakes: Standout guards, part 1

In a continuation of our coverage of the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Live at the Lakes tournament, Prep Girls Hoops intern Paxyn Rendahl and I spent much of the weekend watching the younger players in the gym, specifically the classes of 2029 and 2030. Yesterday we looked at seven frontcourt players who raised their game in front of college coaches from around the country. Today we'll look at those in the backcourt. Here is part 1 of our group of guards who stood out during the May live period.    Huppert, pictured above in the banner photo, is an aggressive, bouncy and quick-driven guard who distinguishes herself through strong defensive play and a consistent readiness to shoot from anywhere on the court. The 5-foot-7 combo guard remains alert, with her eyes always scanning and constantly seeking opportunities for steals, deflections, or loose balls. Tate's energy and agility enhance the game's tempo, as she seamlessly changes speeds with the ball in her hands, allowing her to consistently outpace defenders. The Ellsworth 9th grader demonstrates athleticism by continually running the floor, whether that is creating actions to get an open shot or pursuing steals and tie-ups. Huppert's fierce and crafty style of play sets a high standard for her team whenever she is on the court.     After earning a spot on our top performers list for the AAU State Tournament last weekend, Nesvig put up big numbers once again at Live at the Lakes, averaging 11 points per contest. The [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'] point guard got downhill early and often, showing off multiple finishes at the rim with either hand. Taylor also showed off her playmaking abilities by reading the defense effectively and finding seams in order to feed the ball to her teammates. On the defensive end, Nesvig was her typical self. She played with intensity on the perimeter, constantly hunting for steals and deflections. The Hancock freshman has also gotten significantly stronger in recent months, allowing her to better handle contact from opponents and defend with even more physicality than before.     Now in her 5th season with the [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'], Goodyear is having a standout season with the 2030 UAA squad. The 5'9 guard from Chaska excels as a scoring threat on the wing. Using her long, quick strides, Josie creates movement away from the ball, allowing her to make cuts to the basket or find an open three. When the ball is in her hands, the Hawks 8th grader can put up shots with a fast, snappy release or blow by her defenders with a burst of speed. We saw Goodyear finish at the rim in a variety of ways over the weekend, including a smooth floater in the lane. She'll certainly be a contender for a spot in the PGH Freshman 50 this fall.     A small, but mighty point guard, Goodman plays with a powerful defensive strike. A relentless competitor on the floor, the Eastview 8th grader is scrappy and aggressive when it comes to getting the ball back in her team's hands. Alexa creates room for herself on offense by initiating contact with the defense, leveraging her strength and no-fear attitude to get an open look at the rim. When she sees her team needing an extra boost, the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] guard takes the lead in generating deflections, forcing turnovers, and tying the ball up. Once the ball is in her hands, Goodman pushes the pace in transition, using her swift handles and skilled passing to get the ball to her teammates in the open court.     Fueled by her aggressive, highly competitive style of play, Mayer made herself known at Live at the Lakes. By using her speed and solid positioning around the rim, the [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] standout crashes the boards hard on defense, advancing the ball in transition with a sense of urgency. In the halfcourt, Elyse attacks the rim at full tilt, using her strength and tight handle on the ball to get downhill. Also a capable three-point shooter, Mayer is a scoring threat from multiple areas on the floor. In close matchups in particular, the 5'6 Maple Grove guard often had the ball in her hands, scanning the court to find an open look for herself or a teammate. In Friday's close contest against [program_tooltip program_id='713021' first='West' last='Central United'], she scored a team-high 15 points.    PGH intern Paxyn Rendahl contributed to these evaluations.

In a continuation of our coverage of the Minnesota Fury Live at the Lakes tournament, Prep Girls Hoops intern Paxyn Rendahl and I spent much of the weekend watching the younger players in the gym, specifically the classes of 2029 and 2030. Yesterday we looked at seven frontcourt players who raised their game in front of college coaches from around the country. Today we'll look at those in the backcourt. Here is part 1 of our group of guards who stood out during the May live period.