West River guards who are making their mark

In between tournament coverage over the past couple of weeks, we introduced you to some of the West River prospects who've stood out to us this spring and summer, both in AAU play and on our trip to the Rapid City summer league. We told you about the O'Neills and Vliems and Paddens, three sets of gifted sisters who've been making a name for themselves for a good while now. We followed that up with a report on some of the forwards you should go see. Now it's time to wrap up the series by highlighting a handful of guards. Here are eight backcourt talents from West River who've made their mark when we've watched.    We've seen Mary a number of times in AAU and with her Sturgis team, as well. Each time we've been more impressed than the time before. The 5'7 combo guard isn't imposing physically, but she consistently produces positive outcomes thanks to her quickness, polished fundamentals and efficient offensive game. Ligtenberg's pull-up jumper is already a legitimate weapon, and she's equally comfortable stepping into catch-and-shoot opportunities with confidence. Mary plays under control, consistently gathering off two feet before finishing or making the next play, a small detail that speaks to her advanced footwork. She rebounds well for her size, competes on every possession and simply finds ways to impact winning. Expect her to be prominently featured when the inaugural South Dakota Class of 2029 rankings are released this fall.     Long before we arrived in Rapid City one Wednesday night in June for summer league action, people were telling us there was one West River player we absolutely needed to see: Amelia "Rosie" Shangreaux. They were right. Already a second-team All-State selection after averaging more than 21 points per game as an 8th grader, the incoming freshman from Pine Ridge is an elite floor general with outstanding feel for the game. She controls the tempo, sees passing windows before they open and can beat defenders as both a scorer and facilitator. Her résumé is already remarkable, including a 40-point varsity performance, more than 100 steals in a season and multiple school records. Amelia comes from a true basketball family: Mom Laura Big Crow, who is also her high school coach, was a Miss Basketball finalist, and dad Corey won two state championships. This kid is legit!     Falcon first caught our attention with the Rapid City Gators AAU squad playing at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls earlier in the summer and she has continued to make an impression through several viewings. The 5-foot-4 combo guard plays bigger than her size thanks to a high degree of confidence, ample toughness on the floor and a well-rounded skill set. Falcon shoots the three with range and isn't hesitant to fire when defenders give her space. She also rebounds her position well, handles the basketball confidently and makes smart decisions as a passer. In transition she consistently gets out in front of the play, creating easy scoring opportunities. Defensively, Falcon stays engaged, competes with purpose and rarely loses focus, making her one of the more dependable guards in the 2027 class.     Hailing from Rapid City Central, Cruse brings an infectious level of energy every time she steps onto the floor. The 5-foot-5 combo guard is solidly built, highly athletic and seems to be involved in nearly every important play. Whether she's attacking off the dribble, diving for loose balls or making the extra pass, Kruse consistently finds ways to contribute. She's shifty with the basketball, reads the game well and shows impressive instincts for finding open spaces before defenders react. Her constant hustle and willingness to compete make her easy to appreciate, but it's her basketball IQ and decision-making that quietly elevate her game. Kruse is simply a winning player who impacts both ends of the floor.     Morrison has been one of our favorite young players to watch this summer because of the sheer energy she brings to every possession. The White River guard plays with tremendous enthusiasm, relentless effort and just enough swagger to keep opponents uncomfortable. Quick, athletic and exceptionally fast in the open floor, Morrison handles the basketball confidently at full speed while making smart, team-first decisions. She has a natural feel for creating offense, whether for herself or her teammates, and her upbeat personality seems to lift everyone around her. Defensively she competes with real passion, using her quickness to pressure ballhandlers. Morrison is just getting going but her potential in the Class of 2030 is really, really good.     Nora checks a lot of the boxes coaches want in a point guard. The 5-foot-7 Rapid City Christian standout combines a strong, sturdy frame with an advanced understanding of the game and a highly polished offensive skill set. Kieffer is a true three-level scorer capable of stretching defenses well beyond the arc, creating her own shot off the dribble or attacking downhill to finish. She also delivers precision passes that consistently put teammates in position to score. Defensively, she embraces difficult assignments, competes with a nonstop motor and pressures opposing guards from end to end. Her toughness, versatility and basketball IQ make the top 25 prospect one of South Dakota's premier guards in the 2028 class.     Liza has a knack for making difficult plays look effortless. The 5-foot-9 Rapid City Christian guard moves with impressive fluidity, covering ground quickly while maintaining outstanding body control. She attacks gaps before defenders recognize they're available, finishing creatively around the basket with either hand. On several occasions we saw her take advantage of a polished left-handed floater, and that same natural scoring ability continues to stand out. Kieffer plays with pace, has a smooth first step and possesses the athleticism to make plays above the rim for her age group. Still early in her development, she already flashes intriguing versatility and projects as one of South Dakota's more exciting long-term prospects.     Athleticism is often the first trait that jumps off the page when evaluating young prospects, and Newbrough has plenty of it. The 5-foot-7 Mahpiya Luta guard is a multi-sport standout whose quickness, speed and explosiveness immediately translate to the basketball court. A left-handed playmaker, she attacks the rim aggressively, handles contact well and consistently pressures defenders with her ability to change gears. Newbrough has also shown encouraging shooting mechanics that suggest continued offensive growth. On the defensive end, her activity level is equally impressive as she turns athletic tools into steals, deflections and transition opportunities. With her physical gifts and competitive approach, Newbrough is an intriguing prospect entering 9th grade.

In between tournament coverage over the past couple of weeks, we introduced you to some of the West River prospects who've stood out to us this spring and summer, both in AAU play and on our trip to the Rapid City summer league. We told you about the O'Neills and Vliems and Paddens, three sets of gifted sisters who've been making a name for themselves for a good while now. We followed that up with a report on some of the forwards you should go see. Now it's time to wrap up the series by highlighting a handful of guards. Here are eight backcourt talents from West River who've made their mark when we've watched.