High School Media Day: Guards Ready to Make Waves

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too late to get it going. For some senior guards, injuries have slowed their progress. Others have waited behind older, more experienced players. Whatever the reason, this season offers a chance for these guards to step onto the court and into bigger roles. In this article, we take a look at First Coast senior guards who are poised for a breakout 2026-2027 season. These players are looking to make waves on the court and give college coaches more reasons to pay attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997334"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1963664,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0dd889b2bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Jacqueline' last='Ches'] caught my attention during fall league play a few years back with her tenacity and three-point shooting. The now senior guard can knock down shots from beyond the arc, but her contributions are not limited to offense. Ches has good defensive anticipation and can pick off passes in the passing lane. Her shooting, her defense, her IQ, and other intangibles give her the tools to make a big impact in her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["843386"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1963702,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae0e6c9c0b14"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='843386' first='Lyric' last='Hewitt'] made noise as a freshman before an injury interrupted her progress. Now looking much closer to full strength, she has an opportunity to put together a strong senior season. Hewitt brings a high basketball IQ and can play both point guard and shooting guard. She can handle the ball and help run the offense while also contributing off the ball. With her versatility and return to form, Hewitt is a player we can expect to hear more from this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1118790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae12d816a769"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1118790' first='Kamya' last='Leroy'] is one of the most underrated players on the First Coast. An athletic senior guard, she can get to the rim and score with creativity. Her versatility allows her to contribute at multiple positions and mix it up inside when needed. Defensively, her long arms and athleticism help her pressure the ball, disrupt passing lanes and come over for help-side blocks. Leroy can make an impact all over the floor, giving her several ways to put her stamp on a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221599"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae12d816a7b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='221599' first='Caelyn' last='Carter'] was in the room on Media Day, and she is a player the Bulldogs will depend on this season. Carter burst onto the scene as a freshman, establishing herself as her team's go-to three-point shooter. She will be called on to knock down shots opposite [player_tooltip player_id='823463' first='Presley' last='Norman'], but she can also score in transition and get to the rim. The senior is an elite athlete whose time has come, and she is poised to make waves this upcoming season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727590"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae12d816a800"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='727590' first='Araniya' last='Riggins'] brings handles, creativity, and plenty of flair to the backcourt at Jackson. She can get to the rim and shoot the three, making her a threat both off the dribble and from the perimeter. Riggins can also draw the defense and create open shots for her post players as well as her teammates on the wing. There is pizzazz and flair to her game, and her personality comes through in her playing style. . Riggins has the tools to make waves this season and make her final year at Jackson one to remember.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1963877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae130b63fbd1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1963877' first='Alcaraz' last='Alle'] is a senior combo guard to keep an eye on at Beachside. She brings a defensive presence to the backcourt and is not afraid to mix it up. Her toughness and willingness to compete give her a way to impact games, and those qualities could define her role this year on her team. Last season "Alcatraz" Alle locked up ball handlers on occasion, averaging more than a steal per game in limited action. Alle is poised for a breakout season in her senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->