Standout Guards at Invite-Only Fall League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Invite Only Fall League has offered a glimpse of Jacksonville's emerging guard talent. Middleburg could surprise plenty of people with a collection of quick, creative guards who turn turnovers into points, push the break, and attack the rim. Tough and athletic guards at Paxon, shooters at Creekside, and a young freshman guard at Atlantic Coast have also caught my attention. New faces are stepping into the spotlight, and guard play will continue to be a big storyline on the First Coast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514915"],"_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-6acaaeac4f058"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='514915' first='Maeghan' last='Hicks'] is one of the toughest on-ball defenders and one of the best guards at turning steals into points. Her quick hands and anticipation allow her to disrupt possessions and create immediate scoring opportunities. Hicks plays with confidence, and her communication stands out as she leads on the floor. She also brings very good court vision, finding teammates and sharing the ball to keep others involved in the offense.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1313764"],"_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":1934824,"_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-6acaaeac4f08e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1313764' first='Nyla' last='Parsons'] of Middleburg is one of the most underrated guards on the First Coast. An aggressive scorer, Parsons can create her own shot and finish around the rim in a variety of ways, using floaters, layups, and creative finishes with either hand. Her ability to score, assist, and run the floor makes her difficult to contain in transition. Defensively, she consistently pressures the ball and uses her instincts and anticipation to disrupt the opposing team's offense and rhythm. Parson is going to surprise a lot of people as she shows the numerous ways she can impact the game - scoring is just one of them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1927791"],"_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":"","_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-6acab1d4b2060"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1928905' first='Ja'niyla' last='Owens'] was of the smoothest and fluid guards in the gym and was the MVP of the day. Owens combined speed with control, good ball handling and an ability to finish. She came up with steal after steal and went the length of the floor several times for layups and floaters. Owens also showed a smooth jumper from the top of the key. Owens was one of the top guards in the building and the combination of Owens, Parsons, and Jeffress will be a backcourt that makes plenty of noise on the First Coast. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1363221"],"_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":1934834,"_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-6acabcdc2d77e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Calling [player_tooltip player_id='1363221' first='Kennedy' last='Jeffress'] creative would be stating the obvious. The young Middleburg guard drove baseline, elevated, hung in the air, and completed a 360-degree turn before converting a layup. The young guard has the ability to make plays like that look routine. Jeffress attacked the basket, finished through contact, and found creative ways to score around the rim. Jeffress has mastered the eurostep and loves to shoot floaters off of the nifty footwork. The young guard also displayed very good court vision and threw several dimes to cutting teammates, including one from half-court. Her hustle on the offensive glass kept possessions alive and gave her team additional options to score. Defensively, Jeffress has great anticipation and plays tough on the ball. Her aggressive defense brings the house down as much as her creativity. Jeffress impacts the game from all over the court. <br><br><br><br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750603"],"_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-6acabedbaa9e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='750603' first='Judah' last='Smith'] handled the ball confidently and showed several ways to create offense - she knocked down a three from the top of the key, drove the lane and finished with a floater in the paint, and dished the ball to open teammates after setting them up for an open shot. Smith played the passing lanes and also contributed on the defensive end of the floor. Smith provided leadership on the floor and, for a sophomore, that really stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->