Class of 2019 Rankings Breakdown: Point Guards

While we have our Top-150 list for the Class of 2019, I wanted to take the time to break down that class position by position and offer a bit more detail for the Top-10 kids at each position. I will start with the point guard position, and below are some brief insights into the games of those ten ladies who stand out the most.   <ol> <li>Shaila Beeler, 2019, 5-7 PG, Warren Central H.S.</li> </ol> Shaila is known for her athleticism and explosiveness, and that’s primarily why she’s our #1 point guard. She is end-to-end fast, she has gotten much stronger, and she can really defend the ball 84-feet. She’s aggressive attacking the basket, and her range has improved over the years, but that’s probably the area of her game that could still use the most development. She has already given a verbal commitment to Indiana University.   <ol start="2"> <li> Carissa Garcia, 2019, 5-6 PG, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran H.S. [caption id="attachment_10405" align="alignright" width="200"] Carissa Garcia of Fort Wayne Concordia Photo courtesy of Keith Hollins' Twitter account.[/caption]</li> </ol> Carissa had about as good of a Spring and Summer as anyone in the state. She is very quick / fast, and she’s extremely quick with her yo-yo style handle. She is very creative off the bounce, plus she’s feisty and tough-nosed. While her shooting mechanics could still use a little work, her shot was nothing but consistent throughout the Summer. She is committed to attend Northern Kentucky University.   <ol start="3"> <li> Sydney Freeman, 2019, 5-7 PG, Central Noble H.S.</li> </ol> Sydney is one of the best pure point guards in the state. She probably runs offense and manages a game about as well as anyone on this list. She is long, end-to-end fast, and she’s a consistent perimeter shooter. But it’s her willingness to distribute, mixed with her ability and understanding of when she needs to shoot / score that makes her special. She has verbally committed to Ball State University.   <ol start="4"> <li> Ella Thompson, 2019, 5-6 PG, Center Grove H.S.</li> </ol> Ella had a strong Spring and Summer, and I’m a little surprised more schools haven’t recruited her harder. During her first couple years of high school she differed to others a lot more, but throughout this grassroots season she hit shot after shot with range to 25-feet, she scored in the mid-range, and she was very good on the ball defensively. She is the consummate teammate and a no-brain Division I prospect.   <ol start="5"> <li> Emma Utterback, 2019, 5-8 G, Center Grove H.S. [caption id="attachment_10406" align="alignright" width="300"] Emma Utterback of Center Grove Photo courtesy of Team Indiana's team page.[/caption]</li> </ol> A high school teammate of Ella Thompson (above), Emma has the versatility to play both on and off the ball offensively. She has really good length, she’s a slashing scorer, and she has good quickness and athleticism. She’s always been a solid shooter, but her ability to go by defenders and finish inside really impressed me this Summer. She has committed to attend the University of Vermont.   <ol start="6"> <li> Riley Ott, 2019, 5-6 PG, LaPorte H.S.</li> </ol> Riley is a long, wiry point guard with really good speed and quickness. She has a tremendous feel for the game, and she does a nice job of balancing shooting / scoring with being a facilitator. She is somewhat feisty, she’s a good on-ball defender, and despite being a little thin, she’s a tough-nosed kid. She gave a verbal commitment to attend Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and she should be outstanding at that level.   <ol start="7"> <li> Addisyn Blackwell, 2019, 5-3 PG, Bloomington H.S. South</li> </ol> While Addy is a shorter guard, she is extremely tough, somewhat physical, and stronger than she looks. She does a nice job of passing the ball on time / on target to open teammates, she understands angles well, and she knows how to play at her size. Where she has really improved over the last year is in her shot selection and knowing when to shoot / score and when to facilitate. She has some Division I interest.   <ol start="8"> <li> Amani Brown, 2019, 5-5 PG, Terre Haute South Vigo H.S.</li> </ol> [caption id="attachment_10407" align="alignright" width="275"] Amani Brown of Terre Haute South Photo courtesy of Keith Hollins' Twitter account.[/caption] Amani is bouncing back from a November ACL injury, and she has looked healthy and explosive all Summer. She is extremely quick / fast, and she’s quick with the ball. She does a tremendous job of creating space to shoot / score it, and she’s definitely more of a scoring point guard, but she can facilitate when necessary. She has some light Division I interest, but that should pick up throughout the season.   <ol start="9"> <li> Madison Jones, 2019, 5-7 G, Western Boone H.S.</li> </ol> Madison is about as tough and feisty as they come. She always brings energy and flies around the floor, plus she’s a vocal player who isn’t afraid to get into someone defensively. She’s one of those kids you don’t want to play against. She can really score it, and she can play both on or off the ball. She recently committed to Davenport, and I think they got a versatile combo guard who could contribute immediately.   <ol start="10"> <li> Savaya Brockington, 2019, 5-3 PG, North Central H.S. (Indianapolis)</li> </ol> Savaya had a breakout year in 2017-2018, and she was continuing that strong play in the Spring before tearing her ACL. Even still, she’s definitely someone colleges should be excited about. She’s tough-nosed, physical, and quick / fast. She has a nice handle, and she creates space well for her jumper. She can shoot / score it to 25-feet, or she can get into the lane and finish, despite being just 5-3.   2019 Point Guards 11-25: <ol start="11"> <li>Hya Haywood, 2019, 5-6 G, Evansville Central H.S.</li> <li>Malea Jackson, 2019, 5-7 PG, Hamilton Southeastern H.S., Committed to Illinois-Springfield</li> <li>Madison Ferguson, 2019, 5-5 PG, Heritage Christian School</li> <li>Da’Leshia Davis, 2019, 5-6 PG, Fort Wayne R. Nelson Snider H.S.</li> <li>Jasmine Lilly, 2019, 5-6 PG, Jeffersonville H.S.</li> <li>Kara Gealy, 2019, 5-6 PG, Homestead H.S., Committed to Tiffin</li> <li>Maggie Cora, 2019, 5-7 G, Tri-West H.S.</li> <li>Gracie Johnson, 2019, 5-1 PG, Martinsville H.S.</li> <li>Jayda Smith, 2019, 5-3 PG, Penn H.S.</li> <li>Staisha Hamilton, 2019, 5-3 G, Anderson H.S.</li> <li>Ay’Zyana Billings-Tiller, 2019, 5-5 G, Elkhart Central H.S.</li> <li>Maddie Ryman, 2019, 5-5 G, Warsaw Community H.S.</li> <li>Megan Jolly, 2019, 5-6 G, New Palestine H.S.</li> <li>Emmery Joseph, 2019, 5-2 PG, Marquette Catholic H.S.</li> <li>Mady Neukam, 2019, 5-5 PG, Southridge H.S.</li> </ol> Header photo of Shaila Beeler of Warren Central; courtesy of IndyStar.com.