St. Joe’s Thanksgiving Shootout: Underclassmen Guards

<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top backcourt underclass players from last weekend’s Thanksgiving Shootout, which was held at St. Joseph’s Academy.</p> [player_tooltip player_id="302783" first="Mari" last="Miller"] 5’11” Rock Bridge: The 2025 guard had quite a high school debut as she scored a game-high 16 points in the Bruins' double-overtime victory over Whitfield. She displayed a tremendous shooting stroke from distance as she nailed four 3-pointers, with most of them coming in the second half. She also drove the ball to the basket well when defenders closed out on her. She also sealed the victory with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of the second overtime. She has a very bright future in Mid-Mo. [player_tooltip player_id="194410" first="JaNyla" last="Bush"] 5’5 Whitfield: The 2024 point guard scored 11 points in the double-overtime thriller against Rock Bridge. She has electric handles where she has the ball on a string, which enables her to create a shot off the dribble at almost any time. She hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the first half during a Whitfield run. She is also one of the premier passers in the state with tremendous court vision. [player_tooltip player_id="204490" first="Treazure" last="Jackson"] 5’10 Whitfield: The 2023 wing had an excellent all-around performance with 11 points and some stellar play at the defensive end of the floor. She knocked down a 3-pointer and scored on some nice slashing drives to the basket. She played the passing lanes well and also had a big sequence in the overtime where she had a steal and a coast to coast layup for a basket and a three-point play. Jayla Hawkins 5’6 Webster Groves: A 2025 point guard who was making her first varsity start and she played a solid game in the Stateswomen's victory over St. Joseph's. She has excellent speed and quickness and it was quite evident when she got loose in the open court. Her ball handling and defense were also solid. [player_tooltip player_id="107018" first="Tkiyah" last="Nelson"] 5’10 Whitfield: A 2023 guard who is a very good all-purpose player. Even when she isn't scoring, she showed the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. She delivered some excellent passes while running the pick and roll. She is also a factor on the defensive end with her length and athletic ability and she stays active.