Shifty Senior Combo Guards – Preseason Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='95215' first='Jayda' last='Maves'] - Green Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":298381,"width":206,"height":206,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/06/JaydaMaves-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-298381" width="206" height="206"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maves will be a must watch athlete this season, given her two-way skillset and clear NCAA upside. Recently committing to Western Colorado, Maves brings stability as a ballhandler when times get tough. She proved capable utilizing crossovers to break away from defenders in the fullcourt while staying consistent, regardless of which hand. Maves was easily one of the best athletes in the class last season, averaging 19.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 3.6 steals per game while contributing 67% of her two-pointers and 42% of her threes. While she is incredibly efficient on the offensive end, she takes no possessions off on defense. Maves dove on the floor for loose balls and stayed aggressive digging into opponents one on one. Maves ranks 6th within the 2023 class and 2nd among combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='210356' first='Mason' last='Rowland'] - Durango</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":325623,"width":235,"height":156,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/15-Mason-Rowland.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-325623" width="235" height="156"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior combo guard will be a key name worth monitoring, given her quick processing speeds and attention to detail on defense. Standing right around 5'8, Rowland does well reading opponents when moving off-ball. Whether she cuts on a give and go or utilizes a handoff the get downhill, Rowland knows to stay aggressive. She has proven to be a knockdown shooter, contributing 41% of her attempts last season. What blew me away is that Rowland does not take a ton of easy, uncontested shots. Rather, she looks to pressure the defense off the dribble. On the opposite end, she is attentive in the passing lanes, always ready to trap sideline or jump a pass. The incoming senior guard averaged 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. Rowland ranks 13th in the class and 7th among combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='145419' first='Bree' last='Bunting'] - Platte Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bunting truly plays bigger than one would expect at 5'8, through her rebounding intensity and willingness to playmake inside. The incoming senior combo guard did well getting to the rim and drawing defenders. She showed vision by threading the needle through multiple opponents, an area worth monitoring, given the departure of Brooke Bunting and Cora Schlisser. She also showed patience within the mid-range, using shot fakes to create space versus matchups. This past season at Platte Valley, Bunting averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 rebonds, 2.5 assists, and 2.7 steals while contributing 58% of her two-point attempts. Bunting currently sits at 25th in the rankings and 10th among combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261757' first='Sam' last='Darnell'] - Windsor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darnell has excellent passing vision in conjunction with well timed self creation moves. Standing roughly 5'9, the combo guard is more than capable creating opportunities for teammates off the bounce. She showed vision in the pick and roll, timing entry passes before her defender could contest. Another key for her came from fullcourt playmaking, taking it coast to coast with ease. Wiry strong, Darnell is more than capable scoring through contact given her ambidextrous touch. Not to mention she led Windsor in assists per game at 2.9. Darnell currently sits as 26th within the 2023 class and 11th among combo guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->