2020 class: 10 most important guards in 2019

<p>Guard play is the key ingredient to a team’s success, and there are going to be teams this upcoming season that will need their guards to be consistent.</p> <p>I came up with a list of 10 players that will play pivotal roles this upcoming season. The high school basketball season is right around the corner, so it’s not too early to dive into the most important guards in the state of Tennessee and the surrounding area.</p> <p>So, let’s get to this list.</p> <p><strong>Jacobi Wood, Cleveland</strong>: The 6-foot-2 point guard had a productive summer with Work Hard Be Humble 17U, and he had a solid junior season at Cleveland High School. Wood committed to Belmont this summer, and with his college decision out of the way, Wood can now focus on winning a state championship in Class AAA. He has the leadership skills to get to Murfreesboro. The stage is never too big for Wood.</p> <p><strong>Keon Johnson, Webb</strong>: Johnson is one of the most athletic guards in the 2020 class. He loves to play defense, and he’s a vocal leader on the floor. Johnson is very energetic on both ends of the court, but his jump shot still needs some work. Last season, Webb came up short in the Division I-A Boys State Tournament against Tipton-Rosemark Academy, and after Johnson walked off the court before shaking the hands of the Rebels, I know he wants to end his high school basketball career differently. </p> <p><em>Editors Note-- Marcus Fitageeald Jr. left Brentwood Academy. Though unoffocial, he will be playing for Pearl-Cohn this season.</em> <strong>Marcus Fitzgerald Jr., Brentwood Academy</strong>: Without this Tennessee State commit, Brentwood Academy will not be in the conversation for a state title, and Fitzgerald Jr. is the big reason why Randy Brady gets the nice looks from the perimeter. Fitzgerald Jr. draws a lot of attention from opposing defenses, which will open up scoring opportunities for his teammates. The Eagles need him.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Bo Montgomery, Lausanne</strong>: The 6-5 combo guard gives Lausanne a legitimate chance of competing for a state championship. He was already a solid defender and flawless passer. Over the summer with Hoop City 17U, Montgomery’s jump shot improved. As of right now, he’s a solid mid-major point guard. Because of his outside shooting improving, Montgomery is at the doorstep of becoming a high-major target.</p> <p><strong>Michael Malone Jr., Briarcrest Christian</strong>: The 6-3 point guard is a solid perimeter defender and will need to be the same defensive specialist from last season in order for Briarcrest Christian to repeat as DII-AA Boys State Champions in 2019. The Saints already have Kennedy Chandler, Omari Thomas, Rodney Newsom Jr., but Malone Jr. has to do his part. I’m pretty sure he knows that.</p> <p><strong>Wes Taylor, Olive Branch</strong>: The Jackson State commit knows what the grind is like in terms of competing for a state championship. He’s been to a state tournament the last three seasons, winning one as a sophomore. Taylor will probably be one of the most humbled senior guards this upcoming season, because he feels like he has more to accomplish in his high school basketball career. Taylor is the ‘Quistors engine, and he wants another state title. The good thing is that he knows what it takes to win it.</p> <p><strong>Sam Ruzhentsev, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy</strong>: Ruzhentsev can play positions 1-3. He’s has a solid outside jump shot. Ruzhentsev is very aggressive on the defensive end, and he’s very athletic. Ruzhentsev plays hard on every possession. These are the characteristics that makes him a high-major Division I basketball player, and for one more season, Ruzhentsev will have Hamilton Heights as one of the most talked about high school basketball teams in the country.</p> <p><strong>The ones you can’t forget about</strong></p> <p><strong>Jesse Payne, Whitehaven</strong>: With no Matthew Murrell, Jesse Payne will have to be one of the leaders for the Tigers under new head coach Fred Horton. Payne is a hard-nosed guard, a stigma that grew each minute of the day under his former coach Faragi Phillips. Payne is one of the very few guards in Memphis that knows about the grind to get to the state tournament. Whitehaven will need his experience this upcoming season.</p> <p><strong>Kyron Pleas, Olive Branch</strong>: Alongside Wes Taylor, Kyron Pleas is another tough guard that will make the ‘Quistors competitive in Class 6A. Taylor might be the team’s starting point guard, but Pleas will be right there in the starting lineup alongside Taylor going to battle every night. Both are state champions. There’s not a stage Pleas is afraid of. He’s just as important as Taylor and Cameron Matthews.</p> <p><strong>Braxton Morris, Center Hill: </strong>Not too many people are talking about the Mustangs' starting point guard. He played In a reserved role last season behind Calvin Temple and Kenneth Lewis, but Morris showed flashes over the summer that he's capable of leading Center Hill to a deep postseason run. I talked to him after the Mustangs defeated Olive Branch in the Jerry Peters Memphis Summer Classic, and he mentioned that he's going to wake some people up this upcoming season. It seems like he's up for the challenge, so people better get their popcorn ready, because Morris wants to put on a show.</p>