Small-School Section 6 Top Guards

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s never too early for too-early-season. With fall sports and school underway, it’s only a matter of time before the winter sports season is upon us. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top guards in the small schools in Section 6</span></p> <p><strong>Grant Beukens, West Central Area</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">West Central Area won 27 games last season and while the Knights are graduating three of its top four players, Beuckens will be back at the point guard spot. The 5-foot-11 senior averaged about 14 points per game a year ago. He’s dynamic off the dribble and deadly from the mid-range and in. And he brings a toughness to the defensive end of the floor. </span></p> <p><strong>Payton Keezer, Mahnomen/Waubun</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keezer stuffed the stat sheet for Mahnomen/Waubun last season, averaging about 18 points and 10 rebounds while adding in about three assists, three steals and two blocks. He’s a capable shooter but he’s at his best when he’s getting downhill to the rim and his activity level off the ball allows him to produce with or without the ball. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958784" first="Tate" last="Olson"], New York Mills</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olson was the catalyst in a high-powered offensive attack for New York Mills, averaging better than 21 points per game. He does it all on that end of the floor; he can shoot it from deep, he gets to the free throw line, he can create off the bounce and he’s adept off the ball. He’s explosive and with the Eagles returning a bulk of its core, expectations should be high in 2020-21.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958842" first="Hunter" last="Norby"], Ashby</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norby is an inside-outside threat on the wing and at 6-foot-4, he’s a tough guy to match up with especially for the teams in the Little Eight and Section 6. He averaged about 14 points per game as a sophomore and that should only continue to go up as he develops his skills. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774837" first="Grant" last="Moscho"], Melrose</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moscho took over the reigns last year for the Dutchmen and excelled, helping them reach the section championship game yet again. He backed that up with a terrific summer grassroots season. He fits that Melrose mold in that he’s just rock-solid in a lot of areas. He’s a good shooter and slasher, he makes good decisions, he’s a heady playmaker and a grinder on the defensive end of the floor. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567069" first="Nolan" last="Rueter"], Albany</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rueter is one of the best two-way combo guards in Class AA. He checks all of the boxes as he’s got great size (6-foot-2), skills and smarts. He averaged about 14 points, five rebounds and three assists for an Albany team that won 18 games. Rueter’s improved as a shooter and playmaker, and is a reliable offensive catalyst. And he’s a solid defender who can guard all three perimeter spots.</span></p> <p><strong>Ben Wright, Mora</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wright was a breakout guy for Mora last year, averaging better than 14 points per game while emerging as a very good two-way guy. He’s a dangerous long-range shooter who can create his own shot effectively off the bounce or excel off the ball. </span></p>