2022 guards that stood out in the 5A state playoffs

<p>With the season over, we want to take a look back at a season that was before we head onto the grassroots scene. Here we focus on some junior guards that stood out in 5A during their state-run.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759289" first="Luke" last="Williams"] – Chapparal</strong></h2> <p>Williams is a player that we were high on as he made his switch up to the 5A level and had a stellar season of proving doubters wrong, and he carried that strong play into the playoffs and showcased why he is one of the top guards in the class. Williams is a guard with great court awareness, and while his stats indicate that he is a score-first guard, he makes the right play and applies pressure on the defense. He sets up teammates and gets others involved but is willing to take the big shot, and we saw that as he put up double figures in every single game this season, including the playoffs. In the playoffs, opposing teams knew they had to key in on him to slow him down, and he still managed to get it done. He put up 15 points a game in the playoffs, which is right at his season average, gave the Wolverines another threat, and put pressure on the defense. He is a player that we will put more eyes on this summer, and he will head into a season where Chaparral will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the state, with him leading the charge.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918906" first="Aidan" last="Kuhl"] – Rocky Mountain</strong></h2> <p>Kuhl is one of the top stock risers of the year, and it was on display all season long but surely in the playoffs. The Lobos lost their first game of the playoffs to the eventual state champs, but he proved that he would not go down without a fight. Kuhl had 20 points in their loss to T-Ridge, and while it was not as efficient, it showcased what separated him. The willingness to compete. Kuhl went out guns a blazing as he tried to keep his team in the game. He saw different looks all season long and still managed a way to pry loose to get up a shot and also still find ways to get others involved. Excited to see him continue to progress.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050952" first="Brayden" last="Maldonado"] – Smoky Hill</strong></h2> <p>Maldonado is the newcomer on the block, but what a debut season he had in the state. The junior guard put up massive numbers with his savvy play and is one of the state’s entertaining watches. In the playoffs, he put on a show and had his team in a position to beat the No.1 seeded team in the state. Maldonado sliced defenses apart as he put up 20 points in the opening game against Horizon and followed it up with 22 points in a heartbreaking loss against Cherry Creek. Maldonado is known as a scoring guard but in the playoffs upped his overall play as defenses had to adjust to his speed and creativity. Maldonado was scoring in bunches but also made it a point to get others involved. He finished with 10 assists in the opener and had seven assists to conclude the season. When he puts it all together, the sky is the limit for him as he imposes his will on opposing teams in different ways.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759275" first="Quis" last="Davis"] – Denver East</strong></h2> <p>Quis had himself a year in the Denver Prep league as he was catapulted into the position to took over and answered the call. Quis improved in every category, and while the playoffs did not end the way the team expected, he showed up and gave his team a chance to win without some other important pieces. In the lone playoff game, Davis was able to open up the rest of his game with his outside shot. Quis is not known for his outside shooting but has worked on that part of his game and went 3-4 from beyond the arc. He set up his teammates with easy scoring opportunities and was active in the passing lanes defensively, pushing up the tempo. Davis was East’s best player this season and in the playoff game finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Quis will take that momentum into a summer where I expect him to come out searching for vengeance. If there is a player that approaches every contest with a chip on his shoulder, it’s him.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="618866" first="Esmond" last="Griffin"] – Horizon</strong></h2> <p>Esmond could’ve gone under the names to know as well, as he has flown under the radars for far too long. This was the year that he showcased that he is a guard that deserves to be in the conversation, and the best part was he was in a guard by committee situation where he showcased the ability to play both on and off of the ball. Griffin is a speedy guard with high upside, and in Horizon’s loss to Smoky Hill, he was a focal point of the offense and got himself going. The quick guard got to his spots and kept his team in the game as he finished with a team-high 20 points. He knocked down 3 3-pointers, found holes in the defense, and found success in the lane, and will take that momentum into a summer where he will be relied on a bit more. His game has progressed, and I expect him to get off to a hot start this summer.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="717063" first="Xavier" last="Harris"] – Horizon</strong></h2> <p>Harris is one of the best two-way options in the class that competes at a high level on both sides of the ball, progressed as a scorer, and went out with a fight. In Horizon’s loss to a talented Smoky Hill squad, he found some success as he finished with 18 points in the game and had four assists to go along with it. Harris is a facilitating guard that is getting better as a passer, and the team feels comfortable giving him the ball and operating with him at the guard spot. He has the trust of his teammates and saw his outside shot get better, and that forced defenses have to play him differently. On the defensive side, he defended aggressively without fouling and baits opposing guards into errant passes and did that as he finished with two steals. Harris has been a fixture as one of the top guards of this class for his three years, and it looks like it will remain that way as he just continues to get better.</p>