Five 2021 combo-guards in 5A that stood out this season

<p>We are less than a week away from the end of the season. Some solid performers in the 5A class have led their teams to victory, and some that have come up just a bit short. Nonetheless, we acknowledge some of the class’s top scorers from a very entertaining season. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965761" first="Sean" last="Evans"] – Legend</strong></span></h2> <p>Evans is a player that has been very consistent and stepped up in many ways for Legend this season. Legend had holes to fill from only a season ago, and it was Evans that showcased not only his versatility but ability to affect the game with his scoring and beyond. Evans has a natural feel for the game and plays well alongside other guards. He knows where he wants to get to on the floor, is confident with the ball in his hands, and is locked in on both ends of the floor. Legend did not play up to their standards, but he was a bright spot on the team as he put up 17.7 points a game and provided an all-around game with three rebounds and assists a game as the leading scorer. Legend has two games remaining in the season and can only help their case if they can pull off a win—solid season for the 6’3 small forward nonetheless.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139400" first="Josiah" last="Sewell"] – Liberty</strong></span></h2> <p>Sewell is a player that flew under the radar for a while but has been putting teams on notice as he has been a player that opposing teams have had to prepare for. He has been a reliable source of scoring for the Lancers, and the way that he has played both on and off-ball has allowed him to open up the rest of the offense for teammates. Liberty has asked him to lead them in scoring on certain nights and be a presence on others, but no matter what, he has showed up. He has put up double figures in every game and has exploded for 32 points and 29 points twice in meaningful games. Sewell is putting up 17.8 points a game and hunting for more. Liberty has been a resilient team that has played opposing teams closely, and they have a leader in Sewell that helped in the scoring department this year.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965753" first="Jaylen" last="Carrizales"] – Vista Peak</strong></span></h2> <p>Carrizales is a guard that can play both on and off of the ball and, when he gets going, is a tough player to slow down. He can break a defender down off of the dribble, play off of the ball and make smart cuts, as well as start the offense himself. Carrizales jumped from 11 points a game as a sophomore to being named the team captain and putting up 18.8 points a game. He is the Bison’s best player and leading scorer, and as long as he is on the floor, Vista Peak feels as if they stand a real chance. Carrizales gets to the rim with ease, makes the right decision but is not afraid to take chances. He is a volume shooter but creative scorer who can get loose and play at the next level. He certainly had a season worth discussing, and although their year is over, it was great to see him step up when his team needed him to.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759207" first="Ben" last="Bowen"] – Mountain Vista</strong></span></h2> <p>Bowen came into the season with a mission, and one thing that stands out more than anything else about Bowen is the type of competitor that he is. The No.2 player in the 2021 class certainly looked the part as Mountain Vista had the most difficult schedule I can remember, and not one time did he not take on the personal challenge of defending the opposing teams best player or coming up with excuses when things did not go his way. He plays with an edge and competitiveness that certainly has separated him from the bunch, and while it would’ve been easy for him to cruise this season as he gets ready to play Division I basketball, he competed. The 6’5 combo-guard improved as a ball-handler and facilitator as he set new highs in every category. Bowen averaged an impressive 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while going up against the state’s top teams night in and out. He led the Golden Eagles to some victories and now prepares them for a playoff push, but you have to tip your hat to a player that leaves it all out on the floor.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770409" first="Amondo" last="Miller"] – Valor Christian</strong></span></h2> <p>Miller is a nightmare matchup for opposing teams as he continues to grow and get more comfortable with his body. He has improved in every category as he’s continued to work on his game, and when you have a selfless leader, the wins follow. Miller has contagious energy and a presence about him on the floor as he showed that he could score with ease, put the ball on the floor, and attack. Miller led the Eagles to a 9-3 record, and they have one last tune-up game against one of the top teams in the state before they plan for a playoff push. Miller is a versatile option that led the team in scoring at 17.5 points a game and rebounds (7.5 rpg) hard and starts the offense from there. Having a player with his size, skill and athleticism has allowed Valor to be a team that is difficult to prepare for, and he is one of the best players still available that teams need to hurry up and secure. Excellent year for him, and the best is yet to come.</p>