2021 Rankings Update: Standout Combo-Guards

<p>The class of 2021 rankings has been updated, and there is plenty of movement throughout the entire list. We added the most players that we have ever had and did our most thorough observations to choose what we deem to be our most thought-out rankings yet. This season was a bit different as it was condensed, so we took summer ball and mixed it with what we were able to see throughout the season as well. Here’s who we have as the top guards and floor generals on the year. </p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770414" first="Boston" last="Stanton"] – Denver East</strong></span></h2> <p>Stanton had a difficult year staying healthy, which is unfortunate because when we got to see him play during the summer and in the few games his senior year with Denver East, he completely dominated in them and was more often than not the best player on the floor. Stanton comes in as the No.6 player in the class and, with a healthy season, would’ve most likely been in the mix as a top-3 player. Stanton is one of the most balanced players in the state that can score both inside and out. Stanton has excellent footwork and is a crafty finisher inside. He shoots the mid-range ball well, can extend the defense with his deep shot, and is dangerous in the open court. Stanton also made strides as a facilitator and defender in the last year, and we saw that with his willingness to defend whoever the top player in the gym was and held his own. The 6’4 combo-guard put up 21.6 points and 5.6 rebounds a game as a junior and followed that up with 14.2 points a game in the few games we saw from him senior year while playing through an injury. Now that he looks fully healthy with Knights Elite this summer, we expect him to get back into his dominant ways and for a Division I to take a flier on him.</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 one of the most consistent players in the state, and that consistency led Valor Christian to a deep playoff run that was cut short in his junior season where he was the best player on the team to a senior year where he did whatever it is he wanted along the way. Miller is a 6’5 guard that is comfortable with the ball in his hands, and the No. 8 player in the state could not be stopped. Miller put up a team-high 17.5 points a game while also grabbing 7.8 rebounds as well. He is a two-way player that can affect the game with his size and tenacity. Once he gets a head of steam, it is over for the defense as he finishes well at or above the rim but is also a player that works tirelessly to crash the boards and score off of the ball as well. Miller is improving as a shooter, a part of his game that he continues to work at, but on nights that his shot is falling, there are not many other things that a team can do but concede defeat. Miller is a complete player with a college-ready body now. Once it all comes together for him, a school will be getting an absolute steal.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770413" first="Jarmell" last="Johnson"] -- George Washington </strong></span></h2> <p>Not many players in the state elevated their game the way that Johnson did from one season to another. In Johnson’s junior season, while it was still good, there were moments that he would disappear from games and only played on one end of the court. That was not the case in his senior year as he found ways to be effective, even without the ball in his hands. Johnson went on a tear early in the season as his team looked for him to give them that offensive identity. Johnson pushed the pace and was dangerous out in the open court, had highlight dunks on fast breaks, and also knocked down the 3-ball, which made defenders have to decide on how to slow him down. Later in the season, when teammates caught up to his speed, he hurt opposing teams differently. Johnson is an athletically gifted athlete that is springy. He used his length as a disruptive defender and improved as a rebounder that was always in the mix. He crashed the boards on misses, went up with easy finishes, attacked the rim, and finished and turned defense to offense. The 6’5 combo-guard was the Patriot’s best player this season as he put up an impressive 17,7 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. George Washington was state runner-up, and it was the veteran leadership that led the way. Having their best player understand when to take over and when to impact the game in various ways pushed them through a state playoff run and chance to win it all. Schools at the next level that is looking for a complete player with size, you find that in explosive combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="770413" first="Jarmell" last="Johnson"], and he comes in at the No.3 shooting guard in the class and No.12 overall player.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916971" first="Schafer" last="Reichart"] – Doherty</strong></span></h2> <p>Reichart went from an inspiring story about a player that was near death and had no chance of ever touching a basketball again to being an all-around player that beat the odds and still happens to be one of the state’s best. Reichart comes in as the No. 23 player in the class as he led Doherty to an 11-4 record and playoff push after leading the Spartans in every way. The 6’3 combo-guard played both on and off of the ball to put up 16.6 points a game and had 7.1 rebounds a game to go along with it. He leads by example, takes what the defense gives him, and showcased his 2-way abilities nightly. Reichart shot 39% from beyond the arc, moved without the ball for easy finishes, and understood his role when double teams came while ensuring that his team kept the upper hand. Reichart has been a gym-rat that is a no excuse worker, cannot be denied, and has a fan in me. I am excited to follow his career at Colorado Christian.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="770404" first="Tyce" last="Baldwin"] – Fossil Ridge</strong></span></h2> <p>Baldwin is one of the most explosive athletes in this class that is a high aerial attack, gets downhill and off and running, and finishes well in the open court. Baldwin has good size and stature at 6’4 and can take over at any moment as a microwave scoring option. Baldwin has been a consistent player and scorer over the years, but really saw his game take off in his senior year, which led to more wins for the Sabercats. Baldwin put up 16.9 points and 3.5 rebounds a game to lead the team to victories. Fossil Ridge went 14-2 on the season as they rode their senior combo-guard/wing. He played on and off of the ball, found holes in the defense, and finished above the rim. He also broke defenses down off of the dribble and is a nightmare matchup for a small guard as he can put the ball on the floor but has the strength to finish inside as well over bigger defenders. The 1^st Team All-Front Range league member will finish his playing career at Oklahoma Baptist University and become the player that we all know he could be.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759248" first="AJ" last="Kula"] – Valor Christian</strong></span></h2> <p>Kula comes in at No. 22 on the overall rankings as the tall and slender guard is one of the smoothest players still available. Kula glides with the ball in his hands as he has creative finishes around the basket. There are reverses, euro-steps, and step-backs for this confident ball-handler, and the ability to knock down the 3-ball as well makes him a difficult cover. Kula is a 6’6 combo-guard that excels off of the ball. He reads the defense, slashes for open shots, and puts himself in positions to score. Kula made a huge jump and put up a career-best in every statistical category. Kula averaged 14.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists a game. He continues to grow and add pieces to his game, and his best basketball is ahead of him. Schools are asking about him; I am sure he will play at the next level.</p>