Stand Out Guards from Week 8

<p>This week’s edition of standout guards continues to show the variety of talent within the state. We have scorers, floor generals, and lock down defenders that can impact the game at the next level. Check out the best guards from week 8. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">RJ </b><b><u>Johnson</u></b><b style="text-decoration-line: underline;"> 6’2 PG Grissom 2022</b></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Johnson is a big guard with big-time playmaking ability and athleticism. He does a great job conducting the Grissom offense and creating accessible opportunities for his running mates in [player_tooltip player_id="1070703" first="Izzy" last="Miles"] and [player_tooltip player_id="815585" first="Efrem" last="Johnson"]. Johnson is elite in transition. His outlet passes are always on time and on target, creating opportunities for his team with fastbreak. In the half-court, his vision is elite, and he’s always a play ahead. He does an excellent job of balancing the tempo for the Grissom offense and taking what the defense gives him. Johnson’s linebacker-Esque frame allows him to play with a bully mentality when attacking the rim as a scorer. He uses his size well to absorb contact and finish at a high level. Though he can win with strength, Johnson is an explosive who has a quick first step and can play above the rim. This athleticism enables him to rebound the ball at a high level for his position. </span></p> <p>https://twitter.com/GrissomHoops/status/1470989660050571264?s=20</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Jabari Arnold SG/PG Huntsville 2022</strong></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Arnold is a quick combo guard who can get a bucket whenever his squad needs it. His 23 point performance against Haleyville showed his versatility as a scorer. When playing off-ball Arnold’s quick release allowed him to be a significant threat from deep. He’s shown a high IQ by consistently cutting when the defense is napping. With the ball in his hand, his first step enables him to beat defenders and get downhill where he can finish with either hand at the rim or use his floater to avoid bigs at the rim. He uses head fakes and hesitations at an elite level to set up defenders. Look for Arnold to be that missing piece for the Panthers and contribute big-time scoring production throughout the rest of the season. </span></p> <p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1LJzayMQH8&amp;t=248s</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965775" first="Tucker" last="Gambrill"] 5’11 PG Cullman 2022 </strong></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Gambrill is a point guard who is a 2-way floor general that can carry an offense with distributing or scoring. He understands pace and plays in control whenever the ball is in his hands. As a scorer, he can penetrate the teeth of the defense in the half-court or transition and make tough finishes through contact at the basket. He can also shoot a high clip and operate as an off guard while running off screens or pin downs. As a passer, he always makes the right play and is very low on turnovers. His elite vision allows him to dissect defenses and create solid possessions for his team. Defensively Gambrill is just as effective with his active hands, quick feet, and tenacity. As a point of attack defender, he disrupts the rhythm and flow of offenses and shows an ability to pickpocket and strip the ball away from guards at a high level. </span></p> <p>https://twitter.com/HawksEliteAAU/status/1472781245033717763?s=20</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bridges Simmons 6’1 SG/PG UMS Prep 2023</strong></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Simmons is a playmaking two-guard who can shoot, slash, and defend at a high level. His string of 20+ point games directly indicates his shot selection, skill, and consistency. Simmons uses his speed well when running the break and has a knack for finding the holes in the defense and making them pay. He must be accounted for as a shooter in half-court sets with his quick release and ability to get open when operating off the ball. As a playmaker, he excels in driving and kicking to open shooters and uses his handle to get others involved. Defensively, he’s solid and shows quick hands when picking up ball handlers full court. He does an excellent job of staying in front and feeding his man to the help. </span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Dalton Taggart 6’0 SG/ PG Wicksburg 2022</strong></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Taggart is an elite shooter who wants to smoke from deep. Taggart spent the week scorching nets by hitting 12 threes in a span of two games. He showed an ability to be a specialist from the coroner, which widened the court for his playmakers and bigs. As a stationary shooter, he is quick to get his shooting pocket when lining his shot up. He also does a great job of shooting off screens, flares, and filling the lane when running in transition. Taggart’s shooting ability can easily translate to the next level and allows him to fit any system you put him in. </span></p>