Take 5: Available Central/Western VA Guards

<p>As we head into the year 2022, we will take a look at some of the best available 2022 players in the state. We will start at the guard position, as there’s plenty of those to go around.</p> <p>We’ll look at five players from each area and position that coaches at all levels looking for a player should keep an eye out for. Here’s five 2022 guards in the Central and Western areas of VA that need more love.</p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Devin Walker | 6’0” | Blue Ridge</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Walker-Devin.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1362394" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Walker-Devin-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Walker waited his turn for Blue Ridge who has had a number of guards that went on to play in college over the past few years, and now he’s starting to show that he could be the next one. A steady guard that can play on or off the basketball, he’s been excellent on both ends of the floor as he can set the tone and make plays for others, he shoots it at a very high rate from deep and he plays with a good feel for the game as well.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815622" first="Trey" last="Gillenwater"] | 6’2” | Eastern Mennonite</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Gillenwater-Trey.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1159978" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Gillenwater-Trey-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Gillenwater is a gem in the Harrisonburg area that can flat out fill it up and has put up big numbers many times over his career, but especially this season. The 6’2” guard has great fundamentals as a shooter and a handler, he can create space and make tough shots from multiple levels, he’s a good shooter off the catch and he has a good IQ and can make plays for others as well.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Ayrion Journiette | 6’0” | Northside</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Journiette-Ayrion.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1015656" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Journiette-Ayrion-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">When it comes to the type of player who goes all out every game and knows how to make an impact on both ends of the floor, look no further than Journiette who finds different ways to make winning plays for his team. Whether it’s handling and attacking off the bounce with his quick and strong frame, moving off the ball where he can knock it down from deep or work off screens to cut and get open or guard the other team’s best player, he will do it and stuff the stat sheet while he does it.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="1217459" first="Stephen" last="Barbour"] | 6’0” | Glenvar</span></strong></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Barbour is a very underrated and way too unknown for his long term potential, as the 6’0” combo guard is an elite athlete and a defensive stopper who has tons of potential moving forward. He’s a high motor guard who can move his feet and guard the other team’s best player, he can create shots for himself and others, he’s an athletic finisher and rebounder for the guard position and most importantly he’s a hustle type of guy who will give it all to keep plays alive and help his team win.</span></p> <p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">[player_tooltip player_id="815612" first="Walker" last="Andrews"] | 5’11” | VES</span></strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Andrews-Walker.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1316275" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Andrews-Walker-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Andrews has been lights out to start his senior season for VES, as he has put up big numbers against a very tough schedule and continues to show he’s one of the best scoring guards in his class. He’s improved a ton since his younger days as he is a knock down shooter with a quick release and deep range, he is heady and plays with a good motor on the defensive end and he has improved a lot in his ability to put it on the deck and initiate the offense or create shots and offensive opportunities.</span></p>