James Johnson Memorial Tournament: Spark Plug Guards
Tyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6'0" | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA , 6’0, PG, Lynden Christian, FOH Seattle, C/O 2023 Sipma provided a ton of energy over the weekend for FOH and displayed his skills as a pure…
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Continue ReadingTyler Sipma Tyler Sipma 6'0" | CG Lynden Christian | 2023 State WA , 6’0, PG, Lynden Christian, FOH Seattle, C/O 2023
Sipma provided a ton of energy over the weekend for FOH and displayed his skills as a pure point guard. The 2022 state champ gets in the zone with the ball in his hands and loves to set up others. He reads the floor well in different scenarios, keeping defenders on his hip on the break or going into sets in the half court. Big men who play alongside Tyler tend to find themselves in great situations to score when they role to the hoop. He also possesses scoring tools as well, often resorting to his crisp float game and mid range stop and pop.
Stevie Kuhnle Jr, 6’1, SG, Monroe, North City AAU, C/O 2023
Stevie had a strong outing against some premium talent at the tournament, most notably the spark he created when North City faced Fly Select (Oregon) on Day 1, sinking 7 3-pointers as North City came up short in the overtime period. Kuhnle Jr has a lighting quick release on his shot and is constantly moving off the ball to get open. He fits the prototypical 3-and-D mold and got a major chance to show it in Auburn, especially since North City leaned on his scoring even more without the services of a few key players on the roster.
Xavier Santana Xavier Santana 6'3" | PG Great Futures Prep | 2025 State WA , 6’3, PG/SG, Clarkston, Hooptown Elite, C/O 2024
The more I get to watch Santana in action the more he shows his skills as a ultra-competitive guard with no fear. Going up against a loaded Rotary 24’ squad, the lefty hit two clutch 3s to help Hooptown avoid collapse and escape with a 56-54 win in the semis. A big shot maker and ballhandler, he brought a lot of fire on the defensive end as well, challenging some of Rotary’s top guards on a possession-by-possession basis. He has a ’next play’ mentality and is strong enough to play as a two guard and spent time at both guard spots over the weekend.
Jeremiah Harshman Jeremiah Harshman 6'1" | PG Annie Wright | 2025 State WA , 6’0, PG, Annie Wright, Team Stuck, C/O 2025
Harshman plays well beyond his years and is a pesky defensive guard with a high IQ when it comes to being a leader. He is quick to clean up mistakes on the court and turn nothing into something. He will pick up opposing guards up full court and try to wear them out over the course of the game. Offensively, he takes the smart shots and has a clean looking jumper from deep. A big riser over the summer, he’s is proving to be one of the top guards in his class and it was evident against some top tier talent.
Noel ’Bud’ Davis, 5’10, PG, O’Dea, Seattle Rotary, C/O 2024
One of the speediest point guards at the James Johnson Memorial Tournament was Noel Davis Noel Davis 5'11" | PG O'Dea | 2024 State WA . Bud is a blur in the open court and has solid dribble moves that he uses to keep defenders honest. He can skate around the defense and get into the lanes to make plays. He’s a deadly scorer off the dribble when he has a favorable matchup on the perimeter and defenses must be prepared for the blow-by. The O’Dea product should make an excellent PG option for the Irish alongside backcourt mate Mason Williams Mason Williams 6'4" | PG O'Dea | 2023 State WA (2023) and fellow teammate Miles Goodman Miles Goodman 6'10" | PF Southern California Academy | 2024 CA-S (2024).
Jaylen Petty Jaylen Petty 5'11" | PG Auburn | 2025 State WA , 5’8, PG, Auburn, Seattle Rotary, C/O 2025
Jaylen is the type of guard coaches love to have on a team. The former Rainer Beach Viking showed a variety of strengths this past weekend. He is jittery and quick and will hop into the passing lanes on defense when you least expect it and get out and run. He has a smooth game on the offensive end, too. While operating out of the pick-and-roll, he can find cutters, pull-up for a shot, and navigate inside the paint to shift the defense. It will be interesting to see how he fits into an Auburn roster who just came off a 3A state title and had a lot of turnover a the guard spots.
Arion ’Bubba’ Palacol, 5’8, PG, Marysville-Getchell, D1 Elite, C/O 2025
Another sparky guard over the weekend was summer riser and soon-to-be sophomore Arion Palacol Arion Palacol 5'11" | PG Marysville Getchell | 2025 State WA . At 5-foot-8, he can get his shot off in a lot of different ways and against a variety of defenders. He has a growing offensive game and does a lot of the things you like to see from a starting caliber point guard. From the perimeter, he definitely has shown range on his jumper and does nice work when he can get into the paint and throw defenders off balance to get off a fadeaway, floater, or find the open man.