City Rankings: Eugene Area 2024 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2024 guards are probably the deepest position group in the Eugene/Springfield area. This group has shown a ton of growth since the end of last season. Look for a few risers in our rankings to come out of this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 [player_tooltip player_id='1110575' first='Joey' last='Banry']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banry has been one of the most consistent players in the valley over the last couple of years. He was a consensus top 5 players in the area according to a sampling of area coaches. The strengths of Banry's game are his ball handling and leadership. He also has a great motor and influences games outside the box score with his hustle and basketball IQ. Banry will need to have an impact on both ends of the court if Blake Gee's Highlanders want to make the jump to the top tier in the Midwestern League (5A). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 [player_tooltip player_id='1110574' first='Owen' last='Cramer'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cramer is another player who has been very consistent over the past year. You will not find a more fundamentally sound player in the class of 2024. There is nothing flashy about his game. Cramer does exactly what coach Eric Orton asks him to do when he is supposed to do it. He consistently gets to the lane and creates opportunities for his teammates. Cramer also shoots the ball really well and excels on catch and shoots. Look for Cramer to be one of the leaders on a resurgent Sheldon squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 [player_tooltip player_id='1483411' first='Peyton' last='Tyner'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multi-sport athlete has been under the radar and might be a surprise to some that he comes in at number three on the list. Tyner has one of the highest ceilings in the class of 2024. He is a little undersized but makes up for it with elite quickness and decision making. Tyner could be one of the breakout stars in 4A this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 [player_tooltip player_id='1111369' first='Landyn' last='Bryant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant is another quick guard with tons of potential. The junior guard transferred to South Eugene from Sheldon and is looking to have another good season. He needs to be more assertive on the offensive end in order to give the Axe some punch from their backcourt. Bryant is a wild card and could emerge as one of the risers in this class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 [player_tooltip player_id='1278049' first='Braydon' last='Ace Long'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long has consistently shot the ball well for the Wolverines and provides some scoring alongside back court mate [player_tooltip player_id='1483427' first='Mike' last='Small']. He will need to demonstrate the ability to play on ball defense and rebound if he wants to make a bigger impact at Willamette as they transition to 6A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#6 Koen Thurman (2024 PG South Eugene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thurman flies around the court and has one of the best motors in the class of 2024. Offensively, he has a shifty game with a tight handle on the ball. Thurman will need to take care of the ball if he wants to see major minutes this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#7 Elias McKinnis (2024 SG North Eugene)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior guard for the Highlanders has flown under the radar this spring and summer. He is one of the better shooters in the 2024 class and is looking to have a break out season for North Eugene. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->