Class of 2026: Floor Generals in the Making
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There are so many good, young point guards running around the state right now that I decided to highlight some of the most talented of the bunch. These guys are already getting lots of time on the floor to prove…
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Continue ReadingThere are so many good, young point guards running around the state right now that I decided to highlight some of the most talented of the bunch. These guys are already getting lots of time on the floor to prove their worth and contribute to their teams early on in the season. Here are just a few 2026s that could be some of the top floor generals in the next couple of years.
Brandon Tagle
Brandon Tagle
Tagle really opened my eyes when I checked in on his Kentwood squad earlier in the year. I tuned in to watch a few of his teammates but he completely stole the show against Tacoma’s Lincoln. There was not a hint of doubt to his game, knowing when to push, when he wanted to pull it back, and his pace and vision kept the defense off-balance all night. He was making all the passes; pick and roll, baseline kick outs, wrap arounds, dump-offs in the lane, skips, and even up the court to initiate the fast break. From his passing to his ability to keep the dribble alive and use it rather than aimlessly dribble, he was on it all game. Tagle even stepped out to knock down a real deep three, making me wonder if he’s got even more in the bag.
Pierce Bierlink
Pierce Bierlink
Quincy is another team that has given the keys to the offense to a freshman this season. Bierlink has stepped in next to established players like Julian Ibarra Julian Ibarra 6’4″ | SG Quincy | 2024 State WA and Aidan Bews Aidan Bews 6’6″ | SF Quincy | 2024 State WA and done an admirable job trying to help them make another trip to State. He can hit the mid-range on the attack and spread the floor out to three-point range, but mainly it’s his ability to control the ball and divert pressure that looked most impressive. He plays an all-around solid game, limiting mistakes, showing good touch on his passes, and an awareness to keep the dribble going and pull it back out when things break down.
Brayden Fischer
Brayden Fischer
I don’t have a ton to say on Fischer yet, except that he gives off the aura that he belongs out there, and that’s on the court with guys like Parker Baumann Parker Baumann 6’5″ | CG Shorecrest | 2023 State WA , Anthony Najera Anthony Najera 6’0″ | PG Everett | 2024 WA , and Keaine Silimon Keaine Silimon 6’1″ | PG Shorecrest | 2023 State WA . He’s just 5’9 but plays with excellent energy and toughness on defense, challenging opponents and getting right up in their shorts. He’s quick with the ball and generally quick with decisions but still plays smart with the ball while getting some decent minutes for the Shorecrest Scots.
Cam Newsome
Cam Newsome
Newsome is definitely a kid to watch for the future with his ability to be a two-way impact point guard. He’s not quite there yet but is getting time to figure it out with Prairie and has shown real promise with his shot creation and ability to apply pressure on-ball. He’s a bouncy kid with great quickness that applies to both sides of the floor. He’s also shown the patience and vision needed from your point guard specifically in feeling out passing windows on the pick and roll.
Jackson Whitaker
Jackson Whitaker
Whitaker has the look of a point guard with how patiently he plays, continuing to move the ball around and search for the optimal shot. However, he’s shown some assertiveness in looking for the long-range shot that makes him a fine fit at either guard spot in high school. He can hit pretty consistently from behind the arc and with some decent range, but he’s also a solid finisher at the rim and stays in control when he drives in. He’s really emerged as a consistent contributor for Liberty and a key player who’s nearing the point where he can put up 10 to 15 points a night.
Toby is back at it after leading Lummi to a fourth-place finish at last year’s 1B state tournament as an eighth grader. He has Lummi atop the Northwest 1B League again and looking to build on last season. Once you watch him play, it becomes a little obvious he is a coach’s son. His brain always seems to be churning to avoid mistakes and read defenses which allows him to make some flashy passes without coughing the ball up very often. He has excellent ball control and patience, and while he’s mostly looking to create opportunities for his teammates, he is an awfully talented scorer at the rim.