New to the 2023 Watch List: Combo Guards
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We’ve added a bunch of players to the 2023 Watch List and among them are a few under-the-radar combo guards. Some of these guys are team leaders, some provide stability for younger teams, and some could profile as specialists at…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve added a bunch of players to the 2023 Watch List and among them are a few under-the-radar combo guards. Some of these guys are team leaders, some provide stability for younger teams, and some could profile as specialists at the next level. Here are a few new names to know on the 2023 Watch List.
Onick was one of the more exciting players to see that made their way on to our watch list. He’s a downhill guard for Heritage who just has the look of a born hooper. The way he maneuvers around the floor and challenges defenses shows he is a confident and comfortable player. He’s got the ability to score from all three levels though he succeeds most from the mid-range and in. He’s also a sneaky player on defense and can come out of nowhere to make big plays on that end. He does a lot for Heritage and could be a guy that rises up into the rankings before the season is through.
He seems to be Kennewick’s top playmaker and really attacks defenses with a level-head. He has the right instincts and feel for keeping defenders off balance with his herky-jerky dribbling and is patient enough to work for the best looks. I haven’t seen him shoot much from outside, but he looks to have good touch with the jumper in close and does a nice job driving and dishing.
Hill is a fairly creative player for Kent-Meridian, making plays with his shot and the pass. He actually reminds me a lot of another player from the rankings, Trevontay Smith Trevontay Smith 6’0″ | CG Yelm | 2023 State WA at Yelm. Smith brings a bit more defensively, but Hill has that same slashing mindset with a good-looking stroke from three as well. He can go all the way to the rim but also has a good feel for when to stop short and drop the floater.
Sideregts is a rotation player in the backcourt for a solid Kamiakin team, but he’s shown some excellent athleticism and agility that’s allowed him to make big plays on the defensive end. He’s got good strength and burst, and at 6’2 he’s solid enough to guard some bigger guards while still being quick enough to hang with the little guys. He seems like an enthusiastic defender and shows good hustle out on the court.
McDonald is an interesting player for the Moses Lake Mavs. He’s a slashing guard who can rebound well and looks to push the ball up the floor. Only 6’1, McDonald actually has some good bounce and can rise up pretty easily to finish high at the rim. Because of his speed and athleticism there is potential for him to be a solid defender as well, though right now he has a tendency to get a little too high in his stance and lets ballhandlers blow by him. If he can improve on that, he has the skills to rack up the stocks with his burst and aggressiveness.
Wenz has been a solid player essentially every time I’ve watched Silas play. He’s strong with the ball, can consistently hit the three, and has enough strength to take it inside and seek out contact at the rim. He wasn’t too high on the pecking order earlier in the year, but now that their top option Cayden McDaniel Cayden McDaniel 6’3″ | CG BFL Prep | 2023 State WA is at BFL Prep, I could see Wenz getting extended looks to help lead a younger team. He can play both guard spots because of his shooting and his ability to protect the rock, so look for him to be a player that could have a stronger second half of the season.