Winterset Shootout: 2024 Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1171676' first='Lio' last='Aguirre'] (Ankeny)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big, physical guard who can create shots for himself at a high level, Aguirre does a great job using his physical frame to bully his way to the rim for buckets and finish through contact. He showed a strong mid-range game, especially when he's able to get to his shot off the dribble, getting to his spot and elevating into his shot quickly off the bounce with a smooth, repeatable release. He's a capable playmaker and secondary ball-handler who can be relied upon to create for his teammates in a pinch, and he'll compete on the glass on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1376687' first='Jake' last='Benzing'] (Solon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benzing may be the best pure shooter in the state. His stroke is beautiful, picturesque, and he knows how to get to his spots on every possession, whether that's in the mid-range or from deep. He has good size at 6-3/6-4 and moves extremely well without the ball in his hands, finding open spots in the defense. He still has a little ways to go as a playmaker, creating his own shots, but as an off-ball guard, he's one of the best around. He showed some passing skills and court vision when operating out of the high post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG Jack Bingaman (Indianola)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians lost a ton of production off of last year's team, so there will be a lot of opportunity for players like Bingaman to make an impact this winter. He's a good shooter off the catch and showed that he can create for himself off the bounce, doing a nice job using his body to shield the ball against the defender on his dribble penetration. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG [player_tooltip player_id='1178729' first='Jaden' last='Jones'] (Dallas Center-Grimes)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a really good all-around player for the Mustangs, a 6-2 combo guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands as well as defend multiple positions. He sees the floor well and is a good, willing passer who looks to get his teammates involved first and foremost. He has good size and length, allowing him to provide some versatility on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1288927' first='Michael' last='Kasperbauer'] (Kuemper Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kasperbauer is a fantastic shooter off the catch who moves really well without the ball in his hands. He has a quick release, has his feet squared on the catch, and has a pure, repeatable stroke. He buried five 3-pointers in the Knights' loss to Dallas Center-Grimes, and he showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and create shots for himself as well, getting the ball into his shooting pocket quickly off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='2325471' first='Rahsha' last='Pope'] (Ottumwa)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope is a quick, athletic lead guard who does a great job using his speed to impact the game on both ends of the floor. He uses his speed and handles to get to the rim, where he's a good finisher, and he can also put constant pressure on opposing defenses with his quickness and court vision. He's a lefty, but he's also comfortable going to his right. He's a solid on-ball defender when engaged, moving his feet and using his quick hands to create some chaos. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CG Brayden Page (Roosevelt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scrappy combo guard who does a little bit of everything for the Roughriders, Page showed some ability as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker; a quick release with plenty of range, especially off the catch; and good on-ball defense, moving his feet well and keeping the opposing ball-handler in front of him. Nothing he does is going to blow you away, but he's a winning player who makes contributing plays on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->