Seven New Guards Added to the 2024 Class Ranking

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We added seven guards to the class of 2024 rankings this week. It's a pretty diverse group of guards – guys of all sizes and skill sets from big programs to small schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>35 - [player_tooltip player_id='2130508' first='Chase' last='Bond'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Spring Hill:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big guard from the 5A ranks, Bond was always in consideration for ranking due to his strong work on the club scene. He broke through as a junior, earning second-team honors in the Frontier League and garnering some all-state honorable mentions. Bond's teams haven't been strong, but he is a big, talented leader who can help change that this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>77 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147759' first='Damon' last='Alexander'], 6-1, 2024, KC-Washington (pictured):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of our favorite players this summer, Alexander was disruptive on the defensive end and versatile on offense. He's a long, high-energy athlete who really popped in club action. He earned honorable mention from the Meadowlark League as a junior and we foresee big things for him in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>81 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147803' first='Daniel' last='Eilert'], 6-foot-2 forward, 2024, Beloit-St. Johns/Tipton:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eilert comes from one of the smallest high schools in the state, but he didn't let that slow him down as a junior. He guided the Blujays to the 1A Div. II state tournament with a 19-5 record. Though they lost in the opening round of the tournament, Eilert contributed 16 points, 7 boards and 3 assists in the effort. On the year he led the team with 13 points and 9 rebounds a game, picking up some all-state honors along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>83 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147812' first='Michael' last='Matteucci'], 5-foot-9 guard, 2024, Sacred Heart:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A first-team North Central Activities League pick, Matteucci led a really good Sacred Heart team as a junior with 16 points and 5 assists. He's a multi-sport athlete, starring on the football team and winning the 2A golf championship last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>84 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147816' first='Derrek' last='Randels'], 5-foot-10 guard, 2024, Medicine Lodge:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An all-state pick in 2A, Randels was part of that exciting run by Medicine Lodge at the state tournament. In the upset of Bennington, Randels contributed 16 points and 5 assists. He racked up 39 points and 10 assists in the tournament. He averaged 5 rebounds to go with 11 points on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>93 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147820' first='Joey' last='Henderson'], 5-foot-8 guard, 2024, Concordia:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A ball-hawking, tenacious defender, Henderson is a fun player to watch. He is a creative playmaker who gets the ball to his teammates, but can also light it up. As a first teamer in the North Central League, he racked up 4 assists per game. He can blow by a defender with his quick crossover, or he can knock down shots from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>95 - [player_tooltip player_id='2147831' first='Taylor' last='Campbell'], 6-foot-2 guard, 2024, Lyons:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell is a long, gliding creator with the ball. He knows how to score. Slashing to the goal or letting loose from deep, he rolled to 17 points per game as a junior. He got some all-state mentions and was second-team in the Central Kansas League. Campbell's height, athleticism and ball skills make him dangerous in transition. He's one of the top small school guards returning in the middle of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->