Shifty Scoring Guards: 757 Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the preseason for high school basketball, we will take a look at some different categories of players and those that excel in those roles in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top scoring guards in the Hampton Roads part of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580801' first='Malik' last='Johnson'] | 6'4” PG | Peninsula Catholic 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978332,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Johnson-Malik-Loaded.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Johnson-Malik-Loaded.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978332" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson joins PC after spending a year playing on the post graduate circuit as an underclassman with Massanutten, and the way he played this summer with Team Loaded 757 he showed he's set to score a lot of points for them. He's a downhill attacking guard who has a good handle with the ability to breakdown defenders and change directions well, he has good touch in the midrange with floaters, he uses his size to finish well through traffic and he can make plays for others with the ball in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489089' first='Tony' last='Goodman'] | 6'0” CG | Manor 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodman is one of the more underrated players in the 757, as the Portsmouth guard has a mix of skill, shiftiness and toughness that makes him a walking bucket in different ways. He has good burst with the ball in his hands and can get to spots where he can stop on a dime, he has a good handle in one-on-one situations and he gets hot quickly and can make tough shots when he gets it going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489097' first='Rashaad' last='Williams'] | 5'10” PG | Norfolk Collegiate 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has quietly been one of the top scorers in the 757 over the past few years, and he's going to be the leader of a talented NoCo team that could surprise quite a few teams this year. While he isn't the biggest guy Williams game is stout for a small scoring guard as he has great touch in the midrange and around the rim, he changes speeds and directions well, he can create space to get his shot off and he is a microwave scorer who gets hot and fills it up in bunches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494111' first='Masiah' last='Stevens'] | 5'10” PG | Woodside 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1980316,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Stevens-Masiah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Stevens-Masiah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980316" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stevens is a super talented guard who sometimes got overshadowed at Woodside last year behind Richmond commit Trevor Smith, but this year he'll have a chance to be one of the go-to guys on the defending state champs who are loaded once again. The 5'10” lead guard has blazing speed in the open floor coupled with the ability to change directions and stop on a dime, he's shifty with a tight handle to break down defenders and he makes tough shots from all over the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963392' first='Keon' last='Mitchell'] | 6'2” PG | Norview 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last three guys on this list all are part of a 2026 guard class in the 757 that surpassed the highest of expectations as freshmen, starting with Mitchell who led Norview in scoring and played well on the EYBL Circuit too. The 6'2” guard has the size and strength to get downhill and play through contact, he's a tough nosed guard who likes playing against tough defenses, he's shifty and gets to spots relatively easily and he can create and make tough shots in isolation situations from all over the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782686' first='Styles' last='Clemmons'] | 6'1” PG | Princess Anne 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clemmons was nothing short of fantastic for PA last season, as he was one of the top scorers in the Beach District and was named Class 5 Region A Player of the Year as just a freshman, a feat that is rarely seen. He's the definition of shifty as he is dynamic off the bounce with the ability to change directions and create space, he is excellent in ball screens where he makes good decisions and puts constant pressure on the defense and he gets hot quickly and fills it up in bunches with takeover ability to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1446198' first='Carmelo' last='Swinson'] | 6'2” CG | Norcom 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While all three of them are scoring machines, Swinson may have the polished and deep bag of this group and he's improving his body which is making him even more dynamic and athletic adding to his scoring repertoire. The 6'2” combo is a super talented shot maker who can get wherever he wants off the bounce and knows how to create space and get into his shot quickly, he has deep range both off the catch and off the bounce, he's smooth in the midrange and his balance is very good off the bounce to get square and get good looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->