2025 Preview: Guards Stepping Into Larger Roles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guards have either been leading their teams to tangible success throughout the regular season or will be playing vital roles throughout the incoming season. Plenty of high energy impact and a consistent willingness to compete on every available possession. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1914027"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A quick, twitchy playmaker with the ball, Bradford is a guard to watch through the coming seasons. Effective utilizing crossovers or hesitations before exploding downhill, opposing defenses had trouble staying in front. His ability to get downhill allows for plenty of opportunities to get deep into the paint for layups or kickouts if necessary. Through his sophomore season at Legacy Academy, Bradford averaged 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The guard has upside to be one of the most productive perimeter playmakers in the class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e90ebd66ca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687828"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Pena will be a particularly important playmaker with Hobbs, following the departure of senior guard Michael Mackey. Following averages of 12.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, the junior was among the more consistent guards on the team. They are actively pushing the pace following a steal, getting into scoring position to force the defense into position. Once in the halfcourt, Pena shows notable upside spacing the floor on attempts off the catch. Pena will be one of the most intriguing junior guards in the state, boasting an efficient playstyle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e90ebd6736"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687822"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Nez is a capable lead ball handler, often tasked with setting up the offensive possession. Effective spacing the floor off the bounce or catch, there are plenty of opportunities to attract attention with the ball. Thanks to his handle with the ball, Nez remains a threat on all three levels. Through his previous season with Navajo Prep, the guard put up 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Following an efficient 35% from beyond the arc, Nez will be among the more productive volume shooters not only with Navajo Prep, but the 2025 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e90ebd6791"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552243"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gonzales is a physical guard, doing an excellent job of guarding up lineups if required. Another area of value has been his quick instincts getting rebounds or loose balls. Through his sophomore season for Organ Mountain, the guard posted 3.4 points and 2 rebounds per game. Possessing notable value defensively, Gonzales should get more opportunity as a plug and play guard capable under many circumstances.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e90ebd67e6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2684188' first='Ethan' last='Coomes']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Organ Mountain","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Coomes shows value as a complementary playmaker, effectively utilizing his momentum off the catch to attack driving lanes. A confident ball handler, the guard consistently keeps his eyes up for passing or scoring opportunities. Effective at reading the defense, Coomes provides plenty of opportunities with the ball. Defensively, the guard is particularly assertive at the point of attack, taking away space quickly. Through Coomes' sophomore season, the guard posted 3 points and 1.3 assists per game. Following the departure of multiple seniors, Organ Mountain will be looking for production from at least a couple new names, Coomes likely among those contributors.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653e90ebd6891"} /-->