Top new guards from 2025 Rankings Update
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Our 2025 rankings update saw over 30 players get added to our list, in this article we’ll break down the top five highest ranked guards who made their debut in this latest update after strong starts to their spring grassroots…
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Continue ReadingOur 2025 rankings update saw over 30 players get added to our list, in this article we’ll break down the top five highest ranked guards who made their debut in this latest update after strong starts to their spring grassroots season.
One of the most productive players on TNBA -Ohio HGSL, Lear has had multiple big-time performances in games I’ve attended this spring. The lefty is a big time shooter from the outside and plays with an excellent feel for the game. One of the better table setters I’ve watched all spring, I’m really high on the basketball IQ Lear plays with. Averaging almost 20 PPG and shooting 35% from 3-point range and 91% from the foul line, Lear had a strong Junior season for West Geauga. Expect small college programs to take a strong interest towards Lear in the months of June and July.
Highlights
One of the top guards in the Youngstown area, Will made a splash for Ursuline last season as a transfer and took another step this season helping the Irish make the final four in Division II. A quick guard off the dribble, Will was able to beat his defender off the bounce and score. A reason he’s able to score at the rim is his ability to finish with both hands in the paint. I thought Will did a nice job with drop offs to his bigs when help came on his drives. Combine this with the ability to make shots from the perimeter and Will is a tough offensive player to guard at the high school level. Expect the Irish to once again be in the mix to compete for a state title.
I’ve been high on the Massillon Jackson 2025 trio of Weekley, Mitch Finefrock Mitch Finefrock 6’1″ | SG Massillon Jackson | 2025 State OH and Kyle Monterrubio Kyle Monterrubio 6’3″ | SF Massillon Jackson | 2025 State OH for a while now and Weekley makes his debut after I got to see him play in the playoffs for the Polar Bears and with All Ohio Select alongside Finefrock. An efficient off guard who can knock down shots off the catch and attack closeouts, Weekley is a tough cover on a well spaced Massillon Jackson squad. Weekley is a solid athlete, capable of attacking off the bounce and a good shooter, should get a lot of small college interest with his skillset and Massillon Jackson is capable of making another deep playoff run with their senior core.
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A new name for me, I caught Appiah on the Prep Hoops Circuit back in April where he had a big two-way impact. That’s exactly what Olentangy Orange will hope for with Appiah next season as he could replace Dylan Joy Dylan Joy 6’0″ | SG Olentangy Orange | 2024 State OH in the starting lineup who is their only senior starter who graduated. If not, Appiah projects to be a key bench piece once again for the Pioneers who will use his length, athleticism and activity defensively against top scoring options. Appiah also showed me some scoring ability off the bounce with his ability to get into the lane. Think Appiah should get some small college interest either in June or in the winter considering the amount of marquee games Olentangy Orange is projected to have on their schedule.
Highlights
One of the breakout stars from the Prep Hoops Circuit this spring in the Grit Region, Conkle has been one of the most consistent scorers on the circuit for his Midwest Basketball Club team. A high motor guard, Conkle goes all out on every play. Able to knock down shots from the outside and not afraid to challenge rim protectors in the paint, Conkle can dish out buckets in a variety of ways. The MVL had a strong season last year with Maysville going to the state title game, Tri Valley winning a district and New Lexington falling in a district final. Conkle was one of the top players in that conference last season and should be in the mix for conference POY with studs from teams I previously mentioned. Great time to be a hoops fan in the greater Muskingum area and Conkle should get plenty of small college interest before it’s all said and done.