Top New Guards from 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update saw 20 players get added to our rankings list, bringing the total amount of ranked players to 60. In this article we'll break down four guards who made their debut in this latest update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2317204"],"_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":"I caught Vlosich in his varsity debut for Saint Edward against Centerville and he played with the confidence that a three year varsity starter would show on the court. His mid-season move to varsity helped provide a boost to the Eagles program and could be the go-to option as a Junior. Vlosich has good size from the wing guard position and made shots off the catch.  In a district final loss to Brunswick, Vlosich ended with 18 points and four 3-pointers. With a quick release off the catch, Vlosich is a player you need to track at all times when he's spotting up. I haven't gotten to see Vlosich in person since January so I'll be curious to see where he is physically when I hopefully get to catch him again in June. A name to know in northeast Ohio's 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2316118"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"A player who stood out for Winton Woods as an athlete, I caught one of Dawson's eight double-figure scoring games he had as a Sophomore. With a good body and quick first step, Dawson looks the part moving out there on the court. Almost catching a body in transition off a steal, the explosiveness Dawson plays with is electrifying to watch. It was unsurprising to me that just two weeks after I caught Dawson for the first time, West Virginia offered Dawson for football. A two sport stud in the ECC, Dawson is a multi-sport athlete making noise in both sports.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2386466"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Maysville made an incredible run to the state championship game in Division II and were fueled by excellent shot-making from their back-court. They graduate [player_tooltip player_id='2386471' first='Alex' last='Bobb'], who is off to Marietta, but Nichols was the robin to Bobb's batman last season. Playing some of his best basketball at UD Arena, Nichols made some tough shots off the bounce and played with a ton of confidence under the bright lights. I thought Nichols did an excellent job playing off Bobb and knocking down open shots that were created for him. After being named to Honorable Mention All Ohio, Nichols will be looked to continue the legacy of recent great Panther guards after Bobb and Hayden Jarrett have graduated in the past two years. Big shoes to fill but Nichols has the talent to potentially be the best of the bunch when it's all said and done.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2353222"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I caught Lexington late in the high school season in a packed house against Ottawa Glandorf which introduced me to Allen for the first time. I was impressed with his quickness and ability to change speeds off the dribble. With his burst and creation off the bounce, Allen was given space at the high school level to shoot from 3-point range. I then caught Allen with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] 16 U group and thought Allen showed excellent on-ball defensive pressure. Forcing turnovers due to his activity on the ball, Allen will be best in an up-tempo offensive system. With Allen and [player_tooltip player_id='1705955' first='Brayden' last='Fogle'] returning for the Minutemen, they are projected to once again be one of the best small-town teams in Ohio next season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663ba39a5e49b"} /-->