WPIAL Guards Expected to Have Big Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five WPIAL guards that should make waves in the AAU season and parlay it into big high school seasons come next winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406035"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eEmery Moye is a complete athlete and multi-sport star. On the court, he is a lockdown defender. You'll never see him taking a play off on the defensive side of the ball. Moye's intensity is unmatched. Offensively, he is a top spot-up shooter. When he sets his feet, he is a big-time threat from beyond the arc. However, that's not to say he can't drive the lane. Moye also finishes well through contact. Additionally, his solid ball-handling skills and good passing vision enable him to create opportunities for his teammates. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1188640"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRalphie Blundo has some of the best basketball IQ I've seen. He is super tough and physical, and is the quintessential team player. Ralphie is the type of player who isn't afraid to take a charge or dive on the ground for a loose ball. Blundo's offensive skills are impressive. He has a great shot fake which opens driving lanes and is strong enough to finish through contact at the rim. He is truly a physical player. That said, he is also an exceptional shooter. He has big-time range and when he locks in, it's lights out. He should be getting DIII offers already, and if he keeps growing, I wouldn't be surprised if DIIs start offering too. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1454308"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDanny Slizik is playing this summer with Steeltown AAU. I'm liking what I'm seeing with how he is diversifying his game. His defense has always been on point. He has quick hands and jumps passing lanes like crazy. Offensively, Slizik is a top spot up shooter. However, he is developing as a player who can also take it to the rim. He boasts a high basketball IQ and will continue to improve over the summer. He was selected to the Honorable Mention All-Section team last season with Chartiers Valley and with his trajectory, he should make 1st or 2nd team next year. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1188639"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRowan Carmichael is poised to have a big year next season. He is currently excelling with the PK Flash on the AAU circuit and gaining the attention of Division II schools and some interest from Division I. Carmichael is a lights out shooter, especially off the dribble and in iso situations. He is equally as good of a spot up shooter. He averaged 22 points per game last season for Avonworth and I expect him to be in the running for the WPIAL scoring title next season. Beyond scoring, Carmichael possesses a high basketball IQ and top ball handling skills. Defensively, Carmichael is quick and tenacious.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Amon Hawthorne","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Penn Hills","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Caveman","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAmon Hawthorne had a big year as a sophomore for Penn Hills and earned a spot on the 2nd Team All-Conference. Hawthorne's shooting is exceptional. He is a great spot-up guy and shows deep range. He gets his shot off quickly. He also shows a nice mid-range game where he connects off the dribble. Hawthorne's ball-handling skills set him apart and he has a great first step and excellent cross-over. He performs very well in Iso situations. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663530a0c0fae"} /-->