2025 Rankings Update: New Guards (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're a little more than halfway through the 2024-25 high school basketball season in Southern California which has given us plenty of time to see teams and players from across the region and make some additions, moves and changes to our senior class rankings. We added 27 new players to the list - which now stands at 200 ranked players - and below we break down more guards who made their debut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1698856' first='Velijah' last='Miller'] | Chatsworth</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller has found a home and a role at Chatsworth and his game has come along nicely over the last few months. The 6-foot-2 combo guard flanks a backcourt with highly-touted nationally-ranked guard [player_tooltip player_id='1956465' first='Alijah' last='Arenas'] and has proven to be a solid wingman for the five-star prospect. Miller can attack the rim in transition and finish through or above contact and he's a capable ball handler and decision-maker in half-court offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1534489' first='Lawrence' last='Sanford'] | Vista Murrieta</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanford had a breakout performance in the Classic at Damien tournament where he helped Vista Murrieta reach the championship game of the Silver Division. The 6-foot-3 combo guard has fluid shooting mechanics off the catch and deep range on his three-point shot. Sanford also has good size and athleticism for the position and uses those traits to get into the lane and finish or create for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2742218' first='Dylan' last='Goosen'] | Malibu</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goosen has put up some incredible scoring numbers this season but it has gone largely unnoticed as he competes in a smaller school environment. The 6-foot-1 guard is averaging 35.4 points per game - which is good for ninth in the country according to MaxPreps - and his 67 made three-pointers ranks him at No. 22 in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2746565' first='Noah' last='Henry'] | St. Francis</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henry has taken on an increased role for St. Francis this season and he's been a reliable and steady scorer, decision-maker and defender. The 6-foot-2 combo guard can play on or off the ball with his playmaking IQ and ability to knock down open shots but it is his defensive intensity and IQ that stand out the most when we watch him play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2742295' first='Michael' last='Ahern'] | Capistrano Valley Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ahern is another gifted small school scorer whose 24.9 points per game on the season is good for 33rd in the state according to MaxPreps. The 6-foot-2 guard is an interesting prospect because you imagine a player scoring at that level would be knocking down a ton of three's, but Ahern does a lot of his damage on drives and getting to the free throw line. The senior has made 124 free throws this season which ranks him 42nd in the nation and seventh in California.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2746569' first='Paris' last='Lassiter'] | Alemany</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lassiter is a high energy and motor player who thrives in transition settings. The 6-foot-1 point guard is tough to keep out of the lane with his combination of speed and shiftiness and the senior can score craftily around defenders or find open shooters for threes or throw a lob or drop off pass to a big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->