HS Preview: ’28 Breakout Guard Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season in Southern California is just under a month away and we wanted to take some time to shine a spotlight on some players who are poised to make a big leap as players and recruits. Below we take a look at "X" junior forwards and centers who we believe will boost their stock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750200' first='Aiden' last='Shaw'] | Bishop Amat</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw's value is in his ability to be solid in all aspects of the game. The 6-foot-1 point guard is a high level on-ball defender who can pressure, contain and create turnovers that lead to transition scoring opportunities. Offensively, Shaw can control pace and tempo with his decision-making, attack the rim and score in transition and half-court settings and knock down mid-range jumpers off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750226' first='Austin' last='Kirksey'] | Bishop Montgomery</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirksey brings an intriguing blend of quick twitch athleticism, first step burst and open court speed all while maintaining control and playing within team concepts. The 6-foot-2 combo guard can play both on or off the ball with his handle, basketball IQ and shooting ability lending to that "combo" guard skill-set. Kirksey is in a high school program that demands attention to detail and competitiveness on both ends of the floor which are things that will benefit him down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2948301' first='Chace' last='Patterson'] | St. John Bosco</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of playing time has and will open up for Patterson after the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1956464' first='Tajh' last='Ariza'] and the soon-to-be loss of another talented guard who transferred into Bosco this summer and the 6-foot-1 point guard is plenty good enough to make the most of those minutes. Patterson is an aggressive downhill scoring threat who thrives in the open court where he uses his body to absorb and finish through contact around the basket. There's still plenty of work for him to do, especially with his perimeter offensive game, and will get live game reps to do that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750232' first='Luke' last='Paulus'] | St. Francis | Pictured</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paulus is your consummate floor general point guard whose high basketball IQ, toughness and elite vision, timing and accuracy on his passes was overshadowed by other talented Mission League guards last season. This year will be different as the 6-foot sophomore has a big target to throw to in 7-foot-3 center [player_tooltip player_id='2878517' first='Cherif' last='Millogo'] and that should result in more assists and more eyes drawn to the Golden Knights program. Paulus' basketball bloodlines run deep - his uncle is former Duke guard and current Niagara head coach Greg Paulus - and his feel for the game makes that clear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2893813' first='Noah' last='Zeola'] | Orange Lutheran</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zeola is one of Southern California's premier three-point shooters regardless of class which went under-the-radar last year as he played at an Orange County public school that didn't play in a ton of big events. The 6-footer transferred to Orange Lutheran this summer and will be a go-to piece in a rebuilding season for first-year head coach Nate Klitzing. Zeola is a quick trigger guard with deep and consistent range and the ability to fill up the scoring column in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->