Guards Getting Busy In January

North Carolina is known for their guards as over the years there have been so many great ones to come through the HoopState. We have a bevy of supremely talented kids in this state that are simply delivering at a supremely high level for their teams right now. Let's take a look at a group of guards that have been really really good since the turn of the new year.    Rush has been putting together too many signature performances this season to really keep track. He feels like a legitimate threat to get 30-5-5 every single time he steps onto the floor. He's got super long arms that help him defensively and allow him to finish around the rim in traffic at a high level. Rush has been the guy for Leesville Road this season who is sitting at 14-3 thus far this season. Rush's ability to both fill it up and help run his team makes him a very valuable backcourt piece. I fully expect his recruitment to really pop this summer and it wouldn't even shock me if he finds himself flirting with some national rankings at some point this summer as well. Rush has simply stayed the course and is now stacking up monster performances in big games for Leesville Road as we come down the stretch of the regular season.     Herring is a really talented backcourt piece that is starting to really come into his own as a prospect. Herring and Kinston are sitting at 9-1 with a big matchup vs Farmville Central going down tomorrow night. Herring can play both on or off the ball, get above the rim with consistency off one or two feet, and act as a two way connector for this group. He can flat out take over the game by picking up the pace and picking apart the opposition in the open floor. He's starting to really develop the PG skills to an advanced level as well, that will only help his recruitment pick up more and more this summer. Herring is an athletic difference maker in the backcourt with a really high quality foundational skillset that is continuing to develop at a great rate. Herring and Kinston look to keep the wins rolling and go on a deep playoff run!     Gatling has been one of NC's most consistent guards throughout both the high school and travel ball season's over the last two years. Gatling is leading the charge for Southwest Guilford who is sitting at 12-3 on the season so far. Through 15 games, Gatling is averaging 22.7 Points, 5.4 Assists, and 1.8 Rebounds all on 53/46/82 splits for an incredibly efficient stat-line. Gatling has consistently produced and won both with Southwest Guilford and by winning a UA Rise 16u Championship with [program_tooltip program_id='2375668' first='SW15H' last='Elite']. Since the turn of the new year, Southwest is 5-1 through six games and look to go on another deep playoff run. Gatling has made himself a really viable prospect with his production, winning, and academic prowess.     [player_tooltip player_id='2194796' first='Jaleel' last='Smith'] is the true sleeper for Gatorade Player of the year in North Carolina when you consider simply how productive and important he is for this Hunter Huss team. Smith plays with an elite competitive edge, he's always going to keep working to break the opposition down, and is a truly relentless scorer. Smith has led Huss to a 14-2 record thus far on the season and is averaging 31.3 Points, 7.8 Rebounds, 4.9 Assists, and a WHOPPING 6.1 Steals per game. Smith is doing all of this on 54/38/72 splits. Smith has improved his % from beyond the arc from 30% to 38% from his Freshman to Sophomore season. Showing that he's putting a lot of time in on his game and rounding it out to be a truly complete player. Smith is a dynamic two way guard that is still getting better every time we see him.     A real gem in the North Carolina senior class is [player_tooltip player_id='3417714' first='Trey' last='Atkinson'] at Cleveland High School. Atkinson plays like a true PG, nothing forced, always in control and constantly looking to make the right play for himself or one of his teammates. Cleveland is 9-7 on the season and Atkinson is a huge reason behind the winning record this group has. He's averaging 11.4 Points, 6.2 Assists, 4.9 Rebounds, and 1.7 Steals per game. He's top three on the team in all of those statistical categories. Atkinson has range on his shot off the catch or dribble, he's capable of finishing at the rim in traffic with either hand, and does a really nice job operating out of ball screens and controlling the game. Keep an eye on Atkinson as he looks to have a real shot at being a next level guy with his excellent skillset and feel for the game.

North Carolina is known for their guards as over the years there have been so many great ones to come through the HoopState. We have a bevy of supremely talented kids in this state that are simply delivering at a supremely high level for their teams right now. Let's take a look at a group of guards that have been really really good since the turn of the new year.