How to Impact the Game as a Smaller Guard

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2881545' first='Tayshun' last='Walker']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Westview Chargers and [player_tooltip player_id='2881545' first='Tayshun' last='Walker'] advanced to the Class 2A State Championship Game in March. Tayshun's influence on that magical Westview High playoff run, as well as his influence on AAU games, outsizes his actual size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read about how <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2881545' first='Tayshun' last='Walker'] </strong>and these four other guards are able to impact winning despite standing shorter than 5-foot-10 in a Game of Giants.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Senior ('27)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2881545' first='Tayshun' last='Walker']</strong> - 5'8" G / Westview HS / PeakX</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"A real pest on defense," said PeakX Director Jackson Chism. "A good floater game. He can shoot the ball really well."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How is Walker able to get his shot off over taller defenders without sacrificing a ton of effectiveness?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He is really good at using his body to create contact," said Coach Chism. "He is shifty. Goes into defender. He is actually physical."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westview High advanced to the 2A State Championship Game, ultimately losing to newfound dynasty Chattanooga Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Junior ('28)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3562839' first='Chaz' last='Wood']</strong> - 5'8" PG / Fulton HS / [program_tooltip program_id='2393604' first='Tennessee' last='Impact']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gritty. Chaz plays with his nose out front and seemingly fears no contact. Good court vision helps him cause problems. In the State Tournament he provided a nice counterbalance to [player_tooltip player_id='2495403' first='Nick' last='Steen'], who justifiably attracted lots of attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Fulton's first game in Murfreesboro Chaz scored eight points in 12 minutes though he did amass a disturbing four fouls. In the semifinal Wood scored seven points. He missed a lot of shots, as did most of his teammates, but they took down Upperman by forcing 18 turnovers. Credit Chaz for some of that disruption. By far his best offensive game was the 3A State Championship Game. Though Fulton lost, Chaz scored nine points and made 60% of his three-pointers. He secured two rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sophomores ('29)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3644589' first='Brayden' last='DuRall']</strong> - 5'9" G / Gibson County / PeakX</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He was like the 6th man at Gibson County. "He will definitely start next year at Gibson County," shared PeakX Director Jackson Chism late May. "[Brayden is a] 5'9" shooter. Spreads the floor. He can get to the basket, but he goes in to spread the floor and shoot."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering his sophomore academic year DuRall needs to work on ball-handling and defensive side of the ball, according to Coach Chism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3644587' first='Ryder' last='Arant'] </strong>- 5'6" G / Greenfield / PeakX</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of this quarter Ryder is the shortest. He plays for PeakX 15u.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He is tiny," observed PeakX Director Jackson Chism. "At 5'6" it makes it really hard for him to play in AAU basketball, but the kid is able to snake around everything. He likes to bump and bang around. He flies around the ball. He steals it. He is so good at competing at his size. Great attitude. Very coachable. Can handle the ball well. He is good at that stuff."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->