TSSAA Division II-A: Guards to watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TSSAA Division II Class A doesn't get a lot of love, but it's a league filled with talent, especially at the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This upcoming season will show why it's a league worth paying attention to. The guards will make the league worth watching. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the season approaching, let's take a look at the guards in the league to keep an eye on:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mike Holloway</strong>, Providence Christian Academy: Holloway is going to have a huge role for the Lions this upcoming season. The 5-foot-9 point guard will have to be a double-digit scorer on a nightly basis. On the defensive side, Holloway will have to be a pest and make the opposing team's starting point guard work tirelessly for each point. He's already a two-time DII-A state champion. Holloway has an idea of what it will take for PCA to make a deep postseason run. The Lions will lean on his experience in close games in league play and in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2283269' first='Fred' last='Martin'] Jr., Harding Academy: Martin has been a double-digit scorer for the Lions in the past 3 seasons. His senior season should be the same. Martin is comfortable and confident playing the point guard position. He's going to compete on every possession. Martin led Harding Academy in six categories - points (16.5), field goal percentage (60), rebounds (4.6), assists (2.1), steals (3.9), and 3-point percentage (39) - as a junior and will be expected of him to do it again in the 2026 season. He shoots the ball well enough to be respected by opposing defenses. Martin knows how to finish at the rim. Harding Academy is going to win 20-plus games this upcoming season, and Martin is going to be the main reason why it happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2795834' first='Carson' last='Crump'], St. George's: Crump is a smooth operator with the basketball. He's twitchy and shifty enough to create separation to get his shot off. Crump is a good ball handler and is the one guy that can be trusted to make a play when the original play breaks down. He proved that last season while averaging 15.6 points and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 36 percent from 3. Crump is one of the best guards in the 2028 class. Maybe this is the season he gets more attention from other coaches and players in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3658644' first='Roman' last='Taylor'], Tipton-Rosemark Academy: Even though Taylor is only a sophomore, he's a proven commodity in the league. Taylor averaged 15.2 points per game last season for a Rebels team that finished 16-12. He has the ability to score with ease. Taylor makes scoring look easy. He can make shots from 3-point range. Taylor can make shots from the perimeter. He knows how to finish at the rim. Taylor's scoring production will increase this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2859657' first='Zuri' last='McClure'], Lausanne: There's one thing that stands out about McClure's game: his patience. He doesn't force a lot of shots. McClure knows how to use his upper body to finish through contact. He moves well without the basketball. McClure can make shots. On the defensive end, he's going to be physical and relentless. McClure always gets up to lead the team he's on. Just last season, he averaged 17.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for a Lynx team that won 23 games. McClure isn't new to leading a team. He's in his comfort zone when he's asked to carry the load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->