Week 1 Scouting Notebook: Tony’s Top Guards
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It was an eventful first week of the high school season, with a different approach to scouting this year, with a majority of us watching games on live streams. At the end of each week, we will take a look…
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Continue ReadingIt was an eventful first week of the high school season, with a different approach to scouting this year, with a majority of us watching games on live streams. At the end of each week, we will take a look at some of the top players that we saw throughout the week. Below are the top guards that I saw in the three games that I was able to check out this week.
Manny Hammonds Manny Hammonds 6'2" | SG Grand View Christian | 2022 State IA (Grand View Christian, 2022)
Hammonds had a huge game on opening night, going for 32 points on 13-23 shooting against a good 2A Albia team that features lot of length. He uses ball screens really well, coming around the corner tight and using a quick burst to get to the bucket, where he’s a creative finisher. He’s got a nice pull-up jumper, getting the ball into his shooting pocket quickly, and he has extended range. A confident shooter with good footwork, he showed the ability to shoot the ball both off the dribble and the catch. The most impressive aspect of his game, however, was that he was looking to be a killer. When he saw blood, he attacked, over and over, making sure the Thunder were going to win this game.
Josh Baucum (Grand View Christian, 2022)
Baucum was a nice surprise in the Thunder’s win over Albia, scoring 17 points and chipping in five rebounds as well. A confident shooter, he shoots it really well off the dribble and uses solid footwork to clear up some space for him to get his shot off. He turned the ball over a few too many times, but he’s aggressive and looks to score constantly.
Cole Glasgow Cole Glasgow 6'2" | SG Dallas Center- Grimes | 2022 State IA (Dallas Center-Grimes, 2022)
Glasgow has established himself as one of the top guards in the state, and he didn’t disappoint in the Mustangs’ win over ADM on Tuesday night. He scored 29 points on 10-13 shooting, showing his all-around scoring ability along the way. He missed his first three shots of the evening, then went 10-10 after, including a trio of 3-pointers. He’s got a quick, smooth release on his jumper and he gets great rotation on his shot. He does a great job absorbing contact around the rim and finishing through it, protecting the ball as he goes up. A well-built guard who can really fill it up, he’ll be a highly sought after mid-major level guard.
Luke Rankin Luke Rankin 5'10" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2021 State IA (Dallas Center-Grimes, 2021)
I love watching Luke Rankin Luke Rankin 5'10" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2021 State IA play. He’s incredibly efficient and a very smart lead guard who thrives on getting others involved. He scored 16 points to go with 7 assists in the game against ADM, shooting 7-9 from the floor. He does a great job utilizing ball screens to get to the bucket, where he’s a capable finisher and a great passer. He sees the court at a high-level and is constantly looking to push the pace and get his teammates easy buckets. A one-man press breaker, he’s a guard who doesn’t get flustered by on-ball pressure.
Bo Huston (Dallas Center-Grimes, 2022)
Huston was a standout with his shooting ability, going 5-7 from behind the arc for the ’Stangs. A lefty, 5-9 shooter, he moves really well off the ball, constantly making his defender work, and he’s got his feet squared and ready to shoot on the catch. If he can give the Mustangs consistent outside shooting to go alongside Glasgow and Rankin, this team can be state title good.
Cooper Nailor (Indianola, 2022)
Nailor was exceptional in the Indians’ loss to Pella, going for 16 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. He does a great job probing the defense and getting to the bucket, where he’s a capable finisher and passer who looks to kick out to open shooters. He handles the ball well and can break down a defender, and he went 4-7 from behind the arc, showing good form and a quick release on his jumper. He contributes on the glass on both ends of the floor and has tremendous command of the offense.