Five 5A junior combo-guards that stood out this season

<p>We are less than a week away from the end of the season. There have been some solid performers in the 5A class that has led their teams to victory and some that have come up just a bit short. Nonetheless, we acknowledge some of the class’s top combo guards from a very entertaining regular season.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="618877" first="Isaiah" last="Poindexter"] – Far Northeast Warriors</strong></span></h2> <p>Poindexter is a player to watch in the Denver Prep League as he is an impressive athlete with the speed and strength to crease mismatches, and he excels in iso situations. He has been the Warriors’ go-to option for the entire season, and he only seems to be getting more comfortable. Poindexter can break a defender down off of the dribble, attack the basket, and also understands where to be on the floor to get extra scoring opportunities. The junior guard is putting up 16.8 points a game, and mostly all of his work is done near the rim as he is as creative as a finisher as the conference has. Excited to see if that game translates as he expands his game, and hopefully, we get to see him in a Prep Hoops tournament or two to prove his game can translate.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="918936" first="Zack" last="Akin"] – Ralston Valley</strong></span></h2> <p>Akin learned the ropes as a sophomore to stand out as a junior. Now that he is in the role, he has made it a point to continue to climb. Akin jumps onto our radars as a fierce competitor that understands the game’s basic fundamentals and utilizes his size, speed,d, and athleticism. Akin can get out on the break and finish or find holes in the defense but his work as a catch and shoot finisher has him as one more interesting combo-guards in the class. Akin is averaging a team-high 13.7 points a game and lighting it up from deep. He is at 41% from beyond the arc on the year, is taking smart shots and forces the issue in an efficient way when called upon. With all eyes on him he has been able to capitalize, has been the reason that Ralston Valley has won a couple of games and is a player we will be taking a deeper look at as he had a solid season.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1144880" first="Isaiah" last="Flores"] – Greeley Central</strong></span></h2> <p>Greeley Central did not have many things to celebrate this year, but one player that stood out and got better in each game was their combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id="1144880" first="Isaiah" last="Flores"]. Flores was forced to step up as a scorer and leader as he was one of the few players capable of hanging with the rest of the league. Flores was the only player on the team to score in double figures. Flores averaged 13.7 points a game, and most of his work was done on the interior. He gets to the rim, is the teams primary ballhandler and only player that could get through opposing teams presses. He will certainly have to get better but has the pieces and proved himself this season. I liked what I saw in Greeley Central’s top player.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1143879" first="Ty" last="Nettles"] – Douglas County</strong></span></h2> <p>Nettles is a firecracker type of player that is put in the game to cause a spark and shake some things up and he fits and excels in that role. Nettles is a fast break starter that can be on the initiating or reciving end of a basket. Nettles is lightning quick, always moving and causing things to happen and he is a live wire facilitator that is comfortable with the ball in his hands. The Huskies have one of the top point guards in the state so having a player that plays well off of the ball and is able to generate plays with himself with his talent and energy has helped them as they have seemed to have gotten healthy and back in control of things. Nettles averages 12.4 point a game in his lone varsity season and is a layer to watch moving forward.</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">[player_tooltip player_id="618866" first="Esmond" last="Griffin"] – Horizon</span></strong></h2> <p>Griffin is Horizon’s speedy guard as they have one of the best backcourt trios of any team in the state. He is a jolty and quick guard that can break a defender down off the dribble and is a true point that sees plays before they happen. Griffin is a spark plus type of player who understands that he has to make plays for others, space the floor with his shooting, attack the rim, and either finish or get fouled. On the year he is averaging 12.2 points a game and has also been a solid 1-2 punch for the guard spots on the defensive end as he is up to two steals a game in which he turns into scoring opportinites the other way. Solid year for Esmond and an interesting guard prospect.</p>