2023 Rankings: Standout Guards at the Midway Point

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we crossover the halfway point in the season, I wanted to look at some of the guards from our 2023 rankings playing vital roles for potential playoff teams. These guys have been essential to setting their teams up for second-half success and hopefully making a run at the postseason. Let's take a look at a few standouts at the midway point in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1493125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The Wildcats lost their top two guys from a year ago and it has now fallen on Holliman to step up and lead the way. While West Seattle is 7-3, they are not currently ranked in the AP poll. That being said, Holliman has done a great job switching over to more ballhandling duties while also picking up the scoring load. His pace with the ball has picked up and he's set the tone for some of the Wildcat's other players to thrive in bigger roles as well. It's a tough Metro League again but anything can happen at Districts and West Seattle has the talent to pull off some upsets if they can just get their foot in the door.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1416700"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The record may look the same as a year ago with the Tides rolling at 11-1 and sixth in the AP poll, but Harvey has brought a renewed vigor since coming over from South Kitsap. Last year he was asked to score a bunch and while he showed some tough shot making ability, it has been clear his role at Gig Harbor suits him better. He's a lightning rod defensively and has been a big momentum guy with his energy plays and willingness to sacrifice his body and get on the floor. The Tides were close last year, and Harvey could be a guy that gives them that extra little boost to go even further this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1560530"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Petty has bought into Auburn's approach this season and it shows. He is a guy who can handle the ball and initiate action but also go get a shot when the offense stalls or when the big moment calls for it. He's had great chemistry so far with all of his teammates but especially connecting with his brother Jaylen. Auburn is tied for fourth in the AP poll with Eastside Catholic and have a 7-5 record with only two of those losses coming in-state. Don't let those five losses deceive you, Auburn plays tough ball and a big part of that is Petty's ability to rattle the opposition with pestering defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1439256"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"While Monahan started out the season with a bang, Eastmont has had an up and down go of it, sitting at 6-5 with tough losses to Ellensburg, North Creek, Davis, University, and Sunnyside. Even as Eastmont fights for their postseason shot, Monahan seems to be one of the more underrated players in the state. He has the ability to score from all levels and make tough shots at that. He is a good athlete, plays bigger than his 6'1 size suggests, is a strong rebounder and has shown some exceptional vision this season too. It would be great to see him at State, but he'll have to find a way to get there first.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1270693"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The Eagles are 12-1 and have made a huge jump from a year ago. They are now one of the top three teams in 4A and aside from a loss to Perry (AZ) have had an average margin of victory of just over 31 points per game. They have one of the top starting fives in the state and a big piece of that has been point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1270693' first='Dane' last='Lewis']. He's not asked to score a bunch but rather assert pace of play, spread the ball around, and head up the defensive effort with tough on-ball defense. He's still able to hit from outside and can get creative around the rim and has filled a necessary role for Federal so far at the helm of a serious title contender.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1086788"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Nathan Hale has been one of the most surprising stories from the early season, currently 10-0 and ninth in the AP poll. Barnes leads the way with 14.6 points per game while converting on over half of his shot attempts and has been a reliable force around the paint. He can hit the short to mid-range jumper and has been strong meeting defenders at the hoop, finishing around multiple guys and playing big on the glass. There was a lot of change from last season; players transferring out, a new head coach, but Barnes has been constant and had a strong senior season thus far.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1178379"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Phelps and the Freeman Scotties lost two key guys from a year ago, but even with only one other senior on the squad Phelps has managed to lead them to an 11-1 record and a fifth-place ranking in the latest AP poll. He has shouldered a big load, scoring 23.8 points per game and leading a varsity roster with five sophomores and one freshman. He hasn't scored less than 18 points in any game, and his season high is 30. In other words, Phelps has been a rock for the Scotties so far. He's a strong kid so don't expect him to wear down anytime soon as he looks to keep Freeman in contention for the 1A title.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63bdc5c28f1f1"} /-->