Additional standout guards in NOVA: class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are so many gifted guards with bright futures in the 2026 NOVA class. Here are some additional guards who are great players, that I didn't get to list in my NOVA starting 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588130"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1588130' first='Devon' last='Pettibone'] had an excellent year for Briar Woods. He can shoot the ball and has a nice handle. He is a good passer, and a game I saw of him in January against Riverside was one of his most impressive performances. Devon takes a lot of tough shots, and even though he struggled with efficiency at times this year, you can tell the type of trust people around him have in him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2252325"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Daylen' last='Martino'] was part of a backcourt that may not be very big but is super talented. Meridian had an excellent year, and their offense was a big reason. Daylen is a high-IQ PG who plays hard on both ends.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1963398"],"_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":"The other half of this Meridian backcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='1963398' first='Will' last='Davis']. [player_tooltip player_id='1963398' first='Will' last='Davis'] plays off the ball a lot, with [player_tooltip player_id='2252325' first='Daylen' last='Martino'] running a lot of the point, and he does an excellent job at it. He is an elite spot-up shooter and has an excellent mid-range game. Will is also good on the ball, and he does a good job creating for himself as a driver.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2252311"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2252311' first='Deuce' last='Trotter'] is an elite athlete. He is great around the rim and hard to stop when going downhill. He will be a great defensive player, and when he figures a few things out, he will be unstoppable. He is a skilled scorer, and next year, he will be a guy to watch as one of the more dynamic two-way players in the state.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1782684"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1782684' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] is a smooth and talented scorer who had a solid year for Westfield. He is also an elite shooter, and although he's already ranked high, he should break out next season. He averaged 12.2 PPG for Westfield this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1963397"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1963397' first='Chris' last='Morrison'] had a nice season for West Potomac this season. Chris is a great finisher, especially for his size, and he is a really good shooter. He is a great passer and handles the ball well. Chris is quick, and he creates a lot of space for himself. Chris had some big performances this year, and he will be a big part of a West Potomac squad that should be terrific next season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1782687"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1782687' first='Phenix' last='Card'] impressed me for Hayfield late in the season, and he was a riser this season. I watched him against South Lakes in the state semifinal. Phenix was fearless, which was why Hayfield stayed in that game. Phenix is a great ball handler and is difficult to stay in front of. He is a great passer, and he always keeps his head up. He is a good shooter, and next season, Phenix will have added responsibility and raise his production.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660b59065d5df"} /-->