2026 Rankings: New Guards Pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article I feature guards that I've inserted into the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few of them have a knack for scoring and hitting long range shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2806767"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d4d984590a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ja'Cory Gory put up some eye popping stats this season. He is a talented scorer and had at least 11 points every game. His best game of the season came against Cheyenne, where he dropped 34 points. Many of his shots come from downtown, as he hit 49 triples. Gory can also get to the rim and he shot a staggering 186 free throws this season (making 131 of them). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2024-2025 Season Stats - 22.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2 SPG, 70% FT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2807180"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d4d98459104"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to watch Reno play earlier in the season and Platz shooting and competitiveness caught my eye. He has some accuracy some behind the arc, and drained 38% of his 3-pointers. Platz can do more than just shoot though, he also gets after it on the defensive end and comes up with steals by using his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2024-2025 Season Stats - 12.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2 SPG, 1.9 APG, 45 3PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2807205"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d4d98459149"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2807205' first='Bruce' last='Delgado'] utilizes his ability to accelerate to come up with deflections and steals on defense. Often times he is able to take it the rest of the way for a lay-up or he can dish it to a teammate if he's in a two on one situation. In addition to his defensive skills, Delgado is capable of connecting on mid-range jump shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2024-2025 Season Stats - 11.9 PPG, 3.5 SPG, 3.1 APG, 2 RPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2807201"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d4d98459188"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2807201' first='Edward' last='Arellano'] was one of SECTA's stronger players this year. He has some offensive skills that allow him to get to his spots. He also can make shots from the perimeter if you give him space. As a defender, Arellano applied good ball pressure and used his lateral quickness to keep his man in front of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024-2025 Season Stats - 9 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2807276"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67d4d984591c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2807276' first='Eric' last='Covarrubias'] is now in the rankings after some stellar play in the 1A State Title game. I was a fan of how he could burn his defender when he really punched the gas. I also liked how he was making shots around the rim and from 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->