Guards Take Over | Standout Guards from this Past Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to winning in the game of basketball, it's difficult to accomplish the team goals if you don't have that leader at the guard position that when it gets to crunch time, you can put the ball in their hands and trust they will make the right play. I was in the gym everyday this week and saw five games that came down to the wire with guards making winning plays at the end. Here are my Top Guards from the week: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1901830' first='Jermaine' last='Cameron'] | Saint Xavier (KY) | 5'10” | Senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480843,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6111-crop-1536x1009-1770557132.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6111-crop-1536x1009-1770557132.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480843" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Travis Graf Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Senior Guard out of Saint Xavier High School gets better and better every time I see him. The floor general on one of the top teams in the state of Kentucky is a slippery guard that plays with a physicality that can play through contact. He doesn't force the issue resulting in him being a low turnover player. On Friday night versus Ballard, he showcased his elite floor game being able to get to any spot on the floor he wanted. He's a crafty finisher around the basket while being able to see the whole floor and make the right play. Big time on ball defender that can make the offense pay with any mistake.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>14 points | 5 rebounds | 3 assists in a loss vs Ballard (KY)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1359140' first='Cole' last='Edelen'] | Ballard (KY) | 6'2” | Senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480493,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6101-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770553789.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6101-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770553789.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480493" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Western Kentucky commit is back in the city of Louisville finishing out his high school career with the Bruins. The sharpshooter got off to a fast start in the highly anticipated matchup at Saint Xavier on Friday night. Always known for his shooting ability, Edelen was able to show his full offensive arsenal as an all around scorer with a craftiness to his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats:</strong> 17 points | 3 rebounds | 4 assists in win vs Saint Xavier (KY)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140326' first='Bradyn' last='Egli'] | Boonville | 5'11” | Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480585,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/IMG_5921-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770554385.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/IMG_5921-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770554385.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480585" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a big game with Pocket Athletic Conference implications, and the Pioneers struggling to get any footing on the offensive end, the junior guard got going in the first half keeping Boonville within striking distance of Heritage Hills on Thursday night. His ability to get in the lane and finish around length was really impressive. Quick first step off his move, Egli is able to get to his spot and stop on a dime and finish with a soft touch in a variety of different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>15 points in win vs Heritage Hills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2429606' first='Josh' last='Lindsay'] | Saint Xavier (KY) | 6'2” | Sophomore </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480666,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6100-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770554979.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6100-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770554979.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480666" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a bit of a slow start on Friday night in Saint Xavier's loss to Louisville Ballard, the 4-Star Sophomore Guard got aggressive to end the first half scoring a quick eight points in emphatic fashion. Arguably the most athletic player in the entire country, Josh knows how to use his natural abilities to impact the game even when he's not scoring. He's a high level rebounder on both ends of the floor and can completely change the momentum of a game with his athleticism at any time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>13 points | 8 rebounds in a loss vs Ballard (KY)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2882777' first='Damon' last='Oxley'] | Tecumseh | 6'0” | Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480892,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6078_839a2d-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770558595.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6078_839a2d-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770558595.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480892" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not sure any player on this list had a better week than the Junior Guard from Tecumseh. Oxley was in full control of the Braves offense in both games this week impacting the games in all areas on both sides of the ball. Has a knack for getting to his spots and showed the ability to finish with both hands around the rim. He continues to develop into a big time rebounder at the guard spot and really showcased his court vision and decision making in the Braves two wins this week over Evansville Christian and Lanesville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>21 points | 9 rebounds | 9 assists in win vs Evansville Christian | 26 points | 7 rebounds | 8 assists | 3 blocks in win vs Lanesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538845' first='Nolin' last='Pearce'] | Lanesville | 6'2” | Sophomore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480898,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6106-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770558768.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6106-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770558768.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480898" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My first time getting to see the Lanesville Sophomore and he was as good as advertised. The 6'2” Guard was able to get any shot he wanted in the first half as Lanesville built an early lead over Tecumseh. He's a smooth guard that can score all over the floor. He's patient in the offense and is incredibly difficult to speed up. He's a high IQ player that can play with or without the ball and has the ability to impact the game without scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>18 points | 11 rebounds | 3 blocks </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2891750' first='Reece' last='Runyan'] | Gibson Southern | 6'1” | Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480921,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/IMG_5868-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770559456.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/IMG_5868-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770559456.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480921" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When [player_tooltip player_id='2891750' first='Reece' last='Runyan'] gets hot, he's one of the toughest players to stop in the Southwest Indiana Area. The Gibson Southern Junior Guard started the game against Boonville on Tuesday with three 3's in the 1st Q. He's a smooth offensive player with an all around game. He does a good job creating space to get his silky smooth jump shot off. He's a high IQ player on both sides of the ball that makes winning plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>15 points (five 3's) in loss to Boonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2622245' first='Cash' last='Willis'] | Boonville | 6'2” | Junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3480924,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6071-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770560211.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/IMG_6071-rotated-crop-4284x2813-1770560211.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3480924" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big play after big play down the stretch for Boonville in their win over Gibson Southern on Tuesday, [player_tooltip player_id='2622245' first='Cash' last='Willis'] made it. The crafty 6'2” Guard got to whatever spot on the floor that he wanted and scored efficiently all night long leading Boonville to the win. He scores it around the rim with both hands. He's deadly in the midrange as he's able to stop and rise up over defenders. Off the ball he does a really good job reading the ball off the rim being an excellent offensive rebounder for his position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stats: </strong>18 points | 3 rebounds | 3 steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->