Top Guards

With the season over I've decided to come up with some other ways to rank the top players that I saw this year. Today will be focusing on the guards. The two separate rankings will be point guard and combo guard. In high school there really isn't a big difference between the two guard positions. When I say point guard I'm thinking of guys that look to get their teammates involved and are leaders that are looking to run the offensive and not necessarily looking to get their own points. A combo guard is basically a shooting guard in my mind but, in many cases these guys are the point guard because there aren't other options to handle the ball. The two biggest combo guards that run the point are Jade Royston of Wisconsin Dells and Mitch Tordoff of Monroe. Both guys score most of their points on pick and rolls taking the shot and coming off of screens. Many times they get the ball past half court pass the ball right away and then the offense is initiated. Well anyway here are my top point guards and combo guards in my mind. I'm also only including players from Wisconsin in my rankings.

Point Guards
1.Nicholas Ford 5'9 sr Fond du Lac- Easily the best pass first point guard I saw this year. Very hardnosed player that seems to enjoy setting his teammates but, can get his own points when needed and knocks down the free throws.
2. Jerrel Harris 5'10 sr Whitefish Bay Dominican- Maybe not the best thing you want to hear but, AND One is the first thing to come to mind. Great ball handling skills and can get by anyway and find open teammates or has a nice little floater. Has nice three point shot also.
3. Tyler Tillema 6'3 sr Randolph- No doubt one of the most clutch players on the list. Knocks down the outside shots but, the part I love the most is his decision making in transition. Grabs the rebound and push it instantly and always seems to set up teammates in great positions.
4. Nimrod Hilliard 5'11 so Madison East- Killer cross over and always looking for his slashing and cutting teammates. Has a nice three point shot and great vision seeing the entire court.
5. Mitch Roelke 6'1 sr Waunakee- Very unselfish player that feeds the post very well. If a player out hustles their defender down the court Roelke will find them for the open lay up. Plays great defense and is a great leader.
6. Taylor Cameron 6'4 jr Oshkosh North- Loves to push the ball and keep an uptempo pace. Loves to penetrate and dish or hit the little floater.
7. Kane Hoffman 5'11 sr Benton- Just a great leader. Plays good defense and rebounds. Does a great job of "probing" the inside and coming back out, similar to Steve Nash.
8. Steve McWhorter 6'1 jr Racine St. Catherines- Always gives his teammates the ball when their in a good position to score. Doesn't force many shots but, will take them if its there.
9. Sharod Stone 5'10 jr Beloit- Handles the ball and the press extremely well. Best asset is his ability to penetrate and drop the ball off to a big man for a lay in or kicking it to a three point shooter.
10. Davonte Mullin 5'10 jr Racine Holick- Another guy that handles the press defense really and gets right into the offensive. Has a nice floater.
Hm
Matt Turba 5'10 sr Wisconsin Rapids Assumption
Dane Ricci 5'11 jr Brookfield Academy

Combo Guards
1. Vander Blue 6'4 jr Madison Memorial- I've said it all before. Could be a great point guard but, doesn't need to run it. Shoots the three, penetrates and throws down.
2. Antoine Byrd 6'3 sr Milwaukee Washington- Very tough to keep out of the lane. Knocks down the three and plays in your face defense.
3. TJ Bray 6'4 jr Waukesha Catholic Memorial- Has a very quick first step that allows him to get to the rim or open jumpers. Seriously considered listing him as a point.
4. Mitch Tordoff 6'0 sr Monroe- Big time scorer with a very quick shot and comes off the screen looking to shoot immediately.
5. Evan Richard 6'3 jr Cuba City- Can pretty much hit his shot from anywhere on the court. Also can get up and throw down.
6. Garrett Schwarz 6'2 Sauk Prairie- Very very nice jumper off the dribble. Very tough to stay in front of. (just ask Madison Memorial)
7. Jade Royston 6'0 sr Wisconsin Dells- Handles the ball very well and can get his shot at any time.
8.Jake Thomas 6'3 sr Racine St. Catherines- Gets off the ground very very well, whether its on his jump shot, rebounding, or dunking. Can shoot the threes with anyone.
9. Jimmy Whitehead 6'1 sr Lacrosse Aquinas- Not a great outside shooter but, can get to the rim at will and finish.
10. Chris Siebert 6'2 sr Baraboo- Can do it all on the offensive end and carry a team. Shoots the ball very well and when he gets hot look out.

Looking at my list you can basically say the distinguishing factor between the two list is that the combo guards score and the points look to pass more with the exception of a few guys. Also there may be some guys that are considered guards that should be on my list but, if they don't handle the ball very well I just have a hard time considering a player a guard if he doesn't handle the ball much or well. More will be released tomorrow with my rankings of wing players and post players. If someone isn't ranked as a combo guard that you think should be they will probably be on my list of top wing players.