With the conference schedule firmly underway and district and playoff play on the horizon, SWMOBasketball takes a look at several freshmen guards who are raising their profile this season.

23-Savannah Campbell, 6’1, G/F, 2022, Rolla (pictured)

An excellent team-first player who can contribute in areas across the board. She has length and size and brings a solid presence to the floor on both sides. Campbell is a coachable player with a good upside. She is a good rebounder, can handle the ball and can get inside and score with a player in front of her. Although she’s a freshman, Campbell has played a large role in Rolla’s resurgence this season as the Lady Bulldogs are off to a 17-2 start. Campbell is a player that should be on everyone’s radar in the coming games and years to come.

33 – Maci Conway, 5’8, G, 2022, Kickapoo

A fundamentally sound guard who has nice handles and a good floor presence. Conway is an important piece for Kickapoo who keeps her head down and looks to protect the ball. She is creative on the spot and she rarely makes mistakes. Conway also shows great potential as a slasher and shot creator off the bounce. She penetrates well and can finish tough shots off the glass. A player who will improve quickly.

21 – Bella Fontleroy, 6’1, G/F, 2022, Kickapoo

A versatile guard/forward with impressive height, length and athleticism allowing her to compete inside and out with ease. Fontleroy has as much long term upside as any young athlete in the area, a guard who plays beyond her listed height of 6’1. She has elite vision and can find baskets for herself and her teammates. She’s accurate from deep and is content to play within the team concept, letting chances come to her all while looking to pass inside. Also a nightmare on defense as she helps protect the basket inside the paint.

11 – Claudia Hadlock, 5’7, G, 2022, Miller

An extremely skilled guard who can make things happen when she has the ball in her hands. She’s a confident player who enjoys one-on-one match ups and can find openings and sink jumpers across the floor. Hadlock plays an unselfish game and is a fine passer and floor general. She protects the ball and is also a good defensive player who studies her opponents and determines when to go for the steal. A leader who plays like a 3-year-varsity starter.

21 – Ali Kamies, 5’7, G, 2022, Nixa

Kamies is an explosive guard for Nixa who can do a lot of things well for her age. She’s an exciting player who brings speed, versatility and a general enthusiasm to the floor that makes her an easy fit into a system. She makes quick decisions on the move and prefers to run the floor and push the tempo. She can stop-and-pop from mid-range and is good at finding open teammates. She plays tough defense on the perimeter, a good on ball defender.

22-Miranda Moss, G, 2022, Richland

Moss is an important player for Richland who can handle the ball, defend the forward position and score in bunches both inside and out. She finds looks through the offense and can make things happen with isolation plays and off the ball movement. She has a great 3-point shot and can hit it possession after possession from the wing spot and the top of the key. Another small school player who makes a big impression.

1-Miranda Quennoz, 5’4, G, 2022, Skyline

Another intelligent guard from Skyline who makes thoughtful plays with the ball. She’s very aggressive but has a great deal of control to her game. She’s patient with the offense and can hit from deep and score around the basket. Quennoz has a good memory and remembers what to do when specific opportunities present themselves.

12-Payton Richardson, 5’7, G, 2022, Miller

Another guard from Miller with a seasoned game and a high basketball IQ. She looks to push the ball up the floor and is a good transition player. She plays off the ball and with the ball. She can create her own shots or shoot after the catch coming off a screen. A fine scoring guard opposing teams have to game plan for. She got skill, quick feet and a strong frame.

20-Lilly Whitten, 5’8, G, 2022, Skyline

Whitten is an athletic guard who can get a step on defenders and go inside and mix things up. She’s a fluid player who likes penetrate defenses and finish plays close to the basket. It’s almost as if she wants to score against taller players. She shoots well from deep but she likes to go mobile and see what can be done. Whitten has a high ceiling. She uses her speed at the right time and score in bunches when she’s figured out a defense.