Who's running point? Meet 49 of Section V boys basketball's top guards
You can't go far without a good point guard.
Point guards come in all shapes and size across Section V and the Greater Rochester area.
There are ball-handling wizards like East High's Keysean Leonard and Aquinas' Christian McCullough. There are elite scorers like Greece Athena's Khorie Reaves and Hornell's Gennaro Picco. Precision passers like Fairport's LaShard Lowery and Webster Schroeder's Jacob Insley. Even sharpshooters such as Avon's Josh Harter and Irondequoit's Quinn VanKerkhove are running their offenses.
If there's one common dominator between the area's best teams: Their point guard play is solidified.
Mikey Briggs helps Lyons drop Avon
If you ask Lyons coach Dean Schott II, no one plays harder than his senior point guard Mikey Briggs.
Briggs' effort was evident when he helped his Lions (11-2) beat previously unbeaten Avon 51-45 on the road Tuesday. The 5-foot-9 point played full court man during a chippy game, and set up teammates like Dezmen Bell, Devyn Williams and 6-foot-5 sophomore center JJ Johnson for tough baskets against a stout Avon (12-1) defense.
Briggs entered Tuesday averaging 11.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 steals, and ran point during Lyons' Section V Class C title run in 2023.
"Nobody plays harder than that kid," Schott II said. "He does everything for me. Anything I ask. Always moving 100 miles an hour. Not scared of anything."
Avon juniors Josh Harter and Trevor Stroud run the floor for coach Rob Fries. Harter is the "catalyst" became a Section V record holder as a sophomore when he made 14 3-pointers in a game. Stroud has a soft touch too at shooting guard but can push point with Harter off the ball or resting. Both are good ball handlers and proved to be creators during drive-and-dishes as Lyons ran them off the line Tuesday.
This season for Avon (12-1), Harter is averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Stroud's averages are 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for an Avon team looking to avenge its 2023 Section V Class B finals lost after winning the crown the previous three seasons.
"I feel comfortable with either of them (running point)," Fries said. "When we're playing at our best, we get an outlet, and whoever comes up the floor, the other one can shoot it. They play off each other. ... And they both handle the ball better than anybody I've eve had."
Point guards on the rise
Rush-Henrietta sophomore Avery Council is simply a "player."
Coach Calvin Betts has high hopes for his "bouncy" 5-foot-11 point guard. Council can do everything, but the Royal Comets' offense runs best when he's attacking the paint. He's averaging 14 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3 assists for Rush (6-5).
"He causes so much havoc getting to basket," Betts said. "He elevates very well, a knockdown 3-pointer, can jump and elevates so well on mid range pull ups. He has potential to be one of best point guards in Section V."
Juniors Will McKinney and Tajmir Mullins have proven to be a great tandem at Monroe (7-2). McKinney started as a sophomore and is an improved shooter. Mullins played at Rochester Prep last winter and played against the Red Jackets. His strength helps "make things happen" on drives.
What Monroe coach Matt McCormick loves most about McKinney and Mullins, though, is their defensive presence. They start beside each other and are frustrating on-ball defenders with their lateral quickness, whether in zone or man.
"They just feed off of each other well on offense and defense. And they're very smart players," McCormick said.
Running point for reigning champs
Victor Griffen Hopkins has come into his own as a junior. Hopkins shined as a role player during the Blue Devils Class AA state title run in 2023, when Cam Ryan started at point before an injury prior to basketball season forced him to miss his senior campaign. Hopkins credited Ryan's advice for his success this winter.
"I've got great teammates around me and they help me succeed," Hopkins said. "Cam Ryan was a big guard for us. I've been talking to him and he's helped me develop my facilitating and scoring."
Senior Garrett Clar and freshman RJ Johnson are the Blue Devils' (7-2) other primary ball handlers. Local coaches have referred to Clar on the short list of Section V's very best players. Clar is a great all-around player but, but a wide open 3-pointer is a layup for him. Johnson is a freshman who's been relied upon for big minutes. Roberts loves Johnson's work ethic.
"He keeps better at pivoting, being strong with the ball. He's a great decision maker, great scorer," Roberts said. "I'm really proud of the way RJ is developing."
Irondequoit's Quinn VanKerkhove was a perfect fit as an off-guard as the Eagles advanced to the Class A state final. His services are now needed at point, where he's proven to be good defender and passer to pair with his money jump shot.
"Now we're asking Quinn to do something he's never done before on the varsity level, and you have to score, and you have to guard the best guy every night," Irondequoit coach Kyle Trevas said.
Hornell's new scoring leader
Hornell senior Gennaro Picco became the program's all-time leading scorer Tuesday night.
Picco scored 18 points and didn't play in the fourth quarter of a 81-38 win over visiting Pavilion. He needed just three points to break the previous mark of 1,375 career points. For the Red Raiders this season Picco has dropped at least 30 points three times, and scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter against rival Wellsville. Hornell is 11-2.
Section V's top point guards
All players nominated by Section V coaches and Democrat and Chronicle staff.
Jaedon Adams-Griffin, World of Inquiry: The junior has been carrying a huge load for the Griffins with his backcourt partner out. Adams-Griffin is 150 points away from 1,000, and is averaging 24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
Isaiah Anderson, McQuaid: The senior is averaging 10.5 points, 6.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals against a tough schedule.
Dezmen Bell, Lyons: (See above).
Jonah Bialek, Fillmore: The 5-foot-9 freshman is already a captain and "shutdown" defender who's the team's hardest worker. He's a "team first" player who's unselfish but scores as needed and a coach on the floor; 14 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg 3 turnovers per game, 29 mpg, shooting 46% from the floor and 41% from 3; six 3s in second quarter vs. Byron-Bergen; seven 4s vs. Cuba-Rushford.
Johnny Bianchi, Hilton: The senior is averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 assists.
Cam Blankenberg, Wayne: The sophomore is averaging 25 points and 8 rebounds.
Jah Breedlove, Aquinas: The junior is averaging 14.8 points.
Mikey Briggs, Lyons: (See above).
Garrett Clar, Victor: (See above).
Avery Council, Rush-Henrietta: (See above).
Ryan D'Aruduini, Harley Allendale Columbia: The junior scored career-high 31 points against Marion; 14.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 spg.
Danny Dailey, Brockport: Scored 17 points against Greece Olympia and five assists against Canandaigua; 10.8 ppg, 3 apg, 1.6 spg, 30 mpg.
Anthony DeRosa, Webster Schroeder: The senior guard is a vocal leader, likes to get inside, when hes rebounding good rebounder, frustrating defender who guards oppositions best players, role players last year, "If we're looking to frustrate somebody and turn them over, Anthony will take that assignment all day," Schroeder coach Rashaad Stokelin said.
Caiden Evans, Greece Olympia: The junior averaging 18 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3 steals.
Henry Fox, McQuaid: The 6-foot-6 sophomore shooting guard has "big time" potential and is playing very well, averaging 11 points, 4.5 rebounds and shooting 37% from 3.
Shawn Goins, Franklin: Scored 19 points in 84-78 win over previously unbeaten Aquinas on Tuesday.
Ishmael Gonzales, School of the Arts: The junior guard is averaging 14.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
Josh Harter, Avon: (See above).
Anthony Hightower, Mount Morris: The junior point guard averaging 11.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 steals and 3.5 assists.
Trevor Hofer, Penfield: The senior scored a school record 37 points against Rochester Prep on Dec. 28, scoring more than twice with five 20-point games; 22 ppg, 5 apg and 31 mpg.
Jhayden Holmes, East High
Griffen Hopkins, Victor: (See above).
Sam Howland, School of the Arts: The senior point guard is averaging 6.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 3 assists.
Latrell Ingram, School of the Arts: The junior guard is averaging 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Jacob Insley, Webster Schroeder: The senior point guard and captain leads by example. Insley's a solid defender and can shoot since his role has expanded, but he's a pass-first point guard at heart. "Jake likes the assist buckets. He doesn't care if he's scoring. He likes to look for his guys, and that's what makes him special," coach Stokelin said.
RJ Johnson, Victor: (See above).
Zee Johnson, Greece Athena: The senior guard/forward can "do it all" for the 11-0 Trojans; 13 ppg, 61% field goal, 68% effective field goal, 41% 3-pointers.
Tyler Knapp, Harley Allendale Columbia: Junior scored a career-high 31 points against Honeoye; 18 ppg, 2.2 spg, 4 rpg.
Keysean Leonard, East High: Scored 25 points against Greece Athena.
Davijon Lipscomb, Edison Tech
Will McKinney, Monroe: (See above).
Christian “Noonie” McCullough, Aquinas: The sophomore is averaging 15.7 points and 2.5 assists.
Kyle Milburn, Spencerport: The senior is a "total" force in the Rangers' defensive scheme and frequently finds open players on offense. Milburn has shied away from being "The" point guard, but he understands the offense so swell; 11.5 ppg, 5 apg.
Tajmir Mullins, Monroe: (See above).
Donny Peet, Caledonia-Mumford: The senior is averaging 13.9 points, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals.
Gennaro Picco, Hornell: (See above).
Khorie Reaves, Greece Athena: The senior's move to point guard has led the Trojans to an 11-0 start; 19 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4 apg, and 2 spg, 59% field goal, 64% effective field goal, 44% 3-pointers, 90% free throws.
Josh Shadders, Pittsford Mendon: The sophomore guard is averaging 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Trevor Stroud, Avon: (See above).
Eli Tanner, East Rochester: The junior captain and three-year starter has guided his Bombers to a 12-0 start. He is a leader on offense and defense; 13 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg, 97 GPA.
Bryce Tallman, Perry: Averaging 14.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals.
Mackie Terry, Aquinas: The junior is averaging 15.5 points and 2.5 assists.
Clarence Thompson, Franklin: Scored 19 points in Tuesday's 84-78 win over previously unbeaten Aquinas.
Aidan Upright, Keshequa: The 6-foot sophomore is averaging 13 points and 8 rebounds.
Quinn VanKerkhove, Irondequoit: (See above).
Gavin Williams, Greece Odyssey: The junior scored a career-high 27 points against Lyndonville; 14 ppg , 4 apg, 3 rpg.
Devyn Williams, Lyons: (See above).
Chase Young, Mount Morris: The senior point guard averaging 11.2 points, 6.2 assists and 3 steals.
Christian Zarzycki, Penfield: The sophomore is shooting 47% from 3-point range, averaging 12 points, 3.3 treys, 4 assists and 27 minutes.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V boys basketball 2023-24: Top point guards
