Who’s got next? 8 shooting guards set to make big leap nationally in 2023-24 high school girls basketball season

High school basketball seasons wrap up around the country as state champions have been crowned and national postseason tournaments have been played.

After a long season in different states across the country, which non-seniors flashed previous unseen excellence or out-performed their role?

SBLive is taking a position-by-position look for boys and girls on the players set to make the biggest jump into a featured role — or an even bigger leap in terms of their national profile.

First we hit the point guards, and now it’s time for their running mates in the backcourt. Here are eight shooting guards set to make a big jump into the national spotlight in the 2023-24 season:

Reagan Bender, Sacred Heart (Kentucky)

Bender was the second leading scorer this season for nationally-ranked Sacred Heart. The 5-foot-10 junior averaged 15.3 points along with 3.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game, helping the Valkyries win their third straight state championship.

Aaliyah Crump, Minnetonka (Minnesota)

A walking bucket, Crump is widely considered one of the top players in her class. The 6-foot-1 combo guard was named to the SBLive Minnesota All-State second team after posting 22 points per game this season.

Arynn Finley, Etiwanda (California)

Finley was one of the first players off the bench for one of the top-ranked teams in the country. The 5-foot-9 freshman should see her role and national profile continue to grow next season and beyond.

Bella Flemings, Brennan (Texas)

Flemings didn’t look like a first-year player this season while leading Brennan to a 33-5 record. The versatile 6-foot freshman paced the Bears in scoring and passing with 14.8 points and 3.2 assists per game, and she was their third leading board-grabber (6.2 rebounds per game).

Jayla Jordyn Jackson, Sidwell Friends (D.C.)

National No. 5 Sidwell Friends was loaded with talent this season, and Jackson was the youngest of the star-studded bunch. The 6-foot-1 freshman tallied 9.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game for the DCSAA Class AA state champions.

Jenica Lewis, Johnston (Iowa)

While the University of Iowa women’s basketball team just made a run to the NCAA national championship behind the play of superstar guard Caitlin Clark, there’s another young guard in Iowa generating buzz. Lewis proved why she entered the season as one of the top freshmen in the country, as she helped Johnston reach the state championship with her elite scoring ability.

Naomi Panganiban, La Jolla Country Day (California)

There will be two massive holes in the Torreys’ lineup next season with the losses of Jada Williams and Breya Cunningham, and Panganiban should help fill the voids. The 5-foot-6 junior averaged seven points per game this year with more than 40% of her points coming from long range.

Jerzy Robinson, Desert Vista (Arizona)

Robinson established herself as one of the top freshmen in the nation this season, and she has the potential to become one of the sport’s biggest stars over the next three years. The 6-foot-1 guard recorded 21 points and nine rebounds in Desert Vista’s win in the AIA Open Division state championship game.