Vote: Who is the best boys basketball guard on the South Suncoast?

We’ve put together a list of 13 guards that have stood out through the first few weeks and want your vote on who’s the best

High school basketball season is in full gear and district tournaments have filled the state from Daytona Beach down to Miami. No matter where you turn, basketball is now what’s dominating the high school sports circuit.

Especially on the South Suncoast as the region has plenty of great high school talent all across the board. Teams like Charlotte, Cardinal Mooney, North Port, Sarasota, Port Charlotte and Sarasota Booker have played well this season and have some good players to boot. 

That’s when we mention guard play. A couple of the most important positions on the hardwood. The point guard and shooting guard, both play a vital role in making your team go. We put together a poll on who you think is the best guard on the South Suncoast is?

Take a look at our list below and give us your vote on who you think is tops is on the South Suncoast. We’d also love to hear your feedback as well if you feel like we missed someone. 

Voting concludes February 29th at 11:59 p.m.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll. 

Here are the nominations: 

Jordan Attia, Charlotte: The Fightin’ Tarpons have plenty of talent across the board to boot, so we start off with the it point guard. Attia, who plays plenty at point guard, is averaging a team-high 10.9 points a contest. 

Chris Cornish, Charlotte: Cornish is undoubtedly one of the most talented guards on the South Suncoast. The 6-foot-5 senior is averaging 10.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. 

Connor Heald, Cardinal Mooney: Heald can play 1-through-3 on the court with his 6-foot-4 frame and has been one of the South Suncoast’s best scorers. The senior is averaging 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.  

Jaden Baker, Bradenton Christian: Whenever the Panthers’ need a clutch basket, Baker has been the combo guard to go to. The 5-foot-11 senior is averaging close to 20 points per game for Bradenton Christian. 

Jovan Palavra, Sarasota Booker: The senior combo guard excels at either the point or shooting position. What is undeniable is Palavra’s ability to score the basketball, with the guard averaging a team-high 17.2 points per game. 

Jayden Dudash, Sarasota Riverview: The senior has seen time at either shooting or the small forward position throughout the season. Dudash is currently averaging 11.9 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Rams. 

Angelo Blas, Imagine School at North Port: Not many have played as well this season as Blas. The senior combo guard through 19 games is averaging an impressive 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. 

Dylan Higgins, Parrish Community: In Manatee County, when it comes to the public school players, Higgins has been one of the top guards around. The senior is currently averaging 17.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. 

Ben Milliken, Sarasota Christian: Milliken, who also plays on the football team, has been one of the Blazers’ top scorers all season long.  The sophomore is averaging 15.7 points along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists a contest. 

William Strawbridge, Bayshore: It’s been an overall impressive season to date for Strawbridge. The junior combo guard leads the Bruins in scoring at 17.3 points a game, while adding 4.5 boards, 1.9 assists. 

Isaiah Allen, Lakewood Ranch: Though it’s been a tough season for the Mustangs, Allen has thrown up some respectable numbers. The sophomore is averaging a team-high 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. 

Brennen Ingle, North Port: The Bobcats have had a stellar 2023-2024 campaign and single is one of the reasons why. Ingle is second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game and adding 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.8 assists a game. 

Marcus Schade, Braden River: Schade has been one of the area’s leading scorers all season long. The senior combo guard leads the Pirates with 21.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.7 assists per game. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl