Class of 2019 Rankings Breakdown: Small Forwards

The small forward position in Indiana’s 2019 class is somewhat thin on depth, and that wasn’t helped by Trinity Brady’s recent move to prep school in Tennessee, as she would have been #1 on this list. But there are still several quality wings within this article who college coaches are paying specific attention to. This third installment of rankings breakdowns will focus on the small forward position, and below are some brief insights into the talents of the Top-10 girls who call the wing home.   <ol> <li> Grace Hunter, 2019, 5-9 W, Bellmont H.S.</li> </ol> Grace is still somewhat of an unknown on the statewide landscape, despite averaging 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while being singled out by opposing defenses every night. She is a tough-nosed, high-motor forward who handles the ball well and just flat out competes every possession. She is versatile and can play inside or out, and her perimeter jumper has come along nicely in the past couple of seasons. She has already committed to Northern Illinois.   <ol start="2"> <li> Tayah Irvin, 2019, 6-1 W, Hamilton Southeastern H.S. [caption id="attachment_11259" align="alignright" width="212"] Tayah Irvin of HSE Photo courtesy of the Indiana Flight Twitter account.[/caption]</li> </ol> Tayah projects high because she is still developing physically and will likely be a much more productive college player than high school player. She is incredibly long, still thin, but fluid, plus she has extremely quick feet and can defend just about anyone effectively, except for maybe true post players. She can knock down open jumpers as well and keep defenses honest. She made a verbal commitment to Northern Kentucky.   <ol start="3"> <li> Olivia Dowden, 2019, 5-11 W, McCutcheon H.S.</li> </ol> Olivia moved in from Texas early in her high school career, but I wasn’t able to see her until this Spring. She needs a bit more consistency, but her highs are really high. It’s hard to define her by position too. One game she’ll handle the ball and run offense, while the next game she’ll hit shot after shot from the perimeter. Ultimately, I think she’s a point forward with a perimeter jumper. She’s returning to Texas for college, as she has committed to Texas A&M Corpus Christi.   <ol start="4"> <li> Grace Waggoner, 2019, 5-11 F, Vincennes Rivet H.S.</li> </ol> Grace is a long, fluid, Swiss Army Knife, who is capable of doing just about anything. She can handle the ball a little, hit shots outside or in the mid-post, and she can even take smaller defenders to the block. She’s a good pursuing rebounder, plus she is versatile defensively. She has a little bit of bounce in her as well, and she’ll block the occasional shot. Her college interest is widespread, but she’s also a talented golfer.   <ol start="5"> <li> Taylor Boruff, 2019, 5-10 W, Taylor H.S.</li> </ol> Taylor is a strong and physical wing with a really nice skillset. She can handle the ball and run offense, but she’s better when she’s in the open floor making plays for herself or others. She is a capable perimeter shooter, plus she’ll get inside and rebound. She was Northwestern’s third leading scorer a year ago, as they won the Class 3A State Title, but she has since moved over to Taylor H.S. She committed to High Point, coached by Kokomo H.S. alum DeUnna Hendrix.   <ol start="6"> <li> [caption id="attachment_11260" align="alignright" width="204"] Lexi Thompson of LCC Photo courtesy of her own Twitter account.[/caption] Lexi Thompson, 2019, 5-10 F, Lafayette Central Catholic H.S.</li> </ol> Lexi has been a Varsity starter since her freshman year, and she’ll be the reason LCC is in contention in Class 2A again this year. She is long, fairly fluid, and she can really shoot the ball outside. She needs little space, and she’s a tough cover for opposing defenses. She’s done a nice job of becoming more physical too, and she’s starting to rebound much better. She has given a commitment to Southern Indiana.   <ol start="7"> <li> Cassidy Crawford, 2019, 6-0 W, Tipton H.S.</li> </ol> Cassidy is a tall, long, slender wing who is a fluid athlete that can hit shots at all levels. This spring and summer she started to show a much better game attacking the basket, and she used the free throw line as a weapon. If she can get just a little stronger, I think she’s going to be an outstanding college player. She has already verbally committed to the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana.   <ol start="8"> <li> Lindsey Simpson, 2019, 5-10 W, Knox H.S.</li> </ol> I had never heard of Lindsey until I searched through MaxPreps in February looking for double-digit scorers I didn’t know. Then Knox’s Coach was kind enough to send film, and her physical talent stood out immediately. She is extremely long, somewhat thin, but very fluid and bouncy. She is almost too unselfish at times, and she can handle the ball and run offense like a point forward. She had some nice moments playing grassroots ball for the first time this year.   <ol start="9"> <li> Adrianna Trexler, 2019, 6-0 F, Oak Hill H.S. [caption id="attachment_11261" align="alignright" width="221"] Adrianna Trexler of Oak Hill Photo courtesy of her own Twitter account.[/caption]</li> </ol> Adrianna is another kid who I think projects to be a better college player than high school player. She has great length, she’s fluid and fairly smooth, and she is just starting to add more strength. Her versatility stands out as well, as she’s able to handle the ball in transition, she is a good shooter with range to the perimeter, and she can defend multiple types of forwards and wings. She has committed to nearby Indiana Wesleyan.   <ol start="10"> <li> Trinity McClendon, 2019, 5-8 F, Warren Central H.S.</li> </ol> Trinity is often an afterthought when people talk about Warren’s team, and it’s a shame because she can play. She is strong, somewhat physical, and she came up as more of a mid-post forward. But now she is shooting the ball consistently outside, she is a nice one-directional athlete to the basket, and she plays with a good motor. It doesn’t matter what role is scripted for her this season, as she’s always productive.   2019 Small Forwards 11-25: <ol start="11"> <li>Emma Fisher, 2019, 5-7 W, Benton Central H.S.</li> <li>Tabby Klem, 2019, 5-10 F, Gibson Southern H.S.</li> <li>Nadia Lomax, 2019, 5-10 F, Columbus North H.S.</li> <li>Ashley Hayes, 2019, 5-9 W, Lawrence North H.S.</li> <li>Mariah Day, 2019, 5-9 F, Jac-Cen-Del H.S.</li> <li>Macy Berglund, 2019, 5-9 F, Carmel H.S.</li> <li>Jenna Cowart, 2019, 5-9 W, Danville Community H.S.</li> <li>Sophia Buck, 2019, 5-8 F, Homestead H.S.</li> <li>Rylee Morris, 2019, 5-8 W, Indianapolis Lutheran H.S.</li> <li>Makenzie Kilmer, 2019, 5-9 W, Penn H.S.</li> <li>Taylor Klenner, 2019, 5-8 F, Whiteland Community H.S., Committed to IU-South Bend</li> <li>Ellie Waechter, 2019, 5-9 F, Batesville H.S.</li> <li>Ambrea Wensey, 2019, 5-5 W, Ben Davis H.S.</li> <li>Paige Bennett, 2019, 5-9 W, Guerin Catholic H.S.</li> <li>Megan Harlow, 2019, 5-7 F, Whiteland Community H.S.</li> </ol> Header photo of Grace Hunter of Bellmont H.S.; photo courtesy of Bellmont's Twitter account.