Top Notch Players of the Bay Area: Power Forwards Edition

Power forwards of a basketball team have many responsibilities, including one of the most important responsibilities, rebounding. Power forwards must be good at securing the ball on offensive and defensive rebounds, this helps teams regain possession for their team. Also power forwards typically are able to make the open shots, which makes them effective on offense and defense. Power forwards are all-around players that have an advantage on offense and defense. Power forwards truly keep a basketball team together on the court. Listed below is a group of Power Forwards of the Bay Area that have significant skills: Silivia Fonongaloa- 2022, 6’1”, C & PF, #21, Salesian College Preparatory High School(Richmond, CA) Silvia Fonongaloa has been mentioned before, and we should all be looking forward to her upcoming Junior season. I know for a fact that Silivia is very athletic, and is one of the best power forwards out there. Last year her team had a 10-0 record for the 2019-2020 season, she without question has a major impact on her team’s success. She truly is very hard to beat, and she can secure the ball like no other. She inarguably is one of the hardest players to defend. The moves she uses to score around the basket are outstanding, and not only that her touch is so soft. It’s out of this world. Silvia averages 11.2 PPG, and ended with a total of 313 points during the 2019-2020 season. On top of that, she averaged 6.6 RPG, she is very active on defense and is always looking to rebound the ball to gain possession. Doesn’t matter if it’s on offense or defense. Her boxing out ability is magnificent, she can be very intense. I believe Silvia Fonongaloa is truly one of a kind, there aren’t many players like her. Since I have mentioned Silvia before, you know how much I admire her as a player, I can’t wait to see what the next basketball season has in store for her.   Susie Kresch- (2021), Jr, PF, 5”10’, #5, Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, CA), Clayton Blaze   Another player mentioned before, but I’m narrowing it down to the best of the best, and Susie is one of the best of the best. Averaging 7.0 PPG, along with her great basketball IQ, she qualifies as one of the most talented players out there in the Bay Area. Previously stated in recent articles, Susie Kresch is known for her shooting range. Let me tell you, this girl has a range. Susie obviously practices on the side, and it’s really noticeable. She has pretty much perfected the jump shot. Susie is always prepared to rebound the ball wherever she is, no matter where the shot is put up. Her defensive ability is great, she is a smart player who knows well when to be aggressive but also not foul at the same time. Susie’s large wingspan benefits to her ability to play great defense. I admire the intensity in Susie’s gameplay, she is a great supporting teammate. Susie has incredible hands, she never fumbles the ball when she receives a pass or a rebound. I’m anticipating Susie’s senior season to be as incredible as her junior season.   Sydney Bourland- 2021, 5’10”, SF & PF, #15, Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, CA) Now onto a player, I have not discussed before, Sydney Bourland. Sydney is an outstanding hustler, she causes lots of commotion on the defensive and offensive ends of the court. She is always looking to regain possession for her team. Bourland’s towering height is very useful for her successful rebounding ability. Sydney’s long wingspan helps her with her amazing defensive skills. Bourland averages 9.0 PPG, and had a total of 261 points this past season of 2019-2020. Her field goal percentage is 54%, and her free throw percentage is at 61%, which is quite impressive. She is always running on the fastbreak, either with the ball or without. She is the type of player that does really well on the move. She is able to make quick decisions under pressure and is also able to score under pressure. She has an amazing quick pullup jump shot and is always hustling to get a rebound. I am excited to see how Sydney will do during her senior season at Archbishop Mitty. [player_tooltip player_id="189638" first="Katie" last="Springs"]- 2021, 6’1”, PF & C, #10, Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose, CA) [player_tooltip player_id="189638" first="Katie" last="Springs"] joins alongside her teammate Sydney Bourland on their successful Archbishop Mitty team, and have achieved an 11-0 season record, and an overall 26-2 record. Katie has already committed to play at UC San Diego and has definitely worked hard to get there. Springs is a first-rate player, who can be very aggressive on offense and defense. She is always aware of where the ball is going to be passed, therefore she is able to steal the ball on multiple occasions. That’s just on defense, on offense she is a great passer. She is aware of where her teammates are at all times. Katie averages 8.1 PPG, with a total of 226 points for the 2019-2020 season. Her field goal percentage of 44%, and a 51% free throw percentage, is one of the players that stand out most. Katie’s touch around the basket is so exquisite, and she is always hustling to get a rebound. I am impressed with Katie’s statistics during her junior season, and I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to the table during her senior season. Raquel Williams- 2021, 5’10”, PF & C, #42, Alameda High School(Alameda, CA) Raquel Williams is truly a star player. Captain of her team, All-League Honorable Mention, and also leading her team to become the Division 2 North Coast Section Champions. Raquel is skilled in every aspect of the game. She is an outstanding dribbler, has great moves to get past defenders. She is a great play-maker, she has unstoppable moves to the basket. She is also able to make great plays off the dribble and creates plays for herself and her teammates. She is very energetic on defense and always seems to know exactly where a play is going to be made on the opposing end. Raquel averages 8.3 PPG, with a total of 182 points to date for the 2019-2020 season. She also averages 6.8 RPG, this is a spectacular average, and it’s only achievable if you work hard on the defensive end. There will never be a time you need to ask Raquel to work harder, she already does with every play. Only good things can come from Raquel’s junior year, and her senior season is going to be fantastic to watch.