2021 Rankings: Top Forwards

Donovan Finan

October 17, 2020 @ 08:00 AM

One of the most versatile position groups, all the players listed here as forwards have the ability to play both inside and out at a high level, something that is highly valued in today’s game. What jumps out for all of these players is the great mix of size and athleticism that gives them such versatility, plus the variety of skills to take advantage of those traits. [player_tooltip player_id="88416" first="Tiarra" last="East"], Butler- While playing on a strong Butler team means that East does not put up the superstar numbers of other players, but she still managed to lead her team in both scoring and rebounding last season, proof that she is their star player. She also takes on something of a point forward role, proving her versatility and athleticism by being able to both initiate the offense and dominate on the inside. [player_tooltip player_id="31848" first="Mya" last="Meredith"], Scott- If she had not missed all of last season with an injury there's a good chance Meredith would have been among the state's best players. She has elite athleticism to go along with great scoring and rebounding ability, as well as some point-forward skills of her own. If healthy expect Meredith to turn in a grat senior season. [player_tooltip player_id="88417" first="Elise" last="Ellison-Coons"], Dunbar- While not as obvious an athlete as the top players on this list, Ellison-Coons still has all the skills one could want out of a modern forward, with a great combination of strength and size. She also has plenty of smarts and toughness, serving as a playmaker for her team as well as a top rebounder. She is also one of the top defenders on this list while guarding multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id="36208" first="Ella" last="Thompson"], Bethlehem- While other players on this list excel as perimeter players who have the size and ability to play inside at a high level, Thompson is more of an inside player first who has expanded her game out to the perimeter. She definitely has the athleticism for this expansion and has shown that she has plenty of skills to play on the perimeter too, notably flashing a strong outside shot. [player_tooltip player_id="31866" first="Casey" last="Coleman"], Rockcastle County- Another post first player who has expanded her game to the outside, Coleman has put a concerted effort into expanding her game to the outside, and as such has shown a much-improved handle and outside shot as her career has gone along. This transition has gotten to the point that Coleman is almost more of a wing at this point, but still possesses the interior skills to be grouped with the forwards.