Forwards and Centers to Watch: 5A Sub-State Semis and Finals

The road to the state tournament for the 5A class began Saturday, February 25, with a few quarterfinal games. Semi-final games will be played Tuesday, March 2, with games being held at the higher seed. The March 5 finals will also be at the higher seed. In this article I take a look at forwards and centers to watch in the 5A sub-states. <h2>Small Forwards</h2> [player_tooltip player_id="160898" first="Baylee" last="Miller"], 5’9", Maize, 2021 - Miller is a quick, strong, athletic defender who also uses those physical tools to create shots around the basket. Operates on perimeter well and has nearly 25’ three point range. Able to quickly put together moves in the paint to create shots including an up-and-under off of a spin move. Miller also has good transition speed with shot blocking sense coupled with ability to leave her player to help. Miller will be joining Hutchinson Community College's volleyball team next season. [player_tooltip player_id="93975" first="Brittany" last="Harshaw"], 6’0", Andover Central, 2022 - Harshaw is a mismatch anytime she steps on the floor with her size, ability to score, defensive quickness, and handles. She Averages 17 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists and has committed to Creighton University. [player_tooltip player_id="124999" first="Gabriella" last="Henderson-Artis"], 5’10", Bishop Miege, 2022 - Long, athletic, and fast she has quickness and decisiveness with the ball off the bounce. Henderson-Artis can lead breaks effectively and is a three-point threat. On the other hand she uses her quick hands to pick ball handlers one-on-one. Has shown the ability to dominate a match-up on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="94956" first="Mykala" last="Cunningham"], 5’9", Salina Central, 2023 - Cunningham also presents substantial match-up problems on both ends of the floor. A strong defender, she quickly cuts off the baseline, helps from the off side, and gets back in transition before who she guards can set up. Offensively, Cunningham is athletic on the finish; has creativity and handles to score in transition; pulls up well off basket attacks to score over defenders; and is streaky from the perimeter. Very athletic. Very long limbed. Fast. Trouble. [player_tooltip player_id="156307" first="Mariyah" last="Noel"], 5’10", Bonner Springs, 2023 - Noel and Cunningham are a lot alike. Long, athletic, fast, athletic, can score in the mid-range off the bounce, and can can the three point shot. Noel also creates on the interior, elevates well and rebounds with strength, keeps the ball up off the rebound to go back up quickly, and uses the glass inside well. She is also a solid shot blocker. Averages 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 steals. <h2>Power Forwards </h2> [player_tooltip player_id="47041" first="Faith" last="Hawthorne"], 6’1", St. James Academy, 2021 - From a size stand point Hawthorne is a power forward’s power forward. Size, build, strength, physicality, and the ability to control the paint on both ends of the floor. Just someone you cannot get around. She uses her physical abilities to create scores for herself and teammates and limit offensive rebounds. Controls the ball and gets the ball out well. Hawthorne will take her game to Marysville University next season. [player_tooltip player_id="123509" first="Olivia" last="Wedman"], 6’0", Maize, 2021 - MAYB Summer Kickoff (June 2020) - Runs and plays hard of both ends. Can go either direction on the block, back-to-basket game including turning left, using a baby hook. Thin and angular build but posts up very well. Seals and calls for the ball well. Continually improving finishing in transition game and strength. Shot blocking ability. Wedman will take her game to Washburn University next season. [player_tooltip player_id="123557" first="Jennifer" last="Jacobs"], 6’2", Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 2021 - Jacobs has developed into a complete player through consistently hard work and who will continue to get better. She plays physical, has good strength, has strong block moves, crashes the boards well, scores at all three levels, and has the quickness and smarts to defend on the perimeter well. Jacobs will take her game to Benedictine College next season. [player_tooltip player_id="160886" first="Katelynn" last="Ostronic"], 6’0", DeSoto, 2021 - Ostronic is a strong forward who can play an inside-out brand of basketball. She can hit the open three and is a smart passer. She is at her best as an inside presence, blocking shots, holding down the paint defensively and finishing around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="94020" first="Brooke" last="Eby"], 5’11", Andover, 2022 - Eby has the ability to strongly control space when posting up. Once with the ball she can get off a shot quickly. She is effective at denying entry passes from over the top. [player_tooltip player_id="158591" first="Chaliscia" last="Samilton"], 5’11", Salina Central, 2022 - Good hands around the block. Good size and strength, can overpower opponents on both ends. Good rebounder, runs the floor well. Goes up quickly off the block catch, keeping the ball up. Averages 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id="158581" first="Kamryn" last="Farris"], 5’11", Lansing, 2022 - Farris has good anticipation, hops, and a strong build. Averages 11.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals. 73% from the line. <h3>Centers</h3> [player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Ella" last="Anciaux"], 6’4", Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 2021 - MAYB Tournament (7/11/20) - Anciaux has great size and strength and she was always swarmed when she tried to do anything with the ball. Routinely battling double and triple teams, she used her smarts and interior moves to create shots, hit her partner in the post Jacobson out of the high-low game, and to set her perimeter teammates up. She has solid north to south speed, passes well, and weathers constant contact well.Anciaux will play for Wichita State University next season. [player_tooltip player_id="48270" first="Beatrice" last="Culliton"], 6’3", St. Thomas Aquinas, 2022 - Culliton has good hands, finishes around the basket, is physical and uses her strength and size to control rebounding action. She works well in the pick and roll game. Culliton also defends well. [player_tooltip player_id="158577" first="Charlotte" last="O’Keefe"], 6’2", St. Thomas Aquinas, 2022 - O’Keefe is a strong, long and great rebounder who elevates well. Active on both ends, she is a continuously improving scorer. Featured image: Kapaun Mt. Carmel 2021s [player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Ella" last="Anciaux"], with the ball, and [player_tooltip player_id="123557" first="Jennifer" last="Jacobs"], right. Photo: Robert Kelly.