Summer Rankings: 2023 Small Forwards

<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id="203652" first="Autumn" last="Rucker"] (2023) of Indianapolis Pike High School and Indiana Showcase Black-Eber 16U.</em></span> June is a big month for rankings throughout the Prep Girls Hoops Network, and for the Class of 2023, it marks the transition from underclassman to upperclassman for those ladies entering their Junior years of high school. On the whole, the 2023 list expanded from 150 prospects to 175 prospects, and there was some movement throughout the entirety of the list. As it relates to the 2023 small forward group, there are 51 ladies who have acquired a spot within the Top-175, and 11 of them are new to the list on PGH Indiana. With a full Spring season "in the books" for the first time since 2019, it helped to provide more clarity as to who the better prospects are throughout the state. Below is a look at those 51 prospects, as well as some added information and analysis of the newcomers, plus a handful of additional girls who have stood out since our last rankings update in March. &nbsp; <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 210px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;"><strong>Rk.</strong></td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;"><strong>Prospect</strong></td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;"><strong>Ht.</strong></td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;"><strong>Pos.</strong></td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;"><strong>High School</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">5.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="59762" first="McKenna" last="Layden"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">6-2</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Northwestern</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">12.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="96087" first="Riley" last="Makalusky"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">6-1</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Hamilton Southeastern</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">15.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="155437" first="Monica" last="Williams"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF/PG</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Lawrence North</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">20.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="96077" first="Ava" last="Couch"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">North Central (Indianapolis)</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">24.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="155438" first="Kaleah" last="Toomer"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Ben Davis</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">32.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="127210" first="Hannah" last="Lach"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Carmel</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">35.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="59744" first="Julia" last="Economou"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Penn</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">36.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="59778" first="Alison" last="Stephens"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF/PF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Homestead</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 8.31425%; height: 21px;">38.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="59758" first="Saniya" last="Jackson"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%; height: 21px;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%; height: 21px;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%; height: 21px;">Fort Wayne Northrop</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">41.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59759" first="Nevaeh" last="Jackson"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Fort Wayne Northrop</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">42.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127212" first="Laniya" last="Early"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Lawrence North</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">46.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127226" first="Bailey" last="Kelham"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Garrett</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">53.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59747" first="Riley" last="Flinn"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">West Lafayette Harrison</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">55.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="203652" first="Autumn" last="Rucker"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Pike</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">59.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300064" first="Laney" last="Creech"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Penn</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">61.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="203658" first="Taylor" last="Double"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Huntington North</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">62.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59728" first="Lydia" last="Betz"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Forest Park</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">64.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96074" first="Allison" last="Capouch"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Kouts</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">65.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59789" first="Linzie" last="Wernert"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Lanesville</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">68.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127242" first="Olivia" last="Waters"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Blackford</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">72.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59785" first="Adelyn" last="Walker"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Martinsville</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">74.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="178232" first="Ava" last="Weber"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Corydon Central</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">78.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96093" first="Lilly" last="Toppen"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Kankakee Valley</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">80.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="203651" first="Brooklyn" last="Peterson"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Mitchell</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">83.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59786" first="Sydney" last="Warran"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">6-0</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Cascade</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">85.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59725" first="Teegan" last="Acres"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Hamilton Southeastern</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">88.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300066" first="Sydney" last="Brown"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Salem</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">103.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="155441" first="Janiyah" last="Watkins"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF/PF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">East Chicago Central</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">106.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127219" first="Caitlyn" last="Campbell"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Winchester Community</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">111.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127243" first="Ava" last="Weisheit"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Gibson Southern</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">116.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96076" first="Alexia" last="Cole"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF/PF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Pike</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">119.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96090" first="Leah" last="Petty"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-7</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Lawrence North</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">121.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="178238" first="Skylar" last="Bos"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Covenant Christian (DeMotte)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">123.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96081" first="Lizzie" last="Graham"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-7</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Triton Central</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">128.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300067" first="Kyndell" last="Jochim"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Franklin Community</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">131.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59750" first="Madison" last="Geary"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Carmel</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">134.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="241196" first="Hannah" last="Stutsman"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Scottsburg</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">138.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127231" first="Abby" last="Parsons"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Cascade</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">139.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127217" first="Lydia" last="Bordfeld"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-11</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF/PF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Evansville Memorial</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">141.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="203664" first="Olivia" last="Marks"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">South Central (Union Mills)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">143.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="241190" first="Madelyn" last="Bohman"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">North Decatur</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">149.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59791" first="Isabelle" last="Wooten"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Danville Community</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">152.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="203661" first="Angelicia" last="Del Valle"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Portage</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">154.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300071" first="Sophia" last="Frasure"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-7</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">North Judson-San Pierre</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">157.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300074" first="May" last="Wiseman"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Penn</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">160.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300076" first="Aubrey" last="Novinger"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-10</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Noblesville</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">164.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300078" first="Morgan" last="Lawrence"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Winchester Community</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">165.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="127224" first="Mya-Lee" last="Jackson"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Merrillville</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">166.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="96083" first="Kennedy" last="Hayden"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">John Glenn</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">173.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="59777" first="Ava" last="Sowder"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-8</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Eastern (Pekin)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 8.31425%;">174.</td> <td style="width: 30.2241%;">[player_tooltip player_id="300081" first="Rhylan" last="Kalb"]</td> <td style="width: 10.0121%;">5-9</td> <td style="width: 11.5956%;">SF</td> <td style="width: 39.8538%;">Northeast Dubois</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Newcomers</strong></span> As it relates to the Class of 2023, a 25-player expansion is part of the emphasis with regards to our Summer rankings. As we expanded from 150 to 175 prospects, 11 young ladies at the small forward position are new to the rankings list this time around. They are highlighted below, and if you know them, I think you’d agree they belong here. <b>[player_tooltip player_id="300066" first="Sydney" last="Brown"], Salem H.S. -</b> Sydney popped up on my radar this Spring playing for a 17U team. She has a fairly strong frame, she’s a solid all-around athlete, and she has a balanced skillset. She does a nice job of attacking the basket North/South, but she also has touch around the perimeter, plus she has a nice one-dribble pull-up. If she can be a little more dynamic off the bounce, I think she’ll become a complete scorer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300064" first="Laney" last="Creech"], Penn H.S. -</strong> Laney grew up in Indiana, but she moved to Tennessee for a brief time to begin her high school career. She came back this year, and she should add to an already strong Penn lineup. Laney is very long, wiry-strong, and she’s a nice athlete in most directions, including being somewhat bouncy. She is active, she can handle it a little, and she can score it a little at all three levels as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300071" first="Sophia" last="Frasure"], North Judson-San Pierre H.S. -</strong> Sophia is the sister of all-everything 2021 graduate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35021" first="Lilliann" last="Frasure"]</strong>. Sophia really stepped up as a Sophomore, and she did so by being a dangerous threat for opponents from around the 3-point line. She has a strong frame, she’s a solid on-the-floor athlete, and she can get downhill and attack the basket straight-line. But it’s her ability to shoot that stands out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300067" first="Kyndell" last="Jochim"], Franklin Community H.S. -</strong> The Grizzly Cubs are blessed with great shooters, so Kyndell is just waiting her turn to be a key contributor. Based on her Spring, that could come sooner rather than later in 2021-2022. She is a long, fluidly athletic wing who can bury shot after shot from the perimeter. She needs to gain strength, but she does try to attack the basket, and she will get inside and rebound, too. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59750" first="Madison" last="Geary"], Carmel H.S. [player_tooltip player_id="300081" first="Rhylan" last="Kalb"], Northeast Dubois H.S. [player_tooltip player_id="300078" first="Morgan" last="Lawrence"], Winchester Community H.S. [player_tooltip player_id="300076" first="Aubrey" last="Novinger"], Noblesville H.S. [player_tooltip player_id="59777" first="Ava" last="Sowder"], Eastern H.S. (Pekin) [player_tooltip player_id="300074" first="May" last="Wiseman"], Penn H.S. [player_tooltip player_id="59791" first="Isabelle" last="Wooten"], Danville Community H.S.</strong> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Keep an eye on...</strong></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96077" first="Ava" last="Couch"], North Central H.S. (Indianapolis) -</strong> If I challenged you to find someone in the Class of 2023 who played harder, I think it would be difficult to find. Ava is a high-motor, quietly tough, strong, and fairly athletic wing who just produces. She has always been a capable perimeter shooter, but now she’s shooting it at a high level. She can also handle it a little, plus she’ll defend multiple positions and rebound the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96081" first="Lizzie" last="Graham"], Triton Central H.S. -</strong> As a Freshman, Lizzie did a nice job of using her strength, physicality, and intense motor to help the Tigers in the mid-post. This year, however, she has developed a much more complete skillset around the 3-point line, and she is shooting the ball consistently from outside. She can still get inside and use her toughness, but that added perimeter ability just makes her harder to defend. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="59759" first="Nevaeh" last="Jackson"], Fort Wayne Northrop H.S. -</strong> Nevaeh is another former mid-post forward who has transitioned her game nicely to the perimeter over the last 12 to 18 months. She has a lot of length, she’s a fluid and almost smooth athlete, plus she has started to shoot it consistently at all levels. She can still use her height/length to her advantage in the mid-post, but she’s developing into a really nice, true wing. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96087" first="Riley" last="Makalusky"], Hamilton Southeastern H.S. -</strong> Riley always had talent and skill, but she was also a "wait-and-see" prospect because of the fact she was still growing. This Spring, she looks stronger, more physical, and more assertive going to the basket. She is still a threat from outside, but her ability now to attack off the dribble, change directions, absorb contact, and finish have helped her become a complete scorer.