Vermont Division 1 Players of the Year: Forwards
In a game that is evolving into a wing and guard-heavy playstyle, it’s important to highlight the forwards who run end-to-end, get physical in the paint, and rebound the pumpkin. These five young hoopers honor the importance of forwards by…
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Continue ReadingIn a game that is evolving into a wing and guard-heavy playstyle, it’s important to highlight the forwards who run end-to-end, get physical in the paint, and rebound the pumpkin. These five young hoopers honor the importance of forwards by doing the dirty work, but at the same time they’re products of the modern game; some can step out to three, attack with a dribble drive, or drop a dime from the perimeter. Check ’em out:
Emily-Rose Mercier, 5’11 F – EHS Class of ’22
Emily-Rose has a unique offensive arsenal; I’ve seen the slash from the perimeter, the three ball, and fluid post moves. That being said, when Mercier is aggressive offensively, it can be a long night for the defense. She has solid passing ability too, so once she draws the defense’s attention, it really opens up looks for teammates. She uses her size well defensively, clogging the lane and contesting shots. Mercier hustles in transition too, grabbing easy buckets offensively and preventing the fastbreak. Emily-Rose and Essex had a solid showing against the eventual champs, but Rice proved to have too much firepower for EHS to advance.
Allie Fullem, 5’11 F – MMU Class of ’23
Fullem is a stretch five with solid defensive instincts. She had a monster game in the semi-finals against CVU, where she blocked numerous shots and affected many more. Offensively, Allie likes to step out to the perimeter, where she’s comfortable working the ball in MMU’s sets. Furthermore, she’s got the three-point shot in her bag, so defenders have to respect her jumper when she does step out. Allie has great emotion on the court and will be an important piece to MMU’s run next year.
Addi Hunter, 5’10 F – CVU Class of ’23
Addi Hunter is one of the most well-rounded forwards in this group. Her off-ball movement is incredibly intuitive; she knows where the defensive holes will open, and her strength and patience allow her to get to her spots when she’d like. She’s got a solid arsenal of post moves and range out to 15 feet. Hunter is an adept passer in the paint too, where she collects a good number of her assists. Moreover, Addi has a great motor and a keen sense for where shots will come off the rim, which allows her to collect rebounds she really shouldn’t have any business grabbing. I look forward to seeing how her game evolves going into next year.
Brianna Brownell, 5’9 F – MMU Class of ’24
Brianna is a hustle player, no doubt. Brianna scraps for boards on both ends, gets up and down the floor well in transition, and can really lock in defensively. She put up a quiet 10 points in the finals against Rice, mostly off of second chance points and transition buckets. Moreover, playing in the big game at such a young age will only add confidence to her game. Brownell is beginning to develop her half court offensive repertoire too, so I’m excited to see how she develops going into the offseason. Brianna is a player who could morph into a strong wing or an inside-out forward. Ultimately, she’s someone to keep an eye on.
Nylah Mitchell, 5’9 F – BHS Class of ’25
Nylah Mitchell made a splash in high school hoops right out of the gates. Mitchell is one of the few freshmen Dream Dozen players, and deservingly so. She was integral to BHS’ success as she cleaned the glass well, defended inside and out, and kept the offense flowing for her young squad. Mitchell has a knack for collecting boards even though she’s slightly undersized, and her strength is key. She’s got a solid frame and stays on balance, and defensively, she can slide with guards and muscle down low. I’m most excited about her offense though. She has great awareness in the post where she can read defensive schemes and find open teammates or put a move on the defender and finish strong. Nylah has lots of time to develop her game, I’m excited to see where she takes it.