Elite Forwards from PGH Dynasty Region Kick Off (2023)

Here is my list of some impressive ladies who really showed off their ability to protect the paint and dominate their competition down low at the Prep Girls Hoops Dynasty Region Kick Off! These are some of the best forwards that I saw from the 2023 class. <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/meredith-mayes/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="197963" first="Meredith" last="Mayes"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/DSC_0125-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/04/DSC_0125-150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a> </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 6’2 Bixby High School, OK (Team Griffin Elite)</span> Meredith is a consistent forward who towers over the defense, and knows how to use her length to her advantage on both ends of the court. She routinely got to her spots after setting good screens that created space for her guards and truly affected the defense with her ability to screen her opponents away. She is always in the right spot to receive dump off passes from her lead guards. She is good at sneaking around underneath the rim and then quickly jumping in front of her opponent and sealing her off to receive an entry pass. On the glass, she is good at keeping the ball high for second chance opportunities and easy tip ins. On the defensive side of the ball, she calmly anchor’s her team’s defense through her ability to protect the rim, and slide over at a moments notice to be a harassing help defender. She has active hands that have a knack for poking the ball free as her opponent is trying to up with it. I would like to watch her get more fluid with her handle, as well as her ability to operate out of the high post and create more offense for her teammates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197943" first="Alyssa" last="Nielsen"] </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 5’11 Bixby High School, OK (Team Griffin Elite)</span> Alyssa is the ideal power forward with her perfect blend of athleticism and size in the paint. She has active hands and feet, which are paired well with a relentless motor that allows her to wreak havoc on every inch of the floor. I was very impressed by her overall defensive instincts, she seemed to be one step ahead of her opponent and knew what passes they wanted to make, as well as the dribble moves they wanted to attempt. She routinely came away with steals that allowed her team to push the tempo and run on the break. On the offensive side of things, she has a strong post presence from the block and the mid post. She can shimmy you to death and school you with an up and under with her back to the basket, or turn around in her defenders face at hit a fall away jumper, Alyssa has all the tools to become an effective three level scorer at the next level.  Nielsen is another valuable weapon at Bixby High School, the entire state of Oklahoma needs to be put on notice about her prowess on both ends of the court. I would like to see her work on speeding up her handle and work on getting downhill with a live dribble from the wings and out of the triple threat. <strong>Katie Durbin </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 5’10 </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mead County High School, KY (Team Firstep 2023)</span> Katie is a high level forward who can play outside in, or inside out depending on what the team needs. She has the ability to affect the game from the perimeter with her shot from the outside, including the midrange. I was very impressed by her ability to get downhill with a live dribble, and her consistency in the paint. She is great at using her size and frame to seal off her opponents, even with her handle or out of the post. She calmly got into the teeth of the defense and drew a second defender and finished with a soft floater over the top of them. I loved her blend of guard skills and post awareness, it makes her a dynamic weapon on the court and will make her a coveted asset at the next level. <strong>Sofia Budnik </strong>2023 5’10 Cinco Ranch High School, TX (Texas Cagers Select White) Sofia is a sharp shooting do it all player who thrives at shooting off the bounce and the catch, all while calmly initiating offense. She is a high level wing/ forward with a deadly ability to create space with a live dribble. Her ability to dictate the pace and create looks for her teammates is incredibly impressive, and she is very aware at her ability to create shot attempts if her passes are on the money and on time. She and her counter part Madison (Lee- 2023 Cinco Ranch HS) are high level scorers from the perimeter and are real weapons on the outside. The two of them will be putting pressure on defenses for the next few years at Cinco Ranch High School!