Elite Forwards from PGH Dynasty Region Kick Off (2026-27)
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…
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Continue ReadingHere 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 2026 and 2027 classes.
Tamaria Cummings 2026 5’11 TX (House4Hoops 2026)
Tamaria is an athletic big who moves incredibly well and showed an ability to defend high level guards on the perimeter while also having a defensive impact in the paint. Her ability to slide her feet and keep everything in front of her was very impressive, but the versatility she showed on the offensive end really stood out. She can operate out of the mid post and create looks for her cutting teammates as she draws the other big out of the lane, or can dominate you with her size and aggressiveness in the paint.
I was very impressed with her ability to do it all on the offensive and defensive glass, she routinely sealed off her defenders from every having a chance at a rebound. She high pointed the ball well and was strong with the basketball when she came down. Her ability to use her size to keep her defender on her back will allow her to continue to live at the free throw line and give herself easy second chance points. Her ability to keep her opponents off the glass allowed her guard to scoop up long rebounds and run on the break.
Deena Holmes 2026 6’2 Stucky MS, KS (Kansas Bluejays 2026)
Deena is an a lanky and aggressive forward who looks to have all of the tools to develop into a skilled player at the next level who can take run the floor and finish at the rim. She is aware when as a rim runner and is a beast when the defense is caught in transition. She is aggressive on the glass on both ends of the floor, and is good at high pointing rebounds over her opponents. She is good at using her frame to keep her opponents from having a chance of getting a finger on the ball by boxing out and skying over her opponents. She got a multitude of second chance points through her work on the offensive glass.I loved watching her get into the lane by putting her head down and finishing in the paint, but I would like to see her work on her handle.
Mariyah Bell 2027 5’11 Winfield High School, KS (Kansas Bluejays 2026)
Mariyah is an intelligent forward who is also the vocal leader on both ends of the floor. I loved her ability to call out plays and defensive assignments. It shows she is aware and is eager to study and learn the game. She moves well for her size and looks to have all of the tools to develop into a dynamic forward as she continues to grow. She showed an ability to play out on the perimeter and work with another big, while also actively crashing the glass for second chance opportunities. I would like to see her become more aggressive on the offensive end of the floor, and look to put her head down to draw contact and finish at the rim. I would also like to see her become more confident with a live dribble as well.
Alexandra Gordon 2027 6’0 Kinkaid High School, TX (Just Play Elite 2026 JT)
Alexandra is a skilled forward who knows how to use her frame to dominate in the paint. She constantly grabbed defensive rebounds and made elite outlet passes to find teammates in the full court streaking to the basket, or making the right pass and letting her lead guard walk the ball up the court. Also on the defensive side, she showed a great ability to move her feet and defend on the perimeter and contest shots. I was very impressed by her ability to do it all on the defensive end of the floor including protecting the paint and collecting rebounds. On the offensive side of the floor, she is good at using her size to dominate with her back to the basket and calmly finish after shifting her opponent out of the way to get a bunny hook shot off. She looks to have all the tools to develop into a high level and dynamic basketball player on both ends of the floor and I am excited to watch her develop.