Gateway Challenge: Class of 2023 Forwards

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2023 forwards from the recent USJN Gateway Challenge, which was held in St. Louis.   <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-324396" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/A4CDA1FB-DB7C-4FB6-A3C2-8362C2315570.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="297220" first="Sara" last="Mendel"] (MO Phenom Columbia-Baggett 17U): A versatile 6’2" forward from Ava who can operate well at several spots on the floor. She’s very skilled in the post with drop steps, short jumpers and the ability to score with both hands around the basket. She can also operate in the high post with her ability to pass it effectively, make a play off the dribble and knock down the 15 footer. She’s very mobile and can run the court and attack the offensive boards.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-431270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/B523FBD9-5B54-4460-B20D-95C6FE725A81.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="170385" first="Aa’Mya" last="Stacker"] (Della Lamb 3SSB 17U): The 6’2" 2023 forward from Truman was a force inside in helping her team to a pool championship. She was a hard worker who controlled the boards at both ends of the court. She was also a reliable scorer in the post. Her activity and positioning around the basket made her tough to handle. She also made some impressive rim-runs after grabbing the rebound, which led to some transition baskets.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-425781" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/11F57781-DEFE-4B9B-A050-731219D63BEA.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> [player_tooltip player_id="409909" first="Mariah" last="Dallas"] (St. Louis Phenom-Haden 17U); A 511" forward from Fort Zumwalt South who was a matchup problem with her combination of strength and versatility. The southpaw uses her strength and footwork to maneuver inside for buckets against taller players. She can also can also beat defenders off the dribble from the wing. She also has the mobility to guard multiple positions on the floor.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-431271" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/32871D51-431E-4011-BF2E-674FE2EA4CEC-193x300.jpeg" alt="" width="193" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="170383" first="Heaven" last="Shockley"] (Midwest United 17U): A talented 6’2" forward from Springfield Central who can get buckets in a variety of ways. Her all-around offensive package is very impressive. She is equally comfortable on the perimeter as she is in the low post. She can use her height and strength to overpower defenders in the post. She also has a nice skill set on the perimeter as she can handle the ball, go coast to coast for layups and knock down 3-pointers off the the catch.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-328356" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/FCE19491-EFBC-4F57-B183-83C45EDBA55E.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Binta Fall (St. Louis Phenom-Young 17U): A 5’10" forward from MICDS who is a matchup problem with her overall skill set and physicality. She has a wide array of moves in the lane, including a nice up-and-under and an excellent spin dribble to score. Her footwork inside is impeccable. She can also take her game to the perimeter when she can knock down 3-pointers and create off the dribble. She uses the jab step well to set up defenders and she can attack downhill on the drive.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-431280" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/7D24D483-0A57-4CCE-8986-80F57BB24208.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Mele Talua (Earl Watson Academy 17U): A 5’10" forward from William Chrisman who displays excellent fundamentals in the post. She can play the power game with her strength while also using her footwork to score effectively in the paint. She can score on pump fakes and good up-and-under moves and reverse layups around the basket. Her offensive moves inside are textbook.     Katie Webb (TC Hoop-Helms 17U): A 6’0" forward from Oran who is a small-school standout in the SEMO area. She is comfortable on the perimeter as she likes to attack the basket off the dribble and stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting. She plays with an impressive motor at both ends of the floor.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-431275" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/7726F36E-A6D8-48F6-85D8-939DECC56DAE.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Alivia McCulla (St. Louis Phenom-Haden 17U): A 6’0" forward from Parkway South who is a valuable player on the team because she can make plays without commanding a lot of touches on offense. She is an active defender who can block shots and she rebounds well on the offensive end, which creates more possessions for her team.     <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-431276" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/B8B2D155-68E4-4AEE-9317-C3CF2175A271.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> Briana Mason (St. Louis Phenom-Young 17U): A 5’9" forward from Francis Howell Central who competes hard inside despite being undersized in the post. She is an excellent rebounder who gives a maximum effort to match her strength inside. She does a good job of establishing her position.   Rachel Flewell (MO Phenom-Baggett): A 5’10” forward from Glendale who is a very solid player. She operates well within the flow of the offense as she moves the ball well while being able to hit the open 3-pointer.