Updated Rankings - '23 Power Forwards part 1

The first in a series of articles on the Ranked Power Forwards in the class of ’23. Only three players in this one because I have so much to say about each and because I needed to crank out this article before my deadline passed. This one is a good read about three very special players in the Commonwealth. [player_tooltip player_id="164386" first="Brianna" last="Byars"] - 5’11" George Rogers Clark Kentucky Premier EYBL I think Byars might be taller than 5’11", but whatever her height she plays bigger than that. She has D1-ready physical strength, yet so much more muscle and definition she could add. She doesn’t look fast but she is lightning quick and can make a play on the ball from 15 feet away in less than a second, I saw her do just that last week. She jumped forward from the backline of the Defense to steal a perimeter pass, drive the ball 3/4 length of the court, and finish for the win in overtime of a sudden death summer league game. She can score in every way there is to score: shooting the three, posting up, driving to the basket, floaters, pull-up jumpers from midrange. She plays excellent defense in the post, on the perimeter, on the ball, off the ball, and in transition. But more than this she is a Leader on and off the floor. Her teammates respond to her directions, which she gives very respectfully and direct. Pointing and talking on defense and leading by her actions. She clearly values the people around her. I could not recommend her highly enough to any coach of any team. [player_tooltip player_id="164404" first="Jala" last="Douglass"] - 6’0" Central Douglass is one of the most improved players in the Commonwealth. I saw her play three or four times last season and she was good. Not anymore. She is playing great this summer. She moved up several spots in our latest rankings, based largely on my recommendation and I still think I should have moved her up more. She is playing so fast, sprinting the floor, hitting the glass like that ball is solid gold, sliding her feet on defense, blocking shots from on and off the ball. What else can I say? Opposing coaches get ready to not want to see her again after you tell her how great she just played in the handshake line. The change in her game is so profound I had to ask her Coaches who that was after the game. I thought they must have had someone new transfer in. They have a new player alright, But it is still Jala Douglas. [player_tooltip player_id="260270" first="Gracie" last="Ferguson"] - 5’11" Owen County Kentucky Dream Ferguson returns this season as a Defending Class "A" Champion and was a major contributor on the kind of run that should probably be made into a movie. I’d watch it. I saw the whole tournament courtside, except for the Finals. I want to see how it ends. "Fergie" was the primary inside presence on the team, but I am most interested in seeing how much she has developed outside the paint in this coming season. She showed some last year that she is more than a versatile post by taking the ball on the perimeter and in the corners when she had to in the All "A". But based on what I have seen already this is a great Power Forward who can play in the Low Post and the High Post. She can put the ball in the floor, facilitate the offense with her back to the basket. Dominate her zone as a rebounder, eat space in the paint, and defend all over the court. Shoot the mid-range jumper and squeeze the interior score past shot blockers in a phone booth. (Have any of these kids every seen a phone booth?)

The first in a series of articles on the Ranked Power Forwards in the class of ’23. Only three players in this one because I have so much to say about each and because I needed to crank out this article before my deadline passed. This one is a good read about three very special players in the Commonwealth.

Brianna Byars Brianna Byars 5'11" | PF George Rogers Clark | 2023 State KY - 5’11" George Rogers Clark Kentucky Premier EYBL

I think Byars might be taller than 5’11", but whatever her height she plays bigger than that. She has D1-ready physical strength, yet so much more muscle and definition she could add. She doesn’t look fast but she is lightning quick and can make a play on the ball from 15 feet away in less than a second, I saw her do just that last week. She jumped forward from the backline of the Defense to steal a perimeter pass, drive the ball 3/4 length of the court, and finish for the win in overtime of a sudden death summer league game.

She can score in every way there is to score: shooting the three, posting up, driving to the basket, floaters, pull-up jumpers from midrange. She plays excellent defense in the post, on the perimeter, on the ball, off the ball, and in transition.

But more than this she is a Leader on and off the floor. Her teammates respond to her directions, which she gives very respectfully and direct. Pointing and talking on defense and leading by her actions. She clearly values the people around her. I could not recommend her highly enough to any coach of any team.

Jala Douglass Jala Douglass 6'0" | PF Central | 2023 State KY - 6’0" Central

Douglass is one of the most improved players in the Commonwealth. I saw her play three or four times last season and she was good. Not anymore. She is playing great this summer. She moved up several spots in our latest rankings, based largely on my recommendation and I still think I should have moved her up more.

She is playing so fast, sprinting the floor, hitting the glass like that ball is solid gold, sliding her feet on defense, blocking shots from on and off the ball. What else can I say? Opposing coaches get ready to not want to see her again after you tell her how great she just played in the handshake line.

The change in her game is so profound I had to ask her Coaches who that was after the game. I thought they must have had someone new transfer in. They have a new player alright, But it is still Jala Douglas.

Gracie Ferguson Gracie Ferguson 5'11" | PF Owen County | 2023 State KY - 5’11" Owen County Kentucky Dream

Ferguson returns this season as a Defending Class "A" Champion and was a major contributor on the kind of run that should probably be made into a movie. I’d watch it. I saw the whole tournament courtside, except for the Finals. I want to see how it ends.

"Fergie" was the primary inside presence on the team, but I am most interested in seeing how much she has developed outside the paint in this coming season. She showed some last year that she is more than a versatile post by taking the ball on the perimeter and in the corners when she had to in the All "A".

But based on what I have seen already this is a great Power Forward who can play in the Low Post and the High Post. She can put the ball in the floor, facilitate the offense with her back to the basket. Dominate her zone as a rebounder, eat space in the paint, and defend all over the court. Shoot the mid-range jumper and squeeze the interior score past shot blockers in a phone booth. (Have any of these kids every seen a phone booth?)