Updated Rankings - '23 Small Forwards - part 2

In this second article covering Small Forwards in the class of ’23 we have two players that have already committed to playing D1 basketball for schools in the region and three others still waiting to make their decisions. What are they waiting for? Probably your offer, Coach, or maybe your continued interest if you have already offered. They have not been convinced yet. But many of them are likely to make up their minds soon. [player_tooltip player_id="164392" first="Abby" last="Holtman"] - 5’11" Ryle Kentucky Premier EYBL Holtman has recently decided to take her talents across the Ohio River to the Big 12 bound University of Cincinnati program. The Bearcats have a good one. She puts in the work year-round and it shows in every aspect of her game. She is an excellent three-point shooter, automatic at free throws, with good size and athleticism that could play any type of stretch position in a College Offense at the 2, 3, or 4. Her ballhandling skills give her the ability to put the ball on the floor against pressure or to get into the lane. She plays the same kind of great defense all of the players at Ryle display. [player_tooltip player_id="158174" first="Destiny" last="Thomas"] - 5’10" McCracken County Kentucky Premier Murray State has a great commitment in Thomas. She is a three-level scorer that is equally dangerous at all three levels. With the speed to get to the rim, a great outside shot, and the good decision-making on when to turn to the floater or pull-up jumper. Thomas puts in work to make herself available to the pass in all positions on the court making her tough to defend. She is an excellent ball-handler and a long, athletic, and tenacious defender. [player_tooltip player_id="255502" first="Ma’Kiya" last="West"] - 5’11" Louisville Male Kentucky Ice Select Getting a chance to see West play this summer really sold me on her ability. She is a great rebounder and I don’t say that lightly. It is my contention that there are basically three types of rebounders and I believe West has the ability to be all three. In Zone Rebounders who dominate the area they are in, Out of Zone Rebounders who excel at grabbing the balls that don’t bounce their way, and Hustle Rebounders who have a knack at crashing the glass or tracking down the long rebound. West is a physically strong and versatile player with a variety of ways she can score the ball. She has excellent ball-handling skills, is a tough-nosed defender in the paint, and denies penetration on the perimeter. She could probably Guard but I don’t think any Coach would want her to get too far away from the basket to best utilize her abilities on the boards. [player_tooltip player_id="199618" first="Keelee" last="King"] - 5’11" Rockcastle County Kentucky Premeir King is a good passer that finds her teammates in a position to score. She can shoot the three or get to the rim to score. From what I have seen recently she tends to look to pass when in the midrange than she does to score. However, that may have had more to do with the great competition her team was facing and very tight defense. [player_tooltip player_id="329442" first="Aubrey" last="Daulton"] - 5’9" Pulaski County Southern Kentucky Starz Daulton is a player that gets it done in every possible way. She can shoot the three, or drive to the hoop, and score off the glass with putbacks. Defensively she has good lateral movement allowing her to stay alongside a penetrating Guard and challenge the shot. I will have to spend more time in the 12th Region this season to see more of what players like her can do.

In this second article covering Small Forwards in the class of ’23 we have two players that have already committed to playing D1 basketball for schools in the region and three others still waiting to make their decisions.

What are they waiting for? Probably your offer, Coach, or maybe your continued interest if you have already offered. They have not been convinced yet. But many of them are likely to make up their minds soon.

Abby Holtman Abby Holtman 5'11" | SF Ryle | 2023 State KY - 5’11" Ryle Kentucky Premier EYBL

Holtman has recently decided to take her talents across the Ohio River to the Big 12 bound University of Cincinnati program. The Bearcats have a good one. She puts in the work year-round and it shows in every aspect of her game.

She is an excellent three-point shooter, automatic at free throws, with good size and athleticism that could play any type of stretch position in a College Offense at the 2, 3, or 4. Her ballhandling skills give her the ability to put the ball on the floor against pressure or to get into the lane. She plays the same kind of great defense all of the players at Ryle display.

Destiny Thomas Destiny Thomas 5'10" | SF McCracken County | 2023 State KY - 5’10" McCracken County Kentucky Premier

Murray State has a great commitment in Thomas. She is a three-level scorer that is equally dangerous at all three levels. With the speed to get to the rim, a great outside shot, and the good decision-making on when to turn to the floater or pull-up jumper.

Thomas puts in work to make herself available to the pass in all positions on the court making her tough to defend. She is an excellent ball-handler and a long, athletic, and tenacious defender.

Ma’kiya West Ma’kiya West 5'11" | SF Louisville Male | 2023 State KY - 5’11" Louisville Male Kentucky Ice Select

Getting a chance to see West play this summer really sold me on her ability. She is a great rebounder and I don’t say that lightly. It is my contention that there are basically three types of rebounders and I believe West has the ability to be all three. In Zone Rebounders who dominate the area they are in, Out of Zone Rebounders who excel at grabbing the balls that don’t bounce their way, and Hustle Rebounders who have a knack at crashing the glass or tracking down the long rebound.

West is a physically strong and versatile player with a variety of ways she can score the ball. She has excellent ball-handling skills, is a tough-nosed defender in the paint, and denies penetration on the perimeter. She could probably Guard but I don’t think any Coach would want her to get too far away from the basket to best utilize her abilities on the boards.

Keelee King Keelee King 5'11" | SF Rockcastle County | 2023 State KY - 5’11" Rockcastle County Kentucky Premeir

King is a good passer that finds her teammates in a position to score. She can shoot the three or get to the rim to score. From what I have seen recently she tends to look to pass when in the midrange than she does to score. However, that may have had more to do with the great competition her team was facing and very tight defense.

Aubrey Daulton Aubrey Daulton 5'9" | SF Pulaski County | 2023 State KY - 5’9" Pulaski County Southern Kentucky Starz

Daulton is a player that gets it done in every possible way. She can shoot the three, or drive to the hoop, and score off the glass with putbacks. Defensively she has good lateral movement allowing her to stay alongside a penetrating Guard and challenge the shot. I will have to spend more time in the 12th Region this season to see more of what players like her can do.