Ranking Updates – ’24 Small Forward
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This is the first article in a series of rundowns on the ranked Small Forwards in the class of 2024. There is also a little more content to come on ’24 Power Forwards and some of the Small Forwards from…
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Continue ReadingThis is the first article in a series of rundowns on the ranked Small Forwards in the class of 2024. There is also a little more content to come on ’24 Power Forwards and some of the Small Forwards from the class of 2023.
Reagan Bender Reagan Bender 5'9" | SF Sacred Heart | 2024 State KY 5’9″ Sacred Heart
Bender is the prototype for the Small Forward position. A player that can play equally well in every aspect of the game. If she played for a team that was missing pieces and needed to play another role she could. But she is in the position she is best suited for on her current team.
At one point last season I advocated that she should drop in our rankings because despite all of her skills she lacks speed. Boy was I wrong and I found out that very night. I saw her sprinting the floor against an uptempo team looking like the fastest player on the court. She might remember me telling her I had no idea she was so fast after the game. I went home and immediately told our panel to ignore my previous statement.
Bender impacts the game as a rebounder, defender, ball handler, passer, driving to the basket… if it is a basketball skill set, she has it. But I think it is her outside shooting that is her best asset or perhaps just the skill best utilized on her team.
Savannah Gardner Savannah Gardner 6'0" | SF Christian Academy Louisville | 2024 State KY 6’0″ Christian Academy Louisville Cincinnati Angeles
Gardner is a nightmare for opposing offenses. At times you have to wonder if there aren’t two of her out there. In one instance she is defending the ball on the perimeter, the next challenging the shot in the short corner, and rebounding the ball in the paint the next. If you want to run a Press, this should be one of the top players on your list.
She can also shoot the three, put the ball on the floor, drive to the bucket, and do so many useful things on the court. Gardner can do it all on offense, defense, in transition, and on the glass.
She is a rim protector, defensive stopper, and rebounder, you name it. She does it with a motor that runs like none I have ever seen. The only negative is that that motor sometimes gets her into foul trouble. But her team is so deep it isn’t such a drawback. She might reign it in a bit if she had to play major minutes to win.
Destini McAlister Destini McAlister 5'9" | SF John Hardin | 2024 State KY 5’9″ John Hardon Team Firstep
McAlister is quite an athlete, as the Second Baseman and Pitcher on her school’s Baseball team who can Dunk a tennis ball. She is not the most skilled player, but she more than makes up for that in hustle and hard work.
She is a great rebounder and very effective at picking off passes in the press. She is a great finisher around the rim and plays good defense on the perimeter and in the post.
Rachel Shropshire Rachel Shropshire 6'3" | SF Franklin County | 2024 State KY 6’2″ Franklin County Richmond Heat
Shropshire is Ranked because she is a good outside shooter, runs the floor, has the body of a basketball player, and has tons of potential for the next level. She is Ranked so low because she is not very aggressive and appears to be content to float around the perimeter.
She showed some flashes of the player she could be this summer. When motivated she can be a force on the boards, a shot blocker, and a good finisher at the rim.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see her name in the “Biggest Movers” category when our Rankings come out next year if she realizes her potential this season.