PGH Freshman Showcase: Top Forwards

With about 75 percent of the kids in attendance at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase being guards, we wanted to make sure we focused on the forwards, too. Most of the time they get overlooked because they don't have the ball in their hands as much as the guards do. The forwards do most of the dirty work. They help you in the lane when you get beat on defense, they clean up the boards, and they battle down low for position. Point guards, shooting guards, combo guards, all guards, if you're reading this, please make sure you get the post the ball. There were many forwards who raised their stock at the Freshman Showcase but these five really impressed us.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/4J3A1216-scaled-crop-2481x1629-1663736063.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508390" width="252" height="166"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='412736' first='Romo' last='Smith'] - Mankato West   The 5'9 small forward caught my eye immediately when I saw how strong she was on both ends of the floor. On offense she demanded space down low and was able to finish off the glass well. On defense she used her frame to take up space and keep her opponent away from the hoop. The best asset of her game was her rebounding, where she showed all the aspects of a great rebounder: timing, anticipation and boxing out. What makes her stand out is her willingness to go get the ball, whether she is fighting for an offensive board or diving on the ground for a loose ball. There were many times she grabbed an offensive board and kicked it out to an open teammate to knock down a shot. That's priceless! The freshman came off the bench last year and we expect her to play another big role this year as she has matured, and gotten better.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/4J3A1234-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508381" width="254"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='455051' first='Vivian' last='Carter'] - Holy Angels   Carter showed her athleticism on Sunday. It really shows up in her defense where she shut down every player she guarded. With her quick feet and length, she has the ability to guard every position which makes it hard for the smaller guards to get a shot off on her. The small forward is 6'0 but has the skills of a guard. She shot the ball well and was able to get to the hoop, beating her opponents on the first step with her long strides.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/4J3A1085-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508380" width="246"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502607' first='Amanda' last='Shero'] - Prior Lake   The 6'1 power forward is long and used her length to her advantage on Sunday. She protected the rim for her team by being in help and blocking anything that came into the lane. Shero pulled down rebounds on both ends and got some nice put backs on offense. She was best at playing with her back to the basket where she got to the right spot and held her position. She also showed off some of her really nice post moves where she finished on both sides using the glass well.     <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/4J3A1045-scaled-crop-2302x1511-1663735844.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508383" width="243" height="159"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502599' first='Reese' last='Hagenbart'] - Champlin Park   This is not the first time we have seen the 6'1 power forward as she has already made some noise playing varsity last year at Champlin Park and playing on a top 2026 AAU team (Minnesota Stars Hill). She has a nice big frame that will translate to the college level. She has light feet and can run the floor. At the showcase she established herself as a dominant post player in the class. Once she gets her footwork right around the basket she will be one tough kid to guard. I wouldn't be surprised if Hagenbart's stock rises after this year as she has been working on moves and consistency.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/09/4J3A1198-scaled-crop-2429x1595-1663735649.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-508379" width="245" height="161"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='502600' first='Jayda' last='Wilson'] - Eastview   Wilson plays bigger and stronger than her size. At 5'8 the small forward holds her own on the floor and can do it all. If I could describe her in one word it would be aggressive. She's aggressive when attacking the hoop, she's aggressive when she's defending and she is aggressive and when pulling down rebounds on both end. The most underrated part of her game is her ability to knock down the midrange jumper from anywhere on the floor. She plays with heart and determination which is hard to teach.

With about 75 percent of the kids in attendance at the Prep Girls Hoops Freshman Showcase being guards, we wanted to make sure we focused on the forwards, too. Most of the time they get overlooked because they don't have the ball in their hands as much as the guards do. The forwards do most of the dirty work. They help you in the lane when you get beat on defense, they clean up the boards, and they battle down low for position. Point guards, shooting guards, combo guards, all guards, if you're reading this, please make sure you get the post the ball. There were many forwards who raised their stock at the Freshman Showcase but these five really impressed us.