2023 Rankings Update: Top Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2023 has officially started their senior year of high school and they've been practicing as they prepare to play their final season of high school basketball. This class boasts some of the top scorers in the state and a ton of talented players that are committed to play at the next level. Let's take a look at the top 5 centers in the 2023 class and what they bring to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_636154e5aa060","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["164389"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Smalley might be in a different uniform this year, but when you have the skills that she does, you can be highly effective no matter who you're playing for or with. She is one of the most athletic and versatile bigs in the state. Smalley has excellent length and is really disruptive as a defender. She can block and alter shots, but she can also jump into the passing lanes to get steals and deflections. Smalley has good ball handling skills and can make strong drives to the basket. She can finish well on both sides of the rim and she has a variety of moves that she can use down low. Watch for consistent double-doubles from Smalley this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["257280"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Filiatreau is such a valuable asset for the Banshees. She is their leading returning rebounder after averaging 6.9 rpg last season, and she's also their 2nd leading returning scorer at 13.1 ppg. She is long and she really works hard when she's on the court. Defensively, she can get stops on the ball and in help. Offensively, she is a really tough match-up. Filiatreau can finish really well around the basket, but has the ability to stretch the defense by knocking down shots. In fact, she shot 36.7% from 3 last season. She can draw fouls and consistently knocks down free throws as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["284105"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Meade is a force down low. She is a top 3 leading returning scorer for Franklin County and she is their leading returning rebounder. If you don't really work to box her out and keep her off of the boards, she can get offensive rebounds and put backs all game long. Meade's got really good size and strength, plus she keeps the ball up high, so blocking her can be a challenge. She puts herself in good positions around the basket and can catch entry passes even with 2-3 defenders around her. Meade should be the difference maker down low for the Lady Flyers this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["393701"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Ward is a match-up nightmare because of her excellent size and strength. She is nearly impossible to keep off of the boards at all times. She will fight for rebounds and when she gets them on the offensive end, she does a great job of keeping the ball up and finishing at the rim. Ward can also alter shots on the defensive end of the floor by simply getting in the paint and keeping her arms straight up. There aren't very many players that aren't phased by her 6'4u0022 frame. Ward is the Lady Generals 2nd leading scorer and rebounder going into this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["164417"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Taylor has gotten better and better every single season. Last season, she was one of the top frontcourt players in the highly talented 7th Region. She is Ballard's leading returning scorer and rebounder after averaging 15.3 ppg and 9.1 rpg as a junior. Teams would try to double team her and she would still find ways to score on them. Taylor does a great job elevating over defenders to get her shot off, but her full mid-range game and her ability to finish at the rim are also strengths in her game. Taylor is a very long and athletic player. She crashes the boards strong and can be extremely hard to keep off of the glass.  Expect Taylor to average a double-double this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-66101a8b2c55a"} /-->