Under the Radar Small Forwards Making an Impact

As teams look ahead to sub-state tournaments a number of small forwards, whom many observers do not know much about, have carved out impactful roles. Take a look a several listed below who deserve some attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='453776' first='Tyara' last='Davis'], 5'10", Blue Valley North, 2024 - A physical and quick player, Davis can get up to block shots and to finish against contact. Athletic with size and length, she has solid north-south speed.   [player_tooltip player_id='298586' first='Alexis' last='Dukes'], 5'8", McPherson, 2023 - Dukes is among the quietest players I have ever watched. And not just because she is soft-spoken. Her game does not draw a great deal of attention from defenders. Which usually ends up coming back to haunt them. She is a key player due to her physical stature and ability to handle and shoot. She also defends with quickness and provides good help on defensive rotations. Dukes deserves to be playing at the next level, I just would like to see her be more consistently willful on the offensive side of the ball. A very good team player who does a great deal of little things like sneak in for offensive rebounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='532208' first='Ma'Khiyah' last='Jones'], 5'8", Wichita Southeast, 2024 - Jones is not a player easily overlooked on the floor. She makes a great deal of noise without saying a word. I really like her build, strength, athleticism, quickness and scoring ability. She finds ways to put the ball in the hole but also makes the quick, catchable pass to gather a pile of assists. While not a focus of opponents' perimeter shooter attentions, she shoots well enough to enable her to take advantage of defensive openings to drive or make entry passes. On the other end she uses her strength, quickness, and build well. The Buffaloes like to run and she is a key cog in getting the running game started.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Ashlyn-Lembright-2024-Dodge-City.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-596091" width="106" height="111" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dodge City 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='192830' first='Ashlyn' last='Lembright']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='192830' first='Ashlyn' last='Lembright'], 5'11", Dodge City, 2024 - Quick and athletic, the lanky Lembright has very good handles and feet. She transitions well, works well at the high post or block with smart pivot moves, and is a consistent three point shooting threat. Could be a very solid stretch four at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='456522' first='Jadyn' last='Mangan'], 5'10", Greeley County, 2025 - Mangan is a solid outside shooter with length who will also exploit gaps in defenses to get to the basket. A high ceiling of potential warrants eyes being kept on her as her games grows. I am a fan of quick feet and Mangan makes use of hers to get a step and to take off from a rebound to go end-to-end.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/Jayla-McLeod-2024-McPherson.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-596072" width="106" height="111" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McPherson 2024 Jayla McLeod. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   Jayla McLeod, 5'9", McPherson, 2024 - McLeod got the start against Hays Tuesday night, a first for me to see. She played the four defensively but most of the time was found at the three on the offensive end. Her hops and quick timing were impactful as she blocked or challenged shots, tipped away rebounds so she or a teammate could get them, or just out-jumped everyone to grab the board. With good speed and length, she is a swiftly improving player for the Bullpups.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/Adyson-Scott-2023-Stanton-County-SSA-Gameball-Basketball.jpg?w=419" alt="" class="wp-image-409673" width="105" height="109" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stanton County 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='191486' first='Adyson' last='Scott']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='191486' first='Adyson' last='Scott'], 5'11", Stanton County, 2023 - Scott can play positions three through five but is strong stretch four possibility at the next level. A legitimate perimeter shooter, she uses good ball fakes to quickly get to the hoop and finish. Scott has a good build to go with length and transition speed. Her size enables her to turn rebounds and turnovers into transition buckets quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='450353' first='Kaylee' last='Walt'], 5'8", Trego Community, 2023 - Walt is a "do anything and everything" player for the Golden Eagles. Her importance to the team shows up on both ends of the floor. Often she draws the toughest defensive assignment. Coach Shelby Crawford describes her as the team's strongest finisher and says she has improved her perimeter shot. While only having taken 21 three points shots, shooting 47% shows just how much. Walt also hits her free throws at a 74% clip.   [player_tooltip player_id='192784' first='Shea' last='Wurtz'], 5'9", Clifton-Clyde, 2024 - the two-time KBCA 1A Div I honorable mention selection is having another strong season for the 14-4 Eagles. Currently putting up 12.7 points per game and pulling down 6.8 rebounds, she is also generating 2.5 steals. Wurtz is quick, aggressive, athletic, and defensively disruptive. She makes good use of power dribbles on the block, jumps to the ball on rebounds, keeps the ball high and goes right back up. Because she runs well Wurtz is able to finish on the fly, spot up on a kick out for a quick release shot, and get on the glass in transition. I like her ability to gather the ugly points the team needs to be successful.

As teams look ahead to sub-state tournaments a number of small forwards, whom many observers do not know much about, have carved out impactful roles. Take a look a several listed below who deserve some attention.