5A State Tournament Top Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>We glance at some intriguing forwards from yesterday's action at Gill at the 5A State Tournament. Juju Henderson is a pivotal piece at the forward position for a tough Springfield squad. [player_tooltip player_id='834062' first='Rylee' last='Lemen'] is an athletic three-sport athlete for toughness and prowess for Putnam. Karsen Angel is a rugged and cerebral player for South Albany. [player_tooltip player_id='834148' first='Justina' last='Semerikov'] is a forward with scoring versatility for Silverton. Ava Berguson may be a freshman, but she brings size and skills for La Salle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juju Henderson 2025 5'11” PF Springfield HS&nbsp;- the tremendous forward had a tremendous game as she contributed a 10 point, 5 rebound, 4 block effort down-low for Springfield.&nbsp; A fluid forward with superb footwork in the paint, she is a defensive anchor who has exceptional timing on her blocks.&nbsp; Look for her to have a huge tournament headed forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='834062' first='Rylee' last='Lemen'] 2023 6'0” PF Putnam HS&nbsp;- the talented volleyball/track star is also a bright spot on the hardwood.&nbsp; Lemen contributed a 13 point, 5 rebound effort as she is a rugged rebounder and defender with mid-range and low-post game.&nbsp; She gets the job done efficiently as she went four from four from the field - including a triple.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karsen Angel 2023 5'9" SG South Albany HS - the small forward had a great showing as she contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds, shooting three for five from three-point land.&nbsp; The forward is a three-level scorer who can also get into the paint for opportune scores in there as well.&nbsp; A competitor and natural defender on the other end of the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='834148' first='Justina' last='Semerikov'] 2024 5'9" SF Silverton HS - Semerikov is a hybrid forward as she has the moves and prowess around the basket, but extends her game to the three-point line.&nbsp; She has a way about her that makes her incredibly difficult to guard, playing at an off-tempo key.&nbsp; She finished with a 12 point, 3 rebound effort for Silverton as a difference maker and stout scorer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ava Berguson 2026 6'0" PF La Salle HS - the sizable and fluid forward had a productive night as she turned in a 7 point, 6 rebound effort.&nbsp; Has good size and feel for the low-post game and the awareness and footwork to go with it.&nbsp; A developing forward who already has the intangibles, look for her growth during this 5A State Tournament run for La Salle.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->