Run 4 the Roses Top Class of 2026 Forwards

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of Class of 2026 forwards/posts from the state that we saw at last week's Run 4 the Roses Classic in Louisville, KY.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_9998.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722438" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='409880' first='Kennedy' last='Stowers'] (Napheesa Collier Elite 15U Olufson): The 6'2" forward from Lutheran St. Charles scored a game-high 14 points in Phee Elite's victory over Bay State Jaguars in the championship game of the Elite 40 Platinum Division. She is very fluid around the basket as she got buckets on roll downs, offensive rebounds and a few nice moves in the post. She was also very active on the defensive end with her rebounding and ability to block and challenge shots. She also received new Division I offers from Toledo and Illinois State after the tournament.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4734-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722444" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='405120' first='Lexi' last='Ringgold'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713054' first='Yanders' last='Law'] 16U): A 6'0" forward from Nixa who was very impressive at both ends of the floor with her height and versatility. She is very mobile as she moved well within the offense to knock down the elbow jumper on the move or the layup off a good cut. She also did a good job of the defensive end as she used her length and timing to block and alter shots in the lane.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_0008.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722449" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='317348' first='Nevaeh' last='Lucious'] (Napheesa Collier Elite 15U Olufson): The 6'2" forward from Cape Notre Dame was very effective around the basket as she uses her size to her advantage very well. She is a mobile young post who was setting good screens and rolling down the lane very well. She really does a good job of keeping the ball high on the catch and she finishes well off the glass. Her profile has continued to rise as she received new Division I offers from Lindenwood, Illinois State and Toledo.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/Harper-Floyd-2026-Willard.jpg?w=446" alt="" class="wp-image-635015" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Willard 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='493412' first='Harper' last='Floyd']. Photo: Robert Kelly.</figcaption></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='493412' first='Harper' last='Floyd'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713014' first='MO' last='Legacy'] 16U): A 6'0" forward from Willard who works in the low post very well. The young lefty has good moves around the basket and she does a good job on the offensive boards with good second and third efforts to get putbacks. She is also comfortable handling the ball as she will grab the defensive rebound and lead the fast break.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4844.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722454" /></figure>   Moriyah Douglass (Napheesa Collier Elite 15U Olufson): The 6'3" forward from John Burroughs continues to gain momentum and confidence with each games she plays, along with more interest and offers from Division I schools. She is a force on the defensive end with her height and great wingspan. She was challenging shots on the perimeter and causing all kinds of havoc. She was also rebounding with excellent activity. She is very skilled with the ball in her hands as she has a nice shooting touch and the ability to handle the ball and make a play off the dribble     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4486.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722701" /></figure>   Lauren Orthwerth (St. Louis Lady Gators 15U): The 6'0" forward from Cor Jesu Academy is a versatile young player with a nice combination of power inside and finesse on the perimeter. She works around the basket well with her good footwork and shooting touch around the basket. She can also catch the ball on the perimeter and attack effectively on the dribble. She is also a very active rebounder.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4611.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-716144" width="128" height="96" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='735722' first='Kara' last='Durso'] ([program_tooltip program_id='715428' first='Real' last='Dream Chasers'] 16U): A 5'10" forward from Liberty North who played with an impressive motor throughout the game that I watched her. She was attacking the basket and seeking the contact, whether she caught the ball in the low post or she was getting downhill on the dribble. She could also step out and knock down the 3-pointer from the corner. She was also very active on the defensive end.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_9814-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722797" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='722144' first='Riese' last='Grier'] (Napheesa Collier Elite 15U Oldani): A 6'0" forward from Francis Howell who has an impressive skill set in the post area. She seals defenders well and she can score on a nice drop step inside. She is also very effective when she's operating in the mid-post area where she has an excellent shooting touch. She has a nice turnaround jumper from the 10 to 12 foot area and she can also hit the same shot off the one or two dribble drive. She also runs the court well and will get a bucket in the transition game.     ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4543.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722463" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='734480' first='Ashlyn' last='Hughes'] ([program_tooltip program_id='715747' first='Team' last='Blackout'] 17U): A 5'10" forward from Hermann who was playing two years up at the 17U level and she held her own with her athleticism and high motor. On one of her first touches, she knocked down a 3-pointer off the pick and pop. She displayed her athleticism on the defensive end as she blocked a 3-pointer on the perimeter and a shot in the lane while she was on the move. She was constantly running the court and hustling for loose balls.       ******   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_0599.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722473" /></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='734458' first='McKenzie' last='McCann'] (Napheesa Collier Elite 15U Oldani): The 5'10" forward from Fort Zumwalt South is physically one of the strongest players in the class. She holds her own against taller players inside with her strength and toughness. She can post up well and get a bucket, but now her all-around skill set is starting to emerge, which will make her even more difficult to handle as she continues to develop. She can now put the ball on the floor and score on the power drive to the basket and she can step out and hit the mid-range jumper.   ******     <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4974-1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722802" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='637429' first='Alissa' last='Owens'] ([program_tooltip program_id='713014' first='MO' last='Legacy']): A 5'10" forward from Joplin who has a versatile game that is very effective. She can handle the ball on the perimeter and score on the drive and the pull up jumper on the move. She also has a nice turnaround jumper on the baseline. She also has solid moves in the low post and she will work the offensive boards to get putbacks.

Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of Class of 2026 forwards/posts from the state that we saw at last week's Run 4 the Roses Classic in Louisville, KY.