Standout Forwards at Splash and National Championship

Hunter Keith July 30, 2023 @ 02:58 PM

In this article we look at some of the top performers at the forward position. These players showed the versatility to play in the paint, play in transition, and also shoot the midrange to long range jumper when on the perimeter or freethrow line.   [player_tooltip player_id='331713' first='Nia' last='Blocton'] and who was just a force during the tournament Her ability to Battle in the paint was impressive Her last performance against a 6'5 center Midwest EYBL team was as good as it gets. She got her shot blocked a few times but Blocton just kept on coming. Blocton was special all week long with her ability to protect the wall on defense and get buckets on offense. Other areas where she performed well: During press break, her ability to catch the ball in traffic and attack afterwards made teams think twice about pressing. She also brought the ball down the court during press breaks and after rebounds. Offensively, the offense ran through Blocton at the freethrow line and she made some nice passes to her forwards on the opposite side of the paint and kickouts to the guards for the three.   [player_tooltip player_id='349386' first='LeighAnn' last='Hanley'] was a standout during the live period in Orlando.  Her team had a  very good run and Hanley was a big reason why.  Hanley  has the soft hands and sweet footwork and can score the ball anywhere in the paint.   She also rebounded  well.  Everytime Hanley  steps on the floor she is a candidate for a double double.    [player_tooltip player_id='370059' first='Nacoya' last='Blocton'] balled during the Orlando Live tournaments and continued to solidify herself as one on the best forwards in the 2025 class. Blocton was a force on offense, scoring in the paint off of cuts, post ups, drives, and offensive rebounds. What she demonstrated during Splash and Nationals was her ability to shoot the three at an efficient rate. She was not just out there throwing up threes. She is a legitimate three point shooters and one of the best stretch fours in the State.   [player_tooltip player_id='397732' first='Zahariah' last='Jones'] has been impressive all summer long and " the beat went on" at Splash and Nationals. Her length, speed, athleticism, and her ability to put the ball in the basket from all three levels stands out above many. In one sequence Jones connected on a three from the top of the key, and then a few plays later she used her quickness to get a steal. After the steal, Jones took it Coast to Coast like a guard and passed it to a teammate in stride for a layup. Jones also mixed it up on the inside. She was a versatile forward who stood out.   [player_tooltip player_id='346854' first='Jolena' last='Gardner'] had some plays at Forward that showed her talent. From handling the ball, shooting the three, and scoring in the paint. She is one of the most versatile forwards in the 2025 class. Gardner played well on the perimeter and defended positions two and three on the perimeter and was physical enought to mix it up with the fours in the paint. Her ball handling skills made it impossible for teams to press. She found her self going one on one in transition and she won a lot of those battles.   [player_tooltip player_id='515067' first='Makala' last='DesJarlais'] was really a power force during the live period in Orlando. In one of the most competitive games of the entire tournament, she brought the "blue heat". The notes about her play: 1. Nice left hand drive and finish with the left hand; 2. Great basketball IQ - nice back door cut for the catch and score when her man turned her back; 3. Tough drive and finsh with authority. 4. Great rebound! The opponents arm might be attached to the ball. DesJarlais was a force in the paint on both ends of the court. She is a special player and was a standout during Splash and National Championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='731082' first='Jade' last='King'] played well at Splash and National Championship and left a lasting impression. She rebounds well on both ends of the court. King played outside of the painted area and moved the ball well and also could drive to the rim. King was powerful on the inside and scored buckets with authority, and she also got to the freethrow line often.

In this article we look at some of the top performers at the forward position. These players showed the versatility to play in the paint, play in transition, and also shoot the midrange to long range jumper when on the perimeter or freethrow line.