2025 Preview: Notable Colorado Springs Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These forwards and bigger guards have shown value on the defensive side, capable of holding their own versus multiple positions. Equally capable of being efficient offensive players within the offensive flow, these prospects are gaining notability of late.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='612843' first='Tatyonna' last='Brown'] - Air Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown will be another major influence on Air Academy's success this coming season, proving especially effective on the defensive end. Bringing a wide reach and great anticipation on the help side, there are few forwards in the 2025 class who bring her rim protection and further upside. Brown continues to refine her post game, an area of intrigue throughout the coming years. Gaining progress on hooks and fakes, the forward has potential to be one of the premier post playmakers in the class. Given her long strides and wide reach, the forward creates space so much easier than the vast majority of frontcourt prospects in the state. Announcing offers from Northern Colorado back in July and Eastern Washington in September, there is no doubt that the forward's best has yet to come.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='374159' first='Lydia' last='Flowers'] - Air Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flowers has excelled throughout the last eight months, stepping up her playmaking abilities while remaining a dynamic offensive option. Effective spacing the floor off of the catch, the forward brings good size to shoot over an incoming contest. If able to get downhill with a pump fake, Flowers is steady, keeping her eyes up to read the defense. Her growth as a downhill playmaker has continued to help Air Academy and her play throughout summer showcase events. Active finding teammates out of her pivot, the forward is effective at handling pressure from opponents. Alongside this, Flowers has been a consistent rebounder, effective at getting into position early to box out opponents.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kassiah Ducworth - Mesa Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ducworth has played a vital role for Mesa Ridge's interior defense, constantly active to block shots from opposing drivers. The 6' forward will be an intriguing defender to track, given her quick instincts on help defense and wide reach on shot contests. Ducworth also proved active grabbing rebounds on either end, especially mobile at her position. Through her previous season with Mesa Ridge, Ducworth has put up 10 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. There is a chance Ducworth is among the leading rim protectors in the Colorado Springs region, certainly among juniors.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='329349' first='Taylor' last='Peterson'] - Palmer Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peterson maximizes the opportunities at hand, often finding holes in the defense to score. Effective flowing off of pindowns or curls, the guard does great attacking downhill with momentum, effective finishing with either hand. Another area of value has been their effectiveness attacking closeouts, quickly attacking the paint to put pressure on the opponents. The combo guard can mold into a variety of lineups, bringing an efficient playstyle. Palmer Ridge looks to remain dominant with a new look group, following departures of multiple key seniors. Peterson's rebounding will be a crucial role in Palmer Ridge's defensive valuation, among the most impactful prospects returning to their group.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->