Season Preview: 2027 Forwards to Watch

The opening tip-off of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season is drawing ever so closer and one can count on Prep Girls Hoops to provide the most in-depth, comprehensive coverage there is.    That coverage has began in earnest with our season preview articles that are taking a look at notable players to keep in one's forefront as the season unfolds. After spotlighting standout seniors and juniors, we have since turned our attention to the state's sophomore class.    We began this emphasis on 2027s by looking at guards. Without further ado, our focus now shifts to threes and fours from the same class.    The 5-foot-7 small forward out of 4A North Meck defines what it means to be a versatile player. One can insert knox into a variety of spots on the court – either as a three or as either a one or a two guard which also means she can give a team productive minutes as a wing. Knox displayed in her freshman season that she can get a team into the win column more often than not. In the 29 games she competed in last season, she averaged a total of 7.9 points, 5.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and three steals a contest. Knox's Vikings compiled a record of 23-6 last season along with a 12-3 mark in the 3A/4A Queen City Conference.     From one school with “North” in its name to another. Steven Phillips has been head coach at 2A North Wilkes since 2014. He's had plenty of successful years leading the Vikings – and last season was one of them. Thanks in large part to Bare, North Wilkes finished the 2023-24 season with a record of 24-6. Bare is a two-sport athlete who also competes in volleyball alongside what she does in terms of basketball. She also put together one of the signature freshman seasons throughout the Hoop State. Bare took to the court in 30 games and averaged 14.4 rebounds, 12.5 points, 2.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. She puts that 6-foot-2 height advantage to good use every time her sneakers make contact with the hardwood.     Game ready means James ready at 4A Olympic. She arrived on the scene last season with the Trojans and posted some impressive numbers. James averaged a double-double of 12.2 rebounds and 11.7 points in 2023-24. Add on the fact that she also averaged 2.2 blocks per contest and one can see why James was one of the premier frontcourt freshmen of last season. Said 2023-24 season resulted in another 14-win showing from Olympic. The fact that she also had the highest field goal percentage on the team displays her ability to accurate connect on her high-percentage shot opportunities. What makes this year's Trojans rendition particulary dangerous was how it compiled 14 wins on a roster with only three seniors and/or juniors.     Harrington proved herself to be a valuable piece in what was a winning formula last season for 3A Terry Sanford. In 2023-24, Harrington helped get the Bulldogs to the state championship game against West Rowan. She took to the court in 32 games last season and posted averages of 8.3 points and 7.4 rebounds. While she primarily operates at the three, one can also place Harrington at the power forward position and she will still give a team worthwhile minutes. Her length combined with her height also make her very likely to successfully block an opponent's shot, she has no problems collecting steals and also will play effective defense on the perimeter. Harrington showcased last year that she is just getting started.

The opening tip-off of the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season is drawing ever so closer and one can count on Prep Girls Hoops to provide the most in-depth, comprehensive coverage there is.