Winter Update: 2026 Power Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='462366' first='Alivia' last='Bolinger'] (2026) of Concordia Lutheran High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The holiday season means it's time for the annual Winter rankings update. As it pertains to the Class of 2026, we have expanded the overall rankings and watch list from 185 total prospects to 200 total prospects, so there will likely be a handful of new names on each position list. Below is a look at the Power Forwards in 2026, with some analysis on a few who have stood out for one reason or another since our last update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"12122","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"1286","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67867ef488a3c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928878' first='Marley' last='Jeffers'], 2026, 6-0 PF, Pike H.S.</strong><br>- Marley has really turned a corner and given the Red Devils a big boost this season. She is a fairly strong, athletic, hard-working interior player. She is an aggressive rebound who can pursue or box out. She likes to score it around the basket, but she has added a solid mid-post game as well. Pike has a really nice core of young frontline players, and she has managed to stand out most games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486530' first='Alyx' last='Kendall'], 2026, 6-1 PF, Bishop Chatard H.S.</strong><br>- Alyx has stepped into a much bigger role for the Trojans this year, and I feel like she has always flashed great potential and feel. She has good size, she's a solid all-around athlete, but she is also highly skilled. She can post smaller defenders inside, she can knock down jump-shots to as deep as the 3-point line, plus she can handle it a little and initiate the offense. She could have a big Spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492324' first='Madalynn' last='Shirley'], 2026, 6-1 PF, Evansville Central H.S.</strong><br>- Maddy is having a tremendous season, averaging 25.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.7 blocked shots per game, while helping Central to a 14-3 record so far. I've said it before, but she is one of the most skilled forwards in the state. She has the height and length to battle inside, but she also has the touch to screen &amp; pop around the perimeter. She also plays with a great motor and a high basketball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='773844' first='Trinity' last='Taylor'], 2026, 5-11 PF, Heritage Christian H.S.</strong><br>- Trinity is off to a great start this year, especially at the defensive end of the floor. She is averaging 7.2 points per game, but she's also contributing a team-leading 13.2 rebounds per game. She has a nose for the ball, she works hard and is willing to be physical, but she can also use her length, bounce, and all-around athletic ability to collect caroms or defend different types of players all over the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486503' first='Melaney' last='Williams'], 2026, 6-0 PF, Merrillville H.S.</strong><br>- I hadn't seen Melaney since her Freshman season, and she has done a nice job of working on her all-around game. She is extremely long &amp; wiry, but fluidly athletic and somewhat bouncy. She is best in the mid-post where she can knock down the 15-footer or attack the basket off the bounce, but she has started to become more comfortable around the perimeter, and she can defend out on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->