Spring Review: 2027 Power Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last month, we updated our rankings in each of the four graduating classes currently in high school. With the Spring grassroots season in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to press 'pause', go back, and look at the Power Forwards in the Class of 2027 who we currently have ranked. Below that is a little analysis on a handful of them as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2027","_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-6807864588b99"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='612077' first='Audrey' last='Burton'], 2027, 6-1 PF/SF, Bloomington H.S. North</strong><br>- The 2027 group of forwards seems to be very skilled and versatile, and Audrey falls right in line with that. She has good height, she might still be growing, plus she's extremely long &amp; wiry, fairly fluid athletically, and she has good all-around skill. She can handle it in transition, initiate the offense, knock down a rhythm 3-pointer, plus she's very good in the mid-post and short corners. She can rebound and defend the interior with her size, and she's solid in ball screen defense. Her all-around versatility stands out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137319' first='Layla' last='Gomez'], 2027, 5-11 PF, Southmont H.S.</strong><br>- Layla is another inside-out forward who does a nice job of utilizing all of her tools each game. She is strong and willing to be physical inside, where she rebounds, defends, and posts up smaller opponents. She also has a great mid-post game offensively, because she can hit the 15-footer or attack from the elbows. But she's also comfortable handling the ball, and she likes to make plays for others off the dribble, whether that is in transition or in half-court offense. If she adds a consistent 3-point shot, watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751050' first='Chesney' last='Jackson'], 2027, 6-0 PF, Charlestown H.S.</strong><br>- Chesney's Freshman year, she kind of snuck up on opponents each game. As a Sophomore, she was hounded every night, and she was a double-double machine, averaging 13.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. She is strong and physical inside the arc, where she can dominate at times, but I also think she does a nice job of catching defenders off-guard with her athleticism. Whether she's in the mid-post or floating outside, she likes to break down slower defenders and attack the basket off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137332' first='Ava' last='Punak'], 2027, 5-11 PF/SF, Crown Point H.S.</strong><br>- Ava really stepped up in 2024-2025. After seeing limited minutes in 6 games as a Freshman, she started as a Sophomore and brought a great deal of energy and some toughness/physicality to the lineup. She doesn't mind being rugged and aggressive from the mid-post on offense or attacking the glass and defending with an edge. At the same time, she looks like a solid athlete who is trying to develop her perimeter skill by handling it more in transition, creating a little off the dribble, and shooting it outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->