Positional Breakdown: The Top Centers in the 2026 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Associated with the latest rankings update, the 'Positional Breakdown' series is an in-depth look at players who occupy a specific position. In regard to the updated rankings, factors include the 'eye-test' and career stats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to the Center position, the responsibilities that they are bestowed has gradually changed over time. The reason being the game is more perimeter based. That said, solid interior play is still crucial to a teams overall success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the top seven Centers in the 2026 Class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Player</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Overall Class Rank</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648196' first='Adeline' last='Spratley']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">4</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648197' first='Savannah' last='Combs']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">25</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1221581' first='Macy' last='Cline']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">29</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1259114' first='Tyra' last='Horner']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">43</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648231' first='Abigail' last='Shouse']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">44</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1056571' first='Natalie' last='Hardwick']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">49</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='648230' first='Violet' last='Gordeau']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">50</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a07e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To date, Spratley is one of six players to have surpassed 1000 career points in the 2026 Class, regardless of position. Additionally, the versatile six-footer is a Two-Time All-State Selection with 457 rebounds and 145 steals in 82 games played for the Chargers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648197"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a0ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although Combs has missed each of the last two seasons, she is still viewed by many as the Center with the highest up-side. The reasons as to why Combs hasn't played since the 2022-23 season -- her freshman year -- is because she first transferred to Albuquerque High from Highland during her sophomore year, then sustained a knee injury as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevertheless, Combs is a 6'2" interior force that happens to have the fifth most Double-Doubles among all 2026 Centers with four total, despite playing in just 30 career games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221581"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a169"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cline is a budding One-Time All-State Selection who helped the Wolverines reach the 2A <em>Round of 16</em> this past season as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cline's energy is contagious and her poise in close-games, has really stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1259114"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a1ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Horner is one of the most experienced players in the entire 2026 Class with 100 games played under her belt. Overall, the 'veteran' front-court player has 615 points, 459 rebounds and 147 steals for the Dons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648231"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a269"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shouse is a towering presence, standing every bit of 6'5", whose overall interior play has steadily improved. This has resulted in Shouse becoming an important rotation piece for the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, Shouse has totaled 345 points, 343 rebounds and 88 blocks, logging six Double-Doubles in 62 games played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1056571"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a2e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardwich has quickly solidified herself as one of the better rebounders in the State. In just 50 games played for the Rockets, Hardwick has collected 465 rebounds, the most among all centers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The high rebounding output is in addition to her scoring 260 points and recording 67 blocks. Additionally, Hardwick has five Double-Doubles, the fourth most at the Center position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648230"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6855a2f62a361"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For her career, Gordeau has shot 47 percent from the field overall, which has her tied for the lead among all Centers in the 2026 Class. (minimum 40 games played)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In 67 games played, Gordeau has 331 points and 439 rebounds for the Knights, all coming essentially as a tertiary option at times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Statistics via MaxPreps*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Player statistics are dependent upon by the Coach/Staff of the attended high school to be accurately entered*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GLOSSARY</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PTS:</strong>&nbsp;Points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PPG:</strong>&nbsp;Points Per Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FG%:&nbsp;</strong>Field-Goal Percentage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3PM:</strong>&nbsp;Three-Pointers Made</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STL:</strong>&nbsp;Steals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SPG:</strong>&nbsp;Steals Per Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BLK:</strong> Blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DD: </strong>Double-Doubles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->