Southern Arizona Breakout Forwards Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are now in post season play and what a regular season it was. After attending many games and viewing many streams I'd like to cover some of the top break out forwards in the Southern Arizona Girls Basketball scene. These will include the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1245898"],"_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-699b71c227345"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alfaro might've been the most intriguing 2027 prospect who broke out this season. She had a huge leap from last year and has established herself as one of the top 2027 forwards in Southern Arizona. She was a huge reason the Dorados found themselves with a post season opportunity. Alfaro was dominant in the post all season especially on the defensive side. She ranked seventh in the state with 3.2 blocks per game. She added 8.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game as well. Alfaro had 7 double doubles this season with season best 17 points and 11 reounds against Vista Grande. She has tremendous post footwork and is a very disciplined defender. She finished the season with first team all region honors. Alfaro is still making a name for herself and I expect college coaches to take notice of her very soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196468"],"_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-699b71c2273aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Verdugo had herself a great year. She found herself getting first team all region honors in a very tough region. A player who absolutely hustles on the court. She lead her team in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounds, and free throw percentage. Verdugos numbers were 13.8 points, 1.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game. Her toughness and ability to get to the rim through contact allowed her to be ranked seventh in the state in free throws made with 105 made. Verdugo has a very strong motor and is a very impactful player. I expect a strong off-season and an upcoming senior season that should grab a lot of attention from college coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196508"],"_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-699b71c2273f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Espinoza has proved this season what I had previewed at the beginning of the season. That she is one of if not the top forward prospect in Southern Arizona. She impacts the game at an elite level on both sides of the ball. She was voted to first team all region including Defensive Player of the Year. She put up impressive numbers this season. Espinoza's 23 double doubles was the most in the state and ranked top 25 nationally. Her 15.6 rebounds per game was ranked third in the state and 60th in the nation. She racked up a combined 54 rebounds in both region match ups against Nogales including a season high 30 rebounds in their regular season finale. Espinoza will be a highly sought after player and is one of my Southern Arizona Player of the Year finalists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936853"],"_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-699b71c22743c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hampton was on a mission in her sophomore season that saw her win the 4A Kino Offensive Player of the Year award. She averages 17.9 points, 1.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. She racked up 11 double doubles on the season. What stood out about Hampton to me was that her game was consistent all season. She played at a high level and the tougher the completion got Serenity was right there battling. Very strong motor and a very physical player. Has incredible shooting range and can dribble like a lead guard. Very difficult to compete with in the post. Already receiving division 1 interest expect the next couple years of her high school career to be something to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1774215,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sadie McRae","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Marana High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699bb2589d153"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The freshman has burst on to the scene this season and has made herself known. McRae has been very fun to watch play and grow in the sport this season. She plays a physical game and is an exceptional rebounder. She moves with purpose and is very effective. Her season averages this season were 4.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. What's impressive is McRae is averaging just under 9 rebounds per game with very limited playing time. I attended Maranas match up with Tucson High where I saw her grab 9 rebounds in 13 minutes of playing time. In her second match up against the Badgers she had double the playing time (23 min) and finished with 12 points and 20 rebounds. She had ten games this season where she had 10+ rebounds. McRae is just getting started and the sky is the limit with her potential. Big things ahead for the Tigers if this is just the surface we are seeing from Sadie. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1774222,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brooke Sanburn","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pusch Ridge Christian Academy ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699bb2589d1f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanburn was a vital piece for the Lions this season. Her rebounding ability was great, she showed high level post footwork and she absolutely hustles. She is very disciplined on defense and plays with a lot of confidence. Sanburn is very active on both sides of the ball. Her season totals were 6.3 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. In my viewings of Sanburn she has elevated her game everytime. A very "under the radar" player but she can flat out play. Expect to hear her name a lot in her upcoming senior year and to raise in the 2027 rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196451"],"_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-699cc58aa5b6f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Safo had an incredible season where she continues to prove shes right up there with the best in the class of 2027. Her handling and footwork has dramatically improved in the last year. Her season averages were 16.6 points, 3.7 assists, 9.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Safo had 14 double doubles this season which ranks her 13th in the state. Shes a hustler and can space out the floor. Shes quick to find a weakness in the defense and exploit it. Attacks the basket very well and the physicality of the game doesn't phase her. Very high IQ on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1317653"],"_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-699cc58aa5bc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wood has stood out in her limited playing time for the Thunderbolts. Her best game of the season came against a tough Walden Grove team where she finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. I've had the chance to see Taryn not only in games this season but also in workouts and training sessions and she has been impressive to say the least. She has a very strong motor and is a physical player. She has the ability to space the floor and shoot the three ball. Her season averages were 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Expect a huge off-season from wood and some very heavy minutes in the 2026/2027 season where she'll have a breakout year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->