Talented Forwards in Loaded Midland Empire Conference

The Midland Empire Conference is the home of some of the best teams in the state.   There are four MEC teams that are currently ranked in the Top 10 in the latest Missouri Basketball Coaches Association state poll.     Here is a look at some of the top forwards and posts who have been making it happen in the MEC.   [player_tooltip player_id='716772' first='Klarabelle' last='Turner'] (Benton): A 6'0" 2028 forward who has a unique match-up problem with her skill set. The young lefty is a physical post player who uses her strength to establish position and score in the paint with a nice touch. She also steps outside to knock down 3-pointers with a feathery touch from beyond the arc. She is ideal in the pick-and-pop. She also runs the court well to establish a quick seal in the low post for early offense.     [player_tooltip player_id='905461' first='Laniya' last='Carriger'] (Lafayette): A 6'4" 2027 forward who is one of the best shot blockers in the state. Her length and excellent timing enable her to block shots without fouling. Her offensive game continues to emerge with each season. She is a strong threat to score in the low post with her ability to catch the ball and keep it high. She also makes 3-pointers off the catch. She will also get transition buckets off some impressive rim-runs. She can also pass it well in the high-low set.     [player_tooltip player_id='982940' first='Lyla' last='Beetsma'] (Chillicothe): A 6'0" 2026 forward who has good length and a versatile skill set on offense. She is a good ball handler who can score on slashing drives in the basket. She can also stretch the defense with her 3-point shooting ability. She can also score around the basket with a nice touch. She is very mobile with her ability to run the court. She can be disruptive on defense at the top of the full court press.     Emery Omem (Lafayette): A 5'9" 2027 forward who is physically one of the strongest players in the NWMO area. She is a excellent rebounder at both ends of the court. She does a good job of establishing her position inside and holding it. She is good at going through contact and she doesn't mind initiating that contact. She is also a willing and good screener to get her teammates open.     [player_tooltip player_id='862885' first='Lydia' last='Bonderer'] (Chillicothe): A 5'10" 2027 forward who has good athleticism and fundamentals. She is a capable ball handler and passer who you can run offense through. She can score on the straight line drive and she can hit the floater in the lane. She operates well in the high post area against a zone defense.     [player_tooltip player_id='905266' first='Jalynn' last='Brown'] (Benton): A 5'11" 2027 forward who is an excellent two-way player who contributes to winning with her versatility. She is a ball hawk on the defensive end with her length and tenacity. She also uses her footwork to steal entry passes into the low post. On offense, she can score with either hand in the lane and she can knock down open 3-pointers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1235654' first='Ambi' last='Jones'] (Savannah): A 6'0" 2026 forward who excels as a low post threat on a team full of talented guards. She catches the ball well on the move to score inside with either hand. She has good fundamentals to keep the ball high when she finishes inside. She is very mobile as she runs the court with relative ease.     [player_tooltip player_id='849010' first='Isabel' last='Robinson'] (Cameron): The 5'10 2027 forward is one of the most skilled offensive players in the country. She can handle herself around the basket and she also excels on the perimeter. She can put it on the floor and drive it well and also shoot it from 3-point range. She can also create off the dribble to get her own shot.     Claire Walter (Maryville): A 5'9" 2027 forward who really plays an excellent all-around offensive game. She was running the court and getting layups in transition. She was getting putbacks on the offensive boards with her good work ethic. She has a nice jump hook in the lane over the left shoulder and she can also dial it up from 3-point range. In the game I watched her, she came off the bench, but she started making things happen immediately when she stepped on the floor.     [player_tooltip player_id='899819' first='Jenna' last='Cox'] (Benton): A 5'11" 2028 forward who contributes to a winning effort with her ability to impact play in a variety of ways. She is a good rebounder and defensive player with her length and athleticism. She is a good ball handler who can also shoot it from 3-point range. She also rebounds the ball very well.     [player_tooltip player_id='1117286' first='Katana' last='Bingham'] (Lafayette): A 5'8" wing player who plays a good all-purpose game with limited mistakes. She is a good secondary ball handler who can shoot it from 3-point range. She is a solid rebounder who will get out of her area with good hustle.   Abby Koelzer (Lafayette): A 5'10" 2028 forward who comes off the bench to provide quality minutes for the Irish. What I like is that she looks to block out somebody whenever the shot goes up. She is a good interior passer who dropped a few nice dimes. She also has a good physical presence on the defensive end. She has a bright future.

The Midland Empire Conference is the home of some of the best teams in the state.