Straight Forward - Notes from the Front Court at the FABC

There was some special frontcourt action at the FABC Showcase. Some forwards excelled on the wing, others thrived in transition, dominated the glass, or showcased a smooth shooting touch from the perimeter. Whether operating at the three, four, or five position, these players made their presence felt and made significant contributions for their teams. In this article, we take a "straightforward" look at some of the frontcourt standouts who turned heads with their play.    [player_tooltip player_id='221598' first='Trinity' last='Berry'] showed why she is such a difficult matchup. Berry did a good job of playing the two and the three, and what really stood out on day one was her effectiveness in the paint. She impacted the game from the perimeter and scored inside with the midrange game. Berry used her strength, size, and patience to get into the paint, finishing plays and scoring efficiently around the basket. In another contest, she showcased her perimeter game by knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Berry never appeared rushed and did not force the action. Instead, she allowed the game to come to her, consistently finding quality scoring opportunities. Also noticeable was the leadership she displayed on the court and the chemistry she had with her new teammates. Everybody "ate," and at the same time, it was clear that Berry was option number one. That recipe could land Berry and company a seat at the State Championship table.      ,    [player_tooltip player_id='1871589' first='Jade' last='Geolier'] was one of the most impressive athletes in the building. Her explosiveness and vertical leap allowed her to play much bigger than her size, making a major impact around the basket. She rebounded exceptionally well, attacked the boards on both ends, and used her athleticism to secure rebounds in traffic. Offensively, she ran the floor hard in transition, attacked the basket with confidence, and embraced a physical style of play while finishing through contact. She also showed the ability to knock down a mid-range jumper, adding another dimension to her game. Defensively, she was active and competitive, using her quickness and athleticism to make plays. Overall, her motor, toughness, and ability to affect the game in multiple ways made her one of the top performers at the event and certainly one of the most athletic players in the gym.       [player_tooltip player_id=‘1223178' first=‘Aubrey' last=‘Griffin'] was one of the most versatile forwards in the building. Combining size, strength, mobility, and skill, Griffin impacted the game in multiple ways. She handled the ball well, knocked down turnaround jumpers, attacked off the dribble, scored through contact, and displayed excellent footwork throughout the day. Her all-around skill set made her one of the top frontcourt performers in the gym.     Gabriel Webber's name surfaced before I could even walk into the gym. A college coach was already talking about the young forward from Eastside before I could settle in. I made a beeline for her game, and the young forward did not disappoint. Webber is a quality young prospect with a confident, rhythmic jump shot that she takes without hesitation. She does an excellent job shooting off the catch and shoots the three at a high rate of efficiency. Her ability to space the floor and consistently knock down shots makes her a valuable offensive weapon and one of the more intriguing young prospects in the front court     [player_tooltip player_id='1223182' first='Saleigh' last='Simpson'] brings a combination of energy, versatility, and competitiveness to the power forward position. Constantly in motion, she puts pressure on opponents all over the floor. Her smooth midrange game, ability to attack the paint, and athleticism stand out immediately. Simpson runs the floor with purpose, creating opportunities in transition and in the half-court. Defensively, she matches her offensive intensity, consistently hustling for loose balls and making winning plays. If there is a 50-50 ball on the floor, there's a good chance Simpson is diving after it. Her talent alone makes her a prospect to watch, but when combined with her relentless effort and motor, it makes for a talented college prospect. Simpson is firmly on the radar, and her performance at the FABC has had coaches talking.     [player_tooltip player_id='1871607' first='Leah' last='Brooks'] started off her high school career looking like a talented, but confused Freshman in the paint. Twenty-four hours later, she is going toe to toe with one of the most talented teams in the building and not even flinching. Clarity and confidence are the two things that showed up after the sun went down and rose again. In the fourth quarter, the young forward scored 4 critical points in a pressure cooker and looked composed doing so. Brooks brings a solid frame and a shooter's touch to the court. She rebounds well and does a good job of getting the ball to her guards on the outlet, including her big sister [player_tooltip player_id='741323' first='Nylah' last='Brooks']. The young "Fresh" and company dropped that contest but may have gained a lot more in the process. No one is removing the void left by Francis in the middle, but that is the goal at Booker, and with her family pedigree, [player_tooltip player_id='1871607' first='Leah' last='Brooks'] is used to the expectations. On Day Two of the FABC, Brooks took some baby steps in that direction, and the sun will rise again.

There was some special frontcourt action at the FABC Showcase. Some forwards excelled on the wing, others thrived in transition, dominated the glass, or showcased a smooth shooting touch from the perimeter. Whether operating at the three, four, or five position, these players made their presence felt and made significant contributions for their teams. In this article, we take a "straightforward" look at some of the frontcourt standouts who turned heads with their play.