Winter Rankings Update: 2028 Power Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size"><em>The featured image is of [player_tooltip player_id='933384' first='Leah' last='Werth'] (2028) from Homestead High School.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Thursday morning, Prep Girls Hoops Indiana posted the Winter update for the Class of 2028. Typically accompanying updates are articles highlighting players on the move, newcomers, and just all-around general information regarding each position group. Below is a look at the top power forwards in the state of Indiana, followed by some commentary on a handful of prospects who have played well since the Fall update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_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-69797fccf318c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><font color="FFFFFF">.</font></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='1144653' first='Amaya' last='St. Hilaire'], West Lafayette H.S.</font></strong><br>- Amaya is one of those prospects you want to follow month to month, year to year. She has so much upside, and while she's continuing to grow and get stronger, she does have a solid skill base as well. She is extremely long, fluidly athletic, and somewhat bouncy, plus she can play at all three levels. She is best attacking the basket from the mid-post, but she can use her height around the block, and she is working to make her jumper consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='933384' first='Leah' last='Werth'], Homestead H.S.</font></strong><br>- When I first saw Leah during the Summer entering her Freshman year, I could tell she would be a really nice asset for the Spartans, however, she has gone above &amp; beyond to develop her skillset, and she has become effective around the perimeter very quickly. She is a nice all-around athlete, and she has transitioned from being a low-block and mid-post player to becoming more of a face-up '4' around the perimeter. She has a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='1144623' first='Rachel' last='Bonde'], Trinity Lutheran H.S.</font></strong><br>- Rachel is still under the radar, which is rare to say about someone 6-2 and athletic. But she isn't a big-time grassroots participant, and she's also a talented volleyball prospect, so it makes a little more sense. At the same time, on the hardwood, Rachel is long, bouncy, and active, and she's not a post. She is averaging a near double-double of 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this year, and she's a solid 56% from the field and 67% from the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='1678149' first='Kariya' last='Byer'], Mishawaka Marian H.S.</font></strong><br>- Kariya is another really nice "sleeper" in the 2028 class, but she has been a monster this season, averaging 17.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game for the Lady Knights. I am anxious to see her this Spring on the grassroots circuit. She is strong, long, and athletic in all directions. She plays with a really nice motor, she can defend multiple positions, and she is a relentless rebounder who chases down boards outside of her area. Keep an eye out for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><font size="+1">[player_tooltip player_id='1678161' first='Maggie' last='Jelinek'], Batesville H.S.</font></strong><br>- I am much less familiar with Maggie than the others on this list, and she is a new addition this time around, but after playing in just 4 games as a Freshman, she has been one of Batesville's most impactful players this season, averaging 11.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Maggie is a solid all-around athlete, she has some length, and she possesses some strength and doesn't mind a little contact. If she adds perimeter skill, watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->