9 Forwards Who Were Added to the Final Class of 2021 Rankings

Robert Kelly March 16, 2021 @ 10:00 AM

The final rankings update for the 2021 class was released earlier this month. The final number of ranked players was 258, reached after 22 new players were added. Below is a alphabetical list of the nine forwards, inclusive of one true center, included in the additions. [player_tooltip player_id="256497" first="Brooke" last="Berlin"], 6’2", C, Clearwater - Berlin’s game has grown substantially in the past year. Her length is obvious but what also quickly stands out is her hands, how quickly she catches and releases, and a quickness with the ball in the half court. She also has good transition speed and can score around the rim with contact.   [player_tooltip player_id="256716" first="Ames" last="Burton"], 5’8", PF, Riley County - Burton was a Mid-East League first team selection in 2020. She played on the perimeter as well as inside and has a hard-nosed mentality. Burton plays good defense and can rebound and score second chance shots around the basket. She also gets up the floor well and gets back quickly on defense to protect the basket. In the backfield player who plays larger than her listed height.   [player_tooltip player_id="256720" first="Kaylie" last="Combs"], 5’10", PF, Fairfield - Some has solid size, handles to create in the half-court, and the ability to finish off the drive.   [player_tooltip player_id="256444" first="Courtney" last="Forte"], 5’9", SF, Minneapolis - While Forte did not shoot well from the line this season she brought a great deal to the table. She e<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Elevates well on rebounds. Takes care of the ball in the back court. Good interior looks on offense. Long enough to deny inside. Solid transition speed. Poor free throw shooter (2/6) but 8 rbs, 3 S, 2A, 6 TOs vs. Valley Heights."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":4609,"3":{"1":0},"12":0,"15":"Verdana"}">levates well on rebounds, takes care of the ball in the back court, and has solid transition speed. Defensively she is long and intuitive enough to deny entry passes well into the post. [caption id="attachment_247010" align="alignright" width="180"]<img class=" wp-image-247010" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/01/Brittany-Gosch-Norwich-2021-276x300.jpg" alt="Norwich power forward [player_tooltip player_id=" width="180" height="196" /> Norwich 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="256719" first="Brittany" last="Gosch"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="256719" first="Brittany" last="Gosch"], 5’9", PF, Norwich - While Gosch is solid and strong with some length what caught my eye was her IQ. She is a steady presence on both ends of the floor. Despite a flat shot she scores the mid-range jumper well as well as finishes around the rim. Gosch is effective with her face-up game as well with her back to the basket. A solid rebounder who elevates and clears well. She was a Heart of the Plains all-league selection in 2020 [caption id="attachment_254339" align="alignleft" width="180"]<img class="wp-image-254339" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/Grace-Hendrickson-2021-Pretty-Prairie-300x293.jpg" alt="Pretty Prairie forward [player_tooltip player_id=" width="180" height="176" /> Pretty Prairie 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="256726" first="Grace" last="Hendrickson"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="256726" first="Grace" last="Hendrickson"], 5’11", SF, Pretty Prairie - Hendrickson took was a substantial scoring threat this year on all three levels. Of average build, she ran well in transition and competed well on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="256498" first="Danielle" last="Kerns"], 5’11", PF, Osage City - Kerns has solid size and length and is a good garbage collector around the basket. A heady player, she anticipates well for interior steals and shot blocks, has good hands, and has shot creation abilities in the mid-range. Kerns also can score out her back-to-basket game. [caption id="attachment_254347" align="alignright" width="180"]<img class="wp-image-254347" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/02/Danielle-Kerns-2021-Osage-City-290x300.jpg" alt="Osage City SF defends on the perimeter in a 2020 3A state tournament game." width="180" height="186" /> Osage City 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="256498" first="Danielle" last="Kerns"]. Photo: Robert Kelly.[/caption][player_tooltip player_id="256694" first="Emma" last="Knappenberger"], 5’9", SF, Olathe South - Knappenberger has all-around athleticism and good transition speed. She can finish with either hand around the basket, is a three point threat, and works to gather weakside offensive rebounds on the shot. [player_tooltip player_id="256443" first="Madysen" last="Lange"], 5’8", SF, Minneapolis - Lange works as well out of the short corner as you will see due to having good hands and the ability to move well to gaps and off cuts . Featured image: Fairfield 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="256720" first="Kaylie" last="Combs"]. Photo: Robert Kelly. Correction note: [player_tooltip player_id="256497" first="Brooke" last="Berlin"] was errantly included, she is of the 2022 class. Look for her in the mid-summer rankings update.