Rankings Review: 2020 Small Forwards

On Sunday, March 31st, we released our updated rankings for the Class of 2020. This class, like any, has its ups and downs, but the small forward position is tremendously deep and talented, and there are several prospects for colleges at all levels to go "all in" on. Below is a look at the Top-25 small forwards in Indiana’s 2020 class, but I’ve decided to do something a little different. Instead of continually evaluating the top five players at each position, I’ve chosen five players who might not normally get as much attention for one reason or another. They might not be on the big stage during the high school season, or they might not play travel ball and draw as many eyes on them, but they are quality prospects who deserve a look.   9. K'Ja Talley, 5-9 SF, Warren Central H.S. K'Ja has sort of been the unsung hero on the Warriors' teams the last couple of years. She's incredibly long and athletic, she works hard at both ends of the floor, and she seems very coachable. While opposing coaches were game-planning to stop Cydni Dodd and Shaila Beeler, K'Ja would hurt them with her ability to score, rebound, and defend. She does most skillful things fairly well, but she will need to add a consistent perimeter jumper to her arsenal sooner rather than later. Otherwise, she's a mismatch at the defensive end because she can guard the ball at multiple positions, and she's a terror in the passing lanes off the ball. Offensively, she just gets to the basket effortlessly, and if you let her out in transition, good luck.   10. Kiersten Poor, 5-10 SF, Jeffersonville H.S. While classmate Nan Garcia gets a lot of the attention at Jeffersonville, and rightfully so, Kiersten is a really nice talent of her own. She has length, she's fluid and athletic, and she plays with a lot of toughness...almost with a chip on her shoulder. She can handle it a little and run offense on occasion, she can knock down an open 3-pointer when set and in rhythm, she's a very good shooter at the mid-range level, and she can get to the basket and finish through contact. To me, she's one of those kids who a few Division-I schools are probably missing on simply due to a lack of familiarity/visibility, but this Spring & Summer that should change by playing for the top team in her grassroots program.   15. Kenna Hisle, 5-10 SF, Evansville North H.S. We always talk about Evansville as being somewhat distant to the rest of the state, and there are often several players in the "Pocket City" who go overlooked. Well, Kenna is the best prospect in Evansville in Indiana's 2020 class. She is a wiry strong and skillful wing who does a lot of things fairly well. She plays almost a point forward role for both her high school team and her grassroots team. She can knock down shots around the perimeter when in rhythm, and she's a really good mid-range shooter as well. She's a solid athlete when attacking the basket, and she's strong enough to finish through contact. All-in-all, she's just a really nice basketball player who probably deserves a bit more attention than she has gotten to this point in time.   17. Natalie Boesing, 5-10 SF/PF, Our Lady of Providence H.S. Throughout a given high school season, there are always names that pop up on our radar because they start putting up numbers. Natalie is one of those prospects. I was barely aware of her at all in the Fall, but after having an outstanding Junior year, and after finally getting the chance to see her a little bit, I can tell you she is deserving of some attention. Natalie is a high-level tennis player, and that's why she has yet to be seen on the grassroots circuit, but that could change this July. She has almost a European style of game and skillset. She has broad shoulders, long arms, some North/South speed, and a little bounce to her. She can handle it at times, she can knock down the 3-pointer on occasion, but she's most effective in the mid-post. She has an endless motor as well, and if she can get herself seen some this Summer, I think she'll earn several scholarship opportunities.   18. Hannah Farrell, 5-9 SF, Greenfield-Central H.S. Playing for her third coach in as many years, Hannah really stepped up and exploded offensively this season, averaging 19.2 points per game, to go along with 7.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals. She is a strong, physical, and aggressive player with one of the best motors in the state. She can handle the ball a little bit and run offense, and she's starting to hit shots from the perimeter more often, though that's the one area she still needs to add a little consistency. I have always loved how hard she plays though, and she's the one kid you can honestly say always leaves it all out there on the floor. She has played undersized and defended posts, plus she has challenged herself and defended scoring guards. She is just a plug-and-play kid whose versatility can help teams win games.   Other members of the Top-25: 1. Madison Layden, 6-1 SF/PG, Northwestern H.S. 2. Sydney Parrish, 6-2 SF, Hamilton Southeastern H.S. 3. Keegan Sullivan, 5-11 SF, South Bend Saint Joseph H.S. 4. Jasmine McWilliams, 5-10 SF/2G, North Central H.S. (Indianapolis) 5. Abby Stoddard, 6-0 SF, Crown Point H.S. 6. Justis Gordon, 5-10 SF, Cathedral H.S. 7. Khera Goss, 5-10 SF, Ben Davis H.S. 8. Alana Vinson, 5-10 SF, Roncalli H.S. 11. Jordan Reid, 5-10 SF, New Palestine H.S. 12. Tasi Kukobat, 5-10 SF, West Lafayette Harrison H.S. 13. Tamia Perryman, 5-9 SF, Fishers H.S. 14. Lauren Gunn, 5-9 SF, Lawrence North H.S. 16. Rylie Stephens, 5-10 SF, Triton Central H.S. 19. Claire Knies, 5-9 SF, Jasper H.S. 20. Mackenzie Stien, 5-9 SF, Brownsburg H.S. 21. Addie Gardner, 5-10 SF, Frankton H.S. 22. Tia Tolbert, 5-9 SF, Vincennes Rivet H.S. 23. Katy Larson, 5-9 SF, Park Tudor School 24. Faith Haggard, 5-8 SF/2G, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy 25. Jazmen Watts, 5-8 SF, South Bend Riley   Header photo of K'Ja Talley of Warren Central High School. Photo courtesy of Katy Stephenson's Twitter account.