Rankings Review: 2020 Power 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 power forward position possesses some really nice prospects, and there are several prospects for colleges…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn Sunday, March 31st, we released our updated rankings for the Class of 2020. This class, like any, has its ups and downs, but the power forward position possesses some really nice prospects, and there are several prospects for colleges at most levels to go “all in” on. Below is a look at the Top-25 power 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.
10. Meredith Raley, 5-11 PF, Gibson Southern H.S.
If I remember correctly, I first saw Meredith during the Summer between her 8th Grade and Freshman years. Back then, she was shorter (5-7ish) and more of a true wing. Now, she has added good strength, she’s pushing 6-0, and she still maintains a lot of the same skills around the perimeter. She is a physical, high-motor power forward who can post smaller defenders and finish with either hand around the block. She’s also nice in pick-and-pop situations, because she can hit an open jumper when in rhythm. She’ll put it on the floor a little and get to the basket, but I just really like how she’s turned herself into an inside-out forward who possesses both versatility and an understanding of how to play the “right way”. She was outstanding the couple of times I saw her during the state tournament, especially against Vincennes Lincoln.
12. Abigail Pribble, 6-0 PF, West Lafayette Harrison H.S.
The last two grassroots’ seasons I have really been impressed with Abigail and her tremendous upside, but for whatever reason she’s finding it difficult to get on the floor at Harrison. She is very long, very bouncy, and she plays with a motor whenever I see her. She runs and jumps about as well as any power forward on this list, and she can play with her back to the basket or in the mid-post equally well. I am confident in saying that I feel like she’s one of those kids who will have a much better college career than high school career, because her talent and upside project her as a really nice college prospect. I am curious to see how she looks with this Grand Park Premier team this Spring & Summer.
14. Paige Dorsett, 5-11 PF, Martinsville H.S.
Paige has started the last couple of seasons on really good Martinsville teams, but she doesn’t get a lot of the fanfare that her teammates might. She is tough-nosed, strong, physical, and a little mean at times. She has the ability to post smaller defenders and hurt them inside, but she also has nice touch and can knock down the 15-footer consistently. She plays with a really good motor and seems like a nice leader out there on the floor. All-in-all, she is just a highly productive, true power forward with some skill away from the basket. Paige has already given a verbal commitment to play softball at Ball State University, so that’s why you won’t see her on the grassroots circuit this Spring & Summer.
17. Tiara Payne, 6-0 PF/C, Gary West Side Leadership Academy
I first saw Tiara as a high school Freshman and thought she had a lot of upside as an athletic front-liner. She is extremely long, bouncy, and she moves around the floor very well. She’s solid at scoring it around the rim by simply being the better athlete, but she’ll need work on stretching her game away from the basket offensively. Defensively, though, she can protect the paint, block shots, and rebound, but she’s also athletic enough to get out on the floor and defend forwards and some wings. I really think she’s a talent-over-ballplayer type of recruit right now, but if she can continuing developing her offensive skillset, she could really see her stock soar.
19. Makynlee Taylor, 5-11 PF, Lapel H.S.
Makynlee is a very intriguing prospect who has definitely flown under the radar the last couple of years. She made a couple of appearances on the grassroots circuit last Summer, but I haven’t seen her on a roster for this year. She plays for a balanced Lapel team, so while her numbers have been solid the last couple of years, they don’t necessarily jump off the page at you. She is long, athletic and bouncy, and she runs the floor well in transition. She has some skill facing the basket and prefers to play in the mid-range, but she can go to the block and score over smaller defenders. If she took the time to tweak her shooting just a bit, work on her handle a little, and just be more aggressive offensively, she could be a high teens scorer and draw a lot of college interest.
Other members of the Top-25:
1. Nan Garcia, 5-11 PF/SF, Jeffersonville H.S.
2. Rachel Loobie, 6-0 PF/SF, Franklin Central H.S.
3. Sydney Graber, 6-0 PF/SF, Homestead H.S.
4. Lindsey Syrek, 6-2 PF, University H.S.
5. Antreese Shelton, 6-2 PF, Penn H.S.
6. Haley Nichols, 5-11 PF, Avon H.S.
7. Alaysia Davis, 6-0 PF, Warren Central H.S.
8. Madeline Lawrence, 6-0 PF/SF, Winchester Community H.S.
9. Kiara Lewis, 5-11 PF/C, Lafayette Jefferson H.S.
11. Amber Wolf, 5-10 PF/SF, South Central H.S. (Union Mills)
13. Toree Jackson, 6-0 PF/SF, North Central H.S. (Indianapolis)
15. Alaya Chapman, 5-10 PF, Fort Wayne South Side H.S.
16. Anna Kiser, 5-11 PF, Noblesville H.S.
18. Jewel McCormick, 6-0 PF/C, Springs Valley H.S.
20. Aliyah Evans, 5-9 PF/SF, Greensburg H.S.
21. Tessa Lomax, 6-0 PF/C, Columbus North H.S.
22. Megan Mills, 5-10 PF/SF, Pendleton Heights H.S.
23. Hailee Robbins, 5-9 PF/SF, Franklin Community H.S.
24. Allison Stevens, 5-10 PF, Greencastle H.S.
25. Katie Davis, 5-11 PF/SF, Danville Community H.S.
Header photo of Meredith Raley of Gibson Southern High School. Photo courtesy of her own Twitter account.