Big 8 Midseason Review: Best Uncommitted Frontcourt Players

Checking in on the Big 8 midway through the season and these five upper-class forwards are still on the open market for colleges to recruit. Some highly touted, some under-the-radar, but nonetheless, these frontcourt players deserve recognition for their contributions and skills that should translate to the next level. Here we go: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206577" first="Paige" last="Lambe"] | Verona | Center | Class of 2023</strong> Lambe has the best post-game in the conference. On the back of her dominance in the paint, Verona currently sits atop the Big 8 conference. Her footwork and positional awareness on the low block allow her to get her shots off against most bigs she faces, and her touch around the rim amplifies the efficacy of these weapons. She’s a hard rim runner who plays well off of the drives of perimeter players and adjusts well to contact down low. Defensively, Lambe is constantly taking strides forward. The same tactical positioning that makes her such an effective big on the offensive end has translated to her defense, and it makes all the difference to an at-times shorthanded Verona squad. Lambe currently has offers from Illinois-Springfield, University of Mary, and MSUM. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="342098" first="Makiah" last="Hawk"] | Sun Prairie | Center | Class of 2023</strong> Hawk is perhaps the most formidable defensive big in the Class of 2023. Her ranginess and authority denying shots around the rim anchors what is already a fearsome Sun Prairie defense. But her defensive game is much more than just blocking shots. Hawk has the instincts, athleticism, and defensive awareness to usher smaller, quicker players into the paint and stunt the flow of opposing offenses. [player_tooltip player_id="342098" first="Makiah" last="Hawk"] can be the heart of an elite defense just by herself but complements the high-level perimeter defenders the Cards boast. She also demonstrates flashes of her potential on the offensive end. When she makes quick, decisive moves, whether that be attacking the basket or passing over the top of the defense when stationed at the top of the key, Hawk adds an indefensible wrinkle to the Sun Prairie offense. Though she’ll need to make these decisions on a more consistent basis, Hawk has the capacity to be a two-way stud. She currently holds no offers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="206584" first="Marie" last="Outlay"] | Sun Prairie | Small Forward | Class of 2023</strong> Outlay is a two-way point forward whose capable of conducting an offense with very little wasted motion. Her basketball IQ is always operational, making decisive cuts and driving with precision. When the offense grows stagnant, Outlay is often the one conducting and resetting the trips to re-initiate the half-court set. Those smarts also translate to the defensive end, where Outlay flexes her hoops IQ by reading passes and attacking passing lanes. The 2023 forward has great timing and impressive length to complement her aforementioned skills. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132377" first="Demetria" last="Prewitt"] | La Follette | Small Forward | Class of 2022</strong> Prewitt embodies the idea of the point forward. Just as adept at setting the screen as she is handling the rock on the pick-and-roll, Prewitt brings a unique blend of quickness, body control, and perimeter skills to the table. But the most encouraging aspect of her game is her developing jump shot. Growing smoother by the day, the senior’s outside shot is developing with her footwork, as she’s flashed the ability to hit shots off the dribble. Forcing defenses to attack her at the top of the key rather than sagging off will unlock her offensive potential. Defensively, La Follette flexes a similar versatility. Routinely matched up against the opposition’s most pertinent wing threat, Prewitt’s guarded one through five over the course of the Lancer season. Her strength, length, and lateral quickness enable this versatility and have willed La Follette to wins. Prewitt currently holds no offers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132387" first="McClain" last="Mahone"] | Madison Memorial | Small Forward | Class of 2022</strong> Mahone’s creation off the dribble has been a lifeline for Madison Memorial throughout conference play. Her ability to turn on a dime and find an inside lane to attack has powered the Spartans to a .500 record through the first 10 Big 8 games of the season. To have her handle while primarily drawing slower forwards as primary defenders is a major advantage, one that Mahone has worked to the tune of a team-high 11.1 points per game and 37% from three. Working synergistically alongside [player_tooltip player_id="324121" first="Lauren" last="Sparks"], Mahone’s also shown her ability as a scorer off of back cuts and as a catch-and-shoot threat. Her prowess as an off-ball scorer allows Memorial to play in different styles and makes the Spartans a more dangerous team overall. Mahone has no known offers.