Gateway Challenge: Class of 2024 Forwards
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Prep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2024 forwards from the recent USJN Gateway Challenge, which was held in St. Louis. Avery Simmons Avery Simmons 6'0" | CG Park Hill South | 2024 State…
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Continue ReadingPrep Girls Hoops Missouri takes a look at the top Class of 2024 forwards from the recent USJN Gateway Challenge, which was held in St. Louis.
Avery Simmons Avery Simmons 6'0" | CG Park Hill South | 2024 State MO (Earl Watson Academy 17U): A 6’0″ combo forward from Park Hill South who has good length and versatility, plus she plays with a lot of energy. She is very aggressive when she is pushing the tempo and probing the defense on the attack. She can score inside with her height and she can also knock down the Corner 3-pointer. She’s just as comfortable making plays on the perimeter as she is posting up and scoring inside.
Summer Yancy Summer Yancy 6'0" | SF Raytown | 2024 State MO (Della Lamb 3SSB 16U): A 5’11″ forward from Raytown who is an impressive athlete who plays with a high rate of activity. She is dangerous from the high post where she can make a quick dribble move to the basket or attack the offensive boards with her quick second jump around the basket. She’s a versatile defender who can guard the taller players in the post or go outside and defend a smaller guard with her athleticism.
Amiah Hargrove (Lady Brad Beal Elite 17U): The talented 6’2″ forward from Southern Illinois is a matchup problem with her physical strength and versatility. She can handle the ball well and she can get to her spots on the floor to operate. She is capable of getting buckets at all three levels and she does it in an understated manner without a lot of flash. She runs the court hard and she competes on the defensive end. She has already received multiple Division I scholarship offers.
Cady Huffman Cady Huffman 6'6" | C Lee's Summit West | 2024 State MO (Della Lamb 3SSB 16U): A 6’6″ center from Lee’s Summit West who does an excellent job of utilizing her height in the low post. When she establishes her position and seals her defender inside, there’s not much they can do. She catches the ball well and keeps the ball up and scores on the drop step. Her presence on the defensive end is just as effective as she can either block shots or use her length to alter them.
Rory Conboy Rory Conboy 6'0" | PF Lindbergh | 2024 State MO (St. Louis Phenom-Kelly 16U): A versatile 6’0″ forward from Lindbergh who has excellent mobility and a wide array of moves in the low post. She has good footwork and she can score with both hands around the basket. She can also handle the ball and beat defenders from the high post off the dribble.
Reagan Wells (Della Lamb Gold 16U): A 5’11″ combo forward from Mt. View Liberty who could really stretch the defense with her 3-point shooting. She also had solid handles and could get to the basket off the dribble. She was very adept at finding the right spot to be in at the right time.
Ellianna Gramling (SHOtime Basketball): A 6’0″ forward from Summit Christian who displayed some very solid moves in the post to go along with a nice shooting touch. She has good fundamentals as she sealed her defenders and provided a good target to throw the ball inside to. She had a very nice turnaround jumper and a very effective up and under move. She could also play the physical game to go along with her finesse moves and good footwork inside.
Paige Fowler (St. Louis Phenom-Kelly 16U): A 5’9″ forward from Lift for Life who was one of the more impressive offensive rebounders that I watched during the tournament. She is physically strong with a high motor and she really went after the basketball. She held her position well and she was able to get several extra possessions for her team.
Ai’naya Williams (Lady Brad Beal Elite): A 6’2″ forward from Cardinal Ritter who is strong and plays with a lot of activity around the basket. She is excellent rebounder who gets good position and will go out of her area to get boards. She’s very good at making the extra effort plays to help her team. Her touch around the basket is very reliable. She’s a stout defender inside with the ability to block shots and play good positional defense in the post.
Rachel Hellebusch (TC Hoops 17U): The 6’0″ forward from Meadow Heights is a lefty who has some very strong moves around the basket. She is most effective when she can go do her dominant left hand and wheel and deal to the basket. She has a nice touch and she uses the backboard very well to finish. She held her own while playing up at the 17U level.
Britney Rhodes (Lady Brad Beal Elite 17U): A 6’1″ forward from Whitfield School who is a very solid player who rebounds the ball and can excel at the high post or down low. She’s physically strong and she moves well around the basket, getting good rebounding position. She passes the ball well from the high post. She is a smart player with good fundamentals.
Dathy Botuna (Midwest United 16U): A 6’2″ forward from Cardinal Ritter who is developing as a solid player inside. She used her size well to grab rebounds and block and contest shots. She did a good job of keeping the ball up high and finishing off the glass. She continues to improve the more she plays.
Breeanna Dohleman (Southeast Dynasty): A 6’2 forward from East Carter who plays up at the 17U level and does very well. She catches the ball high and she protects it well with her elbows out as she grabs a rebound or when making a move inside. She pivots well in the lane and scores with a nice touch around the basket. She rebounds the ball strong and will get the outlet pass out to a guard. She also has a defensive presence with her shot blocking.