PGH Wisconsin Top 250: Intriguing Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the Top 250 event, there were a few forwards who I thought did plenty of positive things on both ends of the floor. Today, I want to talk about a few of those kids and what they do that makes them stand out individually.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342358' first='Kelly' last='Kray']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6335fe13b4648","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342358"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wausau West forward picked up a lot of interest over the summer, and with good reason. She's a 6-foot-2 athlete that can cover significant ground in little time. She made some excellent plays defensively, blocking a few shots with authority. She moves her feet well and can probably defend wings in a pinch because of it. Having her on the floor means her team's ceiling defensively rises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='509693' first='Christine' last='Sleeter']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6335fe2bb4649","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509693"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was pleasantly surprised by what Sleeter was able to do on Sunday. She is a six-foot wing/forward hybrid that showed she could do multiple things as a four. Her shot is solid and can be improved. She has the length to defend kids on the perimeter and bother them. She isn't overly aggressive when rebounding, but when she gets her hands on the ball, it's not likely to get taken from her. Small schools should look at her might be a project, but she has some skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='509699' first='Graycin' last='Phillips']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6335fe3cb464a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509699"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Phillips is still a work in progress, but I love that she isn't afraid to step outside her comfort zone and take shots I didn't see her take this summer. I think she'll be solid on the offensive end in time, but Waunakee's coaches will love her because of what she can do on the other end. The incoming freshman moves her feet well for someone her size and uses her length to contest and block shots without fouling. One of the things that surprised me about her was that she guarded some wings, but that wasn't the surprising part. Phillips navigated screens well defensively. She didn't stick on screens or get beat often off them. If that's something that's a real thing at the high school, she can be one of the best defensive prospects in her class in Wisconsin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ava Hanson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6335fe52b464b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498932"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The forward gets a little stuck behind Cleveland State commit [player_tooltip player_id='264918' first='Paulina' last='Hernandez'] at Oak Creek. However, she's a fine prospect in her own right. She seemed like she was conditioned well and didn't get too tired during the event, and her strength and athleticism made things difficult for her matchups. Hanson didn't give up anything easy and did all the simple things well. She didn't foul at the basket, ran back on defense, didn't force anything offensively, and rebounded her area at a high level. I'm not sure what this season has in store for her, but I'm positive coaches next summer will take notice of the 6-foot athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->