Top Unsigned 2021s : Power Forwards and Centers
Throughout January several articles about available players in the 2021 class have been shared. Most recently was a pair about top point guards and wings and small forwards. This series continuation now turns to the top ranks of available power…
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Continue ReadingThroughout January several articles about available players in the 2021 class have been shared. Most recently was a pair about top point guards and wings and small forwards. This series continuation now turns to the top ranks of available power forwards and centers. For more players in those positions take a look at this bunch deserving a look. Following on the heals of a look at point guards I now will offer a look at top, unsigned, 2021 wings and small forwards. As stated before, statistics are primarily drawn from MaxPreps and KC High School Hoops. Other credible and transparent sources may be drawn upon as well.
#5
Faith Hawthorne
Faith
Hawthorne
6'1" | PF
St. James Academy | 2021
State
KS
, 6’1″, St. James Academy, Lady Run GMC – Hawthorne has good size and strength and is a two-time Eastern Kansas League second team selection. Prior to transferring to St. James following the 2019 season she was selected as the most outstanding player of the 4A state tournament by Sports in Kansas and earned Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) honorable mention all-state.
#47 Taylor Claussen Taylor Claussen 6'0" | SF Manhattan | 2021 State KS , 6’0″, Manhattan, Wheat State Elite – Classen has consistently shown a diverse game as she has climbed the ranks. At tournaments and exposure events this past summer and fall she scrapped with bigger, stronger posts all over the floor. She has good length, handles to split defenders on the drive, is a consistent perimeter threat beyond the arc. Off the drive she elevates and finishes well using the glass on either side of the basket. She averaged 4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.7 steals in 2020
#51 Jordyn Beard Jordyn Beard 6'1" | C Hugoton | 2021 State KS , 6’1″, Hugoton, Wheat State Elite – Recently Beard earned selection to the all-tournament team at the Sterling Invitationals for her dominance inside. Her scoring, rebounding, and blocking and altering shots were very visible. Her ability to handle and pass the ball, transition speed, quickness, and extension of her offensive game to the three point line also stood out. I have seen Beard’s abilities blossom since the end of the 2020 season. She is fast, quicker, and has improved confidence and diversity in her scoring ability around the basket and at the mid-range and perimeter levels. This season she is averaging 6.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 2.1 steals. A season ago she averaged 7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 assists due to the wave of incoming 2023 talent that joined her. In 2019 she averaged 12.2 points, 12.1 rebounds (6th in the state), 35% ORB, 3.4 blocks, and 2.6 steals. As one college coach described her this past summer, she is put together. She holds the school rebounding record of 21 rebounds in a game and continues to be one of the top shot blockers in the state.
#84 Taria Franklin Taria Franklin 6'0" | PF Wichita Northwest | 2021 State KS , 6’0″, Wichita Northwest, No Boundaries Athletics – Franklin had a strong summer. She game and confidence have grown substantially. She rebounds athletically, defends inside well, and does a good job of limiting clean looks around the basket. A good measuring stick match-up was against Newman University bound Riley Rottinghaus Riley Rottinghaus 6'2" | PF Nemaha Central | 2021 State KS . Franklin did a great job of using her strength and positioning to prevent Rottinghaus from setting up on the block. Also good to know about the Greater Wichita League honorable mention selection is she has good hands, catches and goes up quickly off entry passes, is quick enough to play at the top of zones, and has good handles to create short drives and post moves around the basket. She just keeps getting better.
#93
Maddy Mairs
Maddy
Mairs
5'11" | PF
Wichita Collegiate | 2021
State
KS
, 5’11”, Wichita Collegiate – Two time Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div IV first team selection is the team’s go-to inside presence. Solidly built and strong, she is averaging 14.1 points and 9.2 rebounds after averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a season ago.
#97
Jenna Harvey
Jenna
Harvey
6'2" | C
Baldwin | 2021
State
KS
, 6’5″, Baldwin, KC Dream/Running Angels – Harvey has great size and is a solid, fundamental player. The 2020 Frontier League honorable mention selection averaged 8.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks. Thus far in 2021 she is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds (10.6 points and 10.5 rebounds) and 4.2 blocked shots per game. She has good hands, anticipates, and works well in the high-low game.
#101 Kate Ralston Kate Ralston 5'11" | PF Andover | 2021 State KS , 5’11”, Andover – The lanky Ralston consistently averaged 4.5-6 points, 4-5 rebounds, and 1 block over the past three seasons. She does not shoot the three often but but does have the range. Some shot blocking ability and moves well to get into rebounding position. but does not box well nor look to box on the perimeter. Improvement in strength and offensive game will generate more attention from defenses.
#103
Ava Perrier
Ava
Perrier
6'1" | C
Eureka | 2021
State
KS
, 6’1″, Eureka, Wheat State Elite – Perrier is a physical presence on both ends of the floor. She uses her size and length to post strongly inside and challenge the bigs on the other end. She has a growing back-to-basket game and runs the floor well.
#107 Cali Foltz Cali Foltz 5'10" | PF Anderson County | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, Anderson County, Khaos – Foltz gained more than 40 spots in the rankings within the past year. She is a high IQ player on both ends of the floor. A 2020 Pioneer League first team selection in 2020, she can get into the lane off the bounce, can score around the basket with face up and back-to-basket moves, and transitions well. This terrific scorer also plays terrific help side defense and double-teams from the weak side to generate steals better than anyone in the state.
#108 Mariah Monroy Mariah Monroy 5'9" | SF Cherryvale | 2021 State KS , 5’11”, Cherryvale – While I am still learning about Monroy’s game the given is she has good size, length, and athleticism. Not only is she a two time Tri-Valley League first team selection, she is the defending 3A Triple Jump State Champion.
#114 Elenor Hendrickson, 6’0″, Pittsburg, Wheat State Elite – Hendrickson has good size, strength, and hands. She also has solid north-south speed and is looking to repeat as a Southeast Kansas League first team selection.
#117 Keyhana Turner Keyhana Turner 5'10" | PF Garden City | 2021 State KS , 5’10”, Garden City, Western Kansas Elite – Turner is having a monster season after showing promise last season and improving by leaps and bounds over the summer. Having been off for months when the MAYB Reign the Plains tournament rolled around in late July she still showed length, size, and quickness to disrupt screen and slide plays when helping. A returning 2020 Western Activities Conference second teamer, she averages 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a couple of assists and steals per game. PGH Kansas’s Joel Hannagan describes her as “…one of the most versatile players in the state being able to play and guard every position on the floor.” Turner can handle the ball going end-to-end, is a strong passer and free throw shooter, and has good speed and hands. Competes on the boards on both ends as well.
#119
Baylee Miller
Baylee
Miller
5'9" | PF
Maize | 2021
State
KS
, 5’9″, Maize – Miller was selected to the 2020 AVCTL Div I second team for good reason. While a bit undersized, she is quick; a strong and athletic defender; has shot blocking sense with the ability to recover to her player after helping, and has good transition speed. She also operates with the ball inside and off the bounce, owning a strong up-and-under off a spin move. She needs picked up quickly once she crossed the half court line as she has legitimate 25′ range.