Updated Rankings – ’23 Centers
The Centers in the class of ’23 are a small but talented group that will all be moving on to the next level. There are only 7 players listed in this Position Group, but I was able to find an…
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Continue ReadingThe Centers in the class of ’23 are a small but talented group that will all be moving on to the next level. There are only 7 players listed in this Position Group, but I was able to find an 8th. Unfortunately, I found her after we finished compiling the list, but you can still read about her at the bottom of this article.
Xaviara Smalley Xaviara Smalley 6'3" | C Bethlehem | 2023 State KY – 6’3″ John Hardin
Smalley has surfaced at a new school that will now rival several other for one of the best frontcourts in the Commonwealth. (Spoiler alert on our upcoming ’24 rankings.) She has continued to pick up D1 offers since last she played.
There is nothing you need from a Big that Smalley cannot do. She can handle the ball, flow through all the Options of the Screen game, score in a variety of ways, protect the rim, and tends to stay out of foul trouble. She is very athletic with a high basketball IQ. Watching her play it is easy to see why so many programs have shown interest.
Emma Filiatreu – 6’2″ Bethlehem Team Firstep
Filliatreu is a very strong young woman with a great touch on her outside shot. For any team looking for a 4 or 5 that can bang on the inside, defend all over the floor, handle the ball, knock down the three and score in the paint (and who doesn’t want that) this is the player for you.
If she was 2 inches taller she would be telling colleges where she will go instead of picking from the offers made. I can’t think of any weaknesses in her game and I have seen her play some of the best talent in the state.
Kenady Ward Kenady Ward 6'4" | C Jackson County | 2023 State KY – 6’4″ Jackson County Lady Vision
When I first saw Ward a little before last Christmas she was not being recruited by anybody. She was even unknown to a few College Coaches I spoke to in her backyard. That is changing.
She has the size needed to hold a spot in the paint and the passing skills needed to facilitate an offense from the High Post. Like many HS bigs her conditioning needs to continue to improve but it looks like she is putting in the work from when I saw her about a month ago.
Samari Taylor Samari Taylor 6'3" | C Ballard | 2023 State KY – 6’2″ Ballard
Watching Taylor you wouldn’t know she is a relatively inexperienced player. She could be a major player on the next level based on her athleticism and how quickly she learns new skills. She is developing into a High Post Center or Stretch 4 to fit her current team concept but can play in the paint when needed (the team has other Bigs).
Taylor is a rim protector, rim runner, facilitator, and a great rebounder that can tough the sky to get the ball. Last I heard she only had 1 offer from a relatively new local program. Apologies to that coach, but several other coaches ought to be lining up to top that offer.
Jhaven Meade Jhaven Meade 6'4" | C Franklin County | 2023 State KY – 6’4″ Franklin County Richmond Heat
Meade returns to hold down the middle for another deep and talented team looking to return to the state tournament. She has the kind of size and strength that coaches dream about having on the roster. Like many other Bigs I have seen in the off-season she appears to have trimmed down a little. Odds are for most of them they were still carrying a little COVID weight last year.
Meade has all the fundamentals needed to build into a mature game. But I have not had much chance to see what she can do beyond that. In HS Bigs like Meade don’t often have a need to do anything but the basics because there are so few even matchups. I will need to pick which games I attend this year carefully.
Emily Estes Emily Estes 6'1" | C Lincoln County | 2023 State KY – 6’1″ Lincoln County OTP
I have only seen Estes play at the PGH Top 250 in Louisville last fall, along with several other up-and-comers. She was very impressive in her versatility as a Post Player, with a mature game that has grown beyond the basics. She is a good rebounder, handles her role in the Pick-and-Roll, and can knock down the mid-range jumper.
I will be at Lincoln County this season to see her progress and I hear she has some impressive teammates as well. Her schedule will be one of the 1st I check.
Talyah McQueen Talyah McQueen 6'1" | C Bell County | 2023 State KY – 6’1″ Bell County
I have not seen McQueen play yet, but she is one of my top priorities this coming season.
Brooklyn Taylor – 6’3″ George Rogers Clark Lady Magic
In life, timing can be so important. For the purposes of this list, it was bad timing that kept Taylor off of it. But good timing that got her into this article. I had not seen her play until 2 days after the discussion of the new Rankings had ended. Then I saw her play the 2 days before I wrote this article.
After not playing anywhere in the state last year she has surfaced at GRC and is providing an additional option in the Post for a talented team. She has a well-developed over-the-shoulder post move from the right side that she can execute quickly and reliably. If she can establish a position, she has the strength to hold it.
The basic fundamentals are there to build off of at the next level. But increasing her cardiovascular health is going to be the most important factor in how much she can contribute this season. Some colleges ought to be looking at her as a project with good upside.