2023 forwards/bigs that stood out in the 5A playoffs

<p>We want to look back and focus on the playoffs before we head onto the grassroots scene with the season over. Here we focus on some sophomore forwards/bigs that stood out in 5A during their state-run as they gave us a glimpse at the future.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1137874" first="Charlie" last="Dortch"] – Rocky Mountain</strong></h2> <p>Dortch is a player we saw over the summer but did not know how his play would translate into the regular season. The 6’7 sophomore had a breakout season and was a pivotal part of the offense, and while Rocky Mountain lost its opening-round game to the eventual state champs, he showed up. Dortch was a force on the boards as he was all season long and also found some success inside. He finished with eight points and 12 boards against the top team in the state and matched them in size. Dortch had some moments in the game where he fit right in with the talented bunch and showed flashes of a future that has him dominating inside. He has soft touch around the rim, runs the floor well, and is a high IQ defender that guards without fouling. Excited to see him this summer with how he closed out the season.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1139551" first="Luke" last="Wagstaff"] – Loveland</strong></h2> <p>Loveland chose the worst game of the year to have their worst game as they did not show up in the playoffs. There was no sense of urgency, their defense was nowhere to be found, and they could not buy a basket. Their sophomore standout, who had a solid year, had a rough game, but he was able to use his 6’3 frame to find a few things to build on. Wagstaff did not hit a shot but still competed. He was aggressive on the boards as he grabbed five, ran the floor well, and offered some resistance in the paint. He is an interchangeable defender that will look to progress on a few pieces but should not be overlooked for hanging with the bigs guys.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1141754" first="Braxton" last="Jones"] – Rock Canyon</strong></h2> <p>Jones is a player that we had on our radars coming into the year, and we knew that he would be a part of that Rock Canyon team, and he did not disappoint. He got his feet wet as a sophomore and in the playoffs helped provide some minutes off of the bench and a splash into their playoff games. The different sides of the 6’6 Jones was on display as he had a three-block game, battled on the boards in another, and showcased his efficiency in another. He has things he will need to work on moving forward but looking at what it takes to succeed and helped Rock Canyon on their mini-run.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="972415" first="JJ" last="Williams"] – ThunderRidge</strong></h2> <p>Williams has excellent size at 6’5-6’6 and looks to still be growing. He is a player that can play on the wing and also step down on the block, which will eventually create nightmare matchups for opposing teams. Williams was surrounded by an All-Star cast that affected his production a bit but taught him the ropes, and when he got in, he made the best of his opportunity in the playoffs. Williams scored five points in the first three playoff games and missed his only shot attempt in the playoff game but allowed the Grizzlies to space the floor. Williams moves without the ball, battles inside, and also has a beautiful shooting stroke. He will be a focal point in the offense next year with multiple players leaving, so this AAU season will be about finding a zone and displaying all that he learned this season.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965780" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] – Cherry Creek</strong></h2> <p>Purchase is a bruiser whose future is on the gridiron, but his work on the hardwood will not go unnoticed as he is productive and desperately needed on the Bruin team that went into the state playoffs the No.1 overall seed. Purchase has excellent size at 6’4, and he knew exactly what his job was all year; to make things happen. Purchase is a low maintenance player that you do not have to run plays for him to be effective. He is a force on the boards, battles on every possession, and was counted on to impact the game with his size in the playoffs. Purchase averaged around five rebounds a game, ran the floor, and found holes in the defense for easy finishes. He has a great feel for the game, is an enforcer, and is active on both ends of the floor.</p>