Class AAAA – Top Ten Forward/Big Wing Groups

Ryan James September 3, 2021 @ 03:07 PM

As the forward position moves to a wing/big wing position we continue our group rankings with the top ten forwards/big wings of Class AAAA. Park Center (1). The Pirates are slated to enter the season as the preseason number one We talked guards two days ago, now we talk forwards. [player_tooltip player_id="958729" first="Ayouba" last="Berthe"] could challenge for defender of the year plus be a double digit scorer. [player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"] is entering his upperclassmen years and has double figure scoring capabilities. [player_tooltip player_id="1220415" first="Kaden" last="Cook"] had a great summer with Minnesota Select and he could provide depth. Then there’s [player_tooltip player_id="958757" first="Cody" last="Pennebaker"] who scored 20 a game last year for St. Francis and has now moved to the Park Center district and will start for PC, he’s a top 25 level player in the senior class. Depth, talent, experience, and toughness is all there (especially if you include [player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"] although I think he will be playing the five). Lakeville North (2). North’s trio isn’t as experienced as what say Lakeville South has but they have more potential. In fact the Panther forwards have more potential than any big wing group in Class AAAA. [player_tooltip player_id="962214" first="Nolan" last="Winter"] is the modern day stretch four at 6’9 and he’s becoming one of the hottest 2023 prospects in the country. Speaking of hot prospect names, Jack Robison (who was a guest of Minnesota yesterday as was Winter) is one of the best 2024 players in the state of Minnesota. Add in [player_tooltip player_id="1139350" first="Hudson" last="Vaith"] who is 6’4/6’5 and can play the three and you have a nice core of forwards/big wings. Lakeville South (3). The Cougars have a pair of experienced players at the three and four that have a chance to keep them in that top ten area for another year, and that is shooter [player_tooltip player_id="850730" first="Sam" last="Fliehe"] and combo forward [player_tooltip player_id="774771" first="Avery" last="Mast"] who will be a four for Cougars. The player that really elevates this group is [player_tooltip player_id="1267323" first="Connor" last="Beauchamp"], a 6’4 wing that had a great season with WOTN. If the Cougs go small he is the three, if they go big he’s the two. Shakopee (4). The Sabers are so guard heavy that we may not see many big wings/forwards this winter but the two that they will use - UMD committed [player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"] and senior [player_tooltip player_id="1267322" first="Sam" last="West"] - are very, very good. Katona is a top 20 senior in the state based on his all state level defensive abilities and his consistent scoring numbers for his team. West had a great summer and is primed for a big time senior season. East Ridge (5). The big name here is UST committed [player_tooltip player_id="850708" first="Kendall" last="Blue"]. Obviously a team can use Kendall in a ton of different spots but defensively the 6’6 Blue will likely guard wings. The Raptors can use him at the point or they can take advantage of his talents as a wing scorer as well. A sophomore who I have high expectations are is Charlie Theis who was excellent for the Fury 15s. And if the Raptors go small (or big with Blue at PG) you have [player_tooltip player_id="962211" first="Alex" last="Mattes"] maybe playing some three. Osseo (6). When it comes to potential Osseo’s group ranks with the best and that’s with Joshua Ola-Joseph transferring out west to Prolific Prep! Junior [player_tooltip player_id="1220406" first="Trey" last="Smith"] and sophomore Isaiah Johnson played at the younger levels last year but both have the talent and potential to make a big impact this winter. Lewis Cargoer is a strong power forward that moves really well at his size and should be a great defender. Also, [player_tooltip player_id="796952" first="Owen" last="Dukowitz"] will play some three so count him in here too. Spring Lake Park (7). I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I don’t think people know how good [player_tooltip player_id="1139741" first="Logan" last="Kinsey"] is or can be. In fact, he may not even know yet how good he can be, ha! Kinsey is an agile and explosive 6’6 that can be a stretch four and move with both forwards plus he is ball skilled. You take him, Will Kinsey, Nick Ojille, and shooter [player_tooltip player_id="1180206" first="Payton" last="Thomsen"] if they go small and that is a hell of a group. Minneapolis Southwest (8). To get all of their top guys on the floor you will likely seen [player_tooltip player_id="958645" first="Camden" last="Holter"] play some wing but also do guard things. So you take Holter plus Southwest’s lading scorer last year [player_tooltip player_id="958692" first="Gabe" last="Senseman-Cassidy"] and a fast rising prospect in [player_tooltip player_id="958675" first="Hakeem" last="Ford"] as a big wing four man and that’s a great trio that has big expectations at Southwest. Park of Cottage Grove (9). The Wolfpack are expected to be a top ten team not just because of [player_tooltip player_id="958715" first="Pharrel" last="Payne"] but also because of some of their other pieces. Shooter [player_tooltip player_id="958678" first="Evan" last="Bearth"] and 6’6 active forward [player_tooltip player_id="1143877" first="Jamari" last="Walker"] are two other reasons that Park should have an outstanding winter. Eastview (10). Another top ten team will be the Lightning of Eastview. The agility and activity of the 6’5 Adams brothers - Myles and Mario - will give Eastview the ability to play in a few different ways. Also, 6’5 Jacob Scheuring also figures into the equation so that is three 6’5 players that Eastview has to use on the wing that have talent.