Some Weekend Standouts (Forwards)

Through the Prep Hoops Missouri Magical Stream Machine, we got a chance to watch a lot of players various tournaments around the country. Here are some of the forwards who caught our eye over the weekend.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/92ACE61C-9A77-4690-B04B-A25DFD04D6FB.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224856" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/92ACE61C-9A77-4690-B04B-A25DFD04D6FB-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070085" first="Cameron" last="Williams"] (Gateway-Knights UA 17U): The big 6’7" 2023 forward was a force in Kansas City over the weekend with his inside power and versatile skill set. He is really putting his physical size to use with strong moves in the paint along with his offensive rebounding led to a lot of putbacks. He was still able to bring his game out to the perimeter where he can hit 3-pointers off the pick and pop and zipping the nice pass to an open teammate. He could also use the dribble to back down defenders, who were at his mercy.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/555AE4E3-799E-41DD-94C0-98AD50C9B2D1.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1514912" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/555AE4E3-799E-41DD-94C0-98AD50C9B2D1-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1160826" first="Jacob" last="Lafferty"] (All Missouri Attack 17U): The 6’5" 2024 forward from Sparta has been playing up a level for the past two summers, but he continues to excel with his combination of power and athleticism around the basket. He was tough to stop at last weekend’s Prep Hoops Grind Region Finals in Dallas. He’s strong in the post and he can explode over the top of people to throw down dunks in traffic. He was also a monster on the offensive boards. He has also improved on his ability to attack from the perimeter to beat opposing bigs off the dribble.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/2CFCE427-510C-4AF1-B2CB-35F13347FC3C.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1464782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/2CFCE427-510C-4AF1-B2CB-35F13347FC3C-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1440474" first="Matt" last="Haefner"] (Hardwood Elite 17U): The 6’7" 2023 small forward was a consistent force at the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals in Indianapolis. He is very skilled and athletic, yet he gets a lot done with his high motor. He is constantly attacking the offensive boards and getting putbacks with sheer hustle and effort. That goes along with his 3-point shooting and ability to attack off the dribble, which he showed throughout the weekend.     [caption id="attachment_1422597" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Evans-Appolon.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1422597" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Evans-Appolon-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Prep Hoops Grind Region Kickoff - Mid Mo Elite 2023 vs. Team United Texas 2023 Black Ivy[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1070096" first="Evens" last="Appolon"] (Mid Mo Elite 17U): The 6’9" 2023 forward from Father Tolton showcased his solid back-to-the-basket game over the weekend in Indianapolis at the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals. He has that tough drop step and jump hook over the right shoulder. He constantly draws double teams and he has the ability to find the open cutter on the move or the 3-point shooter on the perimeter. He was also an imposing figure on the defensive end with his size and shot blocking ability.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/2594A7C9-31AB-4A68-9A64-7F461371000F.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1514917" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/2594A7C9-31AB-4A68-9A64-7F461371000F-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Eli Govan (ShoMe Assault 15U): I was very impressed with what I saw from this 6’5" 2025 forward from Parkview. He has a long and lively body and he was very active at both ends of the court. He can go out and guard on the perimeter or he will rotate over to block shots. He is constantly running the court and getting his share of transition buckets. He is also capable of grabbing the rebound and leading the break on occasion. The youngster has a big upside       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/D5E0894C-83CD-4331-995D-832220118E18.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1423376" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/D5E0894C-83CD-4331-995D-832220118E18-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161295" first="Lucas" last="Lyons"] (Missouri Hawks 17U): The 6’8" 2023 forward from Lone Jack had a very solid weekend in Kansas City. He plays at a small school, but he more than holds his own against the better competition that he sees during the summer. He is good at establishing his position and he can score with a very effective jump hook in the paint. He is very mobile and an active rebounder at both ends.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/4B2F7F0C-2811-4D20-A53E-FD1FA9C2A72E.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1439335" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/4B2F7F0C-2811-4D20-A53E-FD1FA9C2A72E-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1419870" first="Ben" last="Winker"] (Gateway-Knights UA-2025): In the game that I watched this 6’10" 2025 forward from Chaminade play, he had a stretch of about 10 minutes that was pretty dominant. He was very active and was commanding the basketball on offense while also going on several rim-runs with good hustle. His teammates were finding him on the move and he was getting easy buckets. He was also getting putbacks off of the offensive glass in addition to a few transition buckets on the run. I always get excited when I see young bigs get real assertive. Good things tend to happen.