City Rankings: Top 5 Eastside Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of talent east of Lake Washington. I searched from Kent to Bothell, to North Bend to find the best forwards on the Eastside regardless of class. These five forwards range from nationally ranked recruits to big-time summer performers who saw their stocks rise. They each bring a little something different to the table, here are the top five forwards from the Eastside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62fd2a517aff5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1450484"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eNo. 1 u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cemu003e| u003c/emu003eCofie's a versatile forward with exceptional size. He moves well, handles the ball, and is extending his consistent shooting range out to three-point. He was already a dominant presence in the paint at the high school level, but now he is truly diversifying his game and tapping into the potential someone of his size and skill is capable of. Cofie has been a big riser on the national recruiting scene and will surely handle more responsibility for the Crusaders creating and leading their attack.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["923112"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eNo. 2 u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cemu003e| u003c/emu003eThe 6'9 forward has pulled in a number of offers from high-level division one programs and continues to benefit from a strong summer season. Heide is an aggressive, active big man that blends great strength with good agility and a high work rate. The big guy looks to get involved in as much as he can, runs the floor, and builds great bonds with guards working on the pick and roll.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1177126"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eNo. 3u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003cstrongu003e u003c/strongu003e| Olujic makes the move from Eastside Catholic to Mt. Si this year and slots into a team coming off a near undefeated season. Olujic is a perfect fit for the Wildcats, he can stroke the outside shot, mix it up inside and contribute on the boards, and defend multiple positions. He plays a little under the radar, and is one of those players that will slowly chip away at you in different areas, leaving a big impact in the end.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":1476586,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Denis Anischenko","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Cedar Park Christian","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Global Basketball","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eNo. 4 u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e| The big man returns to a team that loses eight of ten varsity players from a year ago. It's fair to say, however Anischenko goes, so will the Eagles. The 6'7 forward has a smooth and controlled game operating around the paint. He eats up space with his steps and stays on balance, keeping his strength under him. He has a decent shot from mid-range and a good enough handle to create off the dribble. Anischenko will be relied on heavily this winter for a roster with lots of turnover. It will be interesting to see if he can go from second-team all-league in 21-22, to first-team all-league next season, and if he can build on last season where the Eagles were bounced in regionals.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1450576"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eNo. 5 u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e| This kid is strong and you can see when he plays that he's locked in on both ends of the court. He hustles down to stop fast breaks, makes offensive players earn their buckets, and plays team ball. He can affect the game with his rebounding, especially on the offensive glass. The other way he puts his mark on the game is getting to the hoop. I mentioned his strength, but he has a good feel for the dribble and gets the angle on defenders, bouncing them off his hip and making space for the layup. His Woodinville squad was close last year, losing out to a tough Central Valley team in a three-point regional game. Atwood is going to be a big part of a tough Falcons team.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Honorable Mention</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dorian Thomas </strong><em>Kentridge</em>, <strong>Macklin Grey </strong><em>Juanita</em>, <strong>Adam Davis </strong><em>Tahoma</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1450612' first='Hudson' last='Duff'] </strong><em>Woodinville</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='923110' first='Andrew' last='Gooding'] </strong><em>Bellevue</em>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1450620' first='Nate' last='Krohn'] </strong><em>Eastside Catholic, </em><strong>Jake Shuey </strong><em>Overlake</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->