Those Fabulous Forwards in Sectional Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Misoouri takes a look at a group of forwards and post players who put in work in Monday night's sectional playoffs to lead their teams to the state quarterfinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1606855' first='Stephen' last='Okoro'] (Principia): The 6'9" 2023 forward scored 19 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in the Panthers' 71-60 victory over Advance in the Class 2 sectionals at Park Hills Central. This high-motor big is one of the most impressive rebounders in the entire state. His work rate is high and he routinely ventures out of his area to snatch rebounds. He also blocked two shots against Advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1160651' first='Jadis' last='Jones'] (New Madrid Central): The 6'5" 2024 forward had one of the most impressive performances in the state on Monday night as he led the Eagles to a 65-61 victory over rival Charleston in the Class 3 sectionals at Bloomfield. Jones finished the game with 29 points and a whopping 23 rebounds as the Eagles took down the defending state champion and current No. 1 team in the state. He's a ferocious competitor with excellent athleticism and versatility at both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1433310' first='Jay' last='Ball'] (Thomas Jefferson): The 6'7" 240-pound 2023 forward led the Cavaliers to another berth in the Class 1 quarterfinals with 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 68-58 victory over Rich Hill on Monday night in Willard. Not only can Ball overpower opposing teams with his size and strength, but he is mobile and very active around the basket. He also had a triple double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks during the district tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1160826' first='Jacob' last='Lafferty'] (Sparta): The 6'5" 2024 forward jammed and slammed his way to a game-high 35 points to lead Sparta to a 74-52 victory over Southwest (Washburn) in the Class 3 sectionals at Carthage. Big Jake was really dealing in the third quarter when he had 19 points. He a force around the basket with the strength and explosive athleticism, but he's also done a nice job of extending his game out of the perimeter as his career progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1440688' first='Roman' last='Phillips'] (Atlanta): The 6'8" 2023 forward scored a game-high 22 points to lead the xx to a xx victory over Brunswick in the Class 1 sectionals at Harrisburg. Phillips rallied Atlanta from an early 14-point deficit as he started to assert himself inside with his combination of size and skills. He works hard around the basket and he has a soft shooting touch inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chasten Horton (West County): The 6'5" 2023 forward scored a game-high 32 points to lead West County past Maplewood 53-49 in a Class 3 sectional game at Farmington. For the second consecutive postseason game, West County rallied from a second-half deficit to take the win and Horton was in the middle of the action with his strength and explosive play around the basket. He has displayed the ability to take over stretches of the game as he commands the ball inside and finishes with authority. He also rebounds at a high level and can block shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cade Limback (Lafayette County): The 6'6" 320-pound 2023 post player scored 15 points to lead the Huskers to a 56-42 victory over Lone Jack in a Class 3 sectional game at Harrisonville. Despite battling his own foul trouble, Big Cade was able to be very productive against Lone Jack's big front line. When he establishes his position in the low post, he is virtually impossible to move and he can finish with a soft touch around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->