4A-6A Semis/Finals Standout Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched the Semi Finals of 4A with Tucson <strong>Sahuaro</strong> defeating <strong>ALA Gilbert North</strong> 55-51 on Monday. Wednesday night I viewed<strong> Liberty </strong>defeat <strong>Pinnacle</strong> 79-77. Friday night I watched the 5A Finals of <strong>Ironwood</strong> defeating <strong>Casteel</strong> 75-70 and finally Saturday I watched <strong>Liberty </strong>defeat <strong>Sandra Day O'Connor </strong>69-63.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Here were the standout Forwards</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131814' first='Ring' last='Nyeri'] Liberty (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best seniors in the AIA had 20 versus Pinnacle and 26 points versus SDO. He can score with catch threes, body control runners, ball fakes into a layup, polished hook shots, he gets to his spots and will shoot over the top, jump stops into a pull-up from mid-range, put backs with a quick second jump and impressive fall aways. He will dunk it in transition plus he is one of the better shot blockers in the AIA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336097' first='Braylon' last='Johnson'] Pinnacle&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile point forward type if a phenomenal passer. He sees the game like a PG. He will score with running hook shots, post ups with his left hand, dunks, offensive rebound tip-ins, blow by's and can step out and shoot perimeter jumpers. His ability to rebound the ball and push it up the court to score or make a play makes him unique. He can also defend multiple positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494969' first='Owen' last='Bell'] ALA Gilbert North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile wing forward had a good showing. He scored on tip dunks, runners, offensive rebound put backs, catch threes and got himself to the free throw line. He had a game high 17 points unofficially.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2365468' first='Nick' last='Ponds'] Sahuaro&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward is crafty around the basket. He scores with his thicker frame getting downhill with real toughness and grit. He rebounds at a good rate and plays the passing lanes well. He has an incredible motor to compete on both ends of the court.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333492' first='Michael' last='Simcoe'] Sandra Day O'Connor&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the better performances of the long week with Simcoe. He scored from all levels with impressive dunks in traffic above and thru defenders, fall aways creating his own space, threes off the catch or bounce with range and offensive rebound put backs showing off his motor. He scored 31 points unofficially.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1128463' first='Aidan' last='Schmidt'] Casteel&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile wing forward rebounds well in traffic, he has quick hands to grab steals and will take charges. He will score with floaters and loves posting up and going to work with advanced footwork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1950118' first='Jeremiah' last='Robertson'] Casteel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile sixth man is a long forward who is active to rebound out of his area. He is an above the rim athlete who scores it around the rim and will get fouled. He makes his money as a multi-positional defender and overall athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1364929' first='Jackson' last='Hunter'] Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the improving juniors is a three level scorer. He scores with catch threes with a quick release, body controlled layups, floaters, drive by with a burst to score or get fouled and will fade away in the post or spin off of his defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134484' first='Jamal' last='Ali'] Sahuaro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and taller post player who has real length to score on put backs and quick layups. He will step out and shoot the three off the catch and blocks and alters many shots around and out of his area.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369219' first='Luke' last='Danielson'] ALA Gilbert North&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong power forward will clean the glass in his area. He will score on offensive rebound put backs and even step out and hit the corner three. He made a few impressive blocks and brings size and brawn to the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2367880' first='Saleem' last='Gakiza'] Pinnacle&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A newcomer by way of Canada. He is a thicker wing forward who defends the post well with his strength but also moves his feet on the perimeter. He can score from inside and shoot it from the perimeter.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->