5 Western PA Power Forwards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These powerful big men are making names for themselves in Western Pennsylvania. Here are five to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204042"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6675d8c719c8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1204042' first='Kellen' last='Ball']'s effectiveness stems from his ability to play larger than his listed size, utilizing his physical frame to dominate in the paint. He's tough on the boards and is an excellent rebounder.&nbsp; In traffic, Ball finishes at the rim well. That said, Ball's offensive toolkit extends beyond the paint, as he demonstrates proficiency as a spot-up shooter when stepping away from the basket. When left open, he can knock down three's, so defenders have to account for that and step out.&nbsp; What sets Ball apart is his hustle and determination – he is willing to do anything to secure the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Max Wallace","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cathedral Prep","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SPS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667711dc0f083"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Max Wallace has a well-rounded skill set and the physical attributes to play the position. At 6'4", Wallace's game is anchored by his excellent jump shot. His ability to move well for a big man showcases his athleticism and versatility. Wallace's footwork and balance are particularly noteworthy, complemented by an array of post moves. His strength and physicality allow him to dominate inside, while his excellent rebounding skills make him a constant presence on the boards. Wallace's offensive arsenal is further enhanced by his great touch around the rim. Defensively, he shows impressive ability to shut down larger players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204070"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667711dc0f0e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1204070' first='Mickey' last='Vaccarello'] boasts a well-rounded skill set and all of the physical attributes to be a big-time player. Defensively, Vaccarello is a force. Offensively, he sets thunderous screens and rolls to the rim well after and can finish with either hand. Vaccarello has super soft hands, and somehow manages to catch off target passes and convert them into buckets. His high basketball IQ is evident in his off-ball movement. For a player of his size and position, Vaccarello displays impressive ball-handling skills. Despite accepting a football scholarship to Stanford, Vaccarello's commitment to basketball remains strong and I expect him to have a big year for Peters Township.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Upper St. Clair","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Scoring Factory Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667711dc0f181"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite his youth, [player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins'] has already made a significant impact. He excels in the paint, demonstrating a knack for cleaning up around the rim and asserting his dominance on the boards. His offensive repertoire includes a handful of quality post moves, and he scores very well from the block. What sets Robbins apart is his physicality. He loves using his size and strength to overpower defenders. His commitment to improvement is evident in his offseason work with Scoring Factory Elite. Adding to his athletic profile, Robbins is an excellent football player, showcasing his overall athleticism and competitiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ben Bartolovic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Armstrong","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-667711dc0f20d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ben Bartolovic boasts exceptional defensive skills and rebounding prowess. Despite his somewhat undersized frame for the position, Bartolovic's impact on the court is undeniable. His quality defensive play forms the foundation of his game. After a rebound, Bartolovic's basketball IQ shines in his ability to make excellent outlet passes and push the tempo. While he played more of a role player position last season for Armstrong, Bartolovic's commitment to improving his offensive game over the summer suggests potential for a more well-rounded impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->