Northern Colorado Preview: 2026 Forwards Set for Success

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the best forwards in the Northern Front Range, competing on both ends in the paint.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622290"],"_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-670ea5fe9e017"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mbadinga remains a high upside prospect given the length, athleticism, and progressing face-up game. Continuing to show flashes as a floor spacer, the lefty is as difficult to get a hand up as anyone in the class. Defensively, the forward is still a formidable option around the rim, capable of meeting opponents at the rim to swat away shots. Alongside the notable mobility, Mbadinga brings&nbsp; a high motor to clean the glass on either end. Mbadinga follows a productive season, 11.8 points plus a team high of 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1509233"],"_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-670ea5fe9e070"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lanky forward has recently committed to Marquette for Lacrosse as a defenseman, although he will still be a huge asset for Rocky Mountain this season. Bringing a wide reach and mobility for his height, the twin towers of him and [player_tooltip player_id='1622290' first='Daniel' last='Mbadinga'] have been about as formidable a group of rim protectors anywhere in the state. Alsburg should get the bulk of his opportunities out of the pick and roll, effective diving towards the paint out of slip screens for quick finishes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1799812"],"_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-670ea5fe9e0b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roselle's constant motor at 6'6 makes him a productive glass cleaner up North, comfortable dishing out bumps in the paint. Effective going up through contests or contact, the forward will be a pest on either end of the floor, putting up 4.7 defensive rebounds and 2.9 on the offensive end per game. Following averages of 9.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, he is set for yet another season near double double averages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622249"],"_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-670ea5fe9e0fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elbe has made steady improvements to his handle, allowing him to change his direction and speeds to a greater degree while attacking the basket. Bringing the necessary size and length to compete on the wing, he has a shot to be a dependable floor spacer this coming season. As Elbe rounds out his offensive game, he has all the tools to be a skilled complementary wing. His repeated aggression on the glass will be necessary to his long standing success over the next two seasons, although he brings a unique skill set for his size. Elbe posted 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game at 36% from distance for 4A University last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1877575"],"_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-670ea5fe9e13f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An excellent rim runner who paces his opportunities out of ball screens well, Hughes looks to find success in the paint yet again. An efficient finisher around the basket, he only needs a sliver of space to work with to contribute layups. Particularly in June and recent high school showcases, Hughes has gotten more comfortable setting up scorers from kickout passes. His role defensively will be crucial to Fossil Ridge's success, although him and [player_tooltip player_id='1479325' first='Donovan' last='Banek'] show all the signs of a competitive pair of interior defenders.&nbsp;Hughes put up 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, solidifying his role down low. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1799817"],"_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-670ea5fe9e17e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Decker's size and strength will be crucial to Poudre's success on the glass, certainly one of the more physical presences in the northern Front Range.&nbsp;Given the other frontcourt names up in the region, Decker will play a vital role on the defensive end due to his motor. The forward follows a dependable sophomore season, posting 8.5 points and 6.6 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->