Feast Week: 2026 Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanksgiving week I attended five tournaments and one stand alone game for exactly 24 games and 48 different teams. The events I watched were&nbsp;<strong>Phoenix Union Coyote Classic</strong>&nbsp;at Central HS,&nbsp;<strong>Beyond Basketball Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament</strong>&nbsp;at Moon Valley,&nbsp;<strong>Millennium at Sandra Day O'Connor, Fear The Hop Tournament</strong>&nbsp;at Mesa HS,&nbsp;<strong>Sentinel Holiday Classic</strong>&nbsp;at Seton Catholic and Horizon Honors and lastly the&nbsp;<strong>LV8 Invitational</strong>&nbsp;at Chandler-Gilbert CC.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were some 2026 Forward Standouts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1834712' first='Santiago' last='Leyva']&nbsp; Dysart&nbsp;(PIctured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled power forward can score a variety of ways with inside buckets from six-feet, hook shots, running layups and spin moves off of his defenders. He has a strong base and uses it to be a physical rebounder and a paint scorer. He scored 18 points.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2506427' first='Jovani' last='Jones'] Valley Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thicker high IQ point forward. He rebounds well in his area and he can get hot quickly from the three point line off the catch with quick release. He plays with some fire and is a team player.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150822' first='Cameron' last='Holmes'] Millennium&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top guard/wing defenders in the AIA scored 22 points with lob dunks, ball fakes into dribble drives, fast break dunks, and a deep three despite being heavily guarded. He rebounds well and will even block shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875723' first='Edgar' last='Hardwick'] West Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good showing by the wing forward. He has some natural athleticism and quickness but showed off more skill. He can hit the catch three and get hot plus score with put backs and floaters. He scored 10 points. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2131786' first='Markee' last='White Jr'] Williams Field</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong power forward is a force Inside and out. He is a threat to hit the three off the catch or pull-up from mid-range. He can also use his brute strength to dominate the painted area with tip ins and scoring thru the contact.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1834154' first='Brock' last='Steele'] Seton Catholic&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high motored wing forward can hit the catch three and pull-up off the dribble. He is a little undersized but a high level leaper who springs up and he is a very quick second jumper to rebound and block shots. He scored 24 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291967' first='Kyle' last='Bogart'] Highland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The man in the middle comes in and rebounds and block shots. He runs the floor and will seal his defender and score or get fouled. He is a quick second jumper and keeps the ball high with counter moves, quick springs to score inside off of rebounds. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2333012' first='Devin' last='Morganfield'] Valley Christian&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A power forward with good length and high activity. He looks a little bigger this year and he will score on offensive rebound put backs, he runs the floor and is active on both sides of the court.&nbsp;A much needed post player for the small school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1570934' first='Diego' last='Sarabia'] Queen Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled power forward with a plus motor actually dominated the game inside in this outing. He has very soft hands to score inside and can also step out and shoot it from the perimeter. He scored 21 points. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323297' first='Kaleo' last='Mills'] Paradise Honors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long wing forward with good size for position had a good stretch in the second half of the game I viewed. He is a natural slasher and long driver and strider using his size and length to get to the basket to score.&nbsp;He is also a capable perimeter shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591736' first='Dillan' last='McClinton'] Paradise Honors&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong and tough combo forward who plays multiple positions. He scores inside with plus hands and he is a good offensive and defensive rebounder. He can push the ball up the court with a nice handle for position and get to the basket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->