D1 Showcase: 2026 Wings and Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second part of the D1 Showcase recap, we're taking a look at the wings and forwards. Here are six more seniors who elevated their teams over the weekend:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2459355' first='Dezmon' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'4 G/W 2026 Riverdale Baptist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In spite of having no traditional bigs and being at a height disadvantage versus Salesianum, the run-and-jump ability of Ainsworth was all the Crusaders needed. His agility caused matchup problems with how soured for offensive rebounds, flew down the court in transition, and cut off-ball. Ainsworth also hit three triples to finish with 22 points, 5 boards, and 2 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1595675' first='Julius' last='Avent'] | 6'8 W/F 2026 Bergen Catholic </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All throughout his dominant performance against an athletic Dover team, Avent matched the Senators with his combination of size and skill. The Michigan State pledge towered over his opponents in the paint and on the glass. Even when defenders absorbed the contact he created on drives, Avent still has angles to finish over the top. Defensively, he affected countless attempts at the rim, then initiated fastbreak offense off of the rebound. Avent led the Crusaders to a big win with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352457' first='JayVion' last='Denis'] | 6'5 W 2026 Dover </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Senators bout with Bergen Catholic, Denis's fluidity and bounce helped even the height disadvantage some. He effectively crashed the boards on both ends and intercepted passes to keep the ball away from the Crusaders. Denis drilled a pair of threes on handoffs as well. He lifted the Senators with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2365471' first='Dominic' last='Downs'] | 6'4 W 2026 Salesianum </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spacing Downs provided from the mid-range and from deep were vital for Salesianum when they faced Riverdale Baptist. With the defense quickly closing in on him off the catch, Down pulled up in the second level for a couple middies. Then he extended his range, sliding in open windows for three long-range jumpers. The McDaniel College-commit led the Sals with 17 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2148602' first='Eric' last='Hillsman'] | 6'8 F 2026 Patrick School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Locked in a cage match with West Catholic, the Celtics guards did most of the scoring, but Hillsman's performance dictated the outcome. He limited shots in the paint with his wingspan and his physical mentality. Hillsman earned everything he got on offense too, throwing down two putback dunks. His 8 points, 9 boards, 1 steal, and 1 block in just three quarters went a long way. Hillsman followed that up with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 1 block versus Lincoln on Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1576722' first='Kingston' last='Wheatley'] | 6'7 F 2026 West Catholic </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lean forward headed to FGCU, Wheatley brought it on offense and defense versus Patrick School. He was the Burrs' enforcer on defense, protecting their basket by altering shots nearby and pulling down defensive rebounds. He was featured offensively too, setting solid ball-screens and driving from the elbow, plus crashing the boards. He had a steady 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->