6A Forwards Building Momentum Heading Into Senior Season

With the June Live Periods coming to a close and summer team camps winding down before the final stretch of club basketball, several Class of 2027 forwards have positioned themselves for breakout seasons. Many gained valuable varsity experience a year ago and used the spring and summer to continue developing their games. Armed with more confidence, strength and opportunity, these rising seniors are ready to build on that momentum and have the potential to become true difference makers for their teams next season.    Harlow had a huge season for Loveland and should no longer be a player flying under the radar after averaging 16.5 points per game and putting together a highly productive year. His ability to light it up from deep makes him one of the more dangerous wings in his class, and he consistently showed that by reaching double figures in all but two games. As he heads into this season, the next step is expanding his game beyond his perimeter shooting. Defenses will be keyed in on him, making his ability to create off the dribble, make plays for teammates and finish in traffic even more important. He already impacts the game with his toughness, defense and rebounding, but becoming a more complete offensive threat could take him from a breakout player to one of the top wings to watch this season     Williams emerged as one of the bright spots for Bear Creek last season and consistently proved he could deliver against quality competition. He averaged 14 points per game while showcasing an efficient and confident offensive game, shooting 52% from the field. What stood out most was the way he finished the season, reaching double figures in 11 straight games and finding a level of consistency that made him a difficult matchup. His season high 23 points demonstrated the scoring ability he possesses when he gets into rhythm. Heading into this season continuing to expand his offensive arsenal and becoming a more complete playmaker could be the next step in his development. If he builds off the momentum he created late last year, Williams has the potential to be one of the more productive and impactful players in his league     Smith is one of the more exciting athletes to watch and has the ability to change the momentum of a game with his energy and explosiveness. The Broomfield standout is a highly active, aggressive high flier who can put on a show on both ends of the floor. His athleticism has consistently stood out dating back to last season and throughout the spring, and he has shown he can handle pressure while stepping up in big moments for his team. Smith averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but those numbers only tell part of the story of his impact. Heading into this season continued development as a scorer and playmaker could unlock another level in his game. If he continues to build on his skill set, Smith has all the tools to become one of the most impactful players in the area     Hernandez has all the tools to take a significant step forward for Castle View this season. At 6'6” he brings excellent size and versatility, and last season he consistently showed an ability to make tough baskets and come through with clutch plays when his team needed them most. He finished the year averaging 10.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, but his impact often went beyond the box score. One of the most encouraging signs was how well he performed against strong competition, proving he can rise to the occasion in big moments. As he continues to develop physically and refine his offensive game, there is reason to believe both his production and overall influence will increase. Hernandez looks poised for a bigger role and could emerge as one of the key difference makers for Castle View this season     Hinkle looks like a player poised for a breakout season and is a major reason Highlands Ranch could make some noise this winter. The 6'9” athletic big man averaged 10 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season, but his potential suggests there is much more still to come. He moves well for his size, finishes efficiently around the basket and showed the ability to consistently knock down shots when given opportunities. As his confidence continues to grow and he gains more experience, his overall game should take another step forward. The combination of size, athleticism and skill gives him one of the higher ceilings among frontcourt players in the area. With another year of development and an expanded role, expect both his production and impact to rise significantly for Highlands Ranch this season

With the June Live Periods coming to a close and summer team camps winding down before the final stretch of club basketball, several Class of 2027 forwards have positioned themselves for breakout seasons. Many gained valuable varsity experience a year ago and used the spring and summer to continue developing their games. Armed with more confidence, strength and opportunity, these rising seniors are ready to build on that momentum and have the potential to become true difference makers for their teams next season.