The Valley Jam: 2023 forwards

<p>July 16-18 I attended the <em>HoopSeen</em> <strong>The Valley Jam </strong>at the beautiful nearly brand new Ottawa University in Surprise/AZ. </p> <p>43 teams from the 15 to 17U played four showcase games over the weekend. College coaches were on hand to take in the action for the second of the three July live periods.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here were some 2023 forwards that stood out:</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="814038" first="Noah" last="Amenhauser"] Estrella Foothills (Factory 16)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-The top post player at the event was tough to handle. He went through stretches he couldn’t be stopped. He scored it inside at a high level from drops steps, hooks, counter moves and of course dunks. He protected the rim and gobbled up seemingly every rebound near him.  </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1183310" first="Corey" last="Wood"] ALA-Ironwood (Team RHJ 2023)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A taller wing forward keeps adding to his game. He is handling the ball a little better then he did at the beginning of the year. He has the floater, a catch-3 and a polished fall-away. He needs to fill in but he should have a huge season for the Warriors next season. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1165972" first="Noah" last="Peterson"] Highland (Team Arizona Black 17)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A versatile forward may be the strongest in the AIA from his class. He plays inside versus bigger post players and can step out and hit 3’s. He handles it like a guard and will take it off the glass and make plays for his teammates.   </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1180584" first="Pasha" last="Shemirani"] Salpointe Catholic (AZ Select 16 Wilson) </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A quickly improving forward scores it inside and will step out and hit the catch-3. He plays a physical brand of ball and has a motor to clean the glass. His post footwork is advancing and he can rip through.    </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1180559" first="Max" last="Lightfoot"] Gilbert Christian (AZ Select 16 Wilson) </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A rugged power forward has a top-notch motor. He runs he floor for position and boxes out like you should. He can finish off contested shots with left or right hand. He crashes the glass with his length and energy.   </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1035129" first="Adrien" last="Armstrong"] Carl Hayden (PAL Elite 2023) (Pictured)    </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-One of the top motors in the class. He is a multiple positional defender and sits down and defends the 1-4. He rebounds, blocks shots, collects steals and dives on the floor for loose balls. His skill is improving as his FT stroke and 3pt shot look better.  </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="936906" first="Masaiah" last="Binford"] South Mountain (PAL Elite 2023)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-A bouncy forward who seems to grab every rebound in his area. He sends shots away out of his area and runs the floor well. He has good length and his body is filling in plus he can step out and hit perimeter J’s.  </span></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1128451" first="Caden" last="Zurek"] <strong>Casteel (Pumas)</strong></p> <p>-A quickly growing forward is up to 6’7. It seems like every showing he grows a little. His extra height has helped him on the glass and score it more efficiently in the paint. He will run the floor, block shots and be a menace on both sides of the court. </p>