Updated Class of 2023 Rankings (Forwards, Part I)

Prep Hoops Missouri recently released its updated Class of 2023 rankings. We continue our positional rankings with a look at the first group of top forwards in the class.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/45E74B2B-84EF-4432-B10E-82362D012050.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1222521" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/45E74B2B-84EF-4432-B10E-82362D012050-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070084" first="Kyle" last="Pock"] (Bolivar): The 6’7" forward has played basically all five positions for the Liberators since his freshman season. He’s the primary scorer, ballhandler and playmaker for a very successful program. As a junior, he averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists a game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/020B1119-BB08-41B4-81B5-C564A56EB3D8.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1321981" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/020B1119-BB08-41B4-81B5-C564A56EB3D8-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070090" first="Kennard" last="Davis"] (Vashon): The 6’6" small forward was the lone returning starter from a 2021 state championship team and returned to lead a very young Wolverines team to another state championship. He’s a versatile performer who can knock down the 3-pointer while also being a solid playmaker. He averaged 11.8 points and five rebounds while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/434865C4-0671-495B-9544-29F86233D032-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161279" first="Kayden" last="Fish"] (Staley): The 6’6" forward is a nice blend of power, quickness and explosive athletic ability around the basket. The Big Fish was the leader of the Falcons big a talented front line for the third-place team in the Class 6 state tournament. He averaged 11 points and four rebounds a game while shooting 63 percent from the field. He already holds scholarship offers from multiple mid-major Division I programs.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/92ACE61C-9A77-4690-B04B-A25DFD04D6FB.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224856" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/92ACE61C-9A77-4690-B04B-A25DFD04D6FB-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070085" first="Cameron" last="Williams"] (Cape Girardeau Central): The 6’7" 235-pound forward took his game to another level as a junior as he led the Tigers to a 22-victory season and a Class 5 district title. He is a versatile big who can overpower defenders in the low post, but also step out and knock down 3-pointers. He averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game as a junior.   Cameron Manyanu (Staley): A 6’9" forward who played a big role off the bench in the Falcons’ run to the Final Four of the Class 6 state tournament. He provided energy as a rebounder and shot blocker as he averaged seven points and five rebounds a game. His stock has continued to climb as his overall offensive game as developed, which included his ball handling and perimeter shooting.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/71-Brayden-Shorter-e1639695306653.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1314691" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/71-Brayden-Shorter-e1639695306653-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161311" first="Brayden" last="Shorter"] (Kickapoo): The 6’5" forward is one of the top frontcourt shooting threats in the state. He could stretch the defense with his shooting and he also came through with big shots down the stretch of several games. He averaged 15 points and five rebounds a game while shooting the 3-pointer at a 44 percent clip. He made a total of 82 3-pointers on the season in helping the Chiefs to a conference championship.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/A4C3ECE2-1BEB-4CAD-933C-42763F84F7CD.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1241776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/A4C3ECE2-1BEB-4CAD-933C-42763F84F7CD-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1264291" first="Cameron" last="Stovall"] (Vashon): The 6’5" forward is a slashing combo is a matchup problem with his ability to take opposing bigs off the dribble. He finishes strong on the drive and he does a good job in attacking the offensive boards. He averaged seven points and three rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field for the Class 4 state champions.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/17BC158E-B895-4F5B-AD54-BDE3E3708849.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1338763" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/17BC158E-B895-4F5B-AD54-BDE3E3708849-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161281" first="Cole" last="Griesemer"] (Hillcrest): A 6’6" combo who is one of the more skilled small forwards in the SWMO area. He has excellent shooting range from downtown and he has the size and athleticism to get downhill on the drive. He also has very good ball handling and playmaking skills to make his teammates better.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/984C12B1-74DF-4FE2-AA5A-BF8032BCAC63.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1269081" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/984C12B1-74DF-4FE2-AA5A-BF8032BCAC63-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070110" first="Harrison" last="Doennig"] (Kickapoo): A 6’7" forward who plays with a high motor around the basket. He is a good worker who will run the court and attack the boards at both ends of the court. He is a strong finisher inside who will also get out and score on rim-runs in transition.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/10134604-5F84-4181-A4EA-F8CBDE83C1B8.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1439332" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/10134604-5F84-4181-A4EA-F8CBDE83C1B8-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Evans Appolon (Father Tolton): A 6’9" 245-pound post player who has strong presence in the lane at both ends of the court. He is most effective when he catches the ball and score on his lefty jump hook over his right shoulder. He is also a nice passer from the post when faced with a double team. He shot 66 percent from the field and was a stout defender and shot blocker on the Trailblazers’ Class 4 state runner-up team.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Colby-Lancaster.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1182191" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Colby-Lancaster-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1161291" first="Colby" last="Lancaster"] (Fulton): A 6’7" 230-pound power forward who is tough to handle around the basket with his combination of strength and athleticism. He has good moves in the low post and he can also go up and finish above the rim. He is also a strong rebounder who can also get out and run the court in transition.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/56DDBD7C-B784-47F9-885D-AADFA28F77FA.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1228330" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/56DDBD7C-B784-47F9-885D-AADFA28F77FA-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1070098" first="Justin" last="Goolsby"] (Battle): The 6’4" combo forward is a standout quarterback on the football field, but he is quite a performer on the basketball court as well. He is a blue collar worker who plays with a big motor. He is a threat to post a double-double any time he steps on the floor.