Pennsylvania high school girls basketball: Meet the state’s best forwards for the 2023-24 season

Who are the top forwards in Pennsylvania high school girls basketball this season?

With fall sports in the rearview mirror, the high school basketball season is finally here.

SBLive Sports is highlighting some of the best players in Pennsylvania heading into the winter season.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the best of the best in high school girls basketball. We started with point guards, combo guards and wings, and now it’s the forwards’ turn.

Here are 20 of the best forwards in Pennsylvania entering the 2023-24 high school girls basketball season.

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Pennsylvania, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! You can discuss the other forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2023-24 by connecting with us on Twitter @SBLivePA or emailing ryan@scorebooklive.com. 

Lydia Betz, sr., North Allegheny

A two-time Big 56 all-conference selection, Betz helped lead North Allegheny to the Class 6A WPIAL title last winter. Betz, a Goldey-Beacom signee, put up 10 points per game a season ago. 

Sam Blumenthal, sr., Bishop Shanahan

Blumenthal is an elite rebounder for Bishop Shanahan with solid footwork in the paint. The senior leader is committed to Catholic University.

London Creach, jr., Oakland Catholic

Creach, a junior with multiple Division I offers, is an athletic forward who can handle the ball and drain shots from long range. She is also a standout on the defensive end.

Christiana Gordon, jr., Westmont Hilltop

Gordon put up 16.6 points per game as a sophomore and was voted 3A third-team all-state. The junior’s Division I offers include Robert Morris and Saint Francis.

Olivia Green, so., Central Dauphin

Green was an instant impact performer for Central Dauphin a season ago, averaging 10 rebounds per game. The forward also put up 7.5 points, one assist and 1.4 steals. 

Erica Hall, sr., South Fayette

Hall was a key piece of a South Fayette defense that surrendered just 37 points per game last winter. She put up nine points and six boards as a junior and will have a bigger role on offense this winter.

Ava Hoover, jr., Annville-Cleona

Hoover is a versatile junior who recorded 11 double-doubles during her sophomore season. She averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. 

Amber Howard, sr., Bensalem

A 6-foot-1 standout with a diverse offensive game, Howard is on track to surpass the 1,000 career points mark this season. She is a North Carolina A&T signee. 

Emily Knouse, jr., Archbishop Wood

Knouse is best known as a 3-point sharpshooter, but the junior is also a strong interior player for Archbishop Wood. The St. Joseph’s commit averaged 8.3 points, six rebounds and 2.3 assists as a sophomore. 

Ava Kobus, sr., Norwin

The 6-foot Kobus is an inside-outside player who can be deadly from beyond the 3-point stripe. The senior is committed to Allegheny College. 

Rylee Kraft, sr., Lancaster Catholic

Kraft creates a dangerous one-two punch with point guard Mary Bolesky to lead Lancaster Catholic’s offense. She will play college basketball for Shippensburg. 

Amelia McMichael, jr., Butler

A left-handed junior, McMichael is capable of getting buckets inside and outside for Butler. She put up 15 points per game last winter.

Lily Milewski, jr., Conwell-Egan

Milewski is a power forward who has shooting range that extends to the 3-point stripe. She was a stat-stuffer as a sophomore, averaging 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.4 blocks. 

Claire Noble, sr., Ellwood City

Noble is another switchable forward who can do several things on the court. The Clarion signee averaged 12 points per game last winter for Ellwood City. 

Mackenzie Pettinelli, sr., Spring-Ford

Pettinelli is capable of playing anywhere from shooting guard to power forward for Spring-Ford. The St. Bonaventure signee put up nine points, 6.5 rebounds and five assists last winter, setting the Spring-Ford single-season assists record. 

Emma Reynolds, jr., Chartiers Valley

Reynolds is a two-way player for Chartiers Valley who really shines as a rebounder and defender. She averaged 10.5 points, six boards, one assist, 1.5 steals and one block as a sophomore. 

Amaya Stewart, jr., Wyomissing

Stewart put up 15.3 points per game as a sophomore en route to 4A first-team all-state recognition. The versatile forward holds multiple Division I offers. 

Alyssa Terza, sr., Elizabeth Forward

The 6-foot Terza has guard skills and the size to play in the interior. She averaged 13.6 points per game as a junior. 

Zariyah Whigham, sr., Lebanon

The 5-foot-8 Whigham is a ferocious rebounder who averaged 10.8 boards per game as a junior. She also put up 6.9 points, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals a season ago. 

Reese Zemitis, sr., Neshaminy

Zemitis is a good all-around athlete who can play inside and outside for Neshaminy. A Bucknell signee, Zemitis averaged 13.8 points per game last year and was voted 6A third-team all-state.

(Reese Zemitis photo by Nur B. Adam/USA Today)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports