Some of the most fearsome matchup nightmares in the MIAA come in the wing/forward positional group.
These players are hard to categorize, but you know them when you see them. At the high school level, they often play on the perimeter, but are strong and fast enough to drive inside for buckets. Though they might not be the primary playmaker on a team (some are), they're capable ball-handlers, and they can defend opponents of different styles and sizes. Like always, positional labels are up for debate. Some names may have more guard-like qualities, while others skew closer to post players.
The below collection of talent includes a pair of state champion teammates, five standout juniors, and the top college prospect in the MIAA — a sophomore.
This is the second list previewing the MIAA's top stars; we covered guards yesterday. Here are the wings and forwards you need to know entering the winter.
More:Â 10 MIAA guards to watch entering 2024-25
Tess Baacke, Medfield
Class of 2026, 5-8
Don't overlook Baacke in Medfield's star trio. The junior is a pest defensively and made a lot of the effort plays that helped the Warriors reach the Div. 2 championship last season. She contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds in that climactic win against Worcester South. Baacke can also catch fire from the 3-point arc, attack driving lanes for layups and lead Medfield's fast-break stampedes.
Bella Bingham, Walpole
Class of 2026, 5-9
Bingham, like a few players coming up on this list, is a multi-sport star — she won Bay State Conference MVP in soccer this fall — and a gifted overall athlete. On the court, she emerged as the second-leading scorer for the Timberwolves behind star guard Izzy Adams last season. With Adams now at Dexter Southfield, Bingham takes the leading role as a fast, physically strong wing who can blow by or power through opponents. She scored 13 points as one of the standouts at the Eastern Mass. Showcase in November.
EMASS SHOWCASE STARS:Â 8 girls who shined in the inaugural event
Devon Burke, Newton North
Class of 2025, 6-0
We'll stay with the multi-sport theme and add Burke, a three-time volleyball state champion at Newton North. Burke is also one of the fastest players you will find in basketball and a weapon in the open floor. Give her a driving lane and she'll fly to the rim, often with an acrobatic layup finish. Her length and quickness make her a tough cover and one of many Bay State Conference players to watch. She'll be playing both basketball and volleyball in college at Babson.
Kerri Finneran, Central Catholic
Class of 2025, 5-10
Finneran's high school stardom might be unmatched. She just wrapped up her illustrious field hockey career as one of three Central Catholic players ever with more than 100 career points, was the leading scorer on last year's Raider basketball team that reached the Division 1 quarterfinals, and will take her lacrosse talents to college at UMass. She's one Merrimack Valley Conference MVP in a whopping five straight seasons across the three sports.
As far as hoops goes — Finneran is a tough forward who corrals rebounds and scores inside, but she also moves well without the ball. That's something Central Catholic coach Casey Grange attributed to Finneran's experiences in different sports.
MIAA PREVIEWS: Medfield | St. Mary’s | Woburn | Central Catholic | Norwell | Cathedral
Alyssa Hopps, Quincy
Class of 2025, 5-11
I buy Quincy as a sleeper contender in Div. 1, and a primary reason is Hopps' value as a two-way forward. She is a phenomenal defender, where her length and timing help her tally up blocks and deflections in help defense or as a paint anchor. Hopps can drive the ball and make solid reads on offense, and she's registered a few game-winning buckets throughout her high school career. She's another Babson commit.
Izzy Kittredge, Medfield
Class of 2026, 6-1
Kittredge stands among the elite shooters in MIAA, particularly from the corners, where she's near-automatic. A 6-foot-1 wing with a quick release can't be fun for opponents. Kittredge's scoring versatility also shows up in her work screening and scoring inside. She's a capable rebounder and an important piece to Medfield's championship-level defense.
Jenna Mishou, Archbishop Williams
Class of 2026, 6-2
Mishou transferred to Archbishop Williams this year after helping Whitman-Hanson reach the Div. 2 quarterfinals. As a sophomore, she showed flashes of rare ball-handling ability and speed for her size. She's capable of taking defenders off the dribble by herself or taking the ball up on fast breaks. Mishou has an offer from Providence. I'll be interested to see what her role looks like at a new school that's also bringing aboard Sarah Behn, her Dana Barros Elite AAU director, to lead the Bishops.
Maddie Oliver, Norwell
Class of 2025, 5-11
The Clippers are legit Division 3 championship contenders this season with Norwell leading a squad of veterans. A 5-foot-11 forward, she posted 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists en route to her second South Shore League MVP award. Coach Matt Marani praised her versatility as a powerful forward who can also handle the ball and pass, allowing him to deploy Oliver creatively.
Bella Owumi, St. Mary's
Class of 2027, 5-11
Through most lenses, Owumi is a special player. She scored her first Division 1 offer before eighth grade and recently picked up high-majors Louisville, Miami, Syracuse and Villanova. She’s been starting for the Spartans since seventh grade and has won two state titles. Or just watch her play defense, where she’s one of the most suffocating lockdown wings in the state. Owumi averaged 14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals. Get ready for another leap as a sophomore.
Jaelynn Scott, Wachusett
Class of 2026, 6-0
Wachusett’s rotation will look a lot different this season, but the Div. 1 state finalist returns perhaps its best defender in Scott. The rangy forward averaged 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 blocks last year, emerging as a versatile defensive chess piece who can guard players off the dribble or rack up chasedown swats. Scott has picked up Division 1 college offers from Providence, UNH and Manhattan.
