FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Talia Kahrs has announced the recent signing of two Kansas Class 5A All-State performers from the Wichita area. Both Landon Forbes of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School and Avery Lowe of Maize South High School will join the Tigers in advance of the 2023-24 season.
"Both of these players are proven winners and competitors," said Kahrs. "They are students of the game and will do whatever necessary to make sure they aren't outworked - they have proven this both on the floor and in the classroom.
"We are very excited for the two of them to join Talexa Weeter in our 2023 recruiting class. Going into my first year as a head coach, I'm excited for what the future of this group has to offer. They are the missing pieces we needed to add to an experienced group of returners."
Landon Forbes • Bishop Carroll Catholic HS
5-7 • Guard • Wichita, Kan.
Forbes joins the Tigers after finishing her senior year with Bishop Carroll HS, the 2023 Kansas Class 5A state runners-up. A 5-7 guard, she was a first team All-State selection as a senior by the coaches (KBCA), Sports in Kansas, KSHSAA Covered and the Wichita Eagle.
"Landon is a tough point guard that doesn't back down from a fight," said Kahrs. "She makes those around her better. She does a great job of getting the ball where it needs to go and isn't afraid to make something happen herself."
Sports in Kansas named her the Kansas Girls Defensive Player of the Year and also listed her on the All-Classes Top 10 list. Forbes was also on the all-metro team and the all-classes top 15 list from the Wichita Eagle in addition to earning All-Vype Wichita large schools first team accolades.
Forbes helped Bishop Carroll to conference championships and sub-state titles each of the last two years, reaching the state title game in 2023. She averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.1 steals per game during her senior season, completing her high-school career with 757 points, 267 assists, 229 rebounds and 227 steals.
Forbes also ran cross country for the Golden Eagles, finishing third at state as a sophomore in 2020 and 13th as a junior in 2021.
Avery Lowe • Maize South HS
6-3 • Forward • Wichita, Kan.
Lowe will head to Hays after wrapping up her career at Maize South HS as the program record-holder in career blocks. A 6-3 forward, Lowe was a first team All-State selection as a senior by Sports in Kansas and received second-team All-State honors from the coaches (KBCA), the Wichita Eagle and KSHSAA Covered.
"Avery is a versatile post player," said Kahrs. "She has a talented skill set inside, but also has the ability to play around the perimeter. It is clear that she has a strong basketball mind and puts in the work necessary to succeed."
She earned a trio of first team All-AVCTL DI honors in addition to being named conference Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Lowe was on the 2023 Wichita Eagle All-Metro team and earned second team All-Vype Wichita large school status as a senior.
Lowe averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.6 blocks per game as a senior. She was on the all-tournament team at the Lady Cat Classic twice, picking up MVP honors at the tournament as a senior.
Lowe was also a standout performer in volleyball, collecting the single season and career record in blocks while earning three all-conference honors (two second team, one honorable mention). The Mavericks won four AVCTL conference titles and four sub-state titles during Lowe's tenure with the team, advancing to the state semifinals once. She was also on the all-tournament team at the Hays High Invite.