HoopPlay Nationals: Day 2 Standouts

Day 2 of the HoopPlay Nationals did not disappoint. Players and teams came back the second ready to position themselves for a deep run into the tournament for a chance to win the 2021 championship. There were some familiar faces that played well and some new faces that I got to know. Check out the Arkansas players that caught my attention below. <strong>Khyndal Alexander | 5’7 | Combo Guard | 2025 | Joe Johnson 2025 (Conway High School)</strong> This combo guard did a little bit of everything for her team. Defensively she was a nightmare for her opponent. Khyndal was getting deflections, steals, and pressuring the ball so much the offense would panic. This lead to easy transition layups. She also knew when to cut to open areas of the floor when the opponent lost sight of her in the half-court. <strong>Alexis Cox | 5’8 | Wing | 2025 | Joe Johnson 2025 (Conway High School)</strong> Alexis is an all-around player with good skill. She pressured the ball well on defense, got in the passing lanes, and rebounded the ball also. She can push it in transition and finish the play for herself or find an open teammate. Can also make the open three-pointer in the half-court. <strong>Aubrey Evans | 5’10 | Wing/Post | 2023 | Oklahoma Fusion (Bigelow High School)</strong> Aubrey is an athletic wing/post player that runs the floor very well. She has a knack for rebounding and can turn a defensive rebound into a fastbreak. When pushing it in transition she can finish through contact. Has a soft touch around the rim and can give help defense without fouling. <strong>Kadee Keaster | 5’5 | Combo Guard | 2025 | Swaggin’ Dragons (Atkins High School)</strong> Kadee really impressed me with her poise. Being the only rising freshman on a team that competed all weekend in the varsity division, she really showed that she belonged on the floor and never shied away from the competition. Kadee hit timely jumpers from mid-range, from the three-point line, and around the rim. She also handled the ball well and played solid defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="305934" first="Brett" last="Gardner"] | 5’7 | Point Guard | 2022 | Arkansas Sting (Southside Batesville High School)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="305934" first="Brett" last="Gardner"] put on a point guard clinic in the game I saw vs the LA Lady Gators. She controlled the tempo, got her teammates involved and when it came time for some clutch play she stepped up big time. Her ability to make plays for her teammates or herself down the stretch willed her team to victory over a scrappy Lady Gator team. <strong>Sidni Middleton | 5’8 | Combo Guard | 2023 | Arkansas Sting (Vilonia High School)</strong> I was eager to see this young lady after hearing about her talent and the potential she has. Everything I heard was on point. Sidni is a skilled and fundamentally sound combo guard that plays within herself. She can shoot, attack off the bounce, and get others involved. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="308574" first="Dessi" last="McCarty"] | 6’0 | Post | 2024 | Arkansas Elite (Mt. Vernon High School)</strong> I was very very impressed when I saw this young lady step on the basketball floor. I’m a stickler for players that understand the game and possess good skills and footwork. Dessi has a soft touch around the rim, rebounds the ball well, and can actually handle it in the open floor against 1 defender. She understands how to make herself available on the rim run off the pick and roll. If you give her too much space on the perimeter she can also make the three-pointer. <strong>Anna Trusty | PG | 5’9 | 2024 | Arkansas Mavericks (Greenwood High School)</strong> This point guard is a facilitator that keeps the team flowing offensively. Her poise and unselfishness keeps everyone involved. She can attack off the dribble and finish around the rim. Her length gives her the ability to get deflections and steals when playing the passing lanes on defense.