Hop Step Sporting Events Nationals Player Standouts

I got another opportunity to evaluate some girls basketball at the HSSE National Tournament in Benton, AR during the weekend of July 24-25th. This was HSSE's first national tournament so the field was small but there was still good basketball played and some players stood out to me. <strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4057-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628256023.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-314490 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4057-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628256023-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="237" height="155" /></a>Atesa Johnson | </strong><strong>Arkansas Blaze (Lafayette County High School) | </strong><strong>Combo Guard | </strong><strong>2025</strong> Atesa is an athletic player that slashes to the basket. She often scored points for her team just by finding ways to score. She uses her athletic ability well in the half-court and in transition. Atesa also displayed the ability to finish at the rim a number of different ways. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4040-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628256399.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-314492 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4040-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628256399-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="236" height="155" /></a>Lindsey Lockheart | </strong><strong>South Arkansas Lady Wolves (El Dorado High School) | </strong><strong>Combo Guard/Wing | </strong><strong>2023</strong> Lindsey showed the most potential of all the players at the national tournament. When she decided to make a play, whether it was scoring or creating for someone else, she did it. She can shoot the three, score in transition, handles the rock, and anticipate on defense. &nbsp; <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4048-scaled-crop-1537x1009-1628256906.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-314505 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4048-scaled-crop-1537x1009-1628256906-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="236" height="155" /></a><strong>Loran Mooney | ENG 2024 (Valley View High School) | Wing | 2024</strong> Loran plays tough. There were a few times when things got a little chippy and Loran didn't back down. This only made her go the basket even harder. She has a nice handle that allows her to get to her spots on the floor. She can also make the three-pointer. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4045-scaled-crop-1537x1009-1628257065.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-314507 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4045-scaled-crop-1537x1009-1628257065-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="236" height="155" /></a>Riley Gottsponer | Arkansas Angel (Wonderview High School) | Post/Wing | 2024</strong> Riley showed her versatility during the national tournament. She rebounded the ball, pushed it in transition, and made good decisions with the basketball. In the half-court, she showed she could shoot the jumper or attack off the catch. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4047-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628257247.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-314510 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/08/IMG_4047-scaled-crop-1441x946-1628257247-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="236" height="155" /></a>Kiki Williams | Arkansas Angels (Mayflower High School) | Post/Wing | 2024</strong> If I were to give this team a MVP for the tournament it would be Kiki. Listed as a post, she possesses some skills of a wing player. Kiki can take it coast to coast off the rebound, put the ball on the floor in the half-court, finish through contact, and shoot the three. She can also lock you down on the defensive end. &nbsp; <hr /> The players listed below also caught my eye, have potential, and played well. <strong>Marlaysha Stone | Arkansas Blaze (Magnolia High School) | Point Guard | 2025</strong> Marlaysha is a solid point guard that doesn't try to do too much. Plays hard on both ends of the floor, but can really get after it on the defensive end. Offensively she takes what the defense gives her. She can get hot and hit multiple threes if left open. <strong>Allison Shelby | ENG 2024 (Valley View High School) | Post | 2024</strong> Allison is a hardworking post player that has a nice touch around the basket. She gets herself in position to make plays off penetration or when the shot goes up. She has a nice shooting form and can make free throws when fouled. <strong>Lauren Nelson | South Arkansas Lady Wolves (El Dorado High School) | Wing/Post | 2023</strong> Lauren is a little raw on the offensive end of the floor, but that didn't stop her from using her ability and talent in ways that could help her be successful. When posting up she was patient and made good passes. She played hard and brought energy to every possession. <strong>Jordan Clary | South Arkansas Lady Wolves (Camden Fairview | Point Guard | 2025</strong> Jordan is a solid point guard that has a passion for the game. She's quick with a nice handle that keeps pressure on the defense by always trying to attack the paint. Jordan displayed the ability to make the occasional three which kept the defense honest. <strong>Hailey Francis | Arkansas Angels (Mayflower High School) | Combo Guard | 2024</strong> Being undersized does not stop Hailey from going out and showcasing her skills. She's a crafty finisher around the rim in the half-court and in transition with the ability to make the three. On defense, she showed she can keep the opposing point guard out of the paint. <strong>Cammie Christie | Arkansas Angels (Perryville High School) | Combo Guard | 2024</strong> Whenever I see Cammie play she always put on a show from behind the three-point line. She's a player you can never lose sight of in transition or in the half-court. She's not going to force it or try to do too much. Cammie shows great patience on offense and really gets after it on defense.