5A East Players to Watch Heading Into the Postseason

The 5A classification is shaping up to have a very competitive state tournament. The 5A east is one of the most talented conferences in 5A.  Let’s look at some players to watch heading into the postseason. <strong>Erauna Hardaway | PG | 2022 | Jonesboro High School</strong> Erauna is one of the best point guards in the state, hands down. She does such a great job of running the team. She knows how to control the tempo, how to get players involved and plays good defense. A solid point guard is what every championship team needs and there are not many better than Erauna. With her leading the way, Jonesboro will be in great hands as they make a run for the state title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304700" first="Destiny" last="Thomas"] | Post | 2022 | Jonesboro High School</strong> Destiny is a post player that has the size to force the opponent to take tough shots in the interior. She rebounds well and limits the opposing team to one shot. Offensively she has a nice touch around the basket and does a good job of rim running after setting the on-ball screen. Every team needs an interior presence when making a run for a championship and Jonesboro has one of the best. Her interior presence and rebounding will be much needed this postseason. <strong>Bramyia Johnson | Wing | 2023 | Jonesboro High School</strong> Bramyia brings energy to her team that is often much needed. She defends well, runs the floor, can stretch the defense with her respectable shooting, and can get to the rim. Her ability to score the ball and make plays on both ends of the floor is going to be key for Jonesboro. She will be looked to every night to have an impact on the game. Her impact could come in the form of shooting, defensively, playmaking, or energy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304722" first="Carson" last="Defries"] | PG | 2022 | Paragould High School</strong> Carson is one of the most skilled and talented players in the conference. Well, the state if we’re being honest. She’s a shooter with range beyond the three-point line. She has good footwork to get her feet set and on balance when getting ready to shoot, she can get to the rim and has quick hands on defense. She will be looked upon to lead the charge for her Paragould team. <strong>Samantha Wood | Wing | 2022 | Paragould High School</strong> Samantha is a spot-up shooter that you have to locate and keep a defender close by. When she catches you have try your best to run her off the line, but she does such a good job of finding open spots vs the defense to get off those catch and shoot threes. Her shooting ability will be much needed in postseason play. Samantha’s shooting will stretch the defense and create gaps for her teammates to drive. Every team needs a shooter to make timely shots. <strong>Shakira Brown | Wing | 2024 | Paragould High School</strong> Shakira is another spot-up shooter with range. She’s a threat behind the three-point line that can cause problems for the defense. If she’s making shots along with Samantha and Carson, it could be trouble for their opponent. Shakira also has the ability to push it in transition and finish herself around the rim. She handle it and break the defense down. Being able to make plays off the dribble will be key for her team during the postseason. This could be problematic for any team they run across. <strong>Keimauri Brown | Post | 2023 | Paragould High School</strong> Keimauri is an athletic post player that runs the floor well. On defense, she anticipates and gets steals and deflections. When she has the ball she has a soft touch around the rim. Her athletic ability will be a big factor for her team during the postseason. The 5A has some really good athletic and skill post players. Keimuari will be called upon to play solid defense and find ways to be effective on the offensive end to put her team in a position to make a run for a state title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="306108" first="Janiyah" last="Tucker"] | PG | 2023 | West Memphis High School</strong> Janiyah is a player that’s going to play with a lot of energy and effort. She’s going to always give a 100% when on the floor. She can score the ball, get others involved, make plays for others, but it will be her leadership that this West Memphis team will need to make a run at a state title. She will be called upon to not only make plays, but to keep them focused if they want to win the state championship. <strong>Aniya Price | Wing | 2024 | West Memphis High School</strong> Aniya is a wing player that is a scoring threat for her West Memphis team. She can attack off the catch and get to the rim or shoot the pull-up jumper. She’s an aggressive offensive player that likes to attack the defense. Defensively she can also cause some problems. She’s good at applying pressure to the ball handler and she also plays the passing lanes well. Her all-around game will be needed in the state tournament if West Memphis is going to make some noise in the state tournament. <strong>Alayiah Price | Combo Guard | 2025 | West Memphis High School</strong> Alayiah can play multiple positions for her team. When she slides over to the point it gives West Memphis a little more versatility and allows [player_tooltip player_id="306108" first="Janiyah" last="Tucker"] the freedom to look to score more. Alayiah can score the ball from the three-point line, in the lane, in transition and other ways, but she really gets after it on defense. Her on-ball defense can totally disrupt an opposing team’s offense. She may only be a freshman, but she will be expected to contribute as an experienced upperclassman during the state tournament. <strong>Clemisha Pracket | Post | 2023 | West Memphis High School</strong> Clemisha is the mortar for this West Memphis team. There are standout players and role players that make up the bricks, but Clemisha is the mortar that keeps everything together. Her athleticism allows her to dominate the paint by limiting opponents to one shot. She blocks and alters shots, runs the floor well, is a threat from the low block and will energy that can’t be matched by others. The 5A has some good post players and if Clemisha can dominate, West Memphis will tough to handle. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="305957" first="Daedrianna" last="Cail"] | Post | 2022 | Marion High School</strong> Daedrianna is another athletic post player in the 5A conference with a solid skillset. She can score from the low block while exhibiting good footwork. Daedrianna has good hands, can shoot the three-ball, makes her free throws, is a good defender, and runs the floor well. With her skill set and her ability to be a force in the paint, Marion is going to always be a team to keep an eye on. Daedrianna has the talent to lead her team deep into the playoffs. <strong>Alyse Holliman | Post | 2023 | Marion High School</strong> To be successful in today’s game you have to have players that are athletic and that can get up and down the floor. Alyse is one of those hybrid post players that can play down low, but also operate out of the high post and run the floor well. With her size coupled with Daedrianna’s size, Marion could be team that causes problems for their opponent with their defense. Having two 6 footers can limit teams to one shot and block and alter in shot in the lane. <strong>Ny’asia Jackson | PG | 2024 | Marion High School</strong> You need a point guard that can run the show. Get your team organized, push it in transition, get others involved and be a solid on-ball defender. Ny’asia has those capabilities and Marion will need them to make a run in the playoffs. She can also make the spot-up three-point shot when she gets set. This forces the defense to close out hard and opens up the ability for her to pump fake and drive into the lane for the finish herself or the pass to an open teammate. &nbsp;