5A South State Tournament Names to Know
The 5A-South District is winding down. All schools will complete the regular season at the end of this week. Top qualifiers are already set and will compete at the State Tournament which starts March 1 through March 5, 2022.
Lake Hamilton finished the district regular season undefeated, led by All-State performer
Hayleigh Wyrick
Hayleigh
Wyrick
PG
Lake Hamilton | 2022
State
AR
. She is a 5’8” senior swing guard that leads the team in most categories. Hayleigh is probably the best player in the conference. She is complemented by fellow senior point guard Jenna Higginbotham, who leads the Lady Wolves in assists. Another dominant senior for Lake Hamilton is post player Audi Winfrey. Audi is the team’s top rebounder. The Lady Wolves have been ranked in the top 10 all year and should be a viable state champion contender. Lake Hamilton starts play with either the Paragould Rams or the Marion Patriots on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 pm.
The Lakeside Rams finished in second place two games back. Senior Sara Porter and sophomore point guard Amelia Rogers have led the Lady Rams all season. Porter, a three-year letterman works predominantly in the paint but can shoot the three when needed. Rogers handles the ball on every possession to set up the offense or to lead the fast break. Riley Orr, a junior post, creates a duel threat with Porter to make the Rams very hard to defend inside. The Lady Rams will need to successfully pound the ball down low to advance. Lakeside plays on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 pm drawing either 5A East qualifiers Paragould or Marion depending on their final regular-season matchups.
The Eldorado Wildcats placed third. This athletic team is led by junior point guard Charalyn Rester. Charalyn, a point guard, can penetrate and score. London Ingram, a sophomore, and senior 6’0” post Loren Nelson leads the team in rebounds, along with 5’11” sophomore Kayla Gay. These young and talented Wildcats can be dangerous. Especially if they can reduce their turnovers. The Lady Wildcats will play West Memphis Blue Devils on Wednesday, March 2 at 4:00 pm.
The Sheridan Yellowjackets round out the top four qualifiers in the 5A South district.
Kayden Porter
Kayden
Porter
5'10" | SF
Sheridan | 2024
State
AR
leads her team in almost every offensive category. Only a sophomore, Kayden will need plenty of support if the Yellowjackets are to go deep in the tournament. The Yellowjackets draw District 5A East champion Jonesboro Hurricane on Wednesday, March 2 at 1:00 pm.
All of these schools plus eight others will represent their districts in Sheridan for the 5A State Tournament. There should be plenty of exciting games on tap for these teams as they play for the 2021/2022 State Championship
