5A West Players to Watch Heading Into the Post Season

The 2021-2022 basketball season is winding down and teams are really making a push to position themselves for post-season play. Team success is dependent upon how well the individual player plays. This article discusses some players in the 5A West that are looking to step up their game to position their team for a deep post-season run. <strong>Madison Cartwright | Wing | 2023 | Greenwood High School</strong> Madison is a 5’10 wing player that can do it all. She can shoot it, handle the rock, get to the rim off the bounce, and get others involved. When she attacks off the bounce she understands how to create space and how to get the angle so she can make plays. She will be looking to lead her team into a deep playoff run. <strong>Anna Trusty | Guard | 2024 | Greenwood High School</strong> Anna has length at the guard spot that makes it difficult for opposing guards to be effective on offense and defend her on defense. She can play without the ball in her hands, finish around the rim with either hand and she can attack off the catch. Defensively she uses her length to cause errant passes and to get deflections. Her play will be key for Greenwood during the post-season. <strong>Abby Summitt | Guard | 2022 | Greenwood High School</strong> Abby is another component of Greenwood’s run for a state title. This shooting guard can knock down the spot-up 3, push it in transition, and finish around the rim. Her shooting ability stretches the defense and causes long closeouts which creates gaps for her and her teammates to drive. If Abby, along with Madison and Anna, play well they can lead Greenwood to a deep playoff run. <strong>Madeleine Tipton | Wing | 2022 | Vilonia High School</strong> Madeleine does a little bit of everything for her Vilonia team. She can run the point, play on the wing, or be effective out of the high post. Madeleine can break the defense down off the dribble, make plays for others, finish at the rim, and shoot the 3 ball. With her all-around skills, Madeleine will be looking to lead her team to a deep state tournament run. <strong>Sidni Middleton | PG | 2025 | Vilonia High School</strong> Whenever you throw a freshman into the lineup in any conference in the 5A they must have some ability and skill. She will need to be poised and really run the team to help lead Vilonia to a state title run. Sidni has the ability to get to the rim, get others involved, make the three, and cause problems on defense with her length. <strong>Kinley Mears | Guard | 2025 | Vilonia High School</strong> Every team needs a player that will bring that energy on both ends of the floor. A player that will sprint hard getting up and down the floor and play with heart. Kinley brings that to her Vilonia team. She’ll defend anyone, handle the ball, get to the rim, and shoot the three. She’s one of the role players that will be counted on to make a run this postseason. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="306101" first="Alex" last="Newland"] | Post | 2023 | Greenbrier High School</strong> This post player controls the paint for her Greenbrier team. She has a defensive presence on the low block and can also score with her back to the basket. Her combination of good footwork and a soft touch around the rim allows her to finish around the rim with ease at times. Alex will need to lead her team and give a good push for Greenbrier to make the playoffs. <strong>Emma Rehm | Guard | 2023 | Greenbrier High School</strong> This sharpshooting guard does a really good job of stretching the defense with her ability to make the three-pointer. The defense has to always know where she is and keep a defender close. Her shooting is much needed down the stretch as Greenbrier looks to make a final push for a post-season run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="305956" first="Mckayla" last="Betts"] | Guard | 2023 | Greenbrier High School</strong> McKayla is another shooter that can stretch the defense. Her ability to make three-pointers forces the defense to close out hard. This gives her to the opportunity to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. If she has her jumper going and is making plays off the bounce, it gives Greenbrier a much better chance at making the playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="307198" first="Taleigha" last="Ealy"] | Forward | 2024 | Russellville High School</strong> Taleigha can play with her back to the basket or face-up from the perimeter. She can control the paint with her defense and score from the low block. She can be physical on defense and she possesses a soft touch. Taleigha will be called upon to lead her team into the playoffs. She will have to limit her opponent to one shot and make plays for herself and her teammates. <strong>Kaliahni Jacklik | PG | 2023 | Siloam Springs High School</strong> Every team needs a point guard that can control the tempo of the game and keep the team organized and flowing on offense and Kaliahni does jus that. She pushes the ball well in transition, has a good change of pace and can finish at the rim. Her eyes are always up looking to pass ahead and can shoot the three-pointer. Her leadership and point guard skills will be much needed for Siloam Springs to make some noise in the playoffs. <strong>Brooke Smith | Forward | 2023 | Siloam Springs High School</strong> Brooke doesn’t have to make the outlet pass off the defensive rebound to get the team going in transition. She has the ability to grab the defensive rebound and push it herself. In the half-court she can make the mid-range catch and shoot jumper, she moves well without the ball, and exhibits the ability to handle the ball which allows her to attack off the bounce. Brooke’s all-around game will be needed to help lead her team in the playoffs.