V-Town Showdown Freshmen Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For my last article on the V-Town Showdown, I am going to give some love to the Freshmen players. It's tough playing varsity basketball, but to do it as a freshman is even tougher. The freshmen below are not only on the varsity team but they are contributors. Most of them start but they all provide big contributions to their respective teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1093280' first='Randi' last='Stewart'] | Guard | Pulaski Academy | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be many lessons learned for any 9th grader playing varsity. Randi can play both guard positions with her skill set. She can shoot the three, attack off the bounce and she has the size and length to defend anyone on the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Summer Morgan | Guard | Nettleton | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer is one of the most athletic players you will see. She loves to get out in transition and attack off the dribble or run the lane. Her athleticism is also key to her defensive presence. As she continues to learn the game she will add more value to her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kim Henry | Post | Vilonia | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kim is one of the best post-players in her class. She's tough, plays hard, and contributes however she can to help her team win. One of the most impressive things about Kim is her composure. She's played in some highly contested games so far this season and she always stays calm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091148' first='Brooklyn' last='Burnham'] | Guard | Vilonia | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you are a freshman and thrown into the starting lineup in the 5A it could be a lot. The 5A could be the most competitive classification in Arkansas this year. Brooklyn brings confidence, defense, and poise to the table. As the year goes along she will continue to get comfortable and bring more to the table. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091156' first='Briana' last='Burnham'] | Guard | Vilonia | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briana is another freshman in the starting lineup (her twin sister Brooklyn also starts) for Vilonia. She brings toughness and stretches the defense with her ability to connect on shots beyond the three-point line. She is part of a core group of freshmen that could have a huge impact on Vilonia's success this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='871171' first='McKenzie' last='Williams'] | Point Guard | Lakeside | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I haven't seen McKenzie play this season (but been keeping up through social media), but I've known about her since she was in the 7th grade. She's a high-IQ point guard who will be looking to lead Lakeside over the next 4 years. She can shoot it, get to the rim, and she'll lock you up. Big upside to this PG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->