Which 6A standouts do we expect to turn heads this season?

Year after year, the 6A classification of Arkansas girls high school basketball is rich in talent. This upcoming season is no different, with plenty of top hoopers expected to fill the stat sheet each night. This article will feature multiple positions and will be the first of a series of articles breaking down names to look out for in each classification.    [player_tooltip player_id='465503' first='Alexis' last='Cox'] has already received numerous Division I offers from UC Davis, Oral Roberts, Radford, Central Arkansas, and others. But with a strong senior season, expect her to rack up more offers.   Cox is regarded by Arkansas Prep Girls Hoops as the top player in the state, and it is no surprise with how hard she plays each night. Cox is best at attacking the basket and using her strength to force her way inside. She also uses her strength and elite athleticism to dominate the defensive glass, which starts the fast-break. Cox has the skills to take it coast-to-coast or to feed her teammates via an outlet pass.   Cox is a tough, skilled, and unselfish as a basketball player, who will be looking to lead the Wampus Cats back to the 6A state championship, but preferably to walk away with ring.       Before her injury, [player_tooltip player_id='465495' first='Austyn' last='Oholendt'] was one of the best point guards in the state of Arkansas. However, it did not prevent her from picking up offers, and she committed to Ouachita Baptist University in early July. The southpaw prospect now appears to be healthy and should be a major contributor for the Hornets.   Oholendt has a solid handle and a quick trigger on her shot. She seems to be equally as good of a shooter from mid-range as she is from 3. She also seems to be a better shooter with a hand in her face than she is wide open. Oholendt can score as the primary ball-handler or coming off a screen on catch-and-shoot jumpers.   The lefty should be the playmaker that Bryant needs to take them farther in the postseason.     [player_tooltip player_id='465535' first='Ameriya' last='Gaston'] is about as solid of a defender as they come. The 6'2" big is a stellar shot blocker with the ability to poke the ball away. It is hard to understand why opposing teams try to get to the basket while Gaston occupies the paint.   Despite her great rim protection, Gaston is still well under the radar. Gaston recently received an offer from Three Rivers College, but her offensive game will need to improve if she wants to garner more collegiate attention.   The reining 6A state champs in Little Rock Central are looking to run it back in 2024/25, and Gaston will need to take a big step in her game if they want to go back-to-back.     [player_tooltip player_id='876337' first='Kaiya' last='McCoy'] is an incoming junior who is very underrated. However, her two-way ability should put her on the collegiate map. Though listed at 5'4", she hardly plays like it. McCoy plays very hard on the defensive end, causing complete chaos for opposing guards. In addition to her phenomenal defense, McCoy has a very versatile offensive game.   McCoy is at her best moving off the ball. With Team Trae Young this summer, she found a lot of easy baskets cutting from the baseline. It did not matter if she got right under the basket for a layup or if she pulled up for a short jumper, she was going to make it. She also was great at finishing off the fast-break, usually off one of her steals. McCoy also has a quick release from beyond the arch, and is not bothered by defensive closeouts.   Springdale only made it to the second round in the 6A tournament last season, but if McCoy continues to improve on offense, the Bulldogs could be a darkhorse contender in the 6A West.     As a former North Little Rock Charging Wildcat myself, I always want to show some love to the NLR athletes, with one of them being [player_tooltip player_id='876332' first='Jaliyah' last='White']. White is one of those players that can pretty much do whatever you need her to do on the court.   On offense, White is usually in the corner waiting for a pass so she can knock down a 3 with her high-arching release. If she is not there, then she is probably cutting to the basket or one of the first players at the other end on a fast-break. White also has a long stride on her drives, and she covers a lot of ground when attacking the basket. On defense, she is a pest. It does not matter where the opposition has the ball, White is a threat to take it away.   Do not be surprised if White's name starts popping up more often as one of the premiere 3&D players in the state, especially with more on-ball usage.     Every team needs one player that is going to give 100% effort every single night. Of course, teams want a whole roster of players like that, but Bryant is fortunate they have one of the hardest-working forwards in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='465536' first='Landiss' last='Brewer'].   Brewer is not your typical power forward. She is slightly undersized and does not have the length that most players at her position have. It does not matter though, because Brewer is going to outwork those other players. She will dive for loose balls, chase every rebound, and stay in front of her woman on defense like her life depends on it.   If Brewer wants more attention from collegiate programs, she will need to take on more responsibility on offense, but frankly, any college would be lucky to have a player like her on their roster.     Like [player_tooltip player_id='465495' first='Austyn' last='Oholendt'], [player_tooltip player_id='566088' first='Jaida' last='Crawford'] is coming back from an injury, but for Crawford, her ACL injury kept her off the court for 9 months according to her social media. Despite that, Crawford is expected to have a big sophomore season, and do not be shocked if Crawford becomes one of the best combo guards in the 2027 class.   Crawford competed at the Oklahoma Prep Girls Hoops Showcase back in 2023 where she earned 1st Team All-Showcase honors. At this showcase, it was clear that Crawford's game is more advanced than other players in her class. On drives, Crawford can find the creases in the defense and directs traffic like a senior point guard. She also has a nice corner 3-point shot, and is unbothered by the defense's closeouts.   College programs should be intrigued by Crawford's game, which is far ahead of where it should be at her age. Hopefully for Fayetteville, her game picks up right where she left off.     [player_tooltip player_id='579754' first='Libby' last='Counts'] is one of the best players in the 2027 class and a new addition to the Lady Wampus Cats' roster. Counts was an all-conference player at Maumelle Charter and is expected to take a big step up in her game as a sophomore.   Standing at 6'1", Counts has found it easy to dominate in the paint. She has a nice touch around the rim, can score with both hands, and can hit open mid-range jumpers along the baseline. Counts uses her size well to create space inside and is an effective post defender. Counts is also methodical in drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. In addition, she uses pump fakes well and is patient enough to wait for defenders to fly by so she can score.   [player_tooltip player_id='579754' first='Libby' last='Counts'] dominated at 3A Maumelle Charter, but it will be interesting to see how she performs in the always-tough 6A Central.

Year after year, the 6A classification of Arkansas girls high school basketball is rich in talent. This upcoming season is no different, with plenty of top hoopers expected to fill the stat sheet each night. This article will feature multiple positions and will be the first of a series of articles breaking down names to look out for in each classification.