Lady Eagles look to soar to their 1st 5A Title

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>With lots of talent on their team</strong> <strong>the road to Arkansas' 5A Girls Basketball state championship goes through Vilonia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Coach Jeremey Simon and his "Lady Bombers" plan to capitalize on capturing their 1st state championship in Arkansas Girls High School Basketball. This team is loaded with talent that will put Vilonia in a solid position to grab their much-awaited state championship in Arkansas' 5A Division. Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='876312' first='Maddie' last='Mannion']</strong> has been proving that her range starts from where she enters the gym! Sisters <strong>Brianna</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091148' first='Brooklyn' last='Burnham']</strong> will be trouble for backcourts on both sides of the ball. Senior PG <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465493' first='Sidni' last='Middleton']</strong> is long guard who is tenacious on defense, and <strong>Abigayle Wertz</strong> is the other senior standout that plays the passing lanes and shows unselfishness. The team is also deep and has reserves that will definitely keep up the pace as the starters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='871868' first='Kim' last='Henry'] </strong>is a 5'10 sophomore center coach Simon is looking to defend the basket and rebound. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465493"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5da5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She reminds me of Paige Bueckers. Proven she can shoot; I saw Sidni driving left and pulling off a sick spin move on her defender to finish on the other side.... she is a pure scorer. She can pull up from 3 off the dribble or drive and hit a 13-footer over defenders in the high post(mid-range). What's most impressive about her game is her defense. Sidni dives on the floor for all 50/50 balls and creates chaos for her opponents while on defense. She's committed to the University of Tennessee Martin and is focused on a state title before leaving high school. Creating space for herself is a development that will blossom with more experience. One can tell she works on her game and plays well with her peers while learning. Can't wait this ball handling wizard in action this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876312"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5dfe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This team is full of shooters, and Maddie can flat-out shoot! She sets the standard for the rest of the team and proves she's the " Queen of the Court". Hitting six 3 pointers in one game and going for 5 in 2 other games is crazy! Her range is a nightmare for defenses and in the 24-25 season, it will be no different. At 5'11 Mannion will continue to stretch the defense while they hope she misses.... ...Might as well catch it out of the net. Learning how to draw the defense to herself is a process she will embrace. Her shooting form is crisp and consistent, and I see Maddie claiming the top ranking by her senior year becoming the "Queen of the Court" in Arkansas Girls High School Basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Abbey Wertz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vilonia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5eb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior Abbey Wertz is the muscle on this talented team. She is gritty and determined when it comes to playing defense. Her 3 steals versus Little Rock Christian last season were one of the many highlights for her. She will be called upon plenty of times this season to provide that toughness she possesses. She moves while the ball is in the air on defense and cross court passes are her favorite. Execution on offense and shot selection I'm sure she's working on. I'm looking forward to seeing what she brings this year on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1091156' first='Briana' last='Burnham']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vilonia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5f2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This super sophomore will be highly ranked by her senior year. Ferocious on defense and is hard to stop in transition. Briana has a great basketball IQ. Burnham has excellent reaction speed and plays aggressive. She can hit the 3 easily and will improve on that with more opportunities shooting them. #33 has good dribbling skills and is very explosive on offense. Briana is the spark plug that pushes the Lady Eagles tempo. She can rebound, play defense, and pass, all on an elite level, and to think there's another just like her on this team.... her twin sister Brooklyn! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1091148' first='Brooklyn' last='Burnham']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vilonia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5f9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The other half of the" Burnham Backcourt" is Brooklyn. She is scrappy and hedges the driving opponents very well. The sophomore guard plays off ball defense very well and disrupts offenses with playing the passing lanes. #14 can play several positions just like her sister and when on the court together they are magical to watch. She leaves everything out on the court and gives 110% effort. Already receiving offers from colleges, this dynamic duo will sure to be successful during their high school careers in Arkansas Girls High School Basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871868"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6700d13cd5fd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Now listed at 5'10, Kim will be the force Vilonia needs in the paint. Her blocking ability and rebounding will be key to their success this year. She can hedge on her opponents and has length to reach in and poke away the ball. She's a role player that waits her turn. Well, this year should be the year for Henry to show what she's made of. She runs the lane like a gazelle and gets out front in the open court with ease. Post moves and facing the basket from the high post should be areas of focus as well as shooting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To conclude, this team will make some noise in the 24-25 season and there will be a follow up article mid-season. All evaluations are from watching videos, reading articles/news clips, and in-depth research through MaxPreps, Sportsbook, Arkansas Activities Association, and Arkansas Democratic Gazette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1042645,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/10/Vilonia_1673618031.png.webp?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1042645" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Spotrsbook</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->