A combo platter: 2A 2026 forwards and bigs with tremendous talent

I thought that combining the wing and post groups was fitting for the 2A classification. The season is here, so the preseason articles need to wrap up. Without further ado, let us get into it.    Da'Mya Wilson is the best scorer in 2A, hands down. She makes a convincing case as being the best scorer of all junior players, and she is truly one of the best bucket-getters in the state of Arkansas. Wilson is Barton's catalyst, and their offense lives and dies through her.   In a game versus Augusta High School in November of 2022, Wilson scored a career high of 55 points! Wilson's 55 was amongst the top ten most points ever scored in a single game in Arkansas high school girls basketball history, and yes, she was only a freshman when she accomplished that feat. Since then, Wilson has put up multiple 40-point games and will look to continue her dominance against the 2A-6.   How does Wilson score so much? She has a variety of skills that allow her to put up bunches of points in a few possessions. Wilson is one of the best ball-handlers in the state, and she is a killer with she goes behind-the-back with her dribble. She slices through the defense very easily, and finishes well at the rim. Wilson is also a fantastic shot-creator, and if she is not pulling off a Houdini-esce move to get to the basket, then she is doing it to create space for a floater or a jumpshot. Wilson can hit deep floaters and mid-range shots, but she is better from beyond the arch.   Wilson has a very quick release on her jumpshot, and once she has it going, she cannot be stopped. The low release point on her shot allows her to stretch her range out to well beyond the 3-point line. She also does not lack confidence, and can pull it from anywhere. Wilson's offense is phenomenal, but so are other aspects of her game.   Wilson can pass, and knows when her teammates are open, but she has shown that she can dominate the game on the glass and on the defensive end. Wilson has no problem crashing the defensive glass and trigger numerous fastbreak opportunities for her team. On defense, she is breaking up passes and taking advantage of sloppy ball-handling, again, starting the fastbreak.   Da'Mya Wilson deserves her respect! She is one of the best scorers at her position and she can take over games in every statistical category. It does not appear that she is on any recruiting radars, and that is shocking. I am going to have to make sure I watch the Barton Bears play this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060804' first='Sara' last='Makenzie Dixon'] is a very versatile offensive player from Quitman High School. Her natural position is the wing, where she makes a major impact on offense by playing along the perimeter. During her AAU season, she had the height to be able to play in the post on defense, showing that she has experience to play in the paint in small-ball scenarios.   Like I mentioned, Dixon is an excellent scoring from the outside, as she can knock down triple after triple with a quick release and solid shot elevation. Dixon's long frame also allows her to shoot over defenders, including from the mid-range area. If she is not shooting from the perimeter, then she is finding ways to score on the interior.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060804' first='Sara' last='Makenzie Dixon'] is an excellent offensive weapon with a high ceiling for the Quitman Lady Bulldogs. This team has a lot of strong pieces, and I could see them making some racket in the 2A-5, especially with Dixon at the helm.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] is Izard County's star who can play almost every position and make plays all over the floor. For some reason, Spray is underrated, and certainly not a well-known name in the 2A classification. However, I bet after this season, all of Izard County's opponents will know her name all too well.   Spray can literally spray it from deep. She has a fundamental form and a quick release, making every shot look like it will go in. She is best when shooting off the catch, but she also has no problem shooting off the bounce or off a pump fake. If the three is not there, then Spray can drive to the paint for a layup.   Spray is also a solid defender who can force several turnovers per game. Spray can break up passes or rip the ball right out of the opposition's hands and trigger the fastbreak. Her impact spreads to more than just those two sides, as Spray makes great passes and rebounds the ball very well, showing her all-around abilities.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] is a good player who can easily develop into a great player for Izard County High School. There is a lot of talent in the 2A-2, and Spray could potentially be the best of the bunch after this season.     The first big mentioned is this article is one of the best defensive bigs in all of 2A. [player_tooltip player_id='1196057' first='Josephine' last='Hanneken'] plays for a Buffalo Island Central team with a lot of talent, but her play as a rim protector stands out.   Last season in a January contest versus Riverside High School, Hanneken was credited for blocking 7 shots in BIC's loss. Hanneken's 7 blocks were the only rejections from her team in this game, and she was able to shut down the paint. Throughout the season, if she was not blocking shots, then she was forcing the opposing offense to throw up bad shots, and rebounding the ball at a high rate. Hanneken is a solid rebounder, but she can get overpowered by taller and stronger opponents. She can definitely become better at boxing out.   For the offensive side of the floor, Hanneken is not as far along as her abilities on defense. She has the frame to score well in the paint, and she can do so off of second-chance points. Though her perimeter game is not her strong-suit, Hanneken did show that every once in a while she can knock down an open 3-pointer, even against a defensive closeout.   [player_tooltip player_id='1196057' first='Josephine' last='Hanneken'] is an impactful player on defense, and she can develop into a very solid player for Buffalo Island Central. The 2A-3 has a lot of intriguing talent and teams, Hanneken and Buffalo Island Central is evidence of that.     [player_tooltip player_id='1253232' first='Kaylee' last='McDonald']'s sport of choice is softball, as she is a solid pitcher, and based on her club team's roster, she is in a perfect position to earn a collegiate offer in that sport. Outside of softball, I do believe that McDonald might have a breakout season with Des Arc in basketball.   McDonald is best on the offensive end, especially when she is finishing in the paint. She has good hands and can catch every pass thrown her way. Even if there is a lot of contact underneath, McDonald has the strength and control to finish, which allows her to have a lot of and-1 opportunities. Rebounding is another way that she can make an impact on offense.   McDonald is a solid defensive rebounder, but she is even better when recording second-chance opportunities. She boxes out the opposition well and just always seems to be in the perfect position to get the offensive rebound.   [player_tooltip player_id='1253232' first='Kaylee' last='McDonald']'s offensive impact is important for the Lady Eagles, and playing alongside a great point guard in Makenzie Williams should give her plenty of opportunities to score.    This article was a little different, combining the two position groups, but I will follow the same concept when I combine the 1A 2026 guard, forward, and big groups. More importantly, I have different content coming soon as I plan to go to some games very soon, so be on the lookout for all of my articles.

I thought that combining the wing and post groups was fitting for the 2A classification. The season is here, so the preseason articles need to wrap up. Without further ado, let us get into it.