Happy Halloween! These 4A 2026 wings will be scary this season

More loaded talent in the 4A classification with this junior forward group, so let us get right to it!    [player_tooltip player_id='881317' first='Kennedy' last='Ballard'] had a fantastic sophomore season in 2023/24, earning all-state and all-conferences honors while also averaging 16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.7 block, and 2.0 steals per game during the regular season.   Ballard is capable of huge statlines each night, and she does so by just being incredibly dominant on the offensive side of the ball. She can destroy defenses from inside and outside, and the opposition just does not know how to stop her. On the perimeter, Ballard is an excellent 3-point shooter who is tough to stop off the catch and off the dribble. If the three is not there, then she has no problem driving to the basket. On her way to the cup, Ballard can use the euro-step or a step-through move to get just enough separation from the defense to finish. Speaking of defense, that is something else Ballard is good at.   Like most players on this list, Ballard can steal the ball, which is obvious by her 2.0 steal per game statline. She does this by poking passes away and by stripping it out of the opposition's hands. I am more impressed with her ability to block the ball, though. When she has the opportunity, she can and will swat shots away with force, adding insult to injury.   Something to consider when talking about great players is how well they do when the stakes are the highest and the competition becomes tougher. During the conference slate last year, Ballard's numbers improved, averaging 19.1 point, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. Keep an eye on Ballard as she enters her junior season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060821' first='Sadie' last='Espinoza'] is one of those players who just looks better than so many of the other players on the court. She has more control and a higher comfort-level with or without the ball than a lot of her opponents, and she feasts on that, whether or not she is playing offense of defense.   Espinoza makes her biggest offensive impact by scoring inside. She is a great slasher, who can slice past defenders with her solid ball-handling ability. She racks up a lot of points at the rim by absorbing contact and finishing with either hand. Espinoza also recorded a large amount of points from finishing fastbreak opportunities.   Espinoza ran out in transition a lot as a sophomore with Waldron, with almost all of these scenarios coming from steals of her own design. Espinoza is one of the best in 4A at knowing where the ball is going before a pass is thrown and jumping at the chance to take it away. She deflected the ball away a number of times last season, but her ability to actually come away with a steal is even better. You can classify Espinoza as a disruptor, because not only is she turning defense into offense, but she is swatting away shots from players who least expect it. Forwards are meant to rotate on help defense, and Espinoza is one of the best at that.   Espinoza was 4A all-tournament at the MO Meltdown Tournament in Branson over the summer. Expect her to carry over that same success into the 2024/25 season.     Z'Layiah Jackson is a solid all-around player for the Lady Badgers who can make an impact for her team on both sides of the ball. Arkadelphia is a sleeper in the 4A classification, and with Jackson leading the way, they have a shot at a deep postseason run.   Jackson plays hard on the inside, with the ability to finish against tough defense. She could very easily play small-ball center with her solid footwork and post moves, but the power forward and small forwards positions are more fitting. Plus, Jackson can drive from the perimeter to the paint with her athleticism and strength. Jackson's strength and athleticism can also translate to defense.   Jackson's athleticism helps her go straight up and contest shots at the rim, and those plays usually end up with Jackson recording a block or forcing a bad shot. She can also steal the ball well, especially when she has a chance to pick off passes. Jackson has a decent handle, and she can take those turnovers to the other end for points in transition.   Z'Layiah Jackson is going to have a superb junior season, and so will that Lady Badger team. Arkadelphia is going to have a lot of success this season, and the rest of the 4A-7 won't know what hit them.     [player_tooltip player_id='1043981' first='Lyris' last='Bennett'] is a fantastic 3&D player who can play multiple positions for a loaded Nashville squad. Bennett plays a big role on this team that is looking to reach 4A superiority this season, and she could have a breakout junior year.   Bennett's defense is a nightmare for the opposition, racking up steal after steal every single game. Bennett obliterates passing lanes, reading the opposition like a book whenever they are prepared to move the ball. She can also pick pockets and take advantage of poor ball-handling, taking each steal to the other end for a easy bucket.   Bennett can also make the opposition pay on offense, particularly from the 3-point line. Her shooting form is slightly unorthodox, but she has a quick release and puts plenty of arch on the shot. She can also finish off the fastbreak against tough defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1043981' first='Lyris' last='Bennett'] will have a larger role this season for the Lady Scrappers, and this team will be a scary one in the 4A classification.     [player_tooltip player_id='1196030' first='Aliviah' last='Johnson'] is a fantastic shooter who will be important for Clinton's success this season. The Lady Yellowjackets have a lot of star power, and Johnson could benefit from the attention those stars garner from the defense.   Johnson can get going from beyond the arch in a short amount of time. Johnson is capable of having multiple games with two or more threes, thanks to her quick release and excellent follow through. She warrants a lot of defensive attention, and she has burned a number of teams as a sophomore from her outside shooting alone.   Johnson has made her mark on offense so far in her high school career, but I want to see more on the defensive side of the ball. So far, Johnson has shown that she can block shots and make plays coming over from the help side.   [player_tooltip player_id='1196030' first='Aliviah' last='Johnson'] will have a big role this season as a junior for Clinton, and this team will be better if she gets on a hot streak from outside each night.    Well, I hope everyone has had a good and safe Halloween. No matter how scary Halloween night can be, nothing is more terrifying than what these players and their teams are going to do to the rest of their conferences this upcoming season. Actually, maybe not as horrifying as not reading my next article covering 4A 2026 bigs, that is one article you do not want to miss.

More loaded talent in the 4A classification with this junior forward group, so let us get right to it!