Moving Forward! 3A 2026 Forwards with tremendous potential

The Arkansas Razorbacks' football team only has three more regular season games left. The majority of Arkansas high school football teams only have one more regular season game left. Do you know what this all means? Basketball season is practically here, and I hope you are all as excited about it as I am.    [player_tooltip player_id='1054375' first='Emma' last='Akins'] is another star-caliber player that Mountain View High School has at their disposal. Now entering her junior season, Akins might be the best player on this loaded 3A-2 squad, as she was an all-conference selection in both her freshman and sophomore seasons. Now in year 3, she is eyeing all-state, and some collegiate offers.   Akins can do a little bit of everything on the court. On offense, Akins can knock down spot-up threes, with a high-arching shot. She can hit the long-ball in catch-and-shoot situations and even off of step-backs. She can also cut inside and finish off looks at the basket.   On defense, Akins is great at picking off passes and taking them the other way to score. With her 6'0" frame, she can have an impact on this side of the ball and on the backboard. Blocking shots are natural to Akins, and grabbing multiple boards a night is common, as she averaged 8 rebounds per game last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1054375' first='Emma' last='Akins'] already has an offer to play at NAIA Crowley's Ridge College, but if she can continue to play at the all-conference level she has been playing at, I would anticipate more offers coming in very soon.     [player_tooltip player_id='885090' first='Hadley' last='Reed'] may be slightly undersized for your typical wing, but her versatility and ability to play well on both sides of the ball will allow her to become a solid wing player for Salem.   Reed's best offensive skill is her outside shooting. She is a consistent weapon for Salem High School to use on the outside, and she combines a good arch and solid timing on her release to be that. Reed does need to become a stronger interior finisher, but she is already a perimeter shooting threat.   Reed's best defensive skill is her ability to force turnovers, particularly from disrupting the passing lanes. She has excellent defensive anticipation and knows just when to strike.   [player_tooltip player_id='885090' first='Hadley' last='Reed'] will be a very good player with Salem High School this season, and she becomes another noteworthy player from the 3A-2 conference.     [player_tooltip player_id='1057812' first='Cassie' last='Carlson'] found success as a sophomore last season with Harrisburg, being a 3A-3 all-conference selection. This season, she looks to repeat that same success and help carry her team into the playoffs.   Carlson makes her largest impact on the defensive end. She steals passes like it is nothing, and she can play sound on-ball defense. Carlson is long, and that can be disruptive to an opposing ball-handler. When she plays aggressive and smothering defense, she creates turnovers and can take them the other way.   Once she has the ball in her hands, there is not much stopping her on her way to the hoop. Carlson finishes in the paint well, and she has the potential to step out and knock down a three on occasion.   [player_tooltip player_id='1057812' first='Cassie' last='Carlson'] is a solid two-way player who is already a fantastic defender. If Carlson continues to improve her offensive game, then she is not a player you want to match up against this season.     Yes, another Harrisburg Lady Hornet. [player_tooltip player_id='1183245' first='Ragan' last='Fahr'] is an aggressive do-it-all player who is in need of more playing time. Fahr can have a very impactful season for Harrisburg, and this team might be making some noise in 2024/25.   Fahr makes hustle plays all over the court on defense. She goes all out for rebounds, and she sprints to break up passes, even if the pass is almost halfway across the court.   On offense, Fahr can drive inside, finish at the basket or draw fouls. She can move without the basketball and seems to find ways to get open anywhere inside the arch. If she has an open mid-range shot from the baseline, she will take it and make it.   [player_tooltip player_id='1183245' first='Ragan' last='Fahr'] has done some good things as a Lady Hornet on the basketball court so far, but if she takes a big step up as a junior, expect her to become a popular name around the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060808' first='Elois' last='Moore'] is a phenomenal volleyball player for Episcopal, where double-digit kills are commonplace for her. On the basketball team, being one of the best on the court at all times is also commonplace, and Moore might being looking to have a breakout season in 2024/25.   Moore is a solid all-around player for Episcopal, and her length allows her to make an impact on both offense and defense. For offense, Moore is very hard to stop when she has a look in the paint. She uses her length and athleticism to finish over the defense. Moore has also shown she has confidence in taking outside shots, whether they are threes or mid-range jumpers.   For most players when they shoot a jumpshot, they do not try to chase it. Moore chases after most of her jumpers, meaning that if she misses, she is right there to collect her own miss and put it back for points.   On defense, Moore is difficult to put shots up against. She has the length to block shots and to poke the ball away, causing chaos for the other team. Of course with her physical traits, she is an excellent defensive rebounder. Moore boxes out and skies for boards, and she can then take the ball coast-to-coast and finish at the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060808' first='Elois' last='Moore'] is going to be a major force for Episcopal Collegiate in 2024/25, and they will be a team to watch in the 3A-6.    These players are in prime positions to make instant impacts for their squads. Keep up with these players and their schools this season, and be ready for my next article on 3A 2026 bigs!

The Arkansas Razorbacks' football team only has three more regular season games left. The majority of Arkansas high school football teams only have one more regular season game left. Do you know what this all means? Basketball season is practically here, and I hope you are all as excited about it as I am.