December’s Team to Watch in Arkansas Girls Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While other players are being rewritten about, it's imperative to write about those players and teams with success and little to no recognition in Arkansas girls' basketball. I can't express enough how there's still a lot of prospects and teams that aren't noticed by now, and it's my duty as a scout for the game I love to provide those with less recognition a spotlight and chance to be noticed. Greers Ferry West Side Eagles have an impressive 19-2 record in 1A Basketball this season. No one is talking about this team who has a stable of scorers. Coached by<strong> Keith Cornett</strong> in his 1st year with The Lady Eagles, this team is loaded with student athletes from practically every class. The Eagles had huge wins versus 1A through 5A teams, including a win versus Bryant on Dec. 4th (49-45) improving their record to 15-0 at the time. Their 1st loss was to Pulaski Academy on the 7th in Little Rock, and 2nd was at home versus Nettleton on the 12th. That snapped a 10-game home winning streak for West Side. Look for this team to make a strong push in the 2nd half of the season with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091189' first='Lainee' last='Gentry']</strong>, 5'11 forward, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051642' first='Addie' last='Overturff']</strong>, another 5'11 scoring machine. Junior sensations <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1092577' first='Kately' last='Cornett']</strong> and <strong>Ashlynn Cossey</strong> add experience and toughness to this team who likes to run the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091208"],"_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-6764ab8f52fb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">#20 for the Eagles is going to be trouble in the coming years. Eden gets quality minutes for West Side that has proven successful for the sophomore. No listed height but looks about 5'10 - 5'11 with a great wingspan and foot work. Eden had a host of blocks against Nettleton and shows her strength on defense. #20 is a solid role player who can rebound, run the floor, pass with one hand, and dribble. Murphee can play the wing as well as power forward on the court which makes her versatile. Eden will develop her outside shot while playing alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1051642' first='Addie' last='Overturff']</strong> and <strong>Ashlynn Cossey</strong> who also can shoot. Focusing on her role and post moves should be 1st to work on and it will complement the success the team's having so far. I expect this one with a high ranking when her time comes. </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":"Mandy Smith","_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":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greers Ferry West Side","_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-6764ab8f5307b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This senior point guard is the 6th or 7th man on this deep roster, and she comes in ready to play. Mandy showed range and great shot selection on film and is an X factor on this talented team. The senior is well rounded on defense and has a good point guard presence on the floor. When this 5'5 guard steps on the court, she instantly makes an impact with a three, or with great defense. As the season progresses, she will see more time on the court and contribute. Execution and follow through on everything are a minor developments, but don't count out Smith in 24-25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092577"],"_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-6764ab8f530cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This junior is well underrated, and her game will only get better. I enjoyed watching this pure shooter go to work on teams so far this season and her ability to score is incredible. With a last name like Coach <strong>Keith Cornett</strong>, there must be a relation. The 1st of 2 juniors on this list, Cornett is a huge part of the Lady Eagles success. Her defense is tenacious, and she is great in the open court. She's a magnet for the ball and hounds ball handlers who show doubt in their ability to dribble. #22 is a threat from the outside but also works on her mid-range and driving to the goal. At 5'7 she makes it difficult to guard with her ability to create her own shot and also for her teammates. This student athlete possesses leadership qualities while continuing to enjoy learning the game. On a play versus Bryant, the junior guard stole a long pass and dashed down the court for an and 1. This one is definitely a player to keep on your watch list in Arkansas girls' basketball 24-25 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1051642"],"_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-6764ab8f53112"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This super senior is another player who is underrated in Arkansas girls' basketball. A coach's dream on the court and an exceptional athlete, Overturff is a ball player. Towering at 5'11, this positionless player is unselfish and very fundamental. On defense she's always reacts to the ball. It can be cross court pass or on ball defense, she pushes herself hard to get a stop, deflection, block, or steal. In transition Addie can't be stopped. She has a great cast of players surrounding her and who reward her for her defense with a 1st go to pass. Time has shown throughout the season how much she has progressed in her dribbling. She runs like the wind and that has been a problem for defenders in transition. I see this one making huge moves upwards in the next rankings. #14 can shoot the 3 consistently and also facilitate to her teammates. A "do it all" type of player who uses her teammates very well in game situations. A player to keep an eye out for in 24-25 has the last name Overturff, and I can't wait to see how far she and The Eagles will go!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091189"],"_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-6764ab8f53156"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The shooter on this team is Gentry! #55 has been lighting up the nets since the beginning of the season. Her range is from pro, and she shoots it consistently from there. She has great shot selection but also is very good at getting open for her shot. She creates space very well to get off those 3's and is not afraid to shoot with little to no space. On defense she is solid and goes for 50/50 balls. This team feeds off of each other well and look for the open shot, and that's where this sophomore fits in. She can play 3 positions and rebounds very well for a big guard. Gaining experience at this age leaves this Lady Eagle a lot of room for growth while preparing her for the next level. Her shot is a force to be reckoned with and it put West Side in games winning by 22 or more.<strong> Eden Murphee </strong>and Lainee will be tough in the coming years and with shooting like she's doing, they're already making their mark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092578"],"_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-6764ab8f53199"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was a 3-way tie for the player who would top this list, but hands down Ashlyn can flat out play. I really enjoyed watching her run the floor and score the way she does. Listed 5'10, she can play 4 positions on the floor, including point guard! She has a high IQ, and it shows through how hard she plays. If it's a needed rebound or stop Ashlyn is on it! #23 uses her size to fend off defenders while driving to the basket and to deter post players trying to score with a block. Cossey has a nice touch around the rim and plays with poise. She absorbs contact like next level players and that's a skill most learn in college. In one clip the junior came from the low block to get a steal on the wing and took it coast to coast for 2. Averaging close to a double -double this year, she's all over the court with her style of play. She's going to put a mark on the 2026 rankings following the last one. The Lady Eagles success has a lot to do with Ashlyn and how she fits well with this squad. Be on the lookout for this one and the amazing season Greers Ferry West Side Lady Eagles are having!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->