Each 1A Conference's Most Underrated Player

There are 8 conferences in the 1A classification, and they all have teams and players flying under the radar. I wanted to feature the state's smallest classification first, highlighting one player from 7 of the 8 1A conferences who should be on everyone's radar.   1A-1    There are a plethora of underrated players from the 1A-1, but [player_tooltip player_id='1090246' first='Tesli' last='Johnson'] might be the best all-around player from this conference.   Johnson averages 18.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. The junior leads her team in all of these statistical categories, and they would not be 3rd in their conference without her play.   Of her 8.4 rebounds per game, she averages 3.4 offensive boards a night, earning second-chance opportunities. Most of her best play is inside. She can step out and hit some jumpers, connecting on 12 triples so far this season. However, Lead Hill benefits the most when Johnson is driving hard to the paint, and wheeling herself to score through contact.   Lead Hill might be a team that goes unnoticed for much of the season, as their 3 conference wins make up 75% of their total wins. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1090246' first='Tesli' last='Johnson'] is not a player to ignore, and she is an early all-conference and possibly all-state candidate.    1A-2    [player_tooltip player_id='465508' first='Rayleigh' last='Turner'] is not an underrated player as far as the 2025 rankings are concerned, but she is not talked about enough when discussing the 1A-2 conference. I understand that Greers Ferry Westside warrants a lot of discussion, but Turner is a North Arkansas College commit for a reason.   Turner has been consistent for her team throughout the season, but she started on a hot streak. During Rural Special's 9-1 start to the year, Turner had some great performances, including the 19-point, 10-rebound outing versus Pangburn. She also had a masterful game against Nemo Vista, recording 14 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 1 block.   Most recently, Turner had near-double-double performances against Melbourne and Marshall, displaying her impact on both the scoring and rebounding fronts. She drives hard to the basket, scoring most of her points in the paint, but she can step out and hit a mid-range or 3-point shot. Some of her scoring also comes from her work on the defensive end.   In the game against Marshall, Turner had 2 steals, and she generated scoring opportunities from those newfound possessions. Against Marshall, she showed that she can block some shots, recording 2 on the evening.   [player_tooltip player_id='465508' first='Rayleigh' last='Turner'] is a solid two-way player in the 1A classification. Of all the players in the 1A-2 conference that receive any sort of press, it should be Turner.    1A-3    [player_tooltip player_id='1197492' first='Skylar' last='Ashmore'] is one of the better young guards in the 1A-3, which is saying something because there are multiple guards from this conference featured in some of the rankings. Ashmore has had a solid season, but she had some of her best play at the end of 2024.   Ashmore averaged 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in December, while also being honored as an honorable mention for the Al Jackson Classic all-tournament team. During the Senath Battle of the Bootheel tournament, Ashmore posted 17 points against Neache.   She is capable of having impactful outings for Armorel. She scores well from inside and outside. And despite her 5'5" frame, she is a fantastic rebounder. She boxes out taller players and skies for the board. On the other side of the ball, Ashmore has shown that she can play some solid defense along the perimeter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197492' first='Skylar' last='Ashmore'] will continue to improve throughout her basketball career, but from what we have seen so far, she is one of the better young players the 1A-3 has to offer.    1A-4    [player_tooltip player_id='1197519' first='Jailynn' last='Sims'] is a solid all-around player who is more versatile than most centers. She was great in her junior season, and now as a senior, she appears to be continuing the trend.   One of Sims' best games during the 2023/24 season was against Mount Ida, where she went for 18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block. This season, one of her best performances was against Western Yell County, where she went for 23 points.   As I alluded to earlier, Sims is not your typical post player. She scores a good portion of her points in transition. She is often one of the first players to break away, being a solid ball-handler while playing on the open floor. Sims has no trouble finishing over defenders, whether on the fastbreak, or in the halfcourt.   Part of how Sims is able to be a danger in transition is by her perimeter defensive play. She is more than capable of switching onto a guard or a forward and pressuring them. She often picks their pockets or deflects passes, then collects the steal in order to run out on the break.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197519' first='Jailynn' last='Sims'] is a versatile player in the 1A-4, and I would not doubt that she will be expecting an all-conference selection at the end of the season.    1A-5    [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Heidi' last='Parrish'] has practically been the lone bright spot of the season for Midland High School. Midland has yet to win a game this year, sitting at 0-11 overall and 0-7 in conference play. Despite that, Parrish is playing hard and posting incredible numbers.   Against Guy-Perkins High School, Parrish posted a phenomenal stat line of 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. She followed that game up with a 21-point, 11-rebound performance versus Wonderview.   Parrish is doing essentially everything on the floor for Midland. Though a guard, she is the team's best rebounder, doing damage on both the offensive and defensive glass. Most of her scoring comes from the fastbreak. Parrish is a solid finisher who takes on contact like a champ. She spends a lot of time at the free throw line, and she takes advantage of the free shots with her great shooting form.   Parrish is tasked with handling the scoring load for her team, but she is a naturally unselfish basketball player. She keeps her head up on her drives, always looking for an open teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Heidi' last='Parrish'] needs some help on the court. She can carry her team, as she is already doing most of the scoring, rebounding, defending, and passing. If this team wants to win, they need to find some support for the 1A-5's most underrated player.    1A-7    [player_tooltip player_id='1180594' first='Kentana' last='Williamson'] has been a star for the Lady Hornets, and she is only a freshman! She is bound to make the 2028 ranking, especially with more performances like the one she had against Mount Ida.   In that Mount Ida game, Williamson had 24 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block. This is not the first time she has exploded for 20 or more points in a game this season. Against Bradley in November, Williamson went for 25 points. She was later recognized as the SWARK.Today Player of the Week for her outing versus the 1A-8 school.   Williamson is a proven scorer who can put up buckets from inside and out. She is quick, and she uses that deadly first step to blow by the defense, getting to the rack. She is also a pest on the defensive end. She takes advantage of sloppy ball-handling by the other team, along with diving on loose balls.   [player_tooltip player_id='1180594' first='Kentana' last='Williamson'] is a name you will start to hear about more. Keep up with Blevins' star freshman.    1A-8    [player_tooltip player_id='1180791' first='Kagen' last='Gunnels'] has emerged as one of the best players in the entire 1A classification, regardless of conference. The Lady Pirates have been rolling, 17-5 overall, but their star sophomore does not get talked about enough.   Gunnels has had some incredible performances this season. She had 18 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, and 6 steals against Hermitage on January 7th. The next game versus Strong, Gunnels went for 16 points and 10 assists. A week later in a win over Bearden, the sophomore posted 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 9 steals.   Gunnels' play on both sides of the ball has been stellar. She has the ability to score on her own, destroying the defense in the interior. Of course, she loves to get her teammates involved in the game. Gunnels also plays strong perimeter defense.   Gunnels is a ballhawk. She seems to know where every pass is going, intercepting the ball before it reaches its target. Opposing ball-handlers cannot drive past her without getting stripped. Gunnels plays with active hands, getting a finger on the ball every time the opposition dribbles too far out in front of them.   I know I said that [player_tooltip player_id='1180791' first='Kagen' last='Gunnels'] is one of the best players in the 1A classification, but I now believe she is one of the best players in the entire sophomore class in Arkansas. With more exposure on this program, everyone else will agree with me. Another claim of mine: Emerson should not be counted out as a favorite to win the 1A state tournament.    The 1A classification is full of great players, and each conference had several individuals that I could have spent time talking about.   I will be keeping up with these under the radar players for the rest of the season, and I suggest that you should too.

There are 8 conferences in the 1A classification, and they all have teams and players flying under the radar. I wanted to feature the state's smallest classification first, highlighting one player from 7 of the 8 1A conferences who should be on everyone's radar.