New Additions in the Top 20 of the 2028 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first update of the 2028 ranking is here! There was a lot of movement in the top 20 of the class, especially with several new additions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197507"],"_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-67e349e34e1c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a phenomenal freshman season, [player_tooltip player_id='1197507' first='Kassidi' last='Smith'] has emerged as one of Arkansas's best young post players. There was no way she was missing out on a spot in the top 10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of Smith's most notable performances was in early February when she grabbed 30 rebounds against Southside Charter, which is tied with two other players for most rebounds in a game in Arkansas high school girls' basketball history. She also had 24 points and 2 blocks in that game. Not too long after, she had 29 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Lonoke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you could not tell from those statistics, Smith is a double-double machine. She outworks everyone else on the floor and she is not afraid to use her strength to push the opposition out of the way. Smith also has good timing when going for rebounds, something that most high schoolers do not possess. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Board woman gets paid and that is what happens when [player_tooltip player_id='1197507' first='Kassidi' last='Smith'] steps onto the floor. It is hard to believe that this freshman is already one of the best rebounders Arkansas has ever seen. I cannot wait to see how she develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180579"],"_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-67e349e34e22a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dierks relied on a lot of young talent this season, with [player_tooltip player_id='1180579' first='Addison' last='Hill'] helping lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill averaged around 20 points per game during the regular season, becoming a threat to hit from outside and to take over on the interior. She has a smooth jumper and can hit shots from just about any shot inside of the arch, while also being able to take her game beyond it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the paint, Hill uses her long frame to easily shoot over the defense. She also shows toughness when she is driving to the paint, absorbing body blows, and finishing at the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180579' first='Addison' last='Hill'] is already one of the best players in the 2A classification. The opposition better watch out for her next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180585"],"_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-67e349e34e275"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Hill, [player_tooltip player_id='1180585' first='Milee' last='Harrison'] is a freshman sensation for Dierks. She also averaged around 20 points per game and she is no stranger to torching defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrison is a major threat to get going from beyond the arch. She is a solid shooter off the catch and someone who will make the defense pay if they do not close out on her. If the defense does not give her a clean look, Harrison can take them off the dribble and score inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrison is also a formidable defender. She forced several turnovers a game during the regular season, picking up those loose balls and taking them the other way to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180585' first='Milee' last='Harrison'] is another great young player in the 2A classification. Like her freshman teammate, the sky is the limit for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1202885"],"_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-67e349e34e2b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was no surprise that the 2A-3 Player of the Year would make it into the top 20 of the 2028 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='1202885' first='Arden' last='Vaughn'] had a great first year of high school basketball and her potential is incredibly bright.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman has had multiple 20+ scoring outbursts during the regular season, which helped Riverside to a pleasant record and a postseason appearance. With her length, Vaughn is a tough player to stop inside. She can score against just about everybody and she cannot be stopped when playing on the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vaughn has proven to be a solid rebounder and defender in addition to being a great offensive weapon. She uses that frame to crash the glass effectively, as well as to swat shots away in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1202885' first='Arden' last='Vaughn'] is already a dangerous two-way star. Even with all of the talent this class has to offer, it will be hard for her to stay out of the top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196013"],"_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-67e349e34e2fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1196013' first='Teriyah' last='Lee'] had an impressive freshman campaign for Osceola this season. She is a quick guard who can lead the way offensively for her team thanks for her speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee has proven to be a solid driver. She can beat the defense off the dribble and get to the basket. Lee can also pull up and knock down a floater. She is also great at getting to the foul line. She was 9/14 in a thrilling game against Rivercrest during the regular season where she also scored 24 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, Lee can poke passes away and turn those turnovers in points for Osceola. She can also rebound well for her position, being able to trigger the fastbreak with her play on the defensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1196013' first='Teriyah' last='Lee'] can make plays on both ends of the floor. This Osceola team has several of young and talented players, with Lee expected to be the star of the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is so much talent in the 2028 class, along with a lot of depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->