New Forward and Center Additions in the 2026 Ranking

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With all of the new additions, there were some forwards and bigs who made their first appearances on the 2026 ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1184451"],"_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-67d71e2655f3e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] is one of the top post players in the 5A classification. She was one of Van Buren's team leaders, helping them reach the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald was named to the 5A West all-conference team and the all-state tournament team. She was also an all-state honorable mention. The junior set some Lady Pointer records this past season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald pulled down 241 rebounds this year, the most in Van Buren history. She also swatted 25 shots and recorded 9 double-doubles this season, the most in school history. Her 4 blocks in a game were the most in Pointer history and her 15 rebounds were 4th-most in Van Buren history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald averaged 13.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game while also shooting 49% from the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statistics show that [player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] can be a dominant player on both ends of the floor, making her an easy addition to the ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212884"],"_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-67d71e2655fa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1212884' first='Addison' last='Girley'] is best known as a volleyball star at Arkansas High School in Texarkana, but she emerged as a solid center this past season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior center averaged 11.2 points per game and she had some notable performances against tough competition. She scored a season-high 27 points in a loss to a good Genoa Central team, which was in between two 21-point games. One was in a win against Prescott and the other was in a win against Hope.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Girley uses her length to her advantage on the offensive end. She can easily shoot over the defense inside with that length in addition to her elite athleticism. She has a high vertical that is important in both basketball and her primary sport, volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1212884' first='Addison' last='Girley'] is an underrated player in this class, but her performances over the course of the season prove that she deserves a spot on the 2026 ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186622"],"_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-67d71e2655fe9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dumas had a lot of roster depth and players like [player_tooltip player_id='1186622' first='Kenya' last='Johnson'] could step up any time. This junior forward ended up having some incredible performances over the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson used her length to her advantage, rebounding well and being tough to stop when attempting to score inside. Her 19-point, 10-rebound, and 4-steal outing against Rison in February portrays that. In the game before that, she had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals against Lake Village.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her defense was also incredible. If 8 steals in two games were not enough evidence of her great perimeter pressure, then her 7 steals against DeWitt and 6 steals in another Lake Village contest should tell you all you need to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Dumas losing some key senior players this May, [player_tooltip player_id='1186622' first='Kenya' last='Johnson'] will have to step up and post more of these incredible performances next season. I have the feeling that she will fly up the rankings by the time the next update rolls around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186729"],"_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-67d71e265602a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1186729' first='Ali' last='Butler'] was an all-conference and all-state honorable mention selection this year, but I am sure she will find herself well inside the top 100 before long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During her junior season, Butler showed that she could shoot well from downtown, but she was at her best when shooting in the mid-range area. Her speciality was knocking down turn-around jumpers and grabbing multiple rebounds a night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other end of the floor, Butler is a threat to rip the ball out of the opposition's hands. She has a nose for the basketball and once she forces the turnover, she can trigger the fastbreak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bauxite had some struggles throughout the year, but [player_tooltip player_id='1186729' first='Ali' last='Butler']'s play was a high note. Keep an eye on the forward this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1190567"],"_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-67d71e2656069"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1190567' first='Jaslyn' last='Dixon'] was named to the 4A-1 all-conference team, which was no surprise to Pea Ridge fans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixon was hard to handle in the post this past season. Opponents had a hard time keeping her off the offensive glass. She would pull down every board she saw and go right back up with it. If the shot was blocked or if she missed, she never gave up on the play, making sure that the possession does not end without points for Pea Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dixon also showed that she could stretch her game out to the 3-point line, as defenses could not leave her alone up top. The forward was also a solid defender, coming up with steals off loose balls and blocking shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1190567' first='Jaslyn' last='Dixon'] will look to lead Pea Ridge to another successful season after helping the Lady Blackhawks become conference champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The forward and center groups in this class are strong. Several of these new additions have the potential to fly up the ranking, so make sure to keep up with these stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->