Top-Ranked 2025 Players in the State Playoffs

With the playoffs in full-swing and the updated 2025 rankings being released, I thought it would be a great idea to combine the subject matters and see how some of the best players in the 2025 ranking are doing in the playoffs.    I do not have stats on [player_tooltip player_id='465491' first='Erianna' last='Gooden'], but from everything I have been seeing, she made a major impact in Fort Smith Northside's 55-23 win over Jonesboro.   Gooden came into the playoffs after averaging 15.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game during the regular season. The 4-year varsity star is on to a good start in her final postseason in her high school career.   If the stats did not prove it to you, just know that Gooden is one of the best do-it-all players 6A has to offer. As far as scoring is concerned, there are not many players who can stop her from scoring in the paint. She can also step out and hit a multitude of 3-pointers, as she has a career average of 37% from outside.   On the other side of the ball [player_tooltip player_id='465491' first='Erianna' last='Gooden'] will make opposing ball-handlers miserable, snatching the ball away and hitting a teammate up ahead with the pass. Gooden and Northside will face Little Rock Central in round 2, which will be one of the best matchups of the postseason.     Vilonia defeated a deep Van Buren team in the first round, 68-52. The Lady Eagles were led by [player_tooltip player_id='465493' first='Sidni' last='Middleton'], who has been fantastic all season.   Middleton put up 15 points in the victory. She also grabbed a couple of boards and picked an assist.   Van Buren learned how dangerous Middleton is with the ball in her hands. She is an outstanding shooter who can create her own shot in just a couple dribbles. If the outside shot is not there, then she can drive inside and finish through contact.   Vilonia has Valley View on the schedule for tomorrow, so that will be a great matchup.     The 5A classification features some of the best players in the 2025, with one being Brown commit, [player_tooltip player_id='465511' first='Allannah' last='Orsby'].   Valley View earned the first round win against a good Lake Hamilton team behind Orsby's 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.   Orsby is a threat to score from all over the court, especially inside. With her athleticism, she can stretch and shoot over the defense. With her toughness, she can absorb the contact, and crash the glass effectively.   [player_tooltip player_id='465511' first='Allannah' last='Orsby'] and company are going to look to defeat a solid Vilonia team in the second round tomorrow afternoon.     Farmington had a massive win against Little Rock Parkview in the first round. The Lady Cardinals defeated the Lady Patriots 79-39 and partly because of the play of [player_tooltip player_id='465497' first='Marin' last='Adams'].   The Pitt State commit was very close to a triple-double, posting 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. She also added a steal and a block to her evening total.   Adams can do just about anything her team asks of her. She can obviously facilitate and run the offense, helping feed Farmington's great scorers. She can also rebound well for a guard. Cardinal fans have seen Adams become the top scorer on occasion, where she can hit shots inside and out consistently.   [player_tooltip player_id='465497' first='Marin' last='Adams'] is one of the best point guards in the state and one of the best facilitators playing in this postseason. Farmington has Benton in the second round, so find a way to tune in tomorrow at 7 PM.     [player_tooltip player_id='875466' first='Shalyn' last='Lyle'] wowed the crowd once again after posting 24 points in the first round against Pottsville.   De Queen took the 69-45 win, thanks to the superior play of Lyle.   Her sister Jessie also made some plays, especially from way downtown. I mention her twin because Shalyn plays better with Jessie on the floor with her. The two Arkansas Tech commits help create space on the court and Shalyn was getting anywhere she wanted because of that.   Whether she is shooting from outside or driving and slipping her way inside, there is no stopping [player_tooltip player_id='875466' first='Shalyn' last='Lyle'] when she has it going. Clinton better watch out in round 2.     [player_tooltip player_id='465590' first='Kaycee' last='McCumber'] had some dominant outings towards the end of the regular season and it appears that her great play has yet to stop.   As I mentioned earlier, Farmington got a massive win over Parkivew and McCumber was one of several players who helped the Cardinals leak out to an early lead and retain it. She had 18 points and 10 rebounds.   McCumber is a great rebounder, posting 10+ rebounding games multiple times this year. If she is grabbing rebounds on the offensive side, then she is putting them right back up and in. If the rebounds are on the other end, then she is immediately giving the ball to a guard in order to start the break.   [player_tooltip player_id='465590' first='Kaycee' last='McCumber'] may not be the go-to scoring option, but Farmington cannot win games without her. She is the ultimate x-factor on this team and if she can post similar outings like the one she had against Parkview, the Cardinals are taking the 5A title without any issues.    Other winning performances:   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/zoey-bershers/">[player_tooltip player_id='465534' first='Zoey' last='Bershers']</a>- Farmington's stretch-5 had 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in the win over Parkview in the first round. Bershers is an unsung hero at times on the court, but this team knows they need her to help stretch the floor with her outside shooting. When Farmington was still in the 4A classification last season, they made it all the way to the state championship game. They ultimately won the game and a lot of credit goes to Bershers, who caused the opposing defenses to scramble as she was hitting her outside shots efficiently.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/anna-mccarn/">[player_tooltip player_id='875498' first='Anna' last='McCarn']</a>- The senior center may not have been the best performer from Mountain Home in the first round, but she still made winning plays. The Lindenwood commit put up 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and recorded 1 steal against Little Rock Christian Academy. The Lady Bombers have one of the best frontcourts in the state, with McCarn being one of the best two-way centers in 5A.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/laykin-moore/">[player_tooltip player_id='408136' first='Laykin' last='Moore']</a>- In Mountain Home's 65-53 win over LRCA, [player_tooltip player_id='408136' first='Laykin' last='Moore'] was one of several players who stuffed the stat sheet. The Harding commit put up 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block. Moore is a solid all-around player who can hit shots from outside as well as cut inside. She also rebounds the ball well and plays solid defense, particularly playing aggressive perimeter defense. Moore is the type of wing every team needs, someone who can make positive plays on both sides of the ball, and Mountain Home is happy to have her.   The playoffs are not stopping anytime soon, so find a way to watch these great players leave it all out on the court. I would also add that these particular players are competing in their final postseasons as high school hoopers, so make the effort to watch them during this special event.

With the playoffs in full-swing and the updated 2025 rankings being released, I thought it would be a great idea to combine the subject matters and see how some of the best players in the 2025 ranking are doing in the playoffs.