Who should you look out for in the 2A Championship?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With as much as I have talked about Barton this season, you should not be surprised that they are in the 2A Championship. The Lady Bears are set to take on Izard County Consolidated. Izard County defeated Quitman in the semi-final, a team who was a favorite to at least make it to the big game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the key players to look out for in this game, with a couple who will not surprise you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Barton Lady Bears</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060807"],"_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-67d11af0e2529"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Da'Miya Wilson jumped up in the 2026 ranking after the latest update, which was going to happen sooner or later. She has had an impressive postseason so far, and now she stares down the Lady Cougars, the only team that stands in the way of Barton's first ever state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson had 33 points in the first round of the tournament. She is coming off an 18-point outing against Cutter-Morning Star in the semis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that semi-final performance, Wilson knocked down 3 triples, which helped spread the Bear offense out. She also scored 9 of her 18 in the final quarter of play, which included a 3-pointer to bring Barton within 1 (they defeated CMS 54-53).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Da'Miya Wilson hit numerous clutch shots during the regular season for Barton and now she continues her clutch play in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465514"],"_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-67d11af0e25b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Pick your poison" is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of this Lady Bear squad. [player_tooltip player_id='465514' first='Jakyra' last='Jackson'] has proven to be an outstanding player alongside Wilson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson started off the tournament on a roll, putting up 30 in the first round. In the semis, the senior had 23 points, with 10 coming in the fourth quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like her junior teammate, Jackson is a clutch player. She is willing to put her team on her back in order to take them to the finish line. She can do so with her excellent shot-creating ability and quick defensive instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If [player_tooltip player_id='465514' first='Jakyra' last='Jackson'] and her star teammate are on their a-game, then Izard County will be in trouble. They will also try to make sure Barton's second tournament appearance since 1982 is worthwhile. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Izard County Lady Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1049441"],"_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-67d11af0e2643"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1049441' first='Quinn' last='Johnson'] has been consistent on both ends of the floor all season long for Izard County. They will need to get the same consistency from her on Thursday in Hot Springs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson can hit shots from outside and score in the paint, with one of her best games in this postseason being against Quitman, where she had 22 points. She went to the free throw line multiple times that night, going 14/16. Another strength in Johnson's game is her play on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This senior has a nose for the ball. Whether she has to poke it free or dive on it, she is all over the basketball. She hustles hard on every possession, which translates well for rebounding. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If [player_tooltip player_id='1049441' first='Quinn' last='Johnson'] can play with the same work ethic we have seen from her this season, the Lady Cougars will be fine. Now throw in the shotmaking, then their chances of winning skyrocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060802"],"_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-67d11af0e26b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] is one of the better shooters in the 2A classification, especially when she is in a groove. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spray had 14 points against Quitman in the semi-finals. She is a threat to hit from outside as soon as she steps on the floor. Whether she is shooting off the catch or off the dribble, the defense needs a hand in her face. Spray can also get the defense up in the air with a pump fake and still knock down the jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] can spray it from long range. Izard County loves to drive inside and find a way to the free throw line. If their junior sharpshooter is on, then they will have no issue getting into the paint with that spacing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196193"],"_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-67d11af0e271c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1196193' first='Makensie' last='Yancey'] made the Quitman defense hurt in the semi-final game. Now, she looks to do that again to Barton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yancey had 16 points against the Lady Bulldogs, which was after putting up 14 on Poyen in the second round. A bulk of scoring each night comes from her inside play. She has no trouble finishing through contact off of strong drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Izard County plays defense with a lot of on-ball pressure. The Lady Cougars force multiple turnovers a game, which leads to fastbreak opportunities. Yancey is a beneficiary of those turnovers, and if she is not finishing, then she is finding her way to the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1196193' first='Makensie' last='Yancey'] is going to be an x-factor for Izard County in the tournament final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Again, go to Hot Springs! Bank OZK will be hosting all of the state championship games, including this one between Izard County and Barton, which will take place on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->