The Most Underrated Risers in the 2026 Rankings

Numerous players moved up in the ranking, especially in the top 25. For this article, I will look at the players who are still underrated based on their ranking but are trending in the right direction.    [player_tooltip player_id='1196027' first='Delaney' last='Ford'] is ranked too low, especially after her performance during the 2024-25 season. As I said, though, her stock is trending in the right direction.   Ford is Umpire's star player, and the stats support that. She averaged 19.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year, even averaging 26.8 points at one point during the season. She scored 575 total points as a junior, and she is now just under 100 points from eclipsing 1,000 career points.   Ford is great at attacking the basket, having hit shots from inside the arc at upwards of a 50% clip this past year. She is also a fantastic defender, forcing multiple turnovers a game and picking them up to start the fastbreak.   [player_tooltip player_id='1196027' first='Delaney' last='Ford'] is still underrated, but I believe she is now the top player in the 1A-7. Ford is also a candidate to be the highest ranking riser in this class after the next update, so stay tuned.     Calico Rock has certainly been in the news as of late. Nevertheless, do not let that take away from how [player_tooltip player_id='1183256' first='Grasyn' last='Sanders'] is the Lady Pirates' star.   Sanders is the clear go-to player on offense for Calico Rock. She touches the ball every possession, brings it up the floor, and often draws significant attention from the other team. Sanders can hit jumpers from mid-range and three, but she is a threat to attack the basket. She is always looking to exploit holes in the defense, and she is not afraid of contact.   Like I mentioned, she draws attention from the defense, so she is forced to get her teammates involved. Though Calico Rock had some troubles during the year, Sanders has talented teammates who can give her some relief on the offensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id='1183256' first='Grasyn' last='Sanders'] will once again be the leader of the Calico Rock squad next season. With a new coach coming in next season, this Lady Pirate team may be a dark horse to compete for the 1A-2 crown.     [player_tooltip player_id='1190697' first='Presley' last='McPherson'] is coming off a successful junior campaign. She earned all-conference honors and helped her team to a 16-7 overall record. Now she looks to have an even better senior season after West Memphis graduated several talented players.   McPherson is a solid shooter who has shown that she has the ability to create. Whether it is off the catch or the dribble, McPherson can hit jumpers, even with a defender in her face.   On defense, McPherson has shown that she can apply hounding pressure, forcing turnovers or forcing the opposition to make mistakes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1190697' first='Presley' last='McPherson'] could have a big season in 2025-26, so keep up with her and this entire West Memphis team.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Heidi' last='Parrish'] plays on a 1A-5 team that has heavily struggled over the past couple of seasons. Despite that, Parrish has thrived and attempts to carry her team every night.   Against Guy-Perkins last season, Parrish showed just how great of a player she is, posting 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Though she is on a struggling team, she still looks to get her teammates involved. She also shone against Wonderview, scoring 21 points and pulling down 11 boards.   Parrish is always looking to attack the basket. She is a solid finisher, and she knows how to draw contact, getting herself to the free throw line. From the outside, she can make the defense pay if they leave her open, as she is a threat to knock down threes and mid-range jumpers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197522' first='Heidi' last='Parrish'] is a great player in this class, but she is underrated due to her team's record. If her team starts to win games, the state will finally take notice.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197533' first='Kiera' last='Bagwell'] stepped up in a big way this past season. She quickly became one of Highland's most impactful players, and she is prepared to do it again in 2025-26.   Bagwell is a solid 3-point shooter, being able to get going from beyond the arc in a hurry, especially off the catch. She can also hit jumpers with a hand in her face and on the move, showcasing just how comfortable Bagwell is scoring the basketball.   On the other end of the floor, Bagwell has shown that she can be a game-changer. Against Wynne in late February, she recorded 4 steals, and against Mountain View before that, she blocked a trio of shots. Bagwell has no trouble forcing turnovers or sliding over and blocking a shot on help defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197533' first='Kiera' last='Bagwell'] is the definition of a two-way player, or a 3&D player. Her abilities on both sides of the ball will be tremendously important as Highland looks to make a legitimate run in the 2A playoffs.

Numerous players moved up in the ranking, especially in the top 25. For this article, I will look at the players who are still underrated based on their ranking but are trending in the right direction.