3A Players You Should Look Forward to this Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are some 3A players we should all look forward to watching this coming season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198791"],"_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-689580b0968c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1198791' first='Makaelah' last='Green'] has quickly become one of the best guards in the 3A classification, even after just one season of varsity basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, Green averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. She was exceptional in just about every aspect of the game, especially on offense. When she was not moving the ball around the floor and finding her open teammates, she was attacking the basket and scoring at will. If the defense sagged off of her along the perimeter, she did not hesitate to step back and nail the 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other end of the floor, Green played outstanding defense, forcing turnovers left and right. She was also crashing the glass hard, despite her 5'5" frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1198791' first='Makaelah' last='Green'] is a phenomenal two-way star for the McGehee Lady Owls. This is a team with a lot of returning talent, so they could be one of the teams to beat in the 3A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876344"],"_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-689580b096928"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] recently committed to Arkansas Tech. Though her college recruitment is closed, she could still impress everybody with her play as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I seriously doubt that there is anyone tougher than Broughton in the post. She is one of the best rebounders in the state, on both ends. Broughton is impossible to box out, and she could potentially outbound opposing teams by herself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Broughton is an efficient finisher. She uses her strength to back down her opponents, then she will hit them with a drop step and score through contact. She has a nice touch around the basket, so she is missing very few paint looks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] is bringing toughness and physicality to Russellville, which is exactly what they are hoping for. Until then, Broughton returns to one of the top teams in 3A, hoping to take them to the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1192817"],"_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-689580b096976"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1192817' first='Grace' last='Efird'] has quickly become the pride and joy of Bismarck, even after just a year of varsity basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Efird lit up the competition this past season. She scored a career-high of 33 points at one point, but she could easily surpass that with a strong sophomore year. The guard is a great perimeter shooter who can knock down shots off the catch and off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Besides outside shooting, Efird can attack the basket with purpose. She has solid length at 5'8", so when she goes downhill, there are few who can successfully stand in her way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1192817' first='Grace' last='Efird'] will continue to impress in 2025-26, but she does need more attention from the media. Keep an eye on her and her squad this coming year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196166"],"_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-689580b0969c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1196166' first='Rylee' last='Fike'] is a player who is trending upwards, and I would not be surprised if she rose in the rankings after the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fike had some solid performances throughout her sophomore season in 2024-25, including her 13-point, 11-rebound outing against Bismarck back in January. To tip off the district tournament against Camden Harmony Grove, Fike put together another solid performance, posting 14 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fike is a solid scorer, as she can knock down shots on the interior, but she is a strong rebounder for her position. She uses her quickness to fly in and grab as many boards as she can, immediately starting the fastbreak on one end, and putting misses back up and in at the other end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Genoa Central has solid talent, with [player_tooltip player_id='1196166' first='Rylee' last='Fike'] a big part of their offensive attack. I expect that she will have a big role this coming year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054393"],"_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-689580b096a08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1054393' first='Olivia' last='Fenner'] is more than a deadly shooter for Lavaca, and now heading into her senior year, she could be the piece that propels this team to the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After an all-conference season with Lavaca, Fenner is back and ready to shoot the lights out again. She is a strong scorer, especially off the catch. Fenner has a quick release on her jumper, and she can knock down jumpers from anywhere on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fenner is a great 3-point shooter, but she is even better inside the arc. She knocks down mid-range jumpers at a high rate, especially in the lane. Whether the defense is on her or not, her looks will go down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1054393' first='Olivia' last='Fenner'] is a highly underrated player in the 3A classification, but I think she will have an incredible senior season, which we should all sit back and watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["593252"],"_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-689580b096a59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bergman has a lot of players who are worth the price of admission, but [player_tooltip player_id='593252' first='Jacey' last='Halitzka'] could have one of the best shooting seasons of any player in the 3A classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halitzka has been lights out in shooting workouts this summer. She has worked hard to improve her catch-and-shoot ability, and I think that work will pay off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Halitzka has already proven just how good of a shooter she is from beyond the arc. She made 116 triples this past season at a 40% clip. She had no problem shooting with a hand in her face or when she was several steps behind the 3-point line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is crazy to think that [player_tooltip player_id='593252' first='Jacey' last='Halitzka'] could be an even better outside shooter as she heads into her junior season. If she improves her already elite shooting, she will be one of the most fun players to watch in the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are just a few of the many incredibly talented players the 3A classification has to offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->