Metro's Best: The Northwest Arkansas Metro's Top Players

The second-largest metropolitan area in Arkansas is the Northwest Arkansas Metro, totaling 605,615 people across three counties, according to the US Census Bureau. The three counties that are included in this metro area are Benton, Madison, and Washington, and they all have several great schools with great basketball talent. Like in the first article I did of this series, I will break down the metro's top talent into three teams, as well as including honorable mentions.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">1st Team All-Metro</h2>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/easton-mccollough/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090920' first='Easton' last='McCollough']</a>   The #1 player in the 2028 class is, of course, going to be on the 1st team. McCollough recently picked up an offer from Kentucky, adding to her expansive list of offers after just one season of high school basketball. Farmington's superstar is a lights-out shooter who can get into a rhythm quickly, whether off the catch or off the dribble. She works well around a screen, and she can find her way inside, scoring with ease. The sky is not even close to the limit for McCollough, and now she will be tasked with leading a young Lady Cardinal team to another state title appearance.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/syniah-coachman/">[player_tooltip player_id='593261' first='Syniah' last='Coachman']</a>   Another #1 player in this metro?! It appears that Coachman has transferred to Har-Ber High School in Springdale, so I am sure some heated battles will take place against her old squad this coming year. Regardless, Coachman is one of the most versatile guards in the state. She can score on the interior, especially in transition, or she can step back and knock down a jumper with a hand in her face. She maneuvers around traffic well, seemingly unbothered by the manner of defensive intensity shown by the opposition. Coachman had a great summer, picking up numerous Division I offers and earning the #1 spot in the 2027 class.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/payton-caudle/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090910' first='Payton' last='Caudle']</a>   Caudle is a close second to McCollough in the 2028 class, especially after picking up a plethora of offers, with her most recent coming from Missouri, BYU, and Oregon. Caudle is another versatile scorer in this part of the state. She can create her shot along the perimeter thanks to a great handle, and she can rise against the defense and splash a jumper. With that great handle, she can get the defense off balance, hitting them with a crossover as she attacks the basket. From there, she can finish with ease, even through traffic.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/charleen-hudson/">[player_tooltip player_id='874448' first='Charleen' last='Hudson']</a>   Springdale's star is coming into the 2025-26 season with several offers, including UCA, Delaware, Bradley, Abilene Christian, and others. The Lady Bulldogs saw five players from last year's squad move on to play college basketball, so Hudson will be leading a slightly younger squad, but based on her two-way ability, that should not be too hard for her. Hudson's defense stands out, especially in the 9-steal performance against Rogers Heritage last season. However, she is hard to stop once she sees a couple of shots go in. She can knock down the perimeter jumper, but she can also feast against the defense in the lane.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jensen-thrasher/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090896' first='Jensen' last='Thrasher']</a>   Bentonville looks to be building on a very successful 2024-25 season, and it all starts with Thrasher. She received three Division I offers this summer, which were based on several reasons. She attacks the basket with fearlessness, finding unimaginable ways to finish in the paint. When Thrasher has an opportunity to launch a deep ball, she does not hesitate, as she knocks down threes at an efficient rate. Expect a big season from Thrasher and this young Tiger squad.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">2nd Team All-Metro</h2>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/makenlie-campbell/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090299' first='Makenlie' last='Campbell']</a>   No surprises that both Campbell twins made the 2nd team. This Campbell sister has proven to be one of the best two-way players in the state. She can knock down threes at an efficient rate, while also being a threat to slash to the basket and score through contact. On the other end of the floor, Campbell plays suffocating defense, forcing numerous turnovers and capitalizing on them in transition. She has received several Division I offers, and I would imagine that she will pick up more soon.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/madisen-campbell/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090312' first='Madisen' last='Campbell']</a>   The other Campbell sister is also extremely talented and accomplished. She has already received a plethora of postseason honors during her first two seasons of varsity basketball, and she is also picking up some college offers, with Wichita State, Temple, and South Alabama having reached out over the past few months. This Campbell twin might be a slightly better defender, offering limited to no breathing room for whoever she is guarding. Offensively, she is a good outside shooter who can also take the defense off the dribble and score in the lane.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/evvi-cooper/">[player_tooltip player_id='1055220' first='Evvi' last='Cooper']</a>   Like Springdale Har-Ber, Mountain View featured sisters who performed well on the court with one another. Now the Cooper sisters have moved to Northwest Arkansas to play for Greenland. This Cooper sister should be with the Lady Pirates for three seasons, after impressing in her freshman campaign. She was named to the All-Arkansas Preps Underclassman Team and lit up defenses in 2024-25. Cooper has an innate ability to drive into the lane and find ways to score inside. She can also step out and knock down triples, or she can make the extra pass, finding open teammates for big plays.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jaci-cooper/">[player_tooltip player_id='1055209' first='Jaci' last='Cooper']</a>   This Cooper sister is coming off a successful junior season, where she surpassed 1,000 career points and gained some collegiate attention. This past summer with Team ISO, she balled out. She put on a defensive clinic seemingly every night, playing with elite hustle and charging after every loose ball. Cooper was a pest on that end, but her scoring was exceptional, as she showed how deadly she was from behind the arc, especially when she spots up.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lauren-mccredy/">[player_tooltip player_id='1093296' first='Lauren' last='McCredy']</a>   After an all-conference and all-state season with Shiloh Christian, McCredy is back and ready to tear up the 4A-1 again. The incoming junior averaged nearly a double-double per game last season, scoring 11 points a night and pulling down 8 boards. She can shoot the ball well from the outside, but with her length, she can finish over bigs in the paint. That length also comes in handy on the defensive end, as she can block shots with ease.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">3rd Team All-Metro</h2>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaiya-mccoy/">Kaiya McCoy</a>   Like I mentioned with Hudson, Springdale lost a lot of talent, especially with their guards. Now McCoy must step up and take over, which she has already shown she can do. For her, it all starts on the defensive end. She can pressure ball-handlers for all 32 minutes and for the entire length of the floor. Offensively, she is great at attacking the basket, which happens a lot in transition for her, particularly when she is forcing turnovers and finishing at the other end. Because of the effort she has shown, McCoy has already heard from several colleges, most recently from Ecclesia College.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/anniston-moore/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090332' first='Anniston' last='Moore']</a>   Like several players in Northwest Arkansas, Moore is a hard-nosed defender. She works extremely hard on the defensive end, causing turnovers and forcing stops. On offense, Moore is a good 3-point shooter, who helps stretch the floor and open up driving lanes for herself and her teammates. Her play is getting her noticed, as she has already gotten college offers. She may have a particularly strong sophomore season, so a breakout would not be surprising.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/charley-rawlins/">[player_tooltip player_id='1060890' first='Charley' last='Rawlins']</a>   Rawlins flew up the rankings this summer after strong performances with the [program_tooltip program_id='715977' first='AAO' last='Flight']. During the Heart of Texas tournament in April, Rawlins lit up defenses from beyond the arc, shooting 45%. She averaged 17 points per game during that tournament, and she truly could not be stopped, which got her some collegiate attention, and now she is headed to Pitt State to continue her basketball career. Before that, though, she has one more season of high school ball, and I think she might have her best year yet.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jacee-hoskins/">[player_tooltip player_id='1055660' first='Jacee' last='Hoskins']</a>   Hoskins had a great first season with Elkins, earning all-conference and all-state selections and putting up numerous phenomenal performances. During the win over Charleston that punched Elkins into the state playoffs, Hoskins put up a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Elkins was accustomed to seeing Hoskins log double-doubles, as she put up 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists against Haas Hall Fayetteville. She also had 21 points and 13 rebounds versus Thaden in late January.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/lillian-schopper/">[player_tooltip player_id='877707' first='Lillian' last='Schopper']</a>   Greeland is filling out their roster, and they may have one of the best guard rotations in the entire state. Schopper has already proven herself after one season with Greenland, earning an all-state selection. She is back and ready to do it again. In a victory against Mansfield to advance to the state tournament, Schopper put up 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. All-around solid performances were typical of Schopper, as she logged 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals against West Fork in early February. Her ability to score inside and out, rebound, make plays for others, and force turnovers is incredible, and she will certainly be a handful for any opponent this coming year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Honorable Mentions</h2>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/torrie-miller/">[player_tooltip player_id='874453' first='Torrie' last='Miller']</a>   Springdale's center has skyrocketed up the rankings. She was on the Watch List not too long ago, and now she is picking up college offers after a productive summer. During her play on the AAU stage, Miller showed just how good of a defensive player she is. Not only can she block shots and rebound, but she plays great perimeter defense, even picking up and slowing down guards and forwards. She plays with active hands, often getting deflections or steals when she is playing around the perimeter. Miller can run in transition and score and she has a great touch at the free throw line. 2025-26 could be a great year for the incoming senior.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/parker-russell/">[player_tooltip player_id='1238157' first='Parker' last='Russell']</a>   The incoming senior had a great summer, which is causing her stock to propel upwards. She picked up offers from Southwestern College and Mission University, thanks to AAU outings such as her 29-point performance MO Phenom KC in May. Russell can score through contact inside, playing like a traditional big, but she can also stretch her game to the 3-point line, knocking down deep shots off the catch. On the other end of the floor, Russell has the potential to shut down the paint with her shot-blocking ability. Russell should see more minutes this season after Tori Otter graduated, so stay tuned for a big season.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/aniyah-mcdowell/">[player_tooltip player_id='874462' first='Aniyah' last='McDowell']</a>   Elkins found an offensive spark each night from McDowell during her freshman campaign, and she was so good that she earned an all-state selection, despite coming off the bench. Now McDowell may be getting into that starting lineup, and I would hope so, especially after watching highlights from some of her games last year. Versus Providence Academy last season, McDowell posted 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals. She showed off her range by knocking down five 3-pointers, including a step-back three and a 4-point play opportunity.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/regan-crusinbery/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090355' first='Regan' last='Crusinbery']</a>   Bentonville West has a lot of young talent, and how this senior will be tasked with leading them to the playoffs in one of the toughest conferences in the state. Crusinbery is a talented shooter, especially off the catch from beyond the arc. She can put her head down and drive to the basket, scoring any way she can. Crusinbery plays with a lot of heart and energy, and that can be infectious, especially to a young team. She will play an important role this year.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emma-kivell/">[player_tooltip player_id='1197530' first='Emma' last='Kivell']</a>   Kivell was a key part of a strong lineup that led Kingston to an 18-16 overall record and to a spot in the playoffs. Kivell received all-conference and all-state honors, and it is no wonder. Against Founders Classical in January, Kivell had one of her best all-around games, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 boards. Once the season tipped off, she was shooting highly efficient numbers from the perimeter, and that carried over for the rest of the year. After Paige Randall and Callie Edgmon graduated, Kivell is going to have to take a big step up in production this coming year, especially if Kingston wants to head back to the playoffs.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayden-james-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='1180783' first='Jayden' last='James']</a>   James is one of the better defenders in the 6A West, and an up-and-coming star. She plays with active hands and has great anticipation on defense, picking up a lot of steals. She has some length, and that allows her to provide tough defensive pressure against her assignments. James has shown significant offensive ability, especially in a contest against Little Rock Christian last season where she put up 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals. She was knocking down threes, even hitting one off a nice step back. James has great ability, especially after putting 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game during her sophomore season. She hits those outside shots at a 36% clip and shoots just under 50% from the field. Add her all-defensive postseason award and you have a two-way player who will be a star.     There were so many great players in these three counties, I could have made another three teams with even more honorable mentions! Get ready for the next metro group I talk about, which will be coming soon.

The second-largest metropolitan area in Arkansas is the Northwest Arkansas Metro, totaling 605,615 people across three counties, according to the US Census Bureau. The three counties that are included in this metro area are Benton, Madison, and Washington, and they all have several great schools with great basketball talent. Like in the first article I did of this series, I will break down the metro's top talent into three teams, as well as including honorable mentions.