7 Days until Tip Off: Here are 7 Seniors you need to watch

You read that right: the first basketball game of the season is upon us, and it is next Friday between Timbo and Alpena. With 7 days until the official start of the 2025-26 basketball season, let us take a look at some senior hoopers you should be keeping up with this year.    When talking about some of the biggest names in the 2026 class, you cannot forget to mention [player_tooltip player_id='1060807' first='Da'Mya' last='Wilson']. Barton's superstar will be looking to lead a Lady Bear squad back to the 2A championship, so we will see just how far they can go.   Wilson is one of the top scorers in the state over the past decade. She has been averaging 20+ points per game for possibly her entire career, and she has already surpassed the 50-point mark in a game as just a freshman.   Wilson is a flamethrower from beyond the arc. She can get going in a matter of minutes, and she is not bothered by contested looks. The senior can also drive hard to the basket or create a shot with her slick handles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060807' first='Da'Mya' last='Wilson'] has serious D1 talent, and I hope schools all over the country finally recognize that.     Stuttgart is a tough team in the 4A-6 every year, simply because of [player_tooltip player_id='876288' first='Brooklyn' last='Owens'] and her dynamic two-way play.   Owens had a great summer with the Arkansas [program_tooltip program_id='712392' first='Banshees' last=''], where she showcased her elite shooting. She has a quick release from 3-point range, and she can shoot with precision off the bounce and the catch.   Owens works well around screens. She knows how to run the pick-and-roll, finding ways to direct traffic, get teammates involved, or create a good look for herself. This way, she often creates driving lanes for herself, and once she has a step on the defense, there is not a soul who can keep up.   [player_tooltip player_id='876288' first='Brooklyn' last='Owens'] has received several offers recently from institutions such as St. Clair College, Hendrix, Fort Scott, and Pearl River. I imagine she will pick up more with a strong senior year.     After a strong junior season, [player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] picked up several offers, including Rhodes, John Brown, and College of the Ozarks. After also earning all-conference, all-state, and all-tournament honors, she is in for a big 2025-26 season.   McDonald is an excellent rebounder, posting 7.7 boards a night last season. She boxes out well and she uses her 6'0" frame to outjump the competition. McDonald also plays with physicality under the basket, which helps her on the offensive end.   She averaged 13.1 points per game as a junior, thanks to her physical play and her soft touch around the basket. McDonald plays with her back to the basket, backing down her defender and scoring in a number of ways. She can also get herself to the free throw line with her willingness to take on contact and go straight up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] is going to have another great season with the Lady Pointers, just wait and see.     In addition to being an all-state soccer player, [player_tooltip player_id='1051614' first='Eliza' last='Barger'] is a phenomenal basketball star. She played well during her junior year, but I think she may have to start thinking about which sport she wants to play in college with a big senior season.   One of Barger's most impressive performances last season was in December, where she pulled down 21 boards and put up 11 points. She is a double-double machine who is nearly impossible to keep off the glass.   She can score well, especially in the paint, but I think Barger is strongest on defense. She had 5 steals in a late season matchup against Russellville, as well as 6 swipes against Gentry in November.   [player_tooltip player_id='1051614' first='Eliza' last='Barger'] has already established herself as one of the top defensive players in the state, so go ahead and keep up with her.     [player_tooltip player_id='662103' first='Lydia' last='Plummer'] will be playing her final season of high school basketball in the state of Arkansas after transferring from Norman North in Oklahoma. Cutter-Morning Star is loaded with talent, and Plummer adds another element to this team.   Plummer is a great slasher, using her length and athleticism to soar over defenders around the basket. She finishes well underneath, but if she ever sees a good look from the perimeter, she will not hesitate to fire away. She is great and connecting from distance off the catch, but she is also a tough defender.   That 5'10" length is hard to score against, making Plummer a formidable defender. In addition to that, she plays with a great level of toughness, able to absorb bumps and still make plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='662103' first='Lydia' last='Plummer'] is a name not many people recognize right now, but after just a couple of games, she will be one of the biggest names in the 2A classification this coming year.     Quitman was one of the top teams in the entire state last season, and a lot of the credit should go to Sara Dixon.   Dixon is a fantastic 3-point shooter who is not afraid to shoot from well beyond the arc. She is an accurate sharpshooter who can get going in a moment, especially in the district finals against Bigelow. In that contest, she posted 22 points, including 4 3-pointers.   Because Dixon is a shooting threat, defenders are sprinting to contest her shots, but all she has to do is hit them with a pump fake and drive the basket. From there, she can finish in the paint or hit a floater.   Sara Dixon will once again lead a talented and experienced Lady Bulldog squad back to the playoffs, but maybe colleges will finally start to pay attention.     [player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] is one of the best shooters in the 2A classification, and she has one of the quickest releases.   Spray is lethal from the 3-point line, knocking down just about every look off the catch. If defenders manage to run her off the perimeter, she can dribble in and nail a mid-range jumper.   Spray has proven to be a capable scorer, especially in big moments. In last year's 2A championship game, she put up 12 points, but some of her best play in that game came on the glass, where she pulled down 8 rebounds, including 6 in the second half, helping her team come away with their first ever state title.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060802' first='Olivia' last='Spray'] will have more responsibility this coming year, so let us see how she can take on the challenge.

You read that right: the first basketball game of the season is upon us, and it is next Friday between Timbo and Alpena. With 7 days until the official start of the 2025-26 basketball season, let us take a look at some senior hoopers you should be keeping up with this year.