Some of the Top Performances from the Opening Week of Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are some notable performances after two weeks of basketball to start the 2025-26 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1173076"],"_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-690980fc89e66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In my game report for Acorn versus Kirby from the 28th, I highlighted [player_tooltip player_id='1173076' first='Bella' last='Lozier']'s 11-point performance in Acorn's big win. I am highlighting her again in this article, but this time for her big outing against County Line the next game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On October 29th, Lozier lit up County Line with 27 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in a sizable win. Most of Lozier's scoring came from beyond the arc, as she nailed 7 triples, mostly off the catch. Not only was she hitting these in-rhythm jumpers, but she was doing so from well beyond the 3-point line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lozier's shooting stroke is pure, and she gets a tremendous amount of arc on the shot. She also does not lack hesitation from deep, and each made three acted as a punch in the gut against the opponent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could easily see [player_tooltip player_id='1173076' first='Bella' last='Lozier'] having an all-state caliber year in 2025-26, and I think Acorn will be the team to beat in the 2A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093310"],"_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-690980fc89ec3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1093310' first='Simya' last='Magsby'] will definitely be improving her ranking position after the opening performances of her junior season, and she did so against great teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estem's star had a resounding 27-point, 21-rebound performance in a win over Mount Vernon-Enola on the 21st. Scoring-wise, she did most of her damage in the paint, and she scored more than half of her points in the second half, including putting up 10 in the fourth quarter. Not only was her scoring consistent and overwhelming for the other team, it was clutch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, 21 rebounds! Magsby could not be stopped on the glass, which was the same as in Estem's matchup with Greers Ferry Westside the game before, where she had 10 rebounds to go along with her 15 points and 2 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In that game against the reigning 1A state champs, Magsby scored at least 8 of her points off offensive rebounds, and she played with physicality and active hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1093310' first='Simya' last='Magsby'] is cementing herself as one of the top centers in the 2027 class, and #81 in the state is not at all where she deserves to be. Keep an eye on this budding star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186896"],"_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-690980fc89f0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1186896' first='Klair' last='Jordan'] has gotten off to a great start this season, and she is doing so in every way possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan has not hit 20 points in a game so far this season, but she is getting pretty close, especially with her 19-point, 7-rebound, 2-assist, and 4-steal outing against Timbo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to that game, Jordan had a great outing against Concord, putting up 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals in a big season-opening win. In the win against Mulberry, Jordan contributed in a big way once again, logging 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1186896' first='Klair' last='Jordan'] can do it all. She can score, rebound, facilitate, and play some incredible defense. If Nemo Vista wants to find some consistent success this season, they must do so off the shoulders of their star point guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092578"],"_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-690980fc89f5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In late September, [player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] committed to continue her basketball career with the College of the Ozarks up in Missouri. Before she gets to that point though, she must play one more season with the Lady Eagles, and she is off to a flying start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cossey had perhaps her best game of the season so far against Estem on October 20th. The star center posted 20 points in a physical matchup against one of the best bigs in the 4A classification, [player_tooltip player_id='1093310' first='Simya' last='Magsby']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks to Cossey's soft touch and footwork in the paint, she was able to score effectively, which is something opposing 1A schools know all too well about. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] and company are looking to repeat as league champs this season. Will they do that for the first time in school history? We shall see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092584"],"_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-690980fc89fa6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The name "[player_tooltip player_id='1092584' first='Morgan' last='Thornton']" will become more and more popular throughout the season, and she is already looking ready to help Estem make a run in the 4A-5 South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thornton had a very successful summer, earning a Jackson State offer and attending some D1 camps. Now, she is gotten off to a solid start to her junior campaign, posting 16 points against Greers Ferry Westside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Magsby was the catalyst against Mount Vernon-Enola in the second half, but Thornton was the driver early in that contest. She put up 14 points, with 11 coming in that first half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092584' first='Morgan' last='Thornton'] has proven to be a great scorer. She can finish at the basket with both hands, and she can knock down contested jumpers, especially from mid-range. She has elite athleticism and has great extension when finishing inside, so expect her to find a lot of success in the next two years with the Lady Mets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251537"],"_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-690980fc89fed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1251537' first='Majesty' last='Manning'] is no longer at Prescott, she is now at Blevins and she is killing it early on in her sophomore season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manning is looking like one of the top transfers of the 2025-26 campaign, especially after dropping 25 points on Bradley on October 21st. She was doing everything scoring-wise. She was getting to the paint, knocking down open jumpers, and getting to the free throw and converting the easy opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manning continued her hot streak two days later against a talented Emerson team, where she put up 21 points, doing the same thing Bradley had the misfortune of experiencing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1251537' first='Majesty' last='Manning'] will be a major offensive catalyst for a Blevins team that may be primed for a run in the 1A-7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1251534"],"_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-690980fc8a033"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Manning, [player_tooltip player_id='1251534' first='R'Moni' last='Jamerson'] is no longer a Prescott Lady Curly Wolf, as she transferred to Blevins in the offseason. She is also looking like a top transfer from this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jamerson added to Blevins' massive offensive output in their contest against Bradley, where she logged 23 points. Between her, Manning, and other solid players like Kentana Williamson and Amya Phillips, defenses are having to keep their heads from spinning off just trying to keep up with them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1251534' first='R'Moni' last='Jamerson'] had a quiet 9 points in the game against Emerson shortly after, but she showed that she can still score the ball in multiple areas: from inside, outside, and in between. Keep up with the Blevins Lady Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->