Battle on the Island: Senior Gems Still Rising

For the Class of 2026 and this year's seniors, evaluations are still being made. At the Battle on the Island, these players proved that growth doesn't stop at the end of their Junior season. They made an impact and improved their stock in the 2026 class. Their performances reflected maturity, feel for the game, and an understanding of how to effect winning basketball games. Below are senior and 2026 hidden gems who made their presence felt and continue to trend upward.    [player_tooltip player_id='514527' first='Arianna' last='Walker'] (cover photo) brought a defensive edge that showed up every possession. Her impact was constant throughout the Battle on the Island. Walker defended with purpose, physicality, and discipline, taking away space and making scoring uncomfortable for anyone she matched up with. She has been a force on the defensive end and has gained a competitive edge before the ball has even been tossed in the air. Offensively, Walker plays within herself and doesn't force the issue. She can get to the basket, but does a good job of setting up her shooters in a position where they can score. Walker's value is in her effort and physical and mental toughness. She's the player used to neutralize or slow down the opponent's top player. College coaches see this and Walker's stock continues to rise.     [player_tooltip player_id='1043236' first='Abigail' last='Robinson'] consistently applied pressure at the rim, attacking downhill and finishing at the basket. Robinson is a multi-impact guard who scores points from multiple areas on the floor (mid-range and three point range), defends, and is pounds the glass. Robinson is second on her team in scoring while leading in assists and steals. She does the little things that impact her team in the win department. At Battle on the Island, Robinson was key in her team picking up several victories.     [player_tooltip player_id='996730' first='Casey' last='Eliason'] showed advanced feel around the basket, using excellent footwork to create clean scoring angles. Eliason does a good job scoring close to the basket, whether on the baseline or in the painted area. At the Battle on the Island, the senior center finished through traffic and competed on the glass. Her touch, balance, and rebounding instincts gave her a strong interior foundation. At Battle on the Island, Eliason played well and showcased a diverse skill set from the center position.     [player_tooltip player_id='514659' first='Shawnice' last='Durham']'s impact showed up in effort on both ends of the floor. Durham's impact is predicated on her speed on the court. She hustled back repeatedly in transition, recording momentum-saving blocks as a last-line defender. Durham rebounded well from the guard position and showed the ability to push the ball in transition. The senior guard was instrumental on the glass with several offensive put-backs. Her motor, defensive instincts, and willingness to compete stood out.     [player_tooltip player_id='1567042' first='Amiyah' last='Johnson'] was one of the smoothest shooters in the building. She showcased speed with a fluid, confident release, knocking down mid-range jumpers and three pointers with consistency. The ball looked good every time it left her hand. When she utilized her quickness and played downhill, she was difficult to contain because of her outside shooting abilities. Johnson showed that she was. polished guard with scoring versatility and poise.     [player_tooltip player_id='1567043' first='Mia' last='Tierney'] brought consistent energy and pace. At Battle on the Island, Tierney connected on timely threes and made smart reads in the open floor, including a heads-up tipped pass to a cutting teammate on the break. A high-motor guard who spaces the floor and keeps possessions moving. The senior guard brought the energy to the Battle and when it was all said and done she was a standout.       [player_tooltip player_id='1567049' first='Gabby' last='Watson'] brought physicality, athleticism, and competitiveness on both ends to Battle on the Islands. She impacted the game with effort plays, toughness, and an understanding of her role. Watson helped stabilize possessions and contributed beyond the stat sheet. She is a player who is on the rise for doing the little things on the floor. Watson has the ability to cover multiple positions on the floor.

For the Class of 2026 and this year's seniors, evaluations are still being made. At the Battle on the Island, these players proved that growth doesn't stop at the end of their Junior season. They made an impact and improved their stock in the 2026 class. Their performances reflected maturity, feel for the game, and an understanding of how to effect winning basketball games. Below are senior and 2026 hidden gems who made their presence felt and continue to trend upward.