Watch List Players moving into the Rankings and who could follow

Three players moved into the rankings from the Watch List because of their improved play this season. However, they may not be alone, as these other three hoopers have immediately shown out, and they won't be on the Watch List for much longer.    [player_tooltip player_id='1180771' first='Ciera' last='Bolger'] is one of several players who starred for [program_tooltip program_id='1119478' first='Takeover' last='Academy'] this summer. Now, she is set to star for the Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs who are looking to head to the 6A title game.   Bolger, who has already been offered by Hendrix College, has shown flashes this season. Against Vilonia in November, Bolger had a solid all-around impact with 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.   Bolger hit a 3-pointer in that contest, showing how she can stretch the floor for a team with several great slashing guards. On defense, she can block shots, force turnovers, and snag rebounds away from the opposition.   [player_tooltip player_id='1180771' first='Ciera' last='Bolger'] is still growing in her game, but with her size and skillset, she is going to be great down the line.     So far this year, the Lady Ricebirds' [player_tooltip player_id='1093312' first='Madyson' last='Shelton'] has played well. Her numbers have increased slightly between 2025/26 and 2024/25, but her impact can be felt even more.   Shelton is averaging 5.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this year. She is a phenomenal offensive rebounder, averaging 2.9 boards on that end of the floor each game.   Shelton is a great presence in the paint, shooting 44% from the field, but she has shown that she can steal the ball outside the post, averaging 0.4 steals a contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1093312' first='Madyson' last='Shelton'] is a solid post presence and she is going to instrumental for Stuttgart this year.     Manila has a lot of solid guards on their team, including [player_tooltip player_id='1186971' first='Madison' last='Tune'].   Tune has had to work alongside great players, but she has shown that she can score the ball well. Tune is a solid outside shooter, but she is a good slasher as well.   With Manila, their guards need to be great defenders, and she has shown solid skill on that end of the floor. She applies hounding on-ball pressure, forcing turnovers with ease.   [player_tooltip player_id='1186971' first='Madison' last='Tune'] is a really important player for Manila, so keep an eye on this team this year.    Who could jump into the rankings next?    [player_tooltip player_id='882749' first='Mya' last='Brady'] was phenomenal as a freshman, and now she is back and playing even better this season.   Brady scored a career high of 22 points in a 4-point win over Mountain Home recently. Against Pulaski Academy in November, she scored her then-career high of 15 points. In the contest versus the Lady Bruins, all 15 of her points were from beyond the arc.   Clearly, Brady is a deadly shooter. In that PA game, she practically lived in the left corner, nailing 4 catch-and-shoot threes in the same spot. She has a quick release, and she moves really well without the ball, finding ways to get open.   Vilonia is a great outside shooting team, and [player_tooltip player_id='882749' first='Mya' last='Brady'] is a big reason why. Sooner rather than later, she will be entering the conversation of best 3-point shooter in the 5A classification before long.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197482' first='Sa'Mya' last='Sanders'] has been killing it lately for the Lady Trojans, and she will definitely fly up the rankings.   Hot Springs has already faced Malvern twice this season, and in both of those matchups, Sanders put up double digits points, with 18 in one contest and 12 in another. She also scored double digits against Magnolia, logging 10 points along with 7 rebounds and 2 assists. At 5'11", Sanders has a long stride and she is nearly unstoppable on the fastbreak or in the paint.   I have to say, Sanders is one heck of a defender as well. Against Sheridan in early December, she did not have her best offensive performance, only scoring 6, but she shut down the opposition in the paint. She swatted 6 shots, stole the ball twice, and snagged 8 boards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197482' first='Sa'Mya' last='Sanders']' length and athleticism make her an excellent two-way player. She is already one of the most underrated players coming out of the 5A South, and I truly believe the sky is the limit for her.     White County Central has an underrated, yet talented group of players, with [player_tooltip player_id='1356648' first='Nevaeh' last='Poteat'] amongst them.   She lit up Southside Bee Branch earlier this month, putting up 16 points to go along with her 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. She was too much to handle from the outside, knocking down 4 3-pointers. Like all impact players, if they don't have it going on offense, they find other ways to contribute, like on defense.   Poteat has proven to be a shutdown perimeter defender. Against Cedar Ridge in November, she racked up 4 steals to add to her 8 points and 6 rebounds. She was stripping ball-handlers, intercepting passes, and causing general havoc up top, and making the opposition pay at the other end in transition.   In addition to her scoring and defense, [player_tooltip player_id='1356648' first='Nevaeh' last='Poteat'] is a solid passer. She did not need to see her own shots fall against Bald Knob, as she dished out 6 assists, showcasing her vision.

Three players moved into the rankings from the Watch List because of their improved play this season. However, they may not be alone, as these other three hoopers have immediately shown out, and they won't be on the Watch List for much longer.