All-State Performers under the radar, for now (1A-6, 7, 8)

Small school. Big-time talent.   These all-state returners are way under the radar, for the time being.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A-6</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1251693' first='Kenzi' last='Simpson'] broke out onto the scene last season, as a 6'3" freshman for a solid Clarendon squad. She came back and repeated that success, but her game is still growing.   Simpson has a strong presence in the paint, and she has performed well against squads from larger schools, such as 4A Stuttgart, where she put up 14 points.   At 6'3", Simpson is a great rim protector and an exceptional rebounder, using her stature to dominate the paint. Interior scoring comes easy to her.   [player_tooltip player_id='1251693' first='Kenzi' last='Simpson'] is an intriguing prospect because of her strong physical attributes, and I hope to hear her name more this coming year.    R'yna Piggee- Clarendon not only has height, but they have superior guard play, which is why they have been so successful over the last few seasons. Piggee was a critical piece in this Lady Lion team going 8-2 in conference play this season, though they came up short in the postseason, missing the 1A state tournament.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/bella-smith-3/" id="1817180">[player_tooltip player_id='1817180' first='Bella' last='Smith']</a>- Scott Charter did not have the same type of 2025/26 season as the aforementioned Clarendon Lady Lions, but the Lady Mustangs still had success every time [player_tooltip player_id='1817180' first='Bella' last='Smith'] stepped on the floor. Though Smith was exceptional all-around this season, the school will actually be closing, so we will have to see where she ends up for the coming season.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kamille-allison/" id="1817183">[player_tooltip player_id='1817183' first='Kamille' last='Allison']</a>- Brinkley also came up short of the 1A state tournament this past season, but [player_tooltip player_id='1817183' first='Kamille' last='Allison'] still had an all-state-worthy sophomore campaign. Allison is a great athlete and a solid scorer, who was making plays every single game for an up-and-coming Brinkley team.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A-7</h2>    After moving from Prescott, [player_tooltip player_id='1251537' first='Majesty' last='Manning'] had an incredible sophomore season, having big scoring outings seemingly every night.   This past year, Manning had big games against Bradley (25 points), Murfreesboro (21 points), Umpire (scored 11 of 19 points in second half), Nevada (24 points), and Riverdale Academy (21 points), just to name a few.   Hitting shots from outside, mid-range, and in the paint has never looked so easy for a player. Manning can do it all offensively, but she is also an outstanding defender who forces turnovers and makes great hustle plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1251537' first='Majesty' last='Manning'] and the Blevins Lady Hornets are definitely must-see-TV, and we all need to take the trip to southwest Arkansas to check them out.     When Manning isn't popping off scoring-wise (or even if she is), then [player_tooltip player_id='1180594' first='Kentana' last='Williamson'] is picking up the slack, getting buckets at will.   Williamson had multiple 18-point outings in the postseason, making crucial plays against Mount Ida and Emerson. She looked even better against Mineral Springs during the regular season finale, putting up 24 points and 6 steals, helping Blevins advance to the state tournament. She also played outstanding against a good Guy-Perkins squad, logging 21 points and 4 swipes.   Williamson can score any way she pleases, whether it's in the paint--where she can finish through contact or out in the open floor--or by rising up and knocking down some jumpers. Defense is also her calling-card, as she is infamous amongst her opponents for picking off passes and picking pockets.   [player_tooltip player_id='1180594' first='Kentana' last='Williamson'] first introduced herself to her unlucky opponents as a freshman, and she repeated her past success in 2025/26. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her junior campaign.    <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/brystal-duggan/" id="1817190">[player_tooltip player_id='1817190' first='Brystal' last='Duggan']</a>- Mount Ida had such a great season, having three players make the all-state team. Duggan, who manned the middle for the Lady Lions, is one of them, and she set the tone every night with her physicality in the paint. Rebounding, interior finishing, and locking down the post were her jobs, and she did those exceptionally.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/presli-bassett/" id="1817185">[player_tooltip player_id='1817185' first='Presli' last='Bassett']</a>- The guard play from Mount Ida was incredible, which was part of why they went 11-1 in conference play and 17-9 overall, despite missing the state tournament. Bassett helped man that great offense, being a solid scorer and facilitator. But, all great teams have to have good defenders, too, and that is what Bassett is.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/elizabeth-dorrell/" id="1817186">[player_tooltip player_id='1817186' first='Elizabeth' last='Dorrell']</a>- Again, this was a great Mount Ida squad, and Dorrell was a crucial part of their success. Shooting, finishing, defending, she could do it all, and she made plays all over the floor, and in crunch time. This team should be fun to watch again this coming year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1A-8</h2>    After averaging 17 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals a game during the 2024/25 season and earning all-state, [player_tooltip player_id='1180791' first='Kagen' last='Gunnels'] ran it back with Emerson, putting together another great season.   This past season, Gunnels was doing everything for her squad, and she showed it night after night. In an early season matchup versus Maumelle Charter, the rising senior put up 17 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals.   When it comes to scoring, not many can stop this guard. Her mid-range is automatic, and if she is backing her defender down on the block (even if they were bigger), Gunnels will take it up and score. The same physicality and aggression that she displays on offense, she brings on the glass, cleaning it up night after night. Her defense is also stellar, looking like an All-Pro corner in those passing lanes.   I highly suspect that [player_tooltip player_id='1180791' first='Kagen' last='Gunnels'] will have another incredible season in 2026/27, so for goodness sake, head down to south Arkansas and check out a game.

Small school. Big-time talent.