Class 1A First Team All-State Selection

This is where elite meets production. This is where names turn into statements.   All season long, these athletes didn't just show up—they took over games, carried programs, and set the tone every time they stepped on the floor. When the lights were brightest, they delivered. When their teams needed them most, they answered.   This isn't just talent… this is dominance, leadership, and consistency at the highest level of Class 1A. And now—it's official.   First Team All-State Selections   Taylor Barnaba – J.S. Clark – 16.2 PPG [player_tooltip player_id='943329' first='Avery' last='Cournoyer'] – Merryville – 23.1 PPG [player_tooltip player_id='1819185' first='Jorden' last='Geason'] – Central Catholic-MC – 29.0 PPG Asia Patin – Southern Lab – 19.8 PPG Avery Ryan – Cedar Creek – 15.5 PPG   Outstanding Player: Asia Patin, Southern Lab Coach of the Year: Stormy Fortenberry, Merryville   Buckets were earned. Respect was built. Legacy in motion.   Scroll down to check out full player evaluations below.   Did you miss my most recent article? You can access it via the Link Below.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/04/class-2a-second-team-all-state-selection/">Class 2A Second Team All-State Selection | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/04/class-2a-first-team-all-state-selection/">Class 2A-First Team All-State Selection | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/04/class-3a-first-team-all-state-selections/?itm_source=parsely-api">Class 3A-First Team All-State Selections | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/?p=1831164&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=1831172">Class 3A-Second Team All-State Selections | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/04/class-4a-all-state-first-team-selection/">Class 4A All-State First Team Selection | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/04/class-4a-second-team-all-state-selections/">Class 4A-Second Team All-State Selections | Prep Girls Hoops</a>   You are welcome to follow me on Instagram or X at @Coachlathan for additional content or upcoming announcements.    Taylor Barnaba is the type of guard that sets the tone the moment she steps on the floor. At 5'4”, she plays bigger than her size with a strong handle, quick first step, and the ability to break down defenders off the bounce. She thrives in space, attacking gaps and putting constant pressure on the defense.   Barnaba shows true point guard instincts—she keeps her head up, makes smart reads, and understands how to control tempo. Whether it's pushing in transition or settling things down in the half court, she plays with poise beyond her years.   She's a competitor on both ends, bringing energy defensively while staying active in passing lanes and on-ball pressure. Offensively, she can create her own shot and contribute as a scorer when needed, but what stands out most is her ability to make others around her better.   With continued development, Barnaba has the tools to elevate into a high-impact floor general at the next level.   Stock Rising. Leader Mentality. Floor General Energy.     [player_tooltip player_id='943329' first='Avery' last='Cournoyer'] is a dynamic combo guard who brings a scoring mindset with the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways. At 5'6”, she has good size for the guard position and uses it well—playing through contact while still maintaining control and balance.   She's at her best when attacking downhill, showing a strong first step and the ability to finish or create in traffic. Cournoyer can score at all three levels, making her a constant threat whether she's pulling up, getting to the rim, or spacing the floor.   What separates her is her ability to play on or off the ball. She can handle point guard duties when needed, but also thrives as a scorer—making her tough to game plan against. She reads defenses well and continues to develop as a playmaker, showing flashes of high-level court awareness.   Defensively, she competes with energy and physicality, using her frame to stay in front and disrupt offensive flow.   Playing with Lake City Pride, she's been exposed to competitive basketball, helping sharpen her skillset and elevate her confidence against strong competition.   Versatile Guard. Natural Scorer. High Ceiling.     Her production speaks loud. Geason has shown the ability to completely take over games, including a breakout performance where she dropped 41 points and grabbed 17 rebounds—a clear statement of her scoring ability and dominance on the glass.   She plays with a physical edge, finishing through contact, battling for position, and consistently winning the rebounding war. Whether it's offensive putbacks or defensive boards, she brings second-chance opportunities and stops possessions cold.   Offensively, she's a high-volume scorer inside, using strength, touch, and positioning to get high-percentage looks. Defensively, she anchors the paint—altering shots, protecting the rim, and making teams think twice about attacking.   Geason's impact isn't just flashes—it's consistent. She averaged 29.0 PPG, proving she's not just a post presence, but a true go-to option night in and night out.   Still developing with a high ceiling, she has the tools to evolve into a next-level interior threat with continued skill refinement and conditioning.   Paint Dominance. Elite Production. Double-Double Machine.     Asia Patin is a high-level lead guard who checks every box you want in a floor general. At 5'7”, she brings ideal size for the position with the ability to impact the game as both a playmaker and a scorer.   She plays the game with confidence and control, showing a strong handle, sharp decision-making, and the ability to dictate tempo. Whether she's pushing in transition or running half-court sets, Patin operates with command and composure—never rushed, always reading.   Offensively, she's a three-level threat. She can attack downhill, finish through contact, and knock down perimeter shots when defenses sag. What separates her is her ability to create opportunities—not just for herself, but for everyone around her.   Coming out of a strong Southern Lab program—a school with a history of winning and developing talent—Patin understands structure, discipline, and how to compete at a high level.   Defensively, she brings effort and awareness, staying active on-ball and showing the ability to disrupt passing lanes.   As a First Team All-State selection and Outstanding Player, Patin has already proven she can perform at an elite level.   Leader Mentality. Big Game Guard. Certified Floor General.     Avery Ryan brings ideal size and natural presence to the interior at 6'2”, making her a matchup problem in Class 1A. She's the type of post player who immediately impacts the game with her length, positioning, and ability to control the paint.   Offensively, Ryan operates best around the rim—using her size to finish over defenders, secure offensive rebounds, and create second-chance opportunities. She shows flashes of touch inside and continues to develop as a scoring option with her back to the basket.   What stands out is her ability to own the glass. She rebounds at a high level on both ends, giving her team extra possessions while limiting opponents to one shot. Her size alone changes the way teams approach attacking the paint.   Defensively, she provides a strong interior anchor, using her length to contest shots and alter finishes. She may not need to block everything—her presence alone forces adjustments and hesitation from opposing guards.   Coming out of Benton, a competitive Louisiana program, Ryan is continuing to grow into her role as a true interior piece with upside as she develops strength, footwork, and offensive consistency.   With continued development, she projects as a high-impact post player who can control the paint, rebound at a high level, and provide a steady inside presence.   Size Matters. Paint Protector. Rebounding Force.

This is where elite meets production.
This is where names turn into statements.