The 2A-1 is looking scary with these All-State Returners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The title sums this article up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 5 all-state players returning to their 2A-1 squads in 2026/27, this conference in Northwest Arkansas could be making some noise in when we get closer to the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["867838"],"_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-69f02f6bdcb33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='867838' first='Joshlynn' last='Brown'] is currently hooping this summer with the NWA Bruins, but once she returns, expect County Line to make one heck of a run towards the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've talked a lot about how Brown is one of the better point guards in this class, but throughout this past season, she proved just how good she is while playing off the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is such a strong 3-point shooter that she deadly off the catch, and her team draws up plays to get her open from outside. Her quick release and unmatched confidence are key in her lethal shooting, which also means it can open up driving lanes for herself if the defense overplays. Her shooting can also free up her teammates to cut to the basket, and Brown has the vision to find them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would imagine that [player_tooltip player_id='867838' first='Joshlynn' last='Brown'] continues to prove why she is one of the top guards in the region and in the 2A classification this coming season, so watch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180765"],"_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-69f02f6bdcb9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1180765' first='Torrance' last='Fortenberry'] may be slightly undersized for the center or power forward positions, but she makes up for it with her athleticism and effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fortenberry had several phenomenal all-around performances this past season. She had a double-double against Magazine with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. She also had 15 points and 2 stocks earlier in the year against Ozark Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Fortenberry is a wall that the opposition cannot get over, around, or through. The rising senior keeps her hands up for the entire possession, meaning that she is playing without fouling and she is still a threat to reject shots. Those hands remain active enough for her to collect some steals and deflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180765' first='Torrance' last='Fortenberry'] is a double-double and defensive machine, and the anchor for this County Line squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1180793"],"_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-69f02f6bdcbe9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't think there is a better scorer in the conference than [player_tooltip player_id='1180793' first='Alaina' last='Owenby'], and maybe not by a long shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owenby just finished her junior season averaging 25.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 4.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, all while shooting 50% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. Her individual game performances are hard to believe, like her 31-point, 10-rebound, 10-steal triple-double versus Ozark Catholic. She also put up 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 steals against Mountainburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owenby is one of those players who can be placed all over the floor. She can post up her defender on the block, back her down under the basket, and score over her with ease. She can drive hard to the basket and finish through contact, even in the open court. And though Owenby's 3-point percentage was not as high as one might expect, she can still catch fire from three thanks to her quick release and superb confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1180793' first='Alaina' last='Owenby'] is becoming one of the best players in this class, and it's time for the state to take notice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093324"],"_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-69f02f6bdcc2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1093324' first='Elliot' last='Owen']'s game continues to grow, and she should definitely be higher up in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen had a successful junior campaign, surpassing 1,000 career points and taking her squad back to the 2A state tournament. Owen helped achieve both marks with her incredible ability on both ends of the floor, but most certainly with her offensive talents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would have to say that on offense, everything starts with her handles. Owen has quick moves that allow her to be shifty when going full speed. She has a great crossover, spin, and stepback, which all help her gain significant separation for her shot. I also think her ball fakes are exceptionally deadly, as she makes defenders look silly every time she pulls one of those out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1093324' first='Elliot' last='Owen'] can also shoot the lights out, but her vision continues to get better, and she is making constant efforts to find her open teammates whenever she can. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1799601"],"_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-69f02f6bdcc6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1799601' first='Payton' last='Schultz'] just capped off a solid season with Ozark Catholic, and she cemented herself as one of those players who you can absolutely not leave open from three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schultz is a legitimate 3-point sniper. She has a quick release, a high-arching shot, and the confidence necessary to pull from deep, even a couple steps behind the line. Schultz can get going in a hurry, and she is particularly strong at hitting from above the top of the key. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just because Schultz is a great shooter, doesn't mean she can't do anything else. She showed throughout the season that if she is out in the open court, she can get to the basket and finish, even if the defense is keeping up with her. The guard's handles are also solid, allowing her to maneuver to her spots with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1799601' first='Payton' last='Schultz'] is definitely underrated, but if she starts to have more high-scoring outings this coming season, she will certainly be higher in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->