Top Arkansas Player by County: Howard-Marion Counties

The season is getting closer and closer! With that in mind, here are some players who we believe could dominate their opponents and emerge as the top players in their counties this coming year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Howard County</h2>   The schools in Howard County are small, but mighty. Dierks, Mineral Springs, Nashville, and Umpire are all here. These teams all have great players who are worthy of the title of "best player in Howard County," but at least in the preseason, I believe Nashville's [player_tooltip player_id='1091107' first='Ava' last='Basiliere'] takes this title for a second year in a row.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/ava-basiliere/" id="1091107">[player_tooltip player_id='1091107' first='Ava' last='Basiliere']</a>   Nashville's Basiliere is elite! She is coming off a great year with the Scrapperettes and she has proven that she can score at every level. Knocking down shots off the catch and the dribble is in her wheel-house, and attacking the basket while drawing contact is too easy for her.   Basiliere has also had a great summer, picking up collegiate offers from Drury, Missouri Southern State, and Pittsburg State to add to her plethora of other offers. I bet she pops off for another great season in 2025/26.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Independence County</h2>   Independence County consists of Midland, Cedar Ridge, Southside Charter, and Batesville as its high schools. And one school in particular offered several players who are worthy of the best player in this region, but [player_tooltip player_id='1260352' first='Bella' last='Baxter'] pulled it out.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/bella-baxter/" id="1260352">[player_tooltip player_id='1260352' first='Bella' last='Baxter']</a>   Baxter is one of the top 2029 prospects in the state, and in this region of the country. She has great scoring abilities as a combo guard, able to knock down shots off the catch while also being able to create good looks for herself. Her defense is also a strength as she is quick to force turnovers and pick up opponents for 94 feet.   Baxter is going to be picking up some offers soon, because her scoring ability, defensive intensity, and other intangibles are going to be tough to ignore, especially after the summer she had with Shock Hoops.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Izard County</h2>   Calico Rock, Melbourne, and of course, Izard County Consolidated are in this county, but this award is swept up by the county school's own, [player_tooltip player_id='1260744' first='Hadleigh' last='Herron'].   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/hadleigh-herron/" id="1260744">[player_tooltip player_id='1260744' first='Hadleigh' last='Herron']</a>   Herron is coming off a great freshman season with Izard County, cementing herself not just as one of the best bigs in the 2029 class, but one of the best bigs in the state. She had plenty of notable performances last season, such as 35 points against Sloan-Hendrix--the eventual 2A runner-ups--and 21 points and 17 boards against Marshall in December.   Herron's ability to dominate the glass with her strength sets her a part from other players in her class, in addition to her never-ending hustle and determination. Yeah, there was no way she wasn't snagging this award.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jackson County</h2>   Jackson County is small, with Newport and Tuckerman being the only high schools in the county. But don't let the county size fool you, as [player_tooltip player_id='1245018' first='Maddyx' last='Soden'] of Tuckerman is back for a second year in a row earning this mantle.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maddyx-soden/" id="1245018">[player_tooltip player_id='1245018' first='Maddyx' last='Soden']</a>   Soden had a solid sophomore season leading Tuckerman's offense. She averaged 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game last year, and shot 79% from the charity stripe. Soden has shown that she is cool, calm, and collected at the point guard position, but you cannot disrespect her scoring abilities. At the Tuckerman team camp this summer, she was given too many in-rhythm 3-point attempts, and she basically nailed them all.   Soden is one of the most well-rounded point guards in the 2028 class, and I think she is really going to pick up her overall play once again this year, definitely winning a third straight all-state award.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jefferson County</h2>   At the end of I-530 sits Jefferson County, and it consists of White Hall, Pine Bluff, and Watson Chapel High Schools. This coming year, all three schools will no doubt be dominated by largely younger players, as there should be a lot of 2029 and 2030 hoopers who receive valuable playing time. One of those players who I believe will make a great impact day one of her freshman year is none other than Watson Chapel's [player_tooltip player_id='1809306' first='JaMiyah' last='Davis'].   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jamiyah-davis/" id="1809306">[player_tooltip player_id='1809306' first='JaMiyah' last='Davis']</a>   I truly believe Davis is going to shine from day 1 for Watson Chapel. She proved this summer that she can do just about everything on the court: score, rebound, pass, and defend. She is a tough driver who is an equally tough rebounder, using her strength, tenacity, and athleticism to make plays in the paint. Those same qualities come through for her on defense, as she is a good shot blocker and knows how to put pressure along the wings to force turnovers.   Davis is young, and she is on a young team, but if she is given an opportunity, she will star for this squad.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Johnson County</h2>   This county, which is located along I-40, has several smaller schools, including Oark, Mount Judea, and Lamar. Johnson County Westside is of course here, and so is Clarksville. So, who do we think has the best talent in the county? It was a tough choice, considering all of these schools have underrated, but promising players, and one of them is Clarksville's [player_tooltip player_id='1806215' first='Molly' last='McPhillips'].   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/molly-mcphillips/" id="1806215">[player_tooltip player_id='1806215' first='Molly' last='McPhillips']</a>   Clarksville is a young squad and there are a number of players who can stand out, but McPhillips' physical traits help put her ahead of the pack. She provides some length as a wing and she has already shown that she can make plays on the offensive end, earning a player of the month award during the last month of Clarksville's season.   McPhillips is young and still a little bit of a question mark, but I have a feeling she will potentially stand out in her sophomore season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lafayette County</h2>   Bradley and Lafayette County High Schools are about it in this portion of Arkansas, but the talent is certainly solid. Last summer, I was not sure who would step up and be the best of the best, but after the 2025/26 season, I think [player_tooltip player_id='1811626' first='Keyaijah' last='Harris'] of Lafayette County will be back in the driver's seat, leading the way for her talented squad.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/keyaijah-harris/" id="1811626">[player_tooltip player_id='1811626' first='Keyaijah' last='Harris']</a>   Harris is coming off a much improved junior season where she saw career-highs in almost every statistical category. Her scoring average jumped to 12.9 points per game, and she saw increases in rebounds (9.1), assists (2.5), and steals per game (2.5). She also shot 44% from the field and 51% from inside the arc.   Harris nearly averaged a double-double this past season, and if she gets even more minutes as a senior, she will most certainly achieve that. Breakout season alert!   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lawrence County</h2>   Sloan-Hendrix, Hoxie, Walnut Ridge, and Hillcrest High Schools are located in this Northeastern county. And after the Sloan-Hendrix Lady Greyhounds were the runner-ups in the 2A title game, they will be back for more, and so will their star point guard, [player_tooltip player_id='900706' first='Alexis' last='Davis'].   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/alexis-davis-2/" id="900706">[player_tooltip player_id='900706' first='Alexis' last='Davis']</a>   Davis is coming off a great junior season where she earned all-conference and all-state selections while helping her team to the 2A championship game. She averaged 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game on a team that is loaded with talent. Her shooting percentages show just how efficient of a scorer she is, as she knocked down 35.7% of her triples and 49.1% of her 2-point attempts (that's hard to do as a guard).   Davis is a dynamic scorer who cannot be left open from three, and certainly not taken lightly on the defensive end.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lee County</h2>   The high school names in this county aren't all that creative: Lee Academy and Lee County. However, both teams have intriguing players who deserve some recognition, including Lee Academy's Ella Kate Bokker, who may break through a be the best talent in the county.   Ella Kate Bokker   There are definitely not many players as scrappy as Bokker. She plays suffocating defense against her assignment and she is constantly diving on the floor after loose balls. She may be slightly undersized, but she makes up for it with her quickness and reflexes.   Lee Academy is coming off a rough 2025/26 season. But if Bokker starts to develop more of an offensive game, the tides may start to shift.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lincoln County</h2>   In Lincoln County, it is Star City High School or nothing, and it's a good thing that they have a solid squad, led by none other than [player_tooltip player_id='1093308' first='Bre' last='Moore'], who has won this title two years in a row.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/bre-moore/" id="1093308">[player_tooltip player_id='1093308' first='Bre' last='Moore']</a>   Moore has been a staple in Lincoln County, and now, she is entering her final season with the Star City Lady Bulldogs, and she is ready to dominate once again. Moore's post play was crucial for her all-conference selection last season, as she was feasting with the ball down low. She can score against any defender inside and she thrives when taking on contact. Her constant activity is also helpful down low, as she grabs board after board, game after game.   Moore may be slightly undersized, but she makes up for it with her activity, toughness, and versatility, as she can play positions 3-5 any given night.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Little River County</h2>   Little schools are what are in Little River County; Foreman and Ashdown. However, there is nothing about little talent here, especially with [player_tooltip player_id='1501604' first='Kaylee' last='Dancer'] starring for Ashdown.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kaylee-dancer/" id="1501604">[player_tooltip player_id='1501604' first='Kaylee' last='Dancer']</a>   Dancer is coming off an all-state and all-conference season where she literally did it all on the court. She had multiple triple-doubles in just the first two months of the season, with one coming against Gurdon, as she scored over half her team's points with 28, and grabbed 14 rebounds and came away with 14 steals. One physical trait that definitely stands out with Dancer is her length, and she can score over the trees in the paint, rebound better than most centers, and intercept passes that most others can't.   Dancer just dominates every time she steps out onto the floor, and it is time for scouts to take notice.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Logan County</h2>   Magazine, County Line, Paris, Subiaco Academy, Booneville, and Scranton are all talented teams in this county. Despite this, County Line's [player_tooltip player_id='867838' first='Joshlynn' last='Brown'] has this preseason award in her bag for the second year in a row.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/joshlynn-brown/" id="867838">[player_tooltip player_id='867838' first='Joshlynn' last='Brown']</a>   Brown is the leader for a solid County Line team. She is coming off an all-state 2025/26 campaign and she played well this summer for the NWA Bruins. Brown has been known as a playmaker and defender at point, but I bet her offensive play picks up this season. She have proven that she can get to the basket thanks to her quickness and a tight handle, but I think she is going to shock defenses with a jumper that looks even better than it has in years past.   Brown is exactly what you want in a point guard, and I hope more colleges take note of that, because she definitely stands out as the top player in this county.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lonoke County</h2>   Carlisle, Lonoke, Cabot, and England are in this portion of the state, just on the fringes of the Little Rock Metro. And of all these schools, I think Cabot has the best overall player in [player_tooltip player_id='1180576' first='Jayda' last='Cook'].   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jayda-cook/" id="1180576">[player_tooltip player_id='1180576' first='Jayda' last='Cook']</a>   Cook has been rising in the rankings thanks to her much improved play between her freshman and sophomore seasons. She is an excellent two-way player who is scrappy on the defensive end and an inside-outside threat on offense. Cook plays with a lot of confidence and knocks down big-time shots along the perimeter. But if she can get into the paint every chance she gets, her team benefits greatly thanks to her grit and slashing ability.   I've also liked how Cook has developed her playmaking abilities a bit more, which will not only help Cabot, but Club ISO next summer.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Madison County</h2>   In Madison County, there is St. Paul, Kingston, and Huntsville. Out of the rosters from these three schools, [player_tooltip player_id='1871898' first='Leelou' last='Kilbourn'] of Kingston impresses me the most.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/leelou-kilbourn/" id="1871898">[player_tooltip player_id='1871898' first='Leelou' last='Kilbourn']</a>   Kilbourn is coming off an all-conference and all-state junior season where she averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. She dominates the game inside, being a solid low-post scorer and an excellent rebounder, able to crash the glass effectively on both ends thanks to her ability to box out. And of course, her defense is stellar, being a menace when it comes to picking pockets and disrupting the passing lanes.   Kingston had some good senior production graduate in May, so Kilbourn is looking like the #1 option for the Lady Yellowjackets, so bet on her to pop off this year.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marion County</h2>   Like many of the preceding counties mentioned in this article, Marion County is small, featuring only Flippin and Yellville-Summit. I believe [player_tooltip player_id='1180779' first='Jozy' last='Rehrig'] of Flippin stands out the most.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/jozy-rehrig/" id="1180779">[player_tooltip player_id='1180779' first='Jozy' last='Rehrig']</a>   The last time I talked about Rehrig, I called her a "force." Well, that's still true. She compiles double-doubles like a bully taking lunch money in the cafeteria, and she can shoot over any defender. Rehrig is versatile, being able to play both forward positions as well as the 5 in more small-ball scenarios. One of her best games last year was against Timbo last season, where she put up 30 points (career-high) and 14 boards.   Rehrig stands out on every basketball court she steps onto. Colleges would be crazy if they don't at least take a look at some of her games.

The season is getting closer and closer! With that in mind, here are some players who we believe could dominate their opponents and emerge as the top players in their counties this coming year.

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Top Arkansas Player by County: Howard-Marion Counties

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