December Rankings: Rounding out the Top 10 of the 2028 Ranking

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy Boxing Day! I hope everyone had a great Christmas!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my last article, I broke down the top 5 in the class of 2028, now I am going to tell you all about the players who currently sit at positions 6 through 10. These players may be on the outside looking in of the top 5, but they all have a chance to sneak their way in by the next rankings installment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090371"],"_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-676dcd85ea92c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I never knew anything about [player_tooltip player_id='1090371' first='Jaisha' last='Williams'] before I saw her play in Bryant's overtime win against Nettleton in November. After watching her post 26 points and 16 rebounds against an underrated 5A East school, I knew she belonged on the 2028 ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has been a double-double machine this season, dominating the glass and being tough to stop when she has it going in the paint. She scores multiple putbacks per game and the defense cannot keep her off the offensive glass. Williams uses her length and athleticism well, whether it is when she finishes against tough contests or when she plays on the other end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is not an easy player to score on. She has a long wingspan and swats shots away as soon as they go up. As just a freshman, she has established herself as a legitimate rim protector. A player being a 6A Central defensive anchor so early in her high school career is not something to ignore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to her strong defensive rebounding, [player_tooltip player_id='1090371' first='Jaisha' last='Williams'] should be a nightmare matchup for her opponents for the next 3 1/2 years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["976777"],"_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-676dcd85ea9a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have no idea why [player_tooltip player_id='976777' first='Addison' last='Greeley'] is still playing for Bentonville West's Junior High team because she is clearly ready to play on varsity. I understand the Lady Wolverines have a number of impactful guards playing, but they need to make this freshman a starter right now!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greeley has a killer handle and she makes defenders look silly whenever she has the ball on a string. She loves to hit her defender with a behind the back move or a crossover, and she can either step back and shoot a three or drive inside to score. From the outside, Greeley has a nice shooting form and a quick release. She is just as solid shooting off the catch as she is shooting off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greeley can certainly create her own offense, but she is great at involving her teammates. She makes slick passes, especially transition or cross-court dishes. Greeley is accurate, and her passes almost always end in assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='976777' first='Addison' last='Greeley'] has potential to be one of the best combo guards in the 6A classification, but she needs more time on varsity. Once that happens, everyone will be seeing exactly what I am seeing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091183"],"_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-676dcd85eaa09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mountain View clearly does not have any problem giving their freshmen significant minutes. [player_tooltip player_id='1091183' first='Erin' last='Akins'] has had some great games so far this season, and I do not expect her to let up any time soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Akins is a great outside shooter who can get going in a split second. She went off for 33 points against Russellville earlier this month, connecting on 7 of her 9 threes. If she is chased off the 3-point line, then Akins can simply take her defender off the dribble, scoring on the way to the hoop. She uses a soft touch around the basket and can finish over taller defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, Akins is becoming a turnover monster. She recorded 7 steals against Cave City in November and 3 versus Jasper just a couple of nights later. She can jump out in front of a pass and take it the other way, or she can pick your pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1091183' first='Erin' last='Akins'] is one of those players who is starting to find her stardom in just her first high school season. It seems that Mountain View has at least one player from every class that has a college basketball future. Akins makes it two in the 2028 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1090383"],"_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-676dcd85eaa55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I saw [player_tooltip player_id='1090383' first='Kylie' last='Johnson'] play for the first time at the MWC Lady Cat Invitational in November, I realized that [player_tooltip player_id='1090383' first='Kylie' last='Johnson'] was going to be the future of this Lady Wampus Cat team. At that time, Johnson's role was somewhat limited, but now, they are letting her create her own offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a positionless player. She can play like a guard or a small forward, but she can also play in the post, where she rebounds and defends well. Regardless of her position, it is clear that her offense is becoming unguardable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She can take her defender off the dribble and has the option of scoring in the paint or pulling back and nailing a jumper. Lefties seem to be harder to defend, and Johnson is evidence of that. She shoots well of the bounce and her veteran teammates are always looking for her to get open. Like I just mentioned, Johnson can drive to the basket, and she has raw power that allows her to push defenders around in the post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yeah...[player_tooltip player_id='1090383' first='Kylie' last='Johnson'] will definitely not be #9 for much longer. I have already had some comments about her current position, so it is clear that the populous knows better. Add in her North Texas and Southeast Missouri State offers, as well as the fact that she is the first Conway freshman to start since 2019, it is obvious she should be ranked higher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1118020"],"_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-676dcd85eaab7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1118020' first='Olivia' last='Hughes'] is one of the best "unknown" players coming out of the state of Arkansas. Nearby Arkansas-Fort Smith seems to think they have found a gem, as they gave Hughes her first college offer. After watching her tape, I have to agree with them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughes is long, and she has already shown her ability to slash to the basket. She is a great finisher who has a tendency to make near-impossible shots. As of right now, Hughes is a better shooter than slasher as she has had multiple games making 2 or more triples. She shoots well in rhythm and the defense has to close out on her catch-and-shoot attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Hughes' length, she can make plays on the defensive end. Throw in some athleticism and Hughes actually becomes a solid shot-blocker. She is more of a guard or small forward as of now, but she can make plays in the paint. In her 29-point performance against Ada about a week ago, Hughes blocked a shot, grabbed the miss, and took it coast-to-coast for a fastbreak bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone, go to Alma, Arkansas and catch this team play. If not this year, then do it next year, or the year after, or the year after that, because [player_tooltip player_id='1118020' first='Olivia' last='Hughes'] is the future of Alma Lady Airedale basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent in this class is incredible. I think the 2028 class has a chance of being one of the best classes this state has seen in a long time. Like I have mentioned before, these players are deserving of being in the top 5, and that should fuel them for the rest of this season. I am excited to keep up with these players for the rest of the 2024/25 season, and for the rest of their promising careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->