5A State Championship Game Standouts

The 5A state championship game featured the season’s two best teams. Jonesboro and Greenwood had been on a collision course to face each other in the state finals all year long. Let’s look at some of the players that stood out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304706" first="Ereauna" last="Hardaway"] | PG | Jonesboro | 2022</strong> Ereauna is arguably the best pure point guard in the state. Meaning, she will get players involved, does a great job of penetrating and delivering passes to the big on the low block or kicking out to the perimeter for the open three. In the championship game she did all that and more. Greenwood played a zone and Ereauna looked to get into the heart of the defense and make plays. Throughout the game she made the three-point shot, but it was in the fourth quarter with her team down and trying to make a comeback that she hit multiple threes to keep her team in it. She finished with 22pts in her final high school game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="304700" first="Destiny" last="Thomas"] | Post | Jonesboro | 2022</strong> When you can dominate the paint on both ends of the floor like Destiny does, you will get a lot of attention. Offensively she was often guard by 2 or 3 players. The attention she got on offense didn’t stop her from kicking the ball out to her teammates on the perimeter. She put her focus on rebounding and was able to have an impact there. <strong>Bramyia Johnson | Wing | Jonesboro | 2023</strong> Jonesboro made it to the state championship game because Bramyia gave them a third option. Ereauna took care of the point guard duties, Destiny held down the interior, and Bramyia handled business from the perimeter. Her shooting and perimeter defense were key for them this year. During the championship game, she was off to a slow start but eventually found her groove and hit some catch and shoot threes and was able to get to the rim. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="402861" first="Anna" last="Trusty"] | Guard | Greenwood | 2024</strong> Anna had the best game on the big stage for Greenwood. Her play was key in Greenwood bringing home the trophy. Anna attacked off the catch, finished in the paint over the help defense, made catch and shoot threes, and scored in transition. She even attacked the offensive boards and got some putbacks. She also used her length to be disruptive on defense. Anna finished with 24 pts and went 9-10 from the free-throw line to lead Greenwood. <strong>Madison Cartwright | Guard | Greenwood | 2023</strong> Nobody can win a game by themselves at this level. Despite her struggles in this game, her presence was still felt. Offensively she still drew the attention of multiple defenders and this allowed other teammates to step up and make some big shots. When shots are not falling most players pack it in, but Madison continued to play hard and help the team in other ways, especially on defense and rebounding. She was voted state tournament MVP. <strong>Carley Sexton | Guard | Greenwood | 2024</strong> Carley had one of the most important roles of the game. Greenwood knew Jonesboro would go man and Carley was used to draw Jonesboro’s [player_tooltip player_id="304700" first="Destiny" last="Thomas"] away from the basket. Carley’s ability to make the three-point shot kept Destiny out of the paint and on the perimeter. This also gave her the opportunity to drive and draw additional defenders. <strong>Abby Summitt | Guard | Greenwood | 2022</strong> Shooting is always going to be key in any basketball game. Sometimes it’s not always about how many shots you make but when you make them. Abby made some key shots throughout the game vs Jonesboro. She knocked down spot-up threes, one dribble jumpers, threes on move, and hit a key lay-up.