Matriarch Classic: Class of 2025 Standouts

The class of 2025 was in full effect during the Matriarch Classic. The more scouting I see the deeper this class becomes. It's very talented and there were some very promising players in attendance. Let's look at the players that stood out from the 2025 class at the Matriarch Classic. <strong>Tyra Taylor | Post | Woodz Elite/West Memphis | 2025</strong> Tyra was one of the best athletes in her class at the tournament. She gets up and down the floor with ease, she defends multiple positions, and she's a quick jumper with good timing for rebounds and blocking shots. She can score in the lane around the basket in a number of ways. Tyra can score off the post up, relocating off penetration, or offensive rebounds. She can also make free throws so you can't foul her and put her on the line. She can easily develop into a player that can be effective in playing multiple positions. <strong>Zyonna Anderson | Point Guard | Woodz Elite/Marked Tree | 2025</strong> Zyonna is a fast, quick point guard that gets up and down the floor in the blink of an eye. She keeps the defense on their heels in transition with the speed she uses to get the ball down the floor. When on defense she uses her speed and quickness to harass the offense with her ball pressure. She can attack off the dribble and can get other players involved with her ability to attract multiple defenders. Zyonna also has the ability to finish the play herself in the lane when she penetrates. <strong>Haddie Overtuff | Wing | Central Arkansas Elite/Shirley | 2025</strong> Typically defenses try to take something away from their opponent. If you are playing against a shooter you try to make them drive. If they can drive then you try to make them shoot. Haddie was one of the best scorers in the tournament and she made it difficult for teams to limit her. She scored in a variety of ways. She could shoot the three, attack off the catch and finish around the rim, and she could shoot the mid-range pull-up jumper. She could also get out in transition and makes plays. Defensively she was sound. She used her length to make it difficult and to block shots. <strong>Kyndal Kocher | Forward | Central Arkansas Elite/Rural Special | 2025</strong> Kyndal is a solid all-around player on both ends of the floor. She had several finishes this weekend right around the basket off relocating when a teammate penetrated. She also pulled down offensive rebounds for putbacks. Kyndal showed toughness by playing through contact and finishing some shots after being fouled. <strong>AnnaBeth McKenzie | Point Guard | Central Arkansas Elite/Greenbrier | 2025</strong> Every team needs a solid point guard that will run the team, be a facilitator, and be an extension of the coach. This is what AnnaBeth did over the course of the weekend. She took shots when they were there but didn't force anything. She was the primary ball-handler and looked to get others involved. AnnaBeth attacked off the dribble, got to the rim at times, and did a good job of keeping the team organized on offense. <strong>Rayleigh Turner | Wing | Arkansas Warriors/Rural Special | 2025</strong> Rayleigh did a little bit of everything for her Central Arkansas Warriors team. She was one of the best athletes in the gym the whole weekend. She's fast, quick and is a really good jumper. Rayleigh can take the defender off the dribble and get to the rim for the finish. She's stong and physical enough to make shots around the basket even while being fouled. If given space on the perimeter Rayleigh can knock down the catch and shoot three-pointer. <strong>Kate Wood | Wing | Arkansas Warriors/Perryville | 2025</strong> Kate is one of those players that is aggressive on the offensive end of the floor. When she gets the ball you have to be down and ready as a defender because she is going to keep pressure on you with her attacking mentality. She can play on the wing and is effective out of the high post. She can put the ball on the floor off the catch in the half-court or push it in transition. Kate can finish a variety of ways in transition with good footwork in the half-court over the defense. <strong>Jade Steele | Combo Guard | Arkansas Warriors/Greenbrier | 2025</strong> Jade is a fundamental player that lets the game come to her. She's not going to force shots or do a lot of gambling on defense. Defensively, she's going to pressure the ball, give multiple efforts, and go after rebounds. Offensively, when she pushes the ball in transition she always looks up the floor to pass the ball ahead. Her vision in transition also allows her to keep it and finish herself or attack to make a play for a teammate. Jade can also finish at the basket for the old school and one play and make the catch and shoot three-pointer. <strong>Alana Rounds | Point Guard | South Arkansas Hoopsters/Dumas | 2025</strong> Alana is a player that is going to give you energy and effort on both ends of the floor. She is going to get after it. Alana has a nose for the ball. I saw she was always around the ball. It didn't matter if it was a 50/50 ball or rebound. She handles the ball well and has the ability to break the defense down and get into the lane. Once in the lane, she can pass it out to a teammate for the open shot or drop it off to a teammate cutting or the post player for the finish. If she doesn't pass it Alana can finish it herself. <strong>Aubrey Burns | Point Guard | JackCo Lady Bandits/Newport | 2025</strong> Playing the point guard position is a big task. You have to be able to keep you composure, handle the pressure of the defense, run and facilitate the team, get your teammates involved and be an extension of your coach. Aubrey didn't put up big numbers but what caught my eye was she was able to remain calm even when things weren't going great for her or her teammates. No matter the adversity she faced she took it like a champ. Aubrey has good foundation of skills. She can handle the ball, get to the rim, finish over bigger defenders, hit the open three-pointer and make passes off the dribble. &nbsp; &nbsp;