2-A Region Ramps Up for Post-Season Play

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state playoffs begin at the end of this month. Most of the eight 2-A regions have yet to crown champions. However, a handful of teams are primed to capture those championships and move on to the playoffs. Below is a list of those teams and some of the players that will make it happen; </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverside H.S. Lake City-</strong>The Rebels have the 2-A Region 3 locked up. Led by<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='306143' first='Amber' last='Courtney']</strong>, the team's rebound leader can also score anywhere inside the paint. She can also pop out for the 3-ball if the need arises. She is complemented by junior guards<strong> Ali Towles</strong> and <strong>Gracie Washington</strong>. Offensively <strong>Mackenzie Thomas</strong> can also open things up past the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mansfield H.S.-</strong>Locked in a virtual 2-A Region 4 tie with<strong> Hector</strong>, the Tigers have a trio of top performers. At the center position is 6'3" senior<strong> Seven Sanderson</strong>, a space eater down low. This lefty posts up keeping the ball high and can finish. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='453156' first='Kynslee' last='Ward']</strong> is a power forward with exceptional size and can rebound and score. Rounding out the team is <strong>Natalie Allison</strong>, a 6'0" senior guard that creates a mismatch on both ends of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hector H.S.-</strong>The Wildcats have an identical 11-1 Region 4 record with <strong>Mansfield. </strong>Leading the team are a couple of senior swing guards, <strong>Ashlynn Avey</strong> and<strong> Abree McCrotty.</strong> This duo leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Both are predominately right-side strong, but both can beat you to the basket. They will alternate at the point guard spot and both are very effective defenders. 5'4" junior <strong>Kyleigh McConnell</strong> can sneak in a three if not guarded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fordyce H.S.-</strong>Fordyce has won the 2-A Region 8 outright. The Redbugs are led by post-<strong>Jadie Hines</strong>, a 6'3" monster inside. Shell set picks out front and then will roll to the basket for the pass and the finish. She is exceptionally strong and can absorb contact and still score. She'll need to continue her dominance inside for Fordyce to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Horatio H.S.-</strong>The Lions are led by 5'6" senior point guard <strong>Mallori Marshall.</strong> Mallori runs the offense and gets the ball to the scorers. Those scorers are 6'0" senior power forward, <strong>Lauren Emerson</strong> and 5'10" junior swing guard<strong> Emma Ray</strong>. This tandem supplies the bulk of scoring for the 2023 2-A Region 7 Champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional 2-A powers such as <strong>Yellville-Summit, Mt. Vernon-Enola, Conway Christian, Des Arc,</strong> <strong>and Bergman</strong> will display some exciting basketball in the next coming weeks. Should be a very competitive and entertaining time for Class 2-A high school basketball in the state!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bobby Brown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->