These 2025 Guards will set the 5A Classification on FIRE!

The 5A classification features 34 teams, all of which are loaded with talent. Even though this is a large classification with fairly large schools, a lot of these players are still far under the radar. Here are just a few of the loaded 2025 guard class in Arkansas's 5A classification.    Paragould High School was at the mercy of the entire 5A East, losing every game during the 2023/24 season. Part of the Lady Rams' problem was that [player_tooltip player_id='1056388' first='Dixie' last='Williams'] was out for the season recovering from surgery to repair her ACL. Now that she is back, expect Williams to be Paragould's two-way star.   Williams does a lot of things well on both sides of the ball. On offense, she stretches the defense out with her sharp 3-point shooting ability. She also crashes the boards well on the offensive side and records a lot of second chance points. Her ability to pass is another solid offensive ability of hers, as she makes slick passes on the fastbreak to set up her teammates.   On defense, Williams has very active hands. She makes clutch defensive plays for her team, and when she is not stealing the ball, she is forcing the ball-handler into an uncomfortable position on the court, which usually leads to a turnover.   [player_tooltip player_id='1056388' first='Dixie' last='Williams'] has an offer from Crowley's Ridge College, a local NAIA university. However, if Williams' AAU play translates directly with her role with Paragould HS, expect more colleges to come calling soon.     [player_tooltip player_id='465512' first='Jade' last='Steele'] is a well put-together basketball player. She makes plays on both offense and defense, and her overall basketball IQ is impressive.   Steele's offensive basketball IQ is exceptional. She moves without the ball well and loses her defender within a couple of seconds. Steele's cutting ability helps her teammates out and it gives her opportunities to score inside. Her 3-point shooting ability would be her next best offensive trait. Once she gets the ball into her shooting pocket, it is cash money. She can make these shots straight on or slightly off balance. It is also worth mentioning how solid of a playmaker Steele is. She has a great comfort level playing the point guard position and she knows how to set up the offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='465512' first='Jade' last='Steele'] was 5A West all-conference last season, but she still does not have any offers according to her social media. With a strong senior season, those offers will start pouring in.     [player_tooltip player_id='465494' first='Naomi' last='Sharpley'] has already heard from schools such as South Arkansas College and Champion Christian College, but she has the offensive skillset to garner more collegiate attention.   Sharpley is strong in the three main scoring areas: in the paint, in the mid-range, and from 3. Sharpley is a tough finisher who will do whatever it takes to score inside, regardless of the defense in her way. Her shooting form is quick and flexible. Sharpley is able to shoot over taller defenders, even in the mid-range. She can also shoot off the dribble or off the catch equally well.   On defense, Sharpley is disruptive. She records a lot of steals and starts the fastbreak. She can either take it up the floor herself or set up a teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='465494' first='Naomi' last='Sharpley'] is one of Parkview's premiere players, and look for her to be one of Arkansas' top guards.     Tiara Frank is transferring from one 5A Central squad to another. This will be Frank's first and only season with the Lady Bears of Sylvan Hills High School after spending the last few seasons with eStem High School. This school change could put Frank on the collegiate map, and expect her to have a strong senior season.   Frank's best ability is her speed with the ball. She gets past her defender extremely well and she has the option of attempting her solid runner or taking it straight to the basket. Frank is also a threat to shoot from the perimeter.   Frank is a pest defensively, racking up multiple steals seemingly every game. She also has great court awareness, which is a great asset to her on both sides of the ball.   Tiara Frank is an interesting prospect, and one who is not on anybody's radar. Regardless, do not be surprised if she has a breakout senior campaign. I am also very interested in how she plays against her former squad this season.     In high school basketball, a lot of sharpshooters are streaky, but not [player_tooltip player_id='1049484' first='Jacey' last='Edrington'] of Greene County Tech. Edrington is about as consistent of a shooter as they come, and she has separated herself as one of the best shooters in the state.   Edrington's most notable ability is her 3-point shooting. Frankly, she is a legitimate college prospect off of her shooting alone. She has the ability to play the point, but she is perhaps at her best moving without the ball along the perimeter. Edrington finds a way to get open for a shot and has no problem shooting over the defense.   Edrington also plays solid defense and rebounds well. It is commonplace for her to record multiple steals a game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1049484' first='Jacey' last='Edrington'] has the microwave badge equipped in her offensive game. Greene County Tech is a scary team in the 5A classification, and it is partly because of Edrington.     Ella Williamson is a little different than some of the other players on this list. Most of these players rely on their offensive abilities to impact the game, but Williamson relies on her defense and all of the other intangibles it takes to win.   Williamson's offensive game is limited, but her excellent defense creates offense for the team. She is a relentless on-ball defender who hustles more than anyone else on the court. She records so many steals and it does not matter if she is coming over from help-side defense or if she is on the other side of the court, she will find a way to get that steal.   Williamson is also very fast and handles the ball well. She can race down the court by herself on the fastbreak, or she can chunk a pass to her teammate at the other end. I do not have official measurements for Williamson's height, but her frame is shorter than other players at her position. Despite this, she is an underrated rebounder.   Ella Williamson does a little bit of everything for her team. She can pass, rebound, and of course, defend. Scoring is something that has yet to come along for her, but she impacted the game with Rogers Heritage High School last season, so expect the same with 5A contender Sheridan.     [player_tooltip player_id='465573' first='Morgan' last='Bradley'] has been and will continue to be the premiere player on this Lady Titan roster. Bradley's offensive game is something that Jacksonville can lean on, and with her abilities, do not be shocked if she finds her way onto AR Prep Girls Hoops top 10 in the 2025 class list.   Bradley is a dangerous offensive threat. Her 3-point shooting is fantastic, with equally strong abilities to shoot off the dribble, off a screen, and off the catch. She uses her quick release and high arch well on those shots, but she is also a great slasher. She has shown that she is comfortable driving and finishing with both hands.   Bradley can also defend well. She creates fastbreak opportunities for her team by causing turnovers and collecting steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='465573' first='Morgan' last='Bradley'] should have a breakout senior campaign with the Jacksonville Lady Titans, so watch out 5A Central.    The list of really good 5A 2025 guards is long, but these are just some players who could have a huge impact for their teams this coming season. Keep an eye out for these players, and keep an eye out for my next article covering 5A 2025 forwards who are expected to impress in their senior seasons.

The 5A classification features 34 teams, all of which are loaded with talent. Even though this is a large classification with fairly large schools, a lot of these players are still far under the radar. Here are just a few of the loaded 2025 guard class in Arkansas's 5A classification.