Arkansas' best girls basketball players: Meet the state's top shooting guards

Some of Arkansas' top prep shooting guards

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Braeden Botts 

With the high school basketball season in full swing, SBLive is looking at the best girls players in Arkansas across all classifications. Today, we feature the top shooting guards. 

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. You can discuss the other shooting guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2022-23 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com. 

Marin Adams | Farmington | SO | 5-11

One of the future leaders for the Lady Cardinals, Adams has gotten her varsity career off to a great start as a true combo guard that also plays small forward. Farmington head coach Brad Johnson praised Adams for her abilities to score at all three levels effectively using her length.

Anslee Ballew | Star City | JR | 5-10

The junior sharpshooter has averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers per game. She has offers including the University of Antelope Valley (Calif.), Hendrix College, and Mississippi University for Women.

Abby Beene | Bauxite | SR | 5-9

Beene has received attention from numerous colleges after leading the Lady Miners last year while averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds per game. She eclipsed 1,000 career points this past November and averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals while shooting 40% from long range this season.

Jordan Blake | England | SO | 5-11

Blake moved up as a freshman where she was named all-state tournament and this season has been the leading scorer for the Lady Lions this season putting up 16.7 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

Ella Campbell | Bentonville | SR | 5-9

One of the state’s most consistent shooters, the Rockhurst (Mo.) University signee averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals per game as a junior. She has hit over 38% of her shots from long range this year and broke the school record for made threes in a season while also averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game.

Whitley Bolen | Corning | SR | 5-10

Bolen led the Lady Bobcats with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game last season while shooting 45% from the field. She increased her point total to 22 per game as a senior along with 9 rebounds and steals per game while shooting 35% from long range. She scored over 1,200 career points and was named to the Williams Baptist University all-tournament team in early December.

Chloey-Rei Brown | Baptist Prep | SO | 5-4

Brown runs the point for the Lady Eagles in most cases, but she has left no part of the stat sheet blank regardless of where she is on the court, averaging 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3 steals per game. One of her top performances was in an upset victory over defending 3A champion Bergman when she scored 20 points, pulled down 4 rebounds, and swiped 3 steals.

Morgan Cochran | Lamar | SR | 5-5

Cochran was part of the backcourt that got the Lady Warriors to the 3A state finals scoring 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds per game. This season, Cochran has averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 34% from long range.

Jaycie Cook | Cabot | JR | 5-7

Part of the solid Lady Panther backcourt tandem along with her twin, Jenna, Cook has been outstanding from long range this season connecting on 48% of her shots. She has averaged 10 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game and had a recent breakout game against Bryant connecting on 7-of-8 three pointers.

Adryan “AC” Cox | DeWitt | SO | 5-7

Between softball, track & field, and of course the hardwood, Cox has barely scratched the surface of her potential. She averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game for the Lady Dragons this season. Cox dropped 41 points on Lake Village in early February’s double overtime victory and also had a double-double (24 points, 13 rebounds) against Drew Central on February 10.

Alexis Cox | Conway | SO | 5-9

The potential of Cox has been evident for quite a while as she received an offer as a freshman from Arkansas State. This season, Cox has averaged 11 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She scored 28 points in two games against national competition in January’s Geico Invitational.

Kiaya Davis | Central | JR | 5-8

With its host of young talent, Central has a multitude of effective contributors and Davis is right up there at the top. She has averaged nine points, five rebounds, and three assists per game.

Shayla Doss | Magnolia | JR | 5-8

Doss earned all-state honors as a sophomore while helping the Lady Panthers earn a spot in the Elite Eight of the 4A state tournament. Shehe has averaged 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.7 steals per game this year.

Kambree Gibson | Yellville-Summit | 5-5 | Guard

Gibson recently surpassed 1,000 points for her career and has increased her point total from 16.5 to 18.3 per game this season. She has also averaged 6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.

Conley Gibson | Conway Christian | SO | 5-8

The production since the second half of the season has been evident on both ends of the court. Lady Eagles’ head coach Trey Lynch mentioned that Conley come on defensively taking a larger role, but she has also averaged 10.7 points and 1.7 assists per contest while connecting on 40% of her shots from long range.

Ansley Dawson | Tuckerman | SR | 5-7

A four-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs, Dawson averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior, and has increased her point total to 14 per contest, along with 7 rebounds, so far this year.

Kate Denton | Little Rock Christian | SR | 5-8

The Evangel Christian signee is one of the senior captains on a Lady Warriors team that is once again a top contender in Class 5A. She has averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals through 2022 and was named to the Camden Fairview Holiday Classic all-tournament team in December.

Hailey Francis | Mayflower | JR | 5-4

She showed the flashes as a sophomore, but Francis’ continued progression has been evident, scoring in all three phases as well as defensively. She averaged 16.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.1 steals per game this year.

Jordyn Gamble | Helena | FR | 5-4

There has been a lot on Gamble’s shoulders this season, but Helena head coach Kevin Pringle has been pleased with what she has brought to the table averaging 15 points per game for the Lady Cougars.

Makenzie Hampton | Marmaduke | SR | 5-5

Marmaduke graduated one of the better backcourts in Class 2A after last season and Hampton has been a key reason the Lady Greyhounds have kept up the consistency. Some of her season honors include the Williams Baptist all-tournament team, NEA Tournament Player of the Game, NEA all-tournament, Kell Classic all-tournament and recently eclipsed 1,000 points.

Jennifer Hartman | Morrilton | JR | 5-11

One of two returning starters from last year’s Lady Devil Dogs’s squad, Hartman has averaged 8.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting 44% from two-point range for one of Class 4A’s top teams.

Aubrey Henderson | Jasper | SR | 5-10

The Ouachita Baptist signee runs a lot of point guard as well but is the overall veteran leader of the Lady Pirates’ backcourt. Henderson has scored over 1,500 points in her career and made this year’s North Arkansas College all-tournament team. For the season, she has averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game.

Lexie Henry | Prairie Grove | SR | 5-9

Henry has averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game for the Lady Tigers. She was named to the all-tournament team in this year’s Harrison Tournament, as well as the West Fork’s Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Emma Hyslip | Highland | SR | 5-6

Hyslip has received an offer from Crowley’s College, amongst other college interest, and averaged 19 points per game for Highland as a junior. This season, Hyslip 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while connecting on 37% of her shots from long range.

Maddie Mannion | Vilonia | FR | 5-11

As if the Lady Eagles needed even more talent, Mannion moved up to varsity this year and has quickly established herself as a great spot up shooter in the high school ranks. Everyone found out who she was in early January when she broke a school record for three-pointers in a game with eight. On the season, Mannion has averaged 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47% from long range.

Kaiya McCoy | Springdale | FR | 5-5

As a young freshman, McCoy has been a part of the Springdale rebuilding process and has been a key addition to the backcourt. She showed her confidence hitting two free throws to beat Rogers Heritage in early February and has averaged 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per contest.

Kinley Mears | Vilonia | SO | 5-4

Vilonia is loaded with talented back court players so Mears will run the point in some lineups, but no matter where she is her presence is felt as head coach Jeremy Simon mentioned that she “plays harder than any I have ever coached.” A defensive-minded player, Mears guards the opponents’ best player and has averaged 2.4 steals and 3 deflections per game, but she has also been successful offensively scoring 11.4 points per contest.

Jianna Morris | Sylvan Hills | SR | 5-7

The Louisiana Tech signee is the perfect definition of a student-athlete, excelling both on the court as well as in the classroom (4.2 GPA). She has scored over 1,500 points in her career and holds the school record for most points scored in a game (36) and has already come close to matching that this year.

Hannah Moss | Farmington | JR | 5-8

Moss has helped the Lady Cardinals sustain the immense success from last year and hopes to get them to the top of the mountain. Her skills as an on ball defender set her apart becoming one of the more improved players in the 4A-1 and she also makes a difference offensively with her perimeter shooting.

Brooklyn Owens | Rogers | SO | 5-10

Owens has put Class 6A on notice starting with making the all-tournament team in November’s Great 8 Classic as well as Excellent 8 honors in that tournament. She has continued to progress with multiple 20-point performances in February headlined by a 25 points, 10 rebound performance against Fayetteville on February 7.

Abigail Parks | Clinton | JR | 5-5

Clinton runs a senior-heavy rotation, but Parks has been one of the premier shooters on the floor as one of her best performances against rival Heber Springs when she connected on eight three pointers. On the season, Parks has averaged 15 points and 3 assists per game.

A.J. Person | Mount Vernon-Enola | JR | 5-8

One of a trio of juniors that powers the Lady Warhawks, Person has had a successful January headlined by performances against South Side Bee Branch (23 points - 17 in the first half), Sacred Heart (25 points), and White County Central (21 points). On the season, she has averaged 13 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

Aniya Price | West Memphis | JR | 5-9

Price really put herself on notice last year statewide once the state tournament around as a multi-level scorer and her continued progress this year has the Lady Blue Devils as one of the top contenders in Class 5A. 

Delaney Roller | Har-Ber | JR | 5-9 

Roller most importantly handles her business in the classroom maintaining a 4.3 GPA. On the hardwood as a sophomore, she helped the Lady Wildcats to an undefeated 6A-West run and a finish in the 6A state semifinals. This season, she has averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Roller has an offer from Harding University.

Brooklyn Rowe | Sheridan | SR | 5-6

Rowe had already made her mark before her senior season, but she has really taken off since the calendar hit 2023 averaging 18 points per game while shooting 38% from long range. Two of her better games were 40 points scored against Hot Springs Lakeside and 31 against Pine Bluff. She also hit the game-winning shot against El Dorado on January 6.

Karstyn Scrivner | Jessieville | FR | 5-10

Scrivner is one of two freshmen leading the Lady Lions’ backcourt and the tandem has played like veterans through the regular season. Scrivener has averaged 14.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while also thriving on defense with 5 steals per contest.

Marleigh Sellars | Salem | JR | 5-8

The other half of an excellent backcourt that makes the Lady Greyhounds go, Sellars averaged 13 points per game per game and also proved to be one of the team’s top rebounders with 4.2 per contest. This year, she has bumped those numbers to 19 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, along with 5 assists and 3.3 steals.

Liza Shaddy | Norfork | JR | 5-9

Shaddy helped the Lady Panthers hoist the 1A state championship trophy in March as a top contributor as an underclassman. This season, she has averaged 15.1 points, 12 rebounds, 5 steals per game.

Jayleigh Smith | County Line | SR | 5-7

Smith has been a bright spot for the Lady Indians throughout her entire varsity career as a multi-time all-state performer and is averaging 16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.2 steals, and 4.1 assists for the Lady Indians this season.

Ashlee Stafford | Glen Rose | SR | 5-8

Stafford runs both guard positions and has really sharpened her skills this season for a successful Lady Beavers squad averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game while connecting on 35% of her shots from long range, as well as a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Juliann Stevens | Southside Batesville | SR |

Stevens has come a long way since missing the majority of her sophomore season with a torn ACL. She was named to this year’s Lyon Invitational and Lonoke Goldfish Classic Invitational teams, and also hit game-winning shots in both of those tournaments. On the season, Stevens has averaged 10 points, 2.3 assists, and 2 steals per game.

Shelby Still | Gentry | JR | 5-9

Still is one of the top scorers for the Lady Pioneers, but head coach Toby Tevebaugh mentioned how her defense has improved this season as she is able to guard opposing players at every position depending on the situation. This season, she has averaged 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals per game while shooting 40% from long range.

Leigh Swint | Booneville | 5-10 | SR I Guard

Swint led the Lady Bearcats to the 3A quarterfinals while averaging 14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 3.1 assists per game. She was the Most Valuable Player of early December’s Battle of the Border Tournament.

Stevie Tanner | Dardanelle | FR | 5-5

Tanner has been far ahead of where you would expect a freshman to be, especially from long range where she has averaged three made three-pointers per game. Dardanelle head coach James Roby praised her ability to create her own shots that has led to scoring 12 points per contest and also averaged 3 assists each time out.

Jocelyn Tate | North Little Rock | JR | 5-10

A guard who effectively uses her length to her advantage, Tate has filled out the stat sheet on multiple occasions. She put up a double-double (14 points, 13 rebounds) along with 4 assists and 7 steals in a comeback win over Little Rock Central, and recently had another double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) against Jonesboro along with 4 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Tate earned the Most Valuable Player of December’s Great 8 Tournament.

Sidney Tinnell | Emerson | JR | 5-3

One of the more underrated shooters in Class 1A, Tinnell has averaged 10 points per contest while shooting 37% from long range connecting on five or more in a single game over 10 times. Tinnell has hit over 100 three-pointers this season, including eight in a victory over Hampton.

Ruby Trammell | Bergman | JR | 5-9

The Ouachita Baptist commit averaged 11 points per game for the 43-0, 3A state champion Lady Panthers a season ago and has continued to be one of their primary contributors putting up 14.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per contest. Trammell was named to December’s Taco Bell Tournament of Champions’ all-tournament team.

Anna Trusty | Greenwood | JR | 6-0

Trusty was named the SBLive Sophomore of the Year last season when she averaged 16.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game en route to helping the Lady Bulldogs win the Class 5A state title. She surpassed 1,000 career points in late December and has averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 steals while hitting over 50% of her shots from the field.

Bethani Walter | Dardanelle | SR | 5-6

Dardanelle has been fortunate to have a backcourt that features an array of shooters and Walter is the senior leader of it all. She is a three-level scorer that can connect from anywhere and she has averaged 15 points along with 3 assists per game this season.

Brynn Washam | Mammoth Spring | JR | 5-9

Washam led the Lady Bears in scoring as a sophomore while helping them earn a trip to the 1A state finals. She leads the team once again this season with 20 points per game, along with 5 rebounds per contest, while shooting 41% from long range and 80% from the free throw line. Washam has earned multiple honors in various tournaments this season, most recently the MVP of the Thayer Winter Classic.

Paxtin Watts | Hector | SR | 5-6

Watts has offers from Hendrix College as well as North Ark and Hector head coach Ben Freeman said she is known for disrupting the opponents’ offense as a great defender. She averages three steals per game along with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per contest.

Ta’keyla Williamson | Blevins | JR | 5-5

Hailing from a small school, Williamson has quietly put together a big varsity career already. Head coach Spencer Kizer mentioned she added a “lethal” jump shot. Williamson surpassed 1,000 career points in the early part of the season and has averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists per game.

Macy Willis | Valley Springs | SO | 5-5

Willis’ defensive presence has been evident all season, but she has also improved on scoring, particularly during 3A-1 play where she has averaged 15 points and 4 assists per game along with shooting 36% from three-point range.

Da’Mya Wilson | Barton | FR | 5-8

The state was taken by storm when Wilson scored 55 points against Augusta on November 29 - which tied for third all-time in Arkansas for most points scored in a game - but she has been rolling all season as a freshman who is asked to do a lot for her team. Wilson has averaged 29.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.4 steals per game. She also scored 45 points against McCory and 40 against Des Arc.

Ella Wise | Thaden | SR | 5-8

Wise earned all-state honors as Thaden’s primary scorer her junior year when she averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2 steals per game. With more help around her the production has spread more throughout the team and she has averaged 11 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals.

Kate Wood | Perryville | SO | 5-9

Wood got off to a great start in her varsity career with a double-double (10 assists, 13 steals) in an early season win over Guy-Perkins. She finished this season averaging 12 points, 4.8 rebounds, and a solid 5.8 assists per game.