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

Some of the top girls Arkansas prep point guards

Nashville's Kyleigh Scoggins 

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Tommy Land  

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 point guards.

There are hundreds of standout girls basketball players in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. It is also worth noting that many of today’s backcourt players are defined as “Combo Guards” and play both roles, so some athletes might be listed at their secondary positions. You can discuss the other point guards worthy of fans’ attention in 2022-23 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com. 

Clare Barger | Harrison | SR | 5-8

Along with great length for a combo guard, Barger has blazing speed and uses both to her advantage. After averaging 15 points and 4.6 rebounds as a junior, she has improved to 17 points and 5 boards, along with 2.3 steals and 2.3 assists, per contest while shooting 40% from long range. Barger eclipsed 1,000 career points in early February.

Wynter Beck | Fayetteville | SR | 5-6

Beck averaged 14.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game for Fayetteville last season. She has totaled 12.5 points and pulled down 6.1 rebounds per contest this year along with 3.2 assists and 2 steals per contest.

Gabi Berry | Des Arc | SR | 5-7

Following an all-state junior campaign, Berry has averaged 16.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Lady Eagles this season.

Jacie Bishop | Fouke | SR | 5-7  

The senior leader is amongst a host of Lady Panthers who produce night in and out amongst an unselfish deep rotation. Bishop signed with South Ark in January and has averaged 8.1 points, 2.3 steals and a solid 4.7 assists this season. 

Keely Blanchard | Norfork | JR | 5-11

It seems like Blanchard has been around for years, but she is just a junior and will continue to build her prep legacy. She helped the Lady Panthers win the Class 1A state championship last season and has averaged 15.1 points, 8 assists, and 6 steals per game this year.

Shakira Brown | Paragould | JR | 5-8

The multi-sport athlete helped the Lady Rams earn an upset over Lake Hamilton in the 5A state tournament last season while earning being one of two Paragould players to earn all-state in her sophomore campaign.

Brenna Burk | Russellville | JR | 5-6

Burk was a key reason the Lady Cyclones made a big push against Jacksonville in last year’s state tournament with 16 points after being down 34-16 at halftime. She has been one of the Lady Cyclones’ top scorers this season with 12 points, 3 assists per game.

Destiny Burks | Rivercrest | SO | 5-5

Burks is second on the Lady Colts’ squad in scoring averaging 14.8 points, 4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.6 steals per contest. She is also second on the team in minutes per game (27.2).

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 continued her success this season connecting on 38% of shot attempts from long range along with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per contest.

Ava Carter | Greene County Tech | JR | 5-6

Carter committed to Arkansas - one of the nation’s best softball programs - in October after helped the Lady Eagles’ to the Class 5A softball state finals last spring. Carter always guards the best opposing player each night on the hardwood, typically averaging 30 minutes per game. She has averaged 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per contest.

Taniyah Carter | England | JR | 5-4

Carter has proven to be a highly effective guard running the point for the Lady Lions after putting up 16.3 points per game as a sophomore. This year, she has averaged 12.1 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.2 steals per contest.

Mady Cartwright | Greenwood | SR | 5-10

The Tulsa signee led Greenwood to a 5A state championship victory while averaging 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game for the 5A state champion Lady Bulldogs. Cartwright was named the 5A state tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Lauren Carver | Nashville | SR | 5-7

Carver helped the Scrapperettes win the program’s first state title as a junior while averaging 13 points and 3 steals per game. She earned Player of the Game honors in the Dandra Thomas and Sheridan Invitational Tournaments in this season’s non-conference play and has averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per contest this year.

Carlee Casteel | Rogers Heritage | SR | 5-6

The West Point signee averaged 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 2.1 assists per game for Rogers Heritage and has scored over 1,000 points in her varsity career. She put up a school record 38 points in a loss to Central during December's Great 8 Classic and was named all-tournament in that event scoring 83 total points in three games.

Cammi Christie | Perryville | JR | 5-6

Christie gained the attention of college coaches after scoring 14 points per game as a sophomore currently possessing offers from Crowley’s Ridge, Lyon College and Hendrix. Christie has averaged 15 points, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 rebounds per game and has had multiple games with 20 or more points in February.

Chloe Clardy | Conway | SR | 5-9

The Stanford signee averaged 24.5 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals per game for the Lady Wampus Cats. She is the reigning Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year as well as SBLive Arkansas girls Player of the Year and ranked the 39th prospect in the country for 2023 per ESPN HoopGurlz. She was named the Sandra Meadows Classic Most Outstanding Player in December and has averaged 21.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per contest.

Jenna Cook | Cabot | JR | 5-7

Cook recently received her first college offer from Harding University and many more expect to follow. She has averaged 12.7 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 43.4% from the field.

Ashauni “Sunnie” Corley | Episcopal Collegiate | SR | 5-8

Corley has averaged double-digit points per game for the past two seasons and has shown consistency on the defensive end of the back court averaging two steals per game throughout her career. She has an offer from Mississippi College.

Karlie Cursh | Dardanelle | JR | 5-5

The Lady Lizards have had one of the top backcourts in Class 3A this season with Cursh as the floor general who finishes strong at the rim. She has averaged 13 points and 4 assists per contest.

Tay Davis | Mammoth Spring | JR | 5-8

Davis owns an offer from Williams Baptist University and while no particular stat may immediately jump at you, she does many things in multiple ways that do not always show up on the sheet. This season, she has averaged eight points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals and was also named to the Kell Classic all-tournament team.

Daisy Dollar | Acorn | JR | 5-7

2023 has been great to Dollar as she averaged 19 points, 3.3 assists, and swiping 3.3 steals per game in January. For the season, she has averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest. She also succeeds in the classroom maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

April Edwards | North Little Rock | SR | 5-9

Averaged 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists for the 6A state champion Lady Charging Wildcats. She was named to this year’s Mansfield Spring Creek Invitational all-tournament team.

Brilynn Findley | Bryant | JR | 5-7

Findley opened a lot of eyes playing against the elite in the 6A-Central as a sophomore and has become one of the better guards in the state whether firing from long range or driving to the basket averaging 11.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and a solid 3.1 steals per game.

Lexi Franklin | Booneville | JR | 5-6

As a sophomore, Franklin helped the Lady Bearcats win 27 games in a row. This year, she has averaged 11.9 points - with a high of 26 in a victory over Two Rivers, 4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.5 steals. Also an all-state pitcher, Franklin is committed to Pittsburg (Kan.) State to play softball.

Bella Frisby | Parkers Chapel | JR | 5-8

Also a standout in golf and tennis, Frisby is the Lady Trojans’ second-leading scorer (10.8 points per game) and has averaged 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 2.3 assists per game. She was named the El Dorado News/Times Female Fall Sports Athlete of the Year after claiming the individual medal in the 2A golf state and being a part of back-to-back tennis doubles state titles.

Payton Futch | Jessieville | FR | 5-8

The sister of senior Lions star Noah, Futch is making her own legacy and is just getting started. She has already scored 30+ points in multiple contests in her first year playing varsity and has averaged 22.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Futch has also been awesome on the defensive end snagging 5.5 steals per game.

Kailynn Garis | Nemo Vista | SR | 5-3

Garis earned her first offer from Lyon College in late August and her stock expects to keep soaring through her senior season. She has scored over 1,200 points in her career and averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.8 steals.

Jordan Gregory | Mills | SR | 5-9

The Oklahoma Christian signee has thrived during her senior year, first with the Lady Comets, averaging 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4.1 steals, and 1 block per game. She was named to the all-tournament first team in November’s Jammin’ 4 Jerseys.

Erianna Gooden | Fort Smith Northside | SO | 6-0

Gooden really came on the scene as a lengthy freshman who helped lead the Lady Bears back to the state finals and she scored with 16 points and 7 rebounds in the title game. She has garnered the attention of multiple Power 5 programs and is second on the team in points (16.7) and rebounds (7.1) per game while leading in assists (3.3) and steals (2.6).

Chelsea Hamilton | Salem | SR | 5-6

The Delta State signee led the Lady Greyhounds to the Class 2A Final Four last season while averaging 16.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. Hamilton needed just 61 games to accomplish 1,000 points in her career. This year, she have averaged 15 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while connecting on 40% or shots from long range and 84% from the free throw line.

Sharese Harris | Bradley | SR | 5-9

Harris has been a sharpshooter for the Lady Bears averaging around a handful of made threes per game along with 25 points and 5 steals.

Maddi Holt | Bergman | SR | 5-7

The Harding University commit led Bergman to a 43-0 3A state championship season while averaging 19.4 points, 4.3 points, along with 2.2 assists per game and was named the 3A state tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She has the state record for three-pointers made and finished last year with a 90.7 free throw percentage which is second in state history.

Grace Hooten | Piggott | SR | 5-8

Hooten impressed as a junior averaging 14.5 points and 5 rebounds per game, but she has taken it to another level this season putting up 21 points, 7 rebounds, along with 2.5 steals per game and surpassed 1,000 career points on January 24. She was tabbed all-tournament in December’s Lady Royals Christmas Classic.

Addison Hudspeth | Heber Springs | JR | 5-9

Hudspeth maintains a 3.95 GPA and has been one of the top contributors for the Lady Panthers averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field.

Jackyra Jackson | Helena | SO | 5-7

Helena is probably a squad most outside of the Arkansas Delta may not have seen as one of the biggest stories in Class 3A, but they have eclipsed 20 wins on the year and are fighting at the top of the 3A-6. Jackson has impressed in a big way individually in the backcourt averaging 16 points, 3 steals, and an impressive 6 assists per contest.

Akyria James | Nettleton | SR | 5-6

A true floor general who looks to find her teammates effective shots before anything, James has a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and is connecting on 35% of her shots from long range while averaging nine points, three assists, and two steals per game. She currently has offers from Williams Baptist and Cottey College. She was selected Player of the Game for the NEA Champion Lady Raiders in their victory over Brookland.

Bramyia Johnson | Jonesboro | SR | 5-7

Johnson averaged 13.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists for the Lady Hurricane while shooting 48% from the field as a junior.

Kadee Keaster | Atkins | SO | 5-5

“Elite” has been a word to describe Keaster’s potential by her own coach, as well as others around the 3A-5 conference. She has averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game and has shown her ability to set up teammates for good shots dishing out 5.2 assists per contest.

Cheyanne Kemp | Morrilton | SR | 5-8

The Weber State signee led Morrilton with 16 points per game and also averaged 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game as a junior. The floor general has been a key reason for the Lady Devil Dogs being one of the premier teams in Class 4A this season. She is also a standout for Morrilton’s softball team.

Ava Maner | Providence Academy | JR | 5-6

Maner completed an all-state sophomore campaign at Rogers when she averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals and has not slowed down at her new school, Providence Academy. Through the first half of this season, Maner has averaged 14.1 points, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. She maintains a 4.1 GPA and scored a 29 on the ACT. She surpassed 1,000 career points in early February.

AJ McCandlis | Viola | SR | 5-7

The Delta State signee averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game for the Lady Longhorns last season. In this year’s season opener against Marmaduke, McCandlis scored 38 points and connected on 10-of-17 shots (59%) from long range. She eclipsed 2,000 points in January and has averaged 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game. McCandlis has also hit an impressive 86.4% of her free throw attempts.

Kaitlyn McCarn | Mountain View | JR | 5-8

After transferring in from powerhouse Melbourne, McCarn has thrived in the backcourt for the Lady Yellowjackets scoring 20.2 points per game along with 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.2 steals each time out. She had career-highs in points (38) against Cave City on January 17 and rebounds (18) against Salem on January 6.

Alyssa McCarty | Gentry | SR | 5-7

McCarty led the Lady Pioneers with 15 points per game and also averaged two charges taken as a junior. She was named to the Lady Mustang Classic’s all-tournament team in December. This year, McCarty has averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 46% from the field.

Bree McCrotty | Hector | SR | 5-7

First and foremost, when McCrotty is not shining on the hardwood she is shining in the classroom maintaining a 4.0 GPA. McCrotty has over 1,300 career points and is a true floor general for the Lady Wildcats that has received college attention. On the year, she has averaged 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game while connecting on 45% of her shots from long range.

Madison McIntire | Benton | SR | 5-9

The Lady Panthers are currently at the top of the 5A-South and McIntire’s progression has been one of the main reasons. She has increased her stat line from seven points and four rebounds per game a year ago to 14.5 points and 6.8 rebounds along with 3.1 steals and 2 assists per contest while connecting on 45% of shots from the field and 85% from the free throw line. McIntire is also tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best player each night.

Reese McDonald | Clinton | SR | 5-5

McDonald has received numerous college offers after a stellar junior season when she averaged 14.6 points per game and was a force defensively swiping four steals per game. She eclipsed 1,000 career points against Lonoke on December 16 and this year has again averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.1 steals per game.

Abby Methvin | Yellville-Summit | JR | 5-5

Methvin surpassed 1,000 career points in January in a victory over Life Way Christian when she connected on seven three-pointers in the contest. Also a 4.0 student, the multisport athlete has averaged 19.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists. and 3.5 steals per contest.

Sidni Middleton | Vilonia | SO | 5-9

If no one was aware of Middleton during her freshman season last year, they certainly did by the time the state tournament rolled around and she put up 27 points in the first round. Her ceiling is as high as anyone in the state and while running the point she has averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2,2 steals, and 3 deflections per game.

Silver Mulliniks | Quitman | SR | 5-9

Mulliniks has not slowed down after leading the Lady Bulldogs in scoring as a junior. Through December, she put up 27 against St. Joe, 43 against Rural Special, 36 against Izard County, 31 against Marshall, and 27 against Lonoke when she connected on five three-pointers.

Stella Parker | Brookland | SR | 5-9

Parker has received college attention after averaging 12.5 points per game for the Lady Bearcats last season and has increased her total to over 15.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a senior including 17 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest in 4A-3 play. She put up a career-high 33 points in a victory over Highland on January 3.

Kayden Porter | Sheridan | JR | 5-9

Porter has quietly been one of the better multi-sport athletes in Arkansas. She averaged 20 points per game for the Lady Jackets as a sophomore and was also named all-state and all-state tournament in volleyball this past fall. Porter has already eclipsed 1,000 career points and averaged 18.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists through the first half of this season. Her offers include Central Arkansas and Southern Arkansas.

Savannah Pyle | Emerson | JR | 5-7

Emerson boasts one of the better back courts in the small classifications you may not know about that is headed by the floor general leadership of Pyle. She has averaged nearly a double-double (19.1 points, 8.8 rebounds), and 6.4 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 44% from long range. Pyle will likely surpass 1,000 career points this season with over 900 currently.

Marlee Raby | Mount Vernon-Enola | JR | 5-8

Raby was the lone Lady Warhawk to be tabbed to both the all-state and all-state tournament teams as a sophomore. She owns an offer from Henderson State and has averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists on the year.

Amelia Rogers | Hot Springs Lakeside | SR | 5-7

Rogers earned just about every honor in the book, including all-state and all-state tournament, during her sophomore campaign. She has a Division I offer from Central Arkansas and has averaged 19.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.

Connie Ross | Fouke | JR | 5-7

The Lady Panthers run a deep rotation in their lineup with Ross being one of the main pieces after leading the team in scoring and steals as a sophomore. She averages 8.8 points per game and leads the Lady Panthers per contest in steals (5.2), deflections (4.8), offensive rebounds (3), and assists (4.2).

Kori Sanders | Lamar | SO | 5-5

Despite playing in one of the smaller classifications, Sanders took the state by storm as a freshman helping the Lady Warriors reach the Class 3A semifinals while averaging 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. This season, Sanders has continued to average 14 points per contest, along with 3.5 rebounds, and 2 steals along with a solid 5 assists while connecting on 35% of shots from long range.

Kyleigh Scoggins | Nashville | SR | 5-8

Scoggins averaged 14.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 3.5 steals per game for the 4A state champion Scrapperettes and was named the 4A state tournament’s Most Valuable Player. As a senior, Scoggins has averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 deflections per contest along with a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Reese Shirey | Farmington | JR | 5-6

Shirey has taken the primary role of floor general this season and is known by her teammates as a “fixer” defensively, as well as making sure everyone is in the correct spots. Shirey leads the Lady Cardinals in assists (4.5) and steals (3) per game. She has a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and also averages 8.2 points per game which ranks second on the team.

Mia Smith | Little Rock Christian | SR | 5-6

The Mid-America Christian signee really took off last season and has not slowed down as the floor general for the Lady Warriors. Halfway through the season, she has averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.

Kenzie Soden | Tuckerman | SR | 5-7

The four-year starter has amassed over 1,000 points in her career and averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds per game as a junior. This season, Soden has averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds per game through December.

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.

Jayla Sturgis | Sylvan Hills | SR | 5-6

The Arkansas-Monticello signee is one of the primary ball handlers in one of the top backcourts in the state along with Louisiana Tech signee Jianna Morris. She has averaged an incredible 9.6 assists per game this year along with 10.7 points.

Janiyah Tucker | West Memphis | SR | 5-5

Tucker has the Lady Blue Devils off to another great start after catching the attention of college coaches as a junior when she averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. Her offers include Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Memphis, and Southeast Missouri State.

Olivia Wallace | Haskell Harmony Grove | JR | 5-4

Wallace got rolling early in the year putting up 25 points in a close loss to Poyen and was named to the Mount Vernon-Enola Holiday Classic all-tournament team in December. She has averaged 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals per game through mid-January.

Kynslee Ward | Mansfield | JR | 5-8

Ward finished off 2022 leading Mansfield to a Bill Frye Invitational championship game victory earning Most Valuable Player. Though she plays on a Lady Tigers squad that has many contributors who can get the ball in the basket, Ward has still averaged 11 points per game along with 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

Riley Whittington | Mayflower | JR | 5-7

One of two Lady Eagles who earned all-state honors as a sophomore, Whittington maintains a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and is the primary ball handler for Mayflower. She has filled out the stat sheet on numerous occasions this year with multiple double-doubles and on the season has averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game.

Josie Williams | Conway Christian | SR | 5-7

The Harding University signee eclipsed 2,000 career points in a January victory over Magnet Cove after averaging 17.2 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game as a junior connecting on 44% of her shots from three-point range and 86% from the free throw line.