First Round Impressive Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first round of the basketball state playoffs are in the books in the Natural State. In this article, we will highlight several players who had great performances to kick off the playoffs. Here are several players who have opened plenty of eyes over the past few days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2258010' first='Jayce' last='Tillman']-Combo Guard-Maumelle-6'4” 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maumelle Hornets are one of the state's most dangerous teams. [player_tooltip player_id='2258010' first='Jayce' last='Tillman'] exploded in the opening round of the state playoffs against the Russellville Cyclones. Tillman was all over the floor against Russellville. The Maumelle guard accounted for 21 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal on the night. Maumelle is a team to watch out for as they progress into the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Thursby-Point Guard-Little Rock Catholic-6'3” 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Josh Thursby was a key ingredient in the Catholic Rockets' extension of their run in the state playoffs. In the opening round, Thursby stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and one steal to push the Rockets into the second round. Thursby is a prospect to watch out for as the playoffs progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021920' first='DeRyeus' last='Fowlkes']-Point Guard-Sylvan Hills-6'0” 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sylvan Hills has an athletic group who can take over a game with their speed and speed. Fowlkes had an excellent game against the Farmington Cardinals as the playoffs started. Fowlkes is a player who can knock down the jumper beyond the arc or drive to the basket. He did a nice job of distributing the basketball and seems to have the Bears clicking on all cylinders. Fowlkes had 21 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist in the contest. He is a player to watch out for in the second round of the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2027564' first='Cade' last='Smith']-Point Guard-Russellville-5'10” 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2027564' first='Cade' last='Smith'] had an impressive first round for the Cyclones. In the final game of his high school career, Smith had 16 points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one assist. He has a good sense of where his teammates are on the floor and did a good job in finding the open man. Smith is a prospect who can take over a game on the offensive end of the floor. He has had a great career for the Cyclones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->