2A All-State Performers Round-Up (pt.1)

The 2A classification featured 62 all-state performers, including reigning champions and some promising young talent. To avoid making this article too long, I broke up the all-state performers into multiple articles, so stay tuned for the accompanying pieces, which will be released soon.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/shep-newcomb/">[player_tooltip player_id='2021913' first='Shep' last='Newcomb']</a>- Newcomb has been one of the all-time greats at Ozark Catholic. Not only is he one of the best players to play for the Griffins, but he is one of the best shooters in Arkansas high school boys basketball history. During the 2023/24 season, he hit 156 3-pointers, the 2nd-most in a single season at the high school level in Arkansas. He also knocked down 7 triples in a half in 2023, tied for 4th-most in a half. His 6 triples in a quarter are tied for the 2nd-most in a single period and his 92.9% from the free throw line is 3rd-best free throw percentage in a season. In addition to that accolades, Newcomb had impressive outings this season, including scoring 37 points against Founders Classical in October and scoring 32 against East Poinsett County in the postseason.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/simeon-spencer/">[player_tooltip player_id='2789512' first='Simeon' last='Spencer']</a>- Like his fellow star teammate, Spencer had some impressive performances this past season. He started the year with a 15-point outing against Founders Classical before capping off the season with a 21-point outing against East Poinsett County, who ended up winning the 2A state title.   Tate Dixon (Ozark Mountain 2026 5'11" G)- Dixon is one of the many players who was honored as an all-state performer who reached 1,000 career points this past season. In addition to this, his performance against Timbo in January is a big reason why he achieved this award. In that game, the junior put up 31 points, with 10 coming in the 1st quarter.   Mason Gilmore (Ozark Mountain 2025 PF)- Gilmore has proven to be a solid all-around player for Ozark Mountain. He can be the go-to scorer, posting 22 points against Lifeway Christian in December, and he can fill up the stat sheet, compiling 7 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists against Mountainburg to advance to the state tournament.   Kenner Leavell (Eureka Springs 2026 5'9" G)- Leavell proved to be a fan favorite for Eureka Springs this past season. One of his premiere moments this past season was when he hit the game-winner to defeat Alpena in Late February. That shot punched Eureka Springs' ticket to the regional tournament.   Keaton Toliver (Alpena 2025 5'9" G)- Alpena had a rough season this past year, but they had a lone bright spot in Keaton Toliver. The 5'9" guard accomplished an incredible feat as a senior, reaching 1,000 career points.   Kyle Provence (Cedar Ridge 2025 6'1")- Cedar Ridge proved to be one of the premiere teams this season in the 2A classification, in part because of Kyle Provence. The guard had some great performances throughout the year, putting up 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block against Bay in February. He also drew a charge and shot 50% from the field in that game, earning the Strobe Insurance Player of the Game. He also had 26 points in the state tournament against Fordyce, with 15 coming in the first half.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rylen-brown/">[player_tooltip player_id='2475029' first='Rylen' last='Brown']</a>- Like Provence, [player_tooltip player_id='2475029' first='Rylen' last='Brown'] was one of the top players in the 2A-2. He was recently recognized as a member of the All-Arkansas Preps all-underclassmen team, and it is no wonder why. He had a phenomenal showing in the regional/district tournaments, as well as the state tournament. He had 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal against Izard County in the 2A-2 championship before dominating Tuckerman in the 2A-2 regionals with 17 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. He also shot 100% from the charity stripe in that regional outing. He had another strong outing against Tuckerman in the district tournament, posting 27 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks while shooting 13/17 from the floor. In another matchup with Izard County in districts, Brown had 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, and shot 10/18 from the field. In the state tournament quarterfinal, the sophomore scored 18 points against Fordyce.   Gabe Spray (Izard County 2025 SG)- It was not a shock for Izard County fans that Gabe Spray was named all-state in his final high school basketball season. He averaged 22 points per game as a junior and continued that great player in 2024/25, especially in the postseason. He scored 30 points in the regional championship before scoring 40 points against Hector in the first round of the 2A playoffs. Spray also had a 21-point outing against England.   Cash Arnhart (Izard County 2025 5'11" G)- Izard County's other star senior made some noise in the postseason as well, starting with his 13-point outing against Hector in the first round. He hit the buzzer-beater against England in the quarterfinals to send the game into overtime, en route to 16 points on that night.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amare-neal/">[player_tooltip player_id='2021784' first='Amare' last='Neal']</a>- Neal was one of the most well-known players in Arkansas high school basketball this year. He committed to Georiga Southern during the season before carrying his squad to a 2A playoff appearance. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game this season while also being named all-conference, all-region, 2A all-tournament, and NEA all-tournament. He joined the 2,000-point club this season, an extremely rare accomplishment, and also finished his high school career with over 660 assists, which is the 2nd-most in a career in Arkansas high school boys basketball history. Neal will go down as one of the greatest players in state history, establishing a legacy in the 2A classification and in that Bulldog jersey.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dallas-durham/">[player_tooltip player_id='2574681' first='Dallas' last='Durham']</a>- The Sloan-Hendrix sophomore guard had some great performances throughout the regular season. He had 27 points against Pocahontas in the Williams Baptist University tournament semi-final and 22 points against Mammoth Spring to open up conference play.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/hudson-rorex/">[player_tooltip player_id='2456183' first='Hudson' last='Rorex']</a>- Rorex was pivotal in Sloan-Hendrix's 24-11 season. He scored 13 points in that conference matchup against Mammoth Spring before having one of his best performances against the eventual state champion, East Poinsett County. He had 25 points against EPC in late February.   [player_tooltip player_id='2971509' first='Jacob' last='Willard'] (Bay 2026 6'3" F)- Bay was one of the top teams in all of 2A this season, finishing the year with a 26-9 overall record. The forward was voted as the best player in the 2A-3, winning the conference Player of the Year award. One of his most notable performances in conference play was against Riverside where he had 28 points and 6 rebounds.   Kaden Hartley (Bay 2025 6'1" G/F)- Bay does not achieve that incredible record without the play of another star, Kaden Hartley. The versatile senior had a solid season, reaching the 1,000-career points mark in his final high school year.   Parts 2-4 recognizing the all-state performers in the 2A classification will be released soon so keep an eye out.

The 2A classification featured 62 all-state performers, including reigning champions and some promising young talent. To avoid making this article too long, I broke up the all-state performers into multiple articles, so stay tuned for the accompanying pieces, which will be released soon.