Players to Watch this Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schools are back in session this week, and that means conference play is beginning to heat up in the Natural State. Here are several players to keep track of this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021913' first='Shep' last='Newcomb']-Point Guard-Alma-6'0” 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alma point guard has a way of filling up the stat sheet on both ends of the floor that is impressive. Newcomb does a great job of finding open shooters on the floor. He not only creates easy baskets for his teammates but also for himself. Newcomb has the range to connect with consistency from all three levels of the floor. Newcomb has a high motor and will do the little things needed to help Alma win games. Newcomb is a player to watch this week when Alma takes on the Farmington Cardinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021901' first='Derrick' last='Hudson']-Power Forward-Fayetteville-6'8” 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021901' first='Derrick' last='Hudson'] has the ability to have an impact in the paint on both ends of the floor for the Bulldogs. Hudson battles for rebounds on both ends of the floor. He has a smooth jump shot where he can step out and drain a three beyond the arc. Fayetteville takes on Har-Ber this week and that is a matchup where eyes will be focused. Hudson is a player to watch out for this week with the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2393218' first='JJ' last='Wise']-Combo Guard-Sylvan Hills-6'3” 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2393218' first='JJ' last='Wise'] is a guard who has the ability to light it up from anywhere on the floor. Wise does a nice job of creating his own shot and can hit with impressive consistency. He is an unselfish player with the ball in his hands. Wise will make the extra pass to open teammates for easy baskets. Wise does a great job of keeping his hands on the defensive end of the floor. Wise is a player to watch out for when Sylvan Hills takes on Little Rock Parkview.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1893319' first='Vatan' last='Paydak']-Shooting Guard-Pulaski Academy-6'5” 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paydak each week continues to raise his level of play on both ends of the floor. He is capable of guarding multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor. Meanwhile, he can take over on the offensive end of the floor for the Bruins. He is able to light it up from all three levels of the floor. He is a player to watch out for this week when the Bruins take on Greene County Tech and White Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->