Conway Jr. High Invitational: Maumelle vs Russellville

The Conway Jr. High Invitational Tournament kicked off and it featured some good teams and impressive individual play. This article will give some details on the four games that took place on day one as well as some insight on some players that stood out. Let’s get to it.

MAUMELLE 30, RUSSELLVILLE 24

I guess since Maumelle and Russellville had the early game of the day it took Maumelle the first quarter to get their feet under them and get to playing the ball they wanted to play. Russellville jumped out to a quick lead behind the play of Kyaia White. At the end of the first quarter, Russellville lead 10-6.

When the second quarter started Kyaia got in foul trouble and Maumelle began to find their stride. Maumelle's pressure defense caused Russellville to panic and that led to a 7-1 run to start the second quarter. Russellville never could get comfortable against the pressure defense. They were forced into tough shots and turnovers which lead to easy transition points for Maumelle.

Despite not playing well Russellville was never out of the game. But late in the fourth quarter Bre West got free in transition and scored the lay-in while drawing the foul. This old-fashioned three-point play pushed the score to 26-19 late in the fourth quarter and put the final nail in the coffin for Russellville.

Now let’s look at some players that really stood out during this game:

MAKENSIE MOORE | PG | MAUMELLE HIGH SCHOOL | 2026

Makensie displayed some really good point guard skills during day 1 of the tournament. She showed poise while running the team. She knew when to push it, slow it down, and understood pace and tempo. I really loved the way she could deliver passes with either hand and be on target. When she was pressured she handled it well. Despite the pressure she was still able to get to her spots to make plays or initiate the offense.

Defensively Makensie was also active. She played the passing lanes getting deflections and steals which lead to her pushing it in transition. When on the ball she moved her feet well enough to keep the offense out of the lane.

BRE WEST | WING | MAUMELLE HIGH SCHOOL | 2026

Bre was a absolute terror for Russellville on defense. She was harassing the ball handler with her pressure defense. Bre was also in the passing lanes causing havoc by getting deflections and steals. This allowed to her to really excel in the open court. In transition she was able to get some easy finishes on the break. She was finishing at the rim with both hands, in traffic, and through contact. In the first game, she made a huge play in transition by finishing with the left hand through contact for the old school three-point play.

Bre did a really good job in transition and when the game was uptempo. Once she gets a few more skills under her belt she will be able to really excel in the half-court. A consistent and respectable jump shot on top of her athletic ability will make her a real problem to deal with.

KYAIA WHITE | WING | RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | 2025

Kyaia was the first player to catch my eye during the tournament. She really made her presence felt from the opening tip. She was aggressive with her dribble, defensively, and just made plays. She scored off the dribble, in transition, and from spotting up in the mid-range. When she attacked off the bounce she went hard. She was the glue that kept everything going for her team in the first quarter. When Kyaia got in foul trouble in the second quarter it hurt her team and her rhythm.

Kyaia played well the rest of the game but she wasn’t the same. Maumelle had got in a groove defensively and took the momentum from Russellville. As Kyaia matures in her game she’ll learn how to re-establish her presence and keep things together.

Other noticeable players:

Christianity Garland | Guard | 2025 | Maumelle: Role player that did a good job on the defensive end. Hustles after 50/50 balls and attacks the lane with the dribble.

Liza Parker | PG | 2025 | Maumelle: Another role player on the Maumelle team. She came off the bench but provided some good minutes. Handles the ball well and can push it in transition. Playmaking point guard.

Gianna James | Post | 2025 | Russellville: Post player that is not relied upon to score, but she accepts her role of playing defense and rebounding.