MWC Lady Cat Invitational Electrifying Performances

The MWC Lady Cat Invitational took place over the weekend and featured some of the best talent in the state of Arkansas. This 8-team tournament had several players that will be playing at the collegiate level in the upcoming years and they didn’t disappoint. In this article, I discuss players that had some electrifying performances.

Samyah Jordan | Conway | PG | 2025

If I was to select a MVP it would be Samyah. The junior PG did everything you could ask for as a lead guard. She ran the team, applied good pressure, got players involved, kept pressure on opposing defenses with her attacking mentality, and played with a level of intensity that was unmatched. This Conway team may lack some size but Samyah is the engine that makes them go.

Traniyah Weston | Conway | PG | 2027

I was very intrigued to see Traniyah this weekend. Conway doesn’t get a lot of transfers and when I heard about her I had to get my eyes on her. Traniyah is an impactful player who loves to get after you on defense and excels in the open court. Her speed and finishing ability over bigger defenders make her a tough assignment for any defender. It’s tough coming into the 6A Central conference as a freshman, but to come in as a starter there’s even more pressure. She held her own and is getting plenty of experience and on-the-job training.

Emerie Bohanon | Conway | Guard | 2025

Samiyah Jordan might be my MVP for the tournament, but Emerie is the MVP of the championship game. In the game vs Vilonia, I don’t know if Conway would get away with a win if it wasn’t for the timely shot-making of Emerie. It seems like every time Vilonia was on the verge of a run Emerie would knock down a three. Not only was she connecting on the long-range jumper, her ball pressure and attacking mentality also played a part in keeping Vilonia on their heels as she lead Conway to victory.

Whitley Rogers | Little Rock Christian Academy | PG | 2026

Whitley is Miss Do Everything for her team. A wing player who has the skill to play multiple positions has been given the task of playing the point. With her size and skill she will hold her own at that position. She can use her frame and size against smaller defenders but also use her handle and quickness to get to the rim with ease against bigger defenders. She also showed she can step behind the three-point line and make the three or shoot the mid-range pull-up.

Sidni Middleton | Vilonia | PG | 2025

The junior point guard has been leading her Vilonia team since her freshman year. And each year she gets better and better. Sidni is one of the most skilled point guards in the state. Operates out of the pick-and-roll really well, can shoot the mid-range jumper, is a threat from the three-point line, and moves well without the ball. During this tournament, she displayed all her skills and with the ball in her hands she’ll be poised to lead her Vilonia team to another deep state tournament run.

Syniah Coachman | Fayetteville | Guard | 2027

Syniah was the player I was looking forward to seeing the most. A 5’10 guard that can play the point or on the wing. She has a nice handle that allows her to change direction quickly, she gets to the rim for the finish in traffic, has a nice jumper, and her length is a problem on defense. I love a player that’s not afraid to defend and Syniah uses her quickness and wing span to her advantage. I know it’s early in the season, but she is definitely one of the best freshmen in the state…by far.

Shalyn Lyle | Nashville | PG | 2025

Shalyn continues to make a name for herself. Each time I see her she gets better and better. She is easily becoming one of the top PG’s in Arkansas in the class of 2025. She was able to get to the rim off the bounce, finished in traffic, sees the floor well in the half-court, handles the ball well vs pressure, delivers on-target passes and applies good on-ball pressure. She can easily play both guard spots and with her ability, she will be looking to lead Nashville to a deep state tournament run.

Makenlie Campbell | Springdale Har-Ber | PG | 2027

When you are handed the keys and asked to run the team as a freshman, that is tough for any player in the state. But to be asked to do that in the 6A is even crazier unless you’re a player like Makenlie. I’ve seen her play several times with the Mavs Elite, but this was the first time I actually got to see her really in her element. Her poise, playmaking ability, and IQ is off the charts for a freshman. After her performances this weekend she made a strong case for being the best PG in the Arkansas class of 2027.