5 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nick Smith of Bentonville goes up for a shot Thursday as Jeff Leeson of St. Joseph-Lafayette (Mo.) attempts to block it during the Neosho Holiday Classic.
Nick Smith of Bentonville goes up for a shot Thursday as Jeff Leeson of St. Joseph-Lafayette (Mo.) attempts to block it during the Neosho Holiday Classic.

Nick Smith 

SCHOOL: Bentonville

CLASS: Senior

HEIGHT: 6-8

NOTABLE: A two-time all-state performer who was NWA Media’s Big Six Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore and the Player of the Year last season. ... Averaged 19.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while hitting 60 percent of his field goals, 44 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line through the Tigers’ nonconference schedule. ... Signed a letter of intent with Belmont in November.

Payton Henson

SCHOOL: Siloam Springs

CLASS: Senior

HEIGHT: 6-8

NOTABLE: Signed with Tulane in November. ... A four-year starter for Siloam Springs, and the Panthers' career scoring leader with 1,819 points entering today’s game against Springdale Har-Ber. ... Averages 25.6 points per game in 11 games this season. ... Was named NWA Media Small Schools Player of the Year in 2011-12 and earned all-state and all-conference honors the past two seasons.

Tyler McCullough

SCHOOL: Fayetteville

CLASS: Senior

HEIGHT: 6-10

NOTABLE: A two-time conference selection and all-state honoree as a junior last season. ... Named to the NWA Media All-Area Team in 2011-12. ... Averaged 11.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocked shots per game as a junior while hitting 59 percent of his field goals and better than 70 percent from the free-throw line. ... Signed a letter of intent with Missouri State in November.

Ja'wan Smith

SCHOOL: Fayetteville

CLASS: Senior

HEIGHT: 6-2

NOTABLE: Has stepped into a starting role for the Bulldogs this season. ... One of the Fayetteville’s top playmakers who has the potential to be a leading scorer among a balanced attack.

Alex Scharlau

SCHOOL:Springdale High

CLASS: Senior

HEIGHT: 6-5

NOTABLE: Has gone from a role player last season to Springdale’s leading scorer. ... Averaging 15.6 points per game, giving the Bulldogs an offensive threat to compliment the versatile DaShaun Stark (13.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game).  

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