Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1483370
18 2022 NWA COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW | 11.6.2022 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS B A S K E T B A L L ARKANSAS WOMEN'S PLAYER CAPSULES BY ETHAN WESTERMAN SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE SAYLOR POFFENBARGER CLASS Redshirt-freshman HEIGHT 6-2 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Middletown, Md. HIGH SCHOOL Middletown HS LAST SEASON began her freshman season with UConn, and saw action in 12 games before transferring to Arkansas mid-season. THE SKINNY Poffenbarger was the No. 30 recruit in the 2021 class and signed with UConn. She played 12 games before entering the transfer portal and signing with Arkansas. In high school, she was twice named an all-state first team selection and earned 2020 Ms. Maryland Basketball honors. Poffenbarger competed at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Tournament, in which she averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in. She and teammate Makayla Daniels, who is also from Maryland, played on the same AAU team together. SAMARA SPENCER CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 5-7 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Fort Lauderdale, Fla. HIGH SCHOOL St. Thomas Aquinas HS LAST SEASON Averaged 12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a true freshman, playing in 31 games for Arkansas. THE SKINNY Spencer became the first Razorback since 2009 to win SEC Freshman of the Year honors after scoring in double figures in 20 games. She started 27 games for Arkansas and scored a season-best 22 points and seven rebounds to will Arkansas to a road comeback win against Missouri. She shot 42.5% from the floor and 34.4% from 3-point range, while showing quickness getting to the rim and finishing often. She logged 96 assists which was the 20th-most for a single season in program history. ERYNN BARNUM CLASS Redshirt senior HEIGHT 6-2 POSITION Forward HOMETOWN Little Rock, Ark. HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock Central HS LAST SEASON Averaged 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds as a redshirt junior at Arkansas. THE SKINNY Barnum has battled injury for large amounts of her collegiate career, but when healthy has seen much playing time for the Razorbacks. Prior to an injury in 2021, she had scored in double figures in five of nine games. She was one of 20 power forwards named to the Katrina McClain Award Preseason Watch List for 2022-23. Barnum has the longest current tenure with the Razorbacks, arriving with the team in 2018. She has played in 77 career games. RYLEE LANGERMAN CLASS Junior HEIGHT 5-9 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Norman, Okla. HIGH SCHOOL Christian Heritage HS LAST SEASON Averaged 3.2 points and 3.7 rebounds, and was one of just two players who saw action in all 32 games. THE SKINNY Langerman carved a spot for herself in the Razorbacks' rotation with her grittiness and toughness, often being labeled the "glue girl" for the team. At just 5-9, she crashes the glass hard, and is often the first one to track down loose balls. Prior to Arkansas' game-winning shot from Amber Ramirez against Auburn, Langerman forced a tie ball to get the Razorbacks the possession. She scored a career-high 17 points against Missouri. ASHLYN SAGE CLASS Sophomore HEIGHT 6-2 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Weatherford, Okla. HIGH SCHOOL Weatherford HS LAST SEASON Averaged 1.2 points and 0.8 rebounds in 15 games as a freshman. THE SKINNY Sage was recruited to Arkansas as a sharpshooter. She led the state of Oklahoma in 3-point percentage and free throw percentage in 2020. Sage was the 84th-best recruit in the 2021 class according to Premier Basketball. Her season-high scoring effort as a freshman came against Tarleton State, a game she scored six points in off 2-of-2 three-point shooting. KARLEY JOHNSON CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 5-9 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Mustang, Okla. HIGH SCHOOL Mustang HS LAST SEASON Averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a senior at Mustang HS. THE SKINNY Johnson earned a 2022 McDonald's All-American nomination as senior at Mustang HS, where she spent her final two years of varsity play. She posted a 46% field goal percentage in 2021-22 and made the 11th- most total free throws in Oklahoma with 80. LOREN LINDSEY CLASS Freshman HEIGHT 5-11 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Fayetteville, Ark. HIGH SCHOOL Fayetteville HS LAST SEASON Played for Fayetteville HS and was named to the 6A-West All-Defensive Team as a senior. THE SKINNY Lindsey joins the Razorbacks as a local product from Fayetteville HS. She was the Northwest Arkansas Democrat- Gazette Player of the Week on Feb. 2, 2022. She helped lead the Bulldogs her team to the state semifinals in 2020 with a 55-53 win over Northside High School. AVERY HUGHES CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-7 POSITION Guard HOMETOWN Bentonville, Ark. HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville HS LAST SEASON After playing her first two seasons as a walk-on, was placed on full scholarship after seeing action in 14 games. THE SKINNY Hughes is local product and earned a walk-on spot as a freshman after being Bentonville's second-leading scorer. She was named to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first-team as a senior, a year in which she also led Bentonville to a 6A-West title and state runner-up.