Clayton News Daily

Photo by Derrick Mahone While helping Jonesboro to the Class AAAA semifinals this past season, rising senior Briana Benson averaged 15.7 points.

Here is a look at some girls players in the Southern Crescent that could emerge as the best in the area:

Briana Benson, Jonesboro: Benson leads a talented returning cast of Lady Cardinals. The rising senior averaged 15.7 points and seven rebounds a game last season and was first-team all-Southern Crescent. The 5-foot-8 shooting guard is balanced offensively, able to penetrate as easily as she can shoot from long range.

Domonique Clune, Dutchtown: Playing out of position, Clune averaged 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds a game last season for the Lady Bulldogs. With an offseason spent honing her ball-handlling skills, Clune is arguably Henry County’s top player and the driving force behind Dutchtown’s quest to return to the state tournament.

Kimberly Dawkins, Jonesboro: Dawkins was last season’s most impactful transfer. She helped Lovejoy make the playoffs her sophomore season (while Jonesboro stayed home) then emerged as a force at Jonesboro last season, averaging 10.1 points and 14.2 points a game. At 6-foot-1, Dawkins’ inside presence is one reason Jonesboro is on the shortlist of true state title contenders. She had a team-high 15 points in the Lady Cardinals semifinals loss last season.

Moneshia Dyer, Mundy’s Mill: Brianna McQueen got much of the attention last season, but Dyer was one of the area’s top point guards, averaging 12 points a game and earning second team all-Southern Crescent honors. With McQueen’s graduation, it’s Dyer’s show now, and the rising senior could be poised for a breakout season.

Kayla Potts, Forest Park: The only rising junior on this list, Potts missed virtually all of last season after tearing her ACL and she won’t be back until probably December. But there isn’t a point guard in the Southern Crescent with Potts’ combination of poise and skill. As a freshman, she played like the Lady Panthers’ best player at times during their run to the state finals. As a junior, she could emerge as one of the best players in the state.