A special group of players has put the Naylor girls basketball team on the map in recent years.
Now, another Lady Eagle will have the opportunity to lead a program at the next level.
After another successful season in the Naylor uniform, senior Hannah Cunningham signed to play basketball at Crowley's Ridge College.
"I'm crazy excited for the opportunity to play at the next level," Cunningham said. "It has been a dream of mine to play college basketball, and I just feel like this is the best fit. I like the small-town feel and I was very impressed with the coaches.
"When the opportunity presented itself, I was so happy, I didn't have words."
Cunningham averaged 7.7 points per game last season for the Lady Eagles. She added 5.3 rebounds and was an all-conference selection.
"I just think it'll be a great atmosphere for her and give her a chance to play probably right off the bat," Naylor coach Gene Deckard said. "I think she'll strive for great things down there and thrive off it."
Cunningham joins fellow Ozark Foothills Conference peers and Neelyville graduates Maggie and Emily Eaker. Maggie signed with the Pioneers last year while Emily will be a junior.
Cunningham also follows in the footsteps of Naylor grad Brooklyn Urich, who played at Crowley's Ridge before leaving to pursue a degree in nursing. It was during a visit with Urich to Crowley's Ridge where Cunningham first came in contact with the Pioneers.
A few months later, she was on their radar, and earlier this year she visited the campus in Paragould, Arkansas for a tryout.
"We had her come out for a tryout and she fit right in with the girls I've got there," Crowley's Ridge coach Tye Clothier said. "They liked her, we scrimmaged a little bit and I mean it looked she had been with the team for awhile."
The Pioneers were 12-22 in Clothier's sixth season at the helm but were lacking the talent. Crowley's Ridge went from sixth in the nation in scoring in 2016 to 27th in 2017. The Pioneers averaged just under 65 points per game and Clothier believes Cunningham could be the missing piece that will help them thrive next winter.
"I think just her style of play is going to help us get back to what we're more comfortable with," said. "This past season we didn't really have the personnel to push the ball like we normally do. We're excited to have players like Hannah get us back to that run and gun."
Cunningham will likely share the guard duties from the 1- and 2-spots on the floor, according to Clothier, and could have an immediate impact.
"I want to play 2-guard but he's talking about me maybe playing the point and getting in there right away," Cunningham said. "I haven't played point much since I was a freshman so it should be interesting. But I'm up for wherever he puts me."
She's also ready for the challenge that comes with collegiate sports. Despite playing against some of the smaller schools in Class 1 and Class 2 during her high school career, Cunningham said her time with the Lady Eagles has prepared her for stiffer competition.
"Our coach had us play really good competition and that's going to help me prepare for college," Cunningham said. "I don't really seeing it be that much of an obstacle."
Neither does Deckard, who called her one of the scrappiest players he's ever coached.
"When it gets a little bit more physical it takes a little bit of adjustment, but Hannah and scrappy goes hand in hand," Deckard said. "She really plays hard and that carries over to other players in a game. You don't have to worry about her slacking off. She comes to play every night and that was a big plus for us."
With just one more spring softball season to go before graduation, Cunningham is getting ready to say goodbye to a group of friends and teammates she has grown close to ever since she transferred from Doniphan three years ago.
"It was probably the best decision I've made," Cunningham said. "(Doniphan) has had a bunch of coaching changes since I left, so coming here with coach Gene (Deckard) and just all of the girls over the years has made me a better player and a beater person."