SEARCY — A year ago, it was Eryka Johns of Riverview High School who took home a lot of big awards for the Lady Raiders. This year, it was Madison Riley’s turn.
Riley, the Most Valuable Player of the Class 4A state tournament, is the 2016 Three Rivers Edition Girls Player of the Year.
Riley averaged 18.6 points and five rebounds per game as the Lady Raiders went 38-0 to repeat as state champions. Riverview beat Central Arkansas Christian 64-58 in the state title game at Bank of the Ozarks Arena in Hot Springs on March 11.
“It was just a huge accomplishment,” Riley said. “I’ve worked for it since I was young. It’s my last year to play with a lot of these girls. I’m glad we finished like we did. Some of us have played together since second grade. It’s probably the last time.”
In the championship game, Riley scored 19 points and grabbed five rounds. She was 5 of 7 from the 3-point range.
When Riverview won the 2015 title, they had one loss — against CAC in the regular season.
“This one was sweeter because we went undefeated,” Riley said. “Going out your senior year winning the state championship and being MVP, I’m sure everyone wants to do that. It was a huge accomplishment.”
Riley said beating CAC was even better.
“It felt good,” she said. “We owed it to them.”
Riley was a shooting guard for the Lady Raiders.
“I like to shoot outside a lot,” she said. “I’m strong at driving inside some, too. I’d like to say I can do both, but I’m known for my 3-point shooting.”
“Maddy is a gym rat,” Riverview coach Ryan Smith said. “When she was a seventh-grader when I saw her for the first time, I knew she was going to be a really good player because she likes it so well. Obviously, she was talented. She watches film all the time. She plays great defense, too.”
Riley wants to continue her playing career at the collegiate level.
“I’ve got some options. … I’m still looking,” Riley said.
Smith said Riley will be successful at the collegiate level.
“She doesn’t take a back seat to anyone,” Smith said. “She’s driven. She wants to be the best.”
Smith said Riley and Johns weren’t jealous of each other.
“They just want to win,” he said. “They are both leaders. Maddy gets on people in practice. You want your best player to be your hardest worker, and I think she is. When you have that, you’ve got something special. It makes everything else so much easier.”
Staff writer Mark Buffalo can be reached at (501) 399-3676 or mbuffalo@arkansasonline.com.