Waldron began last week undefeated in the 3A-1 West Conference, but that was before the Bulldogs were shredded at Charleston.

Charleston shot 58 percent from the floor and defeated the Bulldogs 83-52. Brayden Ross scored 32 points, followed closely by Jordan Fenner with 31.
"It was the perfect storm," Waldron coach Joshua Brown said. "They shot out of their minds. Brayden Ross went off outside and Fenner was really good inside."

Ross has played a pivotal role as the lone returning starter for Charleston, 8-5 overall and 5-0 in conference play. He scored 32 points against Waldron while making 4 of 9 3-point attempts and 6 of 9 free throws. He also grabbed 13 rebounds, all on the defensive end.

Ross followed up that outstanding performance by scoring 20 points in a 56-43 win over Mansfield on Friday. For his efforts, Ross is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette boys Player of the Week. Maryam Dauda of Bentonville is the girls NWADG Player of the Week.

Ross is a four-sport athlete who plans to play baseball in college. He is a force on the basketball court as a team leader who averages 23.5 points with 12 rebounds per game.

"Brayden has turned it up to a different level," coach Ross said of his son, a 6-foot-4 senior guard. "He knew going into the Waldron game this was a big conference test for us and he was focused. We played a tough schedule in non-conference, playing some 5A schools, and our young guys were a little unsure of themselves. But winning this game lifted them up and gave them a lot of confidence."

Dauda is accustomed to big performances, but she stood out Friday while leading Bentonville to a 55-53 road win at Fayetteville.

Fayetteville has two Division I signees in Sasha Goforth (Oregon State) and Coriah Beck (Memphis). But Dauda, a 6-foot-4 junior, led all scorers with 28 points and she was a force on the defensive end for Bentonville, which held Fayetteville to one field goal in the third quarter.

"Maryam was so dominant on both ends of the floor," Bentonville coach Tom Halbmaier said. "She set the tone early in the game with her being aggressive, especially on the offensive end of the floor commanding for the ball. She brings so much energy and confidence to our team."

The win earned Bentonville (14-1, 3-0) sole possession of first place in the 6A-West Conference and dropped Fayetteville into a three-way tie for second. Dauda had 18 points when Bentonville began the week with a 61-35 win over Rogers Heritage.
