01 Feb 2025 Ali Goodwin – South Side Bee Branch (501 Basketball Team 2025)

For senior guard Ali Goodwin, basketball is more than a game — it’s a platform for leadership and growth. Known for her all-around skills, she can score from anywhere on the floor for South Side Bee Branch and thrives in tough defensive matchups.

“Ali works hard on both ends of the court,” Hornets Coach Mandy Goodwin said. “She leads with hustle and heart, always doing what benefits the team.”

Last season, she led her team in assists and steals, setting the tone with her energy and effort. This year, she’s tasked with an even bigger role: handling the ball, defending key players and driving her team forward. 

“Our team has faced a lot of injuries this season that have set us back a little, however we will continue to push through,” Goodwin said.

Off the court, her impact is just as significant. A peer mentor since ninth grade, she’s helped students academically and emotionally.  “Ali is the same genuine person in the classroom, the hallways and the community,” one of her teachers said. “She’s kind, responsible and always willing to help.”

Her community service extends beyond the school. From food and clothing drives to mission work in Mexico, the Navajo Reservation and Africa, Goodwin has accumulated more than 200 service hours.

Already signed to play softball at Arkansas State, she plans to pursue a career in elementary education.

“I am very blessed to be where I am today, and I thank God for the opportunity to play the sports that I love,” Goodwin said.