Pre Season Preview : Top Team News

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, these teams were among the top performers and have since strengthened their rosters through player development and new additions. The new season is poised to be significant for them, as the teams aim to claim a spot atop the standings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton Panthers - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big news of the addition of Anthony Spratt, widely regarded as a top 10-20 player in the class of 2028 in the U.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other big news with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='2021778' first='Terrion' last='Burgess'] who spent part of the summer with USA's FIBA team, 6'4 wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='2304025' first='AD' last='Gray'], combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2293765' first='Harrison' last='Pickett'] who recently received a D1 offer from UAPB, and poised and polished guard [player_tooltip player_id='2500989' first='Caleb' last='Knight'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers finished 28-6 overall and 13-1 in the 5A Conference. They made it to the state championship game but fell short to Pine Bluff in a tough battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Har-Ber Wildcats (Springdale) - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a bittersweet move the Wildcats lost highly touted combo guard Courtland Muldrew to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Muldrew leaving, Har-Ber gained [player_tooltip player_id='2028697' first='Skye' last='Davenport'] who is a rising combo guard prospect that put together an eventful summer garnering attention around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They were able to return [player_tooltip player_id='2375048' first='Hayden' last='Wood'] who had a big summer racking up multiple D1 college offers including Arkansas State, Univ. of Central Arkansas, and SIUE and 2027 Mar Lee who is a rising prospect with a promising future in basketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington Cardinals - </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After being 4A state championship runner-up last season (losing to a stacked LRCA team) they moved up a conference from 4A to 5A. In the midst, the Cards also lost 3k point scorer Layne Taylor to graduation (decommits from North Texas to go to Univ. of Central Arkansas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season they are returning [player_tooltip player_id='2481855' first='Maddox' last='Teeter'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='2021894' first='Ayden' last='Lester'] who are primed to have solid seasons after being key contributors last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blytheville Chickasaws</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season Blytheville finished 3rd in the 4A conference with a 500% win percentage. Over the summer, Chickasaws re-hired coach Mackenzie Pierce who took them to the 4A state championship game 2 years ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6'5 senior wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id='2480941' first='Micah' last='Dawkins'] is the next star for the Chickasaws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2453057' first='Tylis' last='Thurman'] &amp; Johmir Guyton return as guards who can be impactful with the addition of sophomore Amare Handy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hot Springs Trojans</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to get things going in the other direction after a disappointing finish last season the Trojans are hopeful about getting the program back in shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Head Coach Josh Hayes brings in years of experience along with his talented son [player_tooltip player_id='2021779' first='Jai' last='Hayes'] a 6'5 guard committed to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New player additions of [player_tooltip player_id='2434062' first='Jaeir' last='Hardwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2282080' first='LaBraun' last='Christon'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2021930' first='Dae'Juan' last='Ellis'] make for a bolstered roster of upperclassmen skilled perimeter prospects who have their sights set on the playoffs this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->