5A Boys Competitors and Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5A is a perennial hotbed for some of Arkansas' best athletes. With conference play in action, it's an exciting time to see who's emerging as the top talent this season. Get a look at the players making a big impact on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Competitors and Contenders separate the tier 1 and tier 2 teams in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Competitors:</em></strong> Hot Springs, Farmington, Russellville, Marion, Valley View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Contenders:</em></strong> Benton, Maumelle, Nettleton, Little Rock Christian, Harrison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Competitors to watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hot Springs Trojans - [player_tooltip player_id='2021779' first='Jai' last='Hayes'], [player_tooltip player_id='2434062' first='Jaeir' last='Hardwell'], Daron Hicks<br><br>Hayes is a 6'5 ball handling scorer who can get to his spots and score consistently<br>Hardwell plays with high energy, he's an agile guard with reliable shooting<br>Hicks plays well beyond the duties of most freshman solid two-way skilled guard</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Farmington Cardinals - [player_tooltip player_id='2481855' first='Maddox' last='Teeter'], [player_tooltip player_id='2021915' first='Eli' last='Schwartzman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2637777' first='Press' last='Taylor']<br><br>Maddox is a skilled 6'6 all-around wing, committed to play at Pitt State (Kansas) next year<br>Eli has great court vision; he can tally up assists by getting between the defense with ease<br>Taylor is a truly talented freshman who makes an impact with his shooting prowess</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Russellville Cyclones - Donavon Villarreal, [player_tooltip player_id='2027564' first='Cade' last='Smith'], KJ Foster<br><br>Villarreal can score the ball in bunches with aggression and IQ, underrated rebounder<br>Smith is a spot-up sharpshooting threat, given opportunities he will make defenders pay<br>KJ is a utility player who rebounds, defends, and scores hustle points</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Marion Patriots - [player_tooltip player_id='2376603' first='Mikell' last='Lewis'], Ladaryl Robinson, [player_tooltip player_id='2864940' first='Dexter' last='Higgins']<br><br>Lewis beats smaller wings with his size and bigger defenders with speed as a versatile wing<br>Robinson brings some inside-out game with a shooting touch and guards 2-5<br>Higgins plays up tempo and tough willing to fight through contact while driving</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Valley View Blazers - [player_tooltip player_id='2028634' first='Oliver' last='Barr'], [player_tooltip player_id='2606687' first='Josh' last='Burnett']<br><br>Barr is a skilled 3-level scorer with court vision who gives effort while defending<br>Burnett is a twitchy, fast ball handler that can shoot the ball from deep with accuracy<br><br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Contenders to watch</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Benton Panthers - [player_tooltip player_id='2021778' first='Terrion' last='Burgess'], [player_tooltip player_id='2293765' first='Harrison' last='Pickett'], [player_tooltip player_id='2304025' first='AD' last='Gray']<br><br>Burgess is one of the top 3 players in Arkansas, an astounding athlete to say the least<br>Pickett is a fundamental guard with scoring ability and vision as a swingman<br>Gray fits many roles across the court with his skillset, a well-rounded two-way wing</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maumelle Hornets - Cedric Jones Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='2481844' first='Markalon' last='Rochell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2258010' first='Jayce' last='Tillman']<br><br>Cedric is a guard with solid offensive play both inside and out and a determined defender<br>Markalon is a very talented wing who plays with explosiveness and aggression <br>Tillman is an underrated prospect who leads both ends of the court with athleticism</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nettleton Raiders - Antonio "TJ" Whitney Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='2537644' first='Jakobe' last='Jamison'], Tejay Daley<br><br>TJ has been having a breakout year, scoring effectively and defending the perimeter<br>Jamison is the ultimate glue guy who's a highly skilled wing on both ends of the court<br>Daley plays with intensity and makes timely buckets in the lane and from deep</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Little Rock Christian Warriors - [player_tooltip player_id='2021880' first='JJ' last='Andrews'], KD Hicks, [player_tooltip player_id='2384538' first='Tristian' last='Watson']<br><br>Andrews is the top prospect in the state, EPSN ranked #22, and dominates EVERYTHING.<br>Hicks is a high-potential guard who plays with a high IQ and court vision<br>Watson has been a consistent key as a facilitator, defender, and scorer</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Harrison Goblins - [player_tooltip player_id='2021885' first='Ryder' last='Scribner'], Cole Cecil<br><br>Scribner is a very capable scorer from the perimeter who can play with or without the ball<br>Cecil is an unselfish guard that likes to catch and shoot as a spot up sharpshooting threat</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->