5A Playoff Picture: Who Locked In and How They Got There

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> What makes this year's field especially compelling is how each top seed was shaped by a core group of prospects who elevated their teams in the moments that mattered most. Each region produced a clear top tier. They were the programs that separated themselves through depth, guard play, and the ability to win close games when the pressure tightened. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Little Rock Parkview</strong> - Central #1 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021873' first='Jacob' last='Lanier'], Josh Willis, [player_tooltip player_id='2021884' first='Ayden' last='Hansberry'], [player_tooltip player_id='1437332' first='Kolby' last='Bell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkview earned the top seed by doing what they do best: defending, running, and leaning on a balanced core that rarely has an off night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021873' first='Jacob' last='Lanier']</strong> gives them a true closer. His ability to control pace and create anytime offense kept Parkview from dropping games they might've lost earlier in the year.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Josh Willis</strong> anchors their defensive identity. His versatility allowed Parkview to switch, trap, and pressure without giving up mismatches.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021884' first='Ayden' last='Hansberry']</strong> stabilized them on the attack, especially in tight conference games where scoring buckets mattered.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437332' first='Kolby' last='Bell']</strong> mastered filling multiple guard duties on offense and defending some of the best guards and wings in the conference, showing his ability to adapt and play winning basketball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Together, this group gave Parkview the most reliable night‑to‑night formula in the Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Little Rock Christian</strong> - Central #2 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021880' first='JJ' last='Andrews'], [player_tooltip player_id='2616716' first='Easton' last='Boggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='2281610' first='Justice' last='Moore'], Malachi Morris</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LRCA finished right behind Parkview with spacing, guard depth, and the matchup problems created by their wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021880' first='JJ' last='Andrews']</strong> is the centerpiece, no need to say much more, his size and versatility forced teams to pick their poison.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2616716' first='Easton' last='Boggs']</strong> provided the steady, efficient deep shooting hand that kept LRCA's offense up.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2281610' first='Justice' last='Moore']</strong> delivered big-time guard impact, often handling the ball, distributing, and finding his own shots in the offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Malachi Morris</strong> gave them the energy and effort plays that swing close games.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their ability to play multiple styles is why they locked in the #2 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marion</strong> - East #1 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2732998' first='Chandler' last='Randle'], [player_tooltip player_id='2883702' first='Jalen' last='Neal'], Jackson Black, [player_tooltip player_id='2864940' first='Dexter' last='Higgins']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion earned the top spot by overwhelming teams with athleticism and length. Their defense dictated games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2732998' first='Chandler' last='Randle']</strong> set the tone as a downhill guard who takes what he given without forcing the issue.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2883702' first='Jalen' last='Neal']</strong> gave them a second scorer who could break down defenses and defend the perimeter to block.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jackson Black</strong> controlled the interior with rebounding and rim protection.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2864940' first='Dexter' last='Higgins']</strong> kept defenses shifting with his energy on defense, pure speed, and playmaking.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These guys made Marion the most complete team in the East, going undefeated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benton</strong> - South #1 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2861223' first='Javarious' last='Russell'], Anthony Spratt, [player_tooltip player_id='2422333' first='Brian' last='Cal Jr.']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton earned the top seed by being the most balanced team in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2861223' first='Javarious' last='Russell']</strong> provided the seniority, leadership, and experience as a playmaker and defensive hustler.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Anthony Spratt</strong> gave them big games all season with solid plays nightly on both ends.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2422333' first='Brian' last='Cal Jr.']</strong> emerged as a guard who can play with or without the ball as a reliable scorer and growing defender.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their trio gave Benton answers in every type of game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmington</strong> - West #1 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021915' first='Eli' last='Schwartzman'], [player_tooltip player_id='2870897' first='Ethan' last='Kennedy'], [player_tooltip player_id='2973723' first='Carson' last='Simpson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2637777' first='Press' last='Taylor']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington earned the #1 seed by being the most polished offensive team in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021915' first='Eli' last='Schwartzman']</strong> dictated pace and made high‑level reads with unselfish plays.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2870897' first='Ethan' last='Kennedy']</strong> gave them a versatile option on both sides of the ball.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2973723' first='Carson' last='Simpson']</strong> stretched defenses with shooting while providing rebounding.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2637777' first='Press' last='Taylor']</strong> added toughness, defense, footwork, and timely buckets.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their combination of hustle, teamwork, and execution pushed them to a near flawless record on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sheridan</strong> - South #2 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2430412' first='Lane' last='Bickford'], [player_tooltip player_id='2404469' first='Dawson' last='Griffin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2820934' first='Jace' last='Gatlin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2979226' first='Beckett' last='Scott']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheridan's continuity and spacing kept them in the top tier all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2430412' first='Lane' last='Bickford']</strong> enforced the paint and stretched the floor with his shooting.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2404469' first='Dawson' last='Griffin']</strong> brought toughness, rebounding, and interior scoring.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2820934' first='Jace' last='Gatlin']</strong> added pure efficient scoring touch from all 3 levels all season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2979226' first='Beckett' last='Scott']</strong> brought court vision, tempo, poise, and IQ as the table setter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their ability to compete in close games down the stretch is what pushed them into the #2 spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greene Co. Tech</strong> - East #2 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2736561' first='Noah' last='Oswalt'], [player_tooltip player_id='3100500' first='Carson' last='McDaniel'], [player_tooltip player_id='2450805' first='Luke' last='Cancilla']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>GCT's 3pt shooting and toughness kept them near the top all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2736561' first='Noah' last='Oswalt']</strong> carried scoring stretches and gave them a dependable perimeter threat.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3100500' first='Carson' last='McDaniel']</strong> gave them inside out shooting along with rebounding and playmaking.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2450805' first='Luke' last='Cancilla']</strong> added shooting and decision‑making, helping GCT win close games.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their consistency is what secured the #2 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alma</strong> - West #2 Seed</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2021913' first='Shep' last='Newcomb'], [player_tooltip player_id='2391994' first='Lawson' last='Adams']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alma's effort and discipline kept them fighting all year long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2021913' first='Shep' last='Newcomb']</strong> provided scoring and shot creation with consistency.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2391994' first='Lawson' last='Adams']</strong> gave them interior touch and steady production.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their ability to grind out wins earned the #2 seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->