1A-7 Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school basketball season is right around the corner in the state of Arkansas. Before the season tip-offs, I wanted to preview every division of every conference in the state. These will have player breakdowns, coach quotes, and more. It should be noted that almost all the stats, such as records or returning players, are from MaxPreps/Scorebook Live. With that being said, let's hop into conference 1A-7.&nbsp;<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Blevins</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blevins dominated the conference last year, going 11-1 against the rest. They carried that momentum all the way to the state tournament before losing to Dermott. They return a loaded roster full of veterans and are primed to make another run to state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2828984"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b36830"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Edens was a starter for Kirby last year and is now transferring to Blevins for his senior season. As a junior, Ethan played alongside a talented backcourt. Opportunities weren't consistent, but Ethan showed flashes of what he could do in the bigger role that he'll have this year. He's a hard driver who anticipates well, getting defenders off their feet. The 6'1 guard is able to alter his shots around them when against taller defenders. He's a stronger guard and rebounds great for his position. As a switchable defender, Ethan can do about anything on the court a coach would need him to do. It will be exciting to see what year he can produce in a new role and system.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3733527,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b36869"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rilee is one of my personal favorite players in 1A. &nbsp;He's a lights-out shooter who the defense has to be focused on at all times. He likes the corner but can shoot efficiently from anywhere on the floor. What makes Faulkner different than most shooters is his playmaking prowess. &nbsp;He loves to drive baseline and make a bounce pass or pass up a good shot for a better one. &nbsp;He's an incredibly high-IQ player and keeps defenders on their heels at all times. He uses that IQ on defense as well. With his size, Faulkner can effectively guard multiple positions on the court. Going into his senior season, he's an underrated college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Foreman</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dropping down from the 2A level, Foreman had an excellent year in 2025. Coming off a 17-4 season, the Gators have a strong junior class that will be the backbone of their team. Their sophomore duo in the backcourt has the potential to be a real threat over the next few years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3733536,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b3688b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore started as a freshman for Foreman last year. The guard flashed a wide variety of skills that will continue to grow as he naturally does. Moore is a strong player who can excel when being aggressive at the rim. That being said, he's still got finesse around the rim, with euros and floaters. Viktron has a pretty shot off the dribble and off the catch. He shows alot of confidence with the ball, whether it's shooting or dribbling. He will have a good year, but by the time he's a senior, the Foreman guard will be an even more fun watch. Making Moore an exciting young prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kirby</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kirby had a strong season, making it to the state tournament. They return all-state player Hardage and guard [player_tooltip player_id='2821505' first='Gavyn' last='Young'] to make a dangerous backcourt once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2828980"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b368ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardage is coming off an impressive junior year where he averaged over 16 points per game and 3 steals per game. The All-State guard is looking to take another statistical jump in his senior year. He's a real threat from the perimeter; thus, I would love to see him up his attempts this year. Where Tyler really hurts opponents is on the drive. He's incredibly crafty around the rim and seems to never miss from below the free throw line. With a good level of athleticism, Hardage can elevate over others at the rim and finish through contact. [player_tooltip player_id='2828980' first='Tyler' last='Hardage'] is one of the best players in all of 1A once again and is one of the main reasons Kirby could win the conference this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2821505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b368ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gavyn is a do-it-all player for Kirby. Playing alongside All-State selectee Hardage, Gavyn always seems to make the right play. He and Tyler play perfectly off each other. The soon-to-be senior, Young, is a lights-out shooter. He generally shows off his range both off the catch and with the ball. Gavyn has a quick release and can get his shot off over defenders with ease. He's much more than just a shooter, though. Young is quick and can get to the second level of defenses, where he has a knack for finding open teammates in the post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mineral Springs</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing just over .500 last year, Mineral Springs looks to reload for another year. With a returning All-State performer in Jamerian Staten and [player_tooltip player_id='3733545' first='Damoney' last='Nolen'], Mineral Springs has two guys this team can be built around. <br><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3733545,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a8e2b3b368e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mineral Springs were undersized last year, causing Nolen to play more in the high post area. This is where he showed he was a great playmaker, when the offense was run through him. At 6'1, he's quick and has the skill set to play many roles. One thing you love to see about Damoney is his high work ethic, which also translates to the defensive side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mount Ida</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Ida had a strong out of conference record, but struggled within the conference.&nbsp;I wasn't able to find a lot about Mount Ida, going into the new season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Oden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Struggling mightily in conference play last year, Oden looks for some improvement in 2026. Senior Hayden Allen is someone to keep an eye on throughout the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Umpire</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Umpire is coming off a season where they only won two games. It will be intriguing to see what improvements have been made since last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->