2A-1 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. I say this because records on scorebook live are not 100% accurate. With that being said, let's hop into conference 2A-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>County Line</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 30-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 12-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 16-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 11-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 2nd Round of the State Tournament (Clarendon)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing 4 of their 5 starters from last year, County Line must have multiple players step up into bigger roles. [player_tooltip player_id='3755641' first='Brock' last='Payne'], the only returning starter, is a strong candidate to lead the team in his senior season. It will be crucial for guard play to emerge for them this season.&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":3755641,"_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-6a96fecc6026d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payne is a physical threat down low for County Line. When posting up, he's able to use his body to move defenders around. This gives him many easy shots, as his strength and footwork open up a lot of opportunities. When it comes to footwork, you'll normally see either a spin move or a post hook out of his right hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Decatur</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 1-24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 0-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 0-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 1-11</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":["3697011"],"_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-6a96fecc602b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a sophomore, Thor made an immediate impact for Decatur last year. He has good size for his position, which makes him a versatile guard. Bryan is a pesky defender, constantly jumping in passing lanes and getting out in transition. Offensively, he uses that same size to be a real offensive threat. The junior has shown he's a good shooter and even flashed some efficiency from multiple feet back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Eureka Springs</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 9-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 3-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 7-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 2-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 1st Round of the District Tournament (Alpena)&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":["3690592"],"_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-6a96fecc602d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Korbyn is coming off a strong year where he was an all-state player for the Highlanders. As he enters his senior season, the expectation is that he will be even better than last. As a junior, Smith showed he can score at a high level from both the perimeter and when getting downhill. When attacking, Korbyn can be a hard player to stay in front of, using a lot of stutter steps and quick crossovers. Once getting to the rim, he has flashed an ability to finish with both hands. From behind the arc, Korbyn is a serious threat. He has a lot of confidence and isn't afraid to pull it up from anywhere. Whether it's coming off a screen or creating for himself, the guard is someone defenses have to hone in on at all times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Johnson Co. Westside</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 8-25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 4-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 4-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 3-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 1st Round of the State Tournament (Mt. Vernon-Enola)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After not having the regular season they wanted, Westside made a huge run to the state tournament. It will be exciting to see what they can do to follow up on last years post season success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Life Way Christian</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 15-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 6-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 6-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 7-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 1st Round of the State Tournament (England)&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":3755649,"_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-6a96fecc602fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going into his junior season, Melton is an intriguing prospect in the 2A-1 conference. At 6'2, he's a solid rebounder on both ends. He can fit multiple roles offensively, as he plays a lot in the high post and perimeter. In the high post is where Melton shows a high IQ, playing really well with teammates closer to the basket. He has good confidence in his jumper and has a pretty shot. This year should be another big year for the returning all-state selectee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mountainburg</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 22-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 7-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 15-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 6-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 1st Round of the State Tournament (Barton)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountainburg is losing almost all of their key players from last season. This doesn't mean it'll be a rebuild year for them, however. They have a strong 2028 class, who will be up to the challenge of stepping up and taking over big time rolls. Players such as Chase McClarty, Easton Overbey, and Nic Rodriguez will be guys to look out for this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ozark Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 20-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 7-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 13-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 7-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the 1st Round of the Regional Tournament (Johnson Co. Westside) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning starters Spencer Holmes and Whit Stacey are definite X-factors for Ozark this year. Holmes can really get it going from three, and Stacey is a do-it-all wing. I expect them to have big years for Ozark Catholic this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->