4A-3 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 4A-3.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Blytheville</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 9-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 18-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 9-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the Second Round of the State Tournament (Mills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blytheville is losing almost all of its starting production from last season. Trey Orr is the only key piece returning and is primed to take on a bigger role. Alongside Orr, transfers Jatzen Williams and Aveon Miles will be immediate impact players. What may be the most exciting part of this squad is a star-studded sophomore class. Blytheville has reloaded and is ready for another conference championship run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Q/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who are one or two guys that will be x-factors this year for your squad?</strong> - <em>"Brand new team, looking to be more well rounded. [player_tooltip player_id='2864631' first='Marcus' last='Anderson'] transfers in from Gosnell and bring Senior leadership at the point guard position with State tournament experience. Super sophomores 6'3" Guard KeAndre Fuller and 6'4" wing [player_tooltip player_id='2888433' first='Darius' last='Lawson'] look to make a name for themselves at the varsity level. Senior Guard Trey Orr is the only returner from last years team and transfers  6'4" Jazten Williams and 6'4" Aveon Miles brings a lot of athleticism to the unit."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Going into the new season, what areas has this team made the most improvements in?</strong> - <em>"Like I said a brand new team- so it isn't as much about building from last year but building from scratch. Continuing to build chemistry is currently and the forefront and trying to evaluate what we have so we can put everyone in a position to be successful."</em><br><br><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2864631"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aad67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior Gosnell transfer brings experience and maturity at point guard for Blytheville. He has a high IQ for the game, showing he can control an offense and make the right decisions. From a scoring perspective, Marcus has good shot confidence. Progression in attacking the basket and from behind the arc will be a game changer for the guard. Defensively, Anderson makes an even bigger impact. The guard is a physical defender, using his lower body strength and IQ to control opponents' direction. He has active hands and disrupts passing lanes regularly. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Brookland</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 27-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 9-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 18-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 8-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the Second Round of the State Tournament (Hall)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a second-round state tournament loss, Brookland should be in contention for a state championship again. Returnees [player_tooltip player_id='2382012' first='Sawyer' last='Wright'], [player_tooltip player_id='2847858' first='Cooper' last='Davis'], and Pierce make a dangerous trio. New addition [player_tooltip player_id='2382017' first='Eli' last='Craig'] is also a big player to watch for Brookland this season  </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":["2382012"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aadd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing alongside a super-talented point guard last season, Wright showed a lot of skill off the ball. He's a major threat from three, hitting at a high clip off the catch. As the likely main ball-dominant guard this year, Wright will be able to show his playmaking skills more consistently. He's more than just a shooter; Wright is a crafty finisher with both hands, using euro steps and floaters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2847858"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aae27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming off a big summer, Davis looks to have polished his game even more. As a sophomore, he showed a wide display of skill on both ends of the court. The athletic wing plays harder than anyone on the court. He uses hustle and athleticism on the defensive side. Whether that's trying to block every shot or jumping in passing lanes, Davis seems to always be in the way of an opposing player's opportunities. What really opens up his game is his ability to stretch the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gosnell</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 18-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 5-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 11-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 6-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the First Round of the State Tournament (Shiloh Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing just over .500 last season, Gosnell brings back three starters. A younger group last year, they will have more key experience and time playing together. It will be exciting to see who steps up for Gosnell this upcoming season. </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":["2418859"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aae73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grant is one of the most underrated players in all of 4A. He has a strong work ethic, rebounds well for his position, and has so little trouble battling bigger bodies down low. He's also a very talented scorer. With a very pretty set shot, Glintborg is a highly effective shooter, being able to shoot off the catch and with pull-ups off the dribble. As a junior, Grant was mainly in an off-the-ball role offensively. Without the ball, he's a great cutter and even sets up in the dump-off spot on occasion. Around the basket, he makes up for his height with an effective pump fake, getting defenders to jump before attacking. Grant is a very talented scorer, and he will get more on-ball action in his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pocahontas</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 14-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 2-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 10-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 4-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the First Round of Regionals (Forrest City)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pocahontas will look for less of a roller coaster behind a more veteran group. [player_tooltip player_id='2382015' first='Noah' last='Baltz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2987108' first='Jared' last='Mitchell'] are both All-State-caliber leaders. If one or two other players can emerge, Pocahontas could leap this season. </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":["2987108"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aaebd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell produced at a high level both ways in his junior season. At 6'4 he plays multiple positions on the court and can fit almost any role asked of him. He rebounds at a high rate, seeming to get his hands on every ball, even if that means not coming up with it. Mitchell even slides down to protect the rim. He has great versatility defensively for Pocahontas. Able to stretch the floor, Jared is dominant at attacking the basket. Mainly from the wing, the forward uses jab steps to get to the second layer of the defense. Mitchell is almost unstoppable around the rim, finishing through contact regularly and showing great touch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Trumann</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 11-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 4-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 7-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 3-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Westside (Jonesboro)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 13-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 4-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 10-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 3-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the District Tournament (Pocahontas)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2955095' first='Dalton' last='Neely'] pairs up with [player_tooltip player_id='2747160' first='Micah' last='Dew'] to make a potentially dangerous duo for Westside. Dew has a very high ceiling and will almost certainly take another jump. </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":["2955095"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac3ce35aaf06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Neely has transferred to Westside for his final season of high school. At Hoxie, he showed he could impact the game in many ways. Offensively, he averaged 14 points per game in his junior season. Neely has a good-looking set shot, and even showed some range with it. With Westside, opportunities to create his own shot should open up even more than last year, when he flashed plenty of skill in doing so. On the other side of the ball, he's a coach's dream defender. He's a pesky player who constantly makes life difficult for opponents.  One of the best parts of his game is that Neely always takes charges and dives on the floor. It'll be exciting to see what level his game takes on now that he's playing with Westside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->