Conference 4A-1W 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-1W.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elkins&nbsp;</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 17-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 11-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 8-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 8-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the First Round of the Regional Tournament (Paris)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkins is coming off a year in 3A where they were one win away from the state tournament. Now jumping up to 4A, the competition will be better this year. They lose only one starter from last year's squad: star player Jackson Hallam. Elkins brings back 4 returning starters to build a veteran senior squad. Players such as Ki'Onte Martin, Luke Mangrum, Talon Martin, and Daniel Mashburn are expected to be the leaders of this team.</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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Luke Mangrum","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab5127eb8712"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Star lead guard Hallam graduating. Mangrum will more than likely step into the main scoring role for Elkins. Mangrum uses good movement pre-dribble, getting defenders to bite on hesitations and jab steps before attacking the rim.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3536534"],"_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-6ab5127eb880e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martin possesses some serious hops and is always a threat for a dunk in traffic. Even when in the dump-off spot, Martin has the athleticism to jump off two feet and finish above the rim. From the wing spot, Martin showed he can space the floor off the catch. As he continues to improve his shooting and shot-creating, Martin is primed for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gentry</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 1-24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 0-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 1-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 0-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gentry struggled mightily last season. It'll be interesting to see what progress this program can make over the next few years, headlined by a big sophomore class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Gravette</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 20-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 9-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 11-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 7-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the First Round of the Regional Tournament (Dardanelle)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though Gravette had multiple key players such as Elsea and Jeffries graduate. This could be another great year lined up behind a solid junior class. Hudson Harris is a big candidate for a breakout season. Joseph Beam and Cade Phillips should also be big contributors this season. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Huntsville&nbsp;</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 13-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 4-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 9-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 4-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the District Tournament</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the majority of Huntsville's impact players a season ago have moved on. In comes a new class and new leaders for Huntsville; this is led by the two returning starters, Jr. Mason McElhaney and Dylan Bolinger. &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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mason McElhaney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Huntsville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab5127eb892d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going into his junior season, Mason is still a raw prospect. He does have a high ceiling, though, and flashed a lot as a sophomore. Projecting more as a 3/4, McElhaney is a great defender who made an immediate impact for Huntsville last year. Most of his offensive impact came off the ball. As he continues to develop, it will be big for him to have the confidence and a more polished ability to attack the basket. He is a great cutter, seeming to always find the open spot. On these cuts is when the forward shows he can finish over bigger defenders around the paint. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pea Ridge</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 16-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 8-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 10-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 6-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the District Tournament (Gravette)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pea Ridge returns a lot of production from last year in Jackson, Puckett, and Boreani. I expect this program to take another jump this season, and their stars take another one as well. They have switchable size, making it hard for opponents to find a playstyle that could cause major issues.&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":["2824618"],"_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-6ab5127eb89c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson plays incredibly hard on both ends of the floor. With good size and intensity, he's a good overall defender who can guard multiple positions. He uses that same intensity on the boards, where Jackson rebounds very well for his position. Offensively, Demarcus showed last season he's an efficient shooter off the catch. In his junior season, he will show off more of his improved skill set for Pea Ridge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Prairie Grove</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025/2026 Recap - 2026/2027 Preview&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Record - 18-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Record - 9-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home Record - 9-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Away Record - 8-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season Finish - Lost in the First Round of the Regional Tournament (Pottsville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prairie Grove lost multiple key pieces from last year to graduation and transfers. That being said, they have an absolute superstar in Kellen Cash. Cash, being one of the best players in the state, opens up the floor for others to impact the game. Jaxon Murphy will be a player who is massive for them this year.&nbsp;<br></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>"Kellen Cash 6'4 point guard has been all-conference and all state the last 2 years and will be a senior this year. Jaxson Murphy 6'1 junior guard and Bently Smith a 6'0 guard started as well. Expect those 3 to be solid players."</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>"We should be a lot better on the defensive side of the ball compared to last year."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Player Breakdown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2389941"],"_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-6ab5127eb8a73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kellen is one of the best scorers in the state. At 6'4, he can score from anywhere on the court in a multitude of ways. With a score-first mentality, Kellen has a lot of confidence on the court. He's efficient at getting to his spots, using moves such as a post fadeaway, side steps, and step-backs. What makes him one of the best shooters in the state is his ability to knock it down off the dribble and when moving. He can fit multiple roles as well; Cash still impacts the game without the ball, constantly moving, looking for open shots. It's worth mentioning Cash was also an All-Defensive player for Prairie Grove last season. With his size, he can guard multiple positions without being at a disadvantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->