Class 5A Arkansas high school boys basketball preview

With the beginning of a brand new season, SBLive is previewing Arkansas highschool basketball. Right this moment, we characteristic eight groups to observe from the boys ranks of Class 5A. Over the approaching weeks there will probably be options for every classification in addition to participant place lists.

Head over to the web site for full protection and standings all through the season. You may also take heed to our weekly podcast, Arkansas Prep X-Tra, for much more in-depth protection. 

BENTON PANTHERS

Head Coach: Dexter Hendrix

Convention: 5A-South

2021-22 End: 11-14

Notable Departures

Jack Ginther

Cam Harris | all-state

Gamers To Watch

G/F Jonathan Bell 6-3 SR

F Terrion Burgess 6-10 SO

G Carter Hedden 6-5 JR

G/F Tyre Jemerson 5-11 SR

G/F Kyle Payne 6-3 SR

Outlook

Benton handled its justifiable share of struggles a 12 months in the past however has the potential to be one of many extra improved groups in Class 5A beginning with a bunch of high quality senior expertise returning in Bell, Jamerson, and Payne, however the addition of Burgess – the Seventeenth-ranked participant within the Class of 2025 per 247 Sports activities – offers them a right away enhance within the paint.

Coach Stated

“We nonetheless have a number of query marks in lots of areas that we as a training employees are curious to see the way it will work out. I believe the largest factor we are attempting to evangelise to our guys is we could be actually good defensively. I believe our power will probably be out in transition. We’ve got a number of guys which might be good at attending to the rim and ending. I actually like our guys and the progress they’ve made, however we perceive there’s a lengthy technique to go. The crew chemistry is without doubt one of the greatest I’ve coached.”

-Dexter Hendrix

LAKE HAMILTON WOLVES

Head Coach: Scotty Pennington

Convention: 5A-South

2021-22 End: 25-7 , 5A state semifinalist

Notable Departures

Chase Jessup

Cade Robinson

Demetrius Sharp | all-state, all-state match

Gamers To Watch

G LaBraun Christon 6-0 SO

F Constitution Harris 6-5 SR

G Easton Hurley 5-10 JR

G Zac Pennington 6-0 SR | all-state, Southern Arkansas commit

G Zane Pennington 6-2 SO

G Ty Robinson 6-4 JR | all-state

Outlook

The Wolves competed in one of many extra thrilling video games in state historical past defeating Parkview within the quarterfinals earlier than ending within the Ultimate 4. Many return off of final 12 months’s crew led by SAU signee Zac Pennington and rising junior Robinson, who has acquired a number of Division I curiosity. Scotty Pennington talked about “this is without doubt one of the most proficient groups we now have had right here at Lake Hamilton.”

Coach Stated

“Our strengths are our crew IQ, guard play, and skill to shoot the basketball. We’ve got labored extraordinarily onerous on the defensive facet of the ball after dropping two of our greatest defenders. If we keep wholesome this crew has the potential to make a deep run and be one of many higher Lake Hamilton groups in current historical past.”

-Scotty Pennington

MARION PATRIOTS

Head Coach: David Clark

Convention: 5A-East

2021-22 End: 25-8, 5A state runner-up

Notable Departures

Jayden Forrest | Accelerated Prep enrollee

Ryan Forrest | Hyperlink 12 months Prep enrollee

Amarion Jefferson | Arkansas Mid-South signee

Darrion Love

Dante Moore

Zion Parnell

Gamers To Watch

G Lyndell Buckingham 6-1 SO

G/F Donnie Cheers 6-2 SR

G/F Martavius Davis 6-2 SR

F Mikell Lewis 6-4 SO

F Kayden Nesbitt 6-2 JR

F Jalen White 6-6 JR

G/F Anthony Wilson 6-0 SO

Outlook

With so many younger gamers anticipated to play key roles, David Clark will let you know that he’s unsure how he expects the season to go – however he is aware of there may be limitless potential. The Forrest cousins have moved on to prep faculties and 2025 5-star prospect Terrion Burgess transferred to Benton however Clark has zero doubt that if the crew gels because it ought to then the Patriots anticipate to compete for the final word prize after a runner-up end final season.

Coach Stated

“Our children need to develop up quick and in the event that they do this we will compete for the state championship. I’m actually excessive on our sophomores and the group that we now have coming from junior excessive. They’ve labored onerous within the offseason to get stronger, higher, and quicker. I simply cannot wait to see them hit the ground to see what they will do.”

-David Clark

MAUMELLE HORNETS

Head Coach: Michael Shook

Convention: 5A-Central

2021-22 End: 23-5, 5A first spherical

Notable Departures

Carl Daughtery Jr. | all-state, Central Arkansas signee

Nico Davillier

Colby Garland | all-state, Hyperlink 12 months Prep enrollee

Jamaal Summons

Kaleb Thurman | all-state match, Independence Group Faculty signee

Riley Wade

Dexter White

Gamers To Watch

F Jordan Harris 6-7 FR

G Brandon Johnson 5-9 FR

G Jacob Lanier 6-5 FR

G Elijah Newell 5-11 JR

F Markalon Rochell 6-5 SO

G Addison Shelton 6-0 SR

Outlook

The Hornets had a a lot faster exit within the state match than anticipated towards Vilonia, nevertheless they didn’t have many alternatives to own the ball. This season’s addition of Shelton will present senior expertise, however the future – presumably fast future – is extraordinarily vivid with ultra-talented underclassmen in Rochell, Harris, Johnson, and Lanier.

Coach Stated

“We solely have one participant with any important varsity taking part in time and we’re actually younger relying on three freshmen and a sophomore. We’ve got a proficient younger group that will probably be profitable as soon as they modify to the velocity and physicality of varsity video games.”

-Michael Shook

PARKVIEW PATRIOTS

Head Coach: Scotty Thurman

Convention: 5A-Central

2021-22 End: 24-4, 5A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Jeff Kamanga | all-state match, Hendrix signee

Darius Miller

JK Sanders | Eastfield Dallas Faculty signee

Cam Wallace | all-state, Central Arkansas signee

Gamers To Watch

F Carson Backus 5-10 JR

G Nate Coley 5-10 SR | all-state

G Drake Marbley 5-9 SO

G/F Jaden Miller 6-2 JR

F Christian Sanson 6-10 SR

G/F Dallas Thomas 6-9 JR

Outlook

The Patriots have been on the powerful finish of a historic five-overtime recreation within the state match that put an finish to their season, however the largely new-look Patriots are re-energized and know the expectation each season is to compete for a state championship. Thomas, who’s ranked the 57th-best participant within the 2024 class per 247 Sports activities, has as excessive of a ceiling as any in Arkansas, whereas proficient guard and senior chief Coley quietly had an impressive junior season.

Coach Stated

“I’ve actually seen a number of crew camaraderie with these guys. Final 12 months we had 5 seniors and I believe among the youthful guys didn’t essentially really feel snug attempting to be leaders, however now I believe they’ve discovered they need to do it by committee, so I’m seeing this crew develop collectively. We went to some crew camps this summer season, so I believe we now have had a number of time to bond which I’ve seen early on. I’m actually excited to see guys embrace new roles. We’ve got some guys who don’t fairly know but what they’re going to do in a varsity recreation that I’m excited for them to get the chance. I actually really feel like this crew could be good down the stretch regardless that we’re considerably inexperienced.”

-Scotty Thurman

PINE BLUFF ZEBRAS

Head Coach: Billy Dixon

Convention: 5A-South

2021-22 End: 21-8, 5A state semifinalist

Notable Departures

Troy’reon Ramos | all-state, all-state match, Arkansas Baptist signee

Jalen Tatum | Holmes Group Faculty

Gamers To Watch

G X’zaevion Barnett 6-2 SR

G Courtney Crutchfield 6-3 JR | all-state

G Austyn Dendy 6-1 JR

F Deriyon Graydon 6-5 SO

PG Braylen Corridor 5-11 JR

F Jordon Harris 6-6 SR | all-state

F Jabar Spellman 6-2 SR

Outlook

It took till convention play for the Zebras to get rolling final 12 months after which received 15 of their last 17 video games to complete within the Ultimate 4, falling to eventual state champion Jonesboro. It could possibly be an analogous case this 12 months with many contributors getting a late begin having performed soccer, together with some inexperience.

Coach Stated

“Going into the 12 months, it will be important for us to develop a few of these guys which have the power and physicality to play on this degree, they only don’t have the expertise. Our expectations are excessive. We anticipate to have a profitable 12 months and actually assume we now have the items and what it takes to be able to exit and compete at a excessive degree. We don’t take something with no consideration, nothing goes to be given. Most individuals play their greatest recreation once they come after us anyway as a result of we’re lucky that it nonetheless means one thing to be Pine Bluff so we all know we now have to play when that point comes.”

-Billy Dixon

RUSSELLVILLE CYCLONES

Head Coach: Trent Morgan

Convention: 5A-West

2021-22 End: 22-7, 5A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Donyae Could | all-state, all-state match, Connors State signee

Grayson Sims | all-state

Gamers To Watch

P Jayden Berry 6-6 SR

F Caleb Carter 6-3 SR

G Amare Ellis 6-3 SR

F Cam Frazier 6-4 JR

F Akeilius Patterson 6-4 JR

G/F Dawson Shafer 6-3 SR

Outlook

Established head coach Trent Morgan, who helped construct a state championship program at England, takes over a Russellville squad that was left in nice palms coming off of four-consecutive 5A-West championships. The duty for Morgan is to get the Cyclones over the hump within the state match and regardless of the lack of Could and Sims, he’s assured they need to nonetheless be within the combine.

Coach Stated

“Our children anticipate to be within the combine for the 5A-West convention championship regardless that we solely have one starter coming back from final 12 months’s crew. I used to be employed in April, and I did not assume these guys have been powerful sufficient to win at a excessive degree. We’ve got labored diligently to instill some toughness in these guys, and so they have responded.”

-Trent Morgan

SYLVAN HILLS BEARS

Head Coach: Kevin Davis

Convention: 5A-Central

2021-22 End: 15-12, 5A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Trey Tippin | all-state match, Central Baptist Faculty signee

Shamar Womack | Virginia College of Lynchburg signee

Gamers To Watch

G DeCarter Coleman 5-10 SR

G/F James Deloach 6-5 JR

G Princeton “ PJ” Davis 5-11 SO

G Deryeus Fowlkes 5-8 FR

G Jonathon Van Buren 6-2 FR

F Javarus Ware 6-10 SR

Outlook

This Bears squad has the potential to be one in all their greatest groups in current reminiscence if all of it comes collectively. The size of Ware and Deloach within the paint ought to give opponents’ suits, together with the expertise and depth on the guard positions. If this group comes collectively prefer it ought to, the sky is the restrict.

Coach Stated

“It’s going to be a younger crew and we’re going to be relying on freshmen and sophomores fairly closely. I believe that’s going to be the secret is how shortly these younger guys develop up, however they’re a proficient group of youngsters. We may definitely assist ourselves by these guys doing a little issues early so far as development since sometimes there may be an adjustment interval. The faster our guys can reply to that’s going to pay enormous dividends for us.”

-Kevin Davis