Arkansas high school boys basketball Class 5A preview
With a new season tipped off and going strong, SBLive is highlighting Arkansas high school basketball. Today, we feature eight teams to watch from the boys ranks of Class 5A. Over the coming weeks there will be features for each classification as well as player position lists.
Head over to the website for complete coverage and standings throughout the season. You can also listen to our weekly podcast, Arkansas Prep X-Tra, for even more in-depth coverage.
HARRISON GOBLINS
Head Coach: David Stahler
Conference: 5A-West
2022-23 Finish: 22-10, 5A state semifinalist
Notable Departures
Kason Hilligoss | all-conference, all-state
Blake Shrum | all-conference, all-state
Owen Styles | all-state tournament
Blaise Bonds
Players To Watch
G Cole Cecil 6-2 JR | all-conference
G Ryder Scribner 6-4 SO | all-conference, all-state
F Maddox Bell 6-4 JR
G Hayden Martin 6-2 JR
G Jackson Criner 6-2 JR
Outlook
After surpassing expectations outside of their area in 2022-23, the Goblins are on that mission again, but hope to get a step further. There were expected growing pains early on having lost Hilligoss, Shrum and Styles, but they have played really well lately, led by Cecil, Martin and Scribner, as the Goblins are currently on a six-game win streak with three games remaining in the final days of 2023 before conference play tips off.
Coach Said
"(We are) A team with a tremendous up side. We just have to get some guys to settle into their new roles."
- David Stahler
HOT SPRINGS TROJANS
Head Coach: Ant Lasker
Conference: 5A-South
2022-23 Finish: 20-9, 5A state quarterfinalist
Notable Departures
Nasir Hannah | all-conference
Derrick Hicks | all-conference
Dante Grayer
Devren Brown
Players To Watch
G/F Octavious Rhodes 6-5 SR | all-conference, all-state
G Tyrell Honey 6-3 SR | all-conference
F Kendall Williams 6-3 SR | all-conference
G Matt Contreras 5-11 SR
G Kyin Jamerson 6-2 SR
G Jaireyon Phillips 6-0 SR
Outlook
If there is any team in Class 5A over the past two years that has proven patience is a virtue, it is the Trojans. They have played their best basketball later in the season and won 12 of their final 15 games in 2022-23 before falling by two points in overtime to Harrison in the quarterfinals. Honey, Rhodes and Williams returning have kept Hot Springs afloat thus far and once everything gets clicking, as we have seen, this is a squad that should continue its annual improvement and take that next step into a deep tournament run.
Coach Said
"I think we are playing extremely hard, the guys are giving us everything they have on a game-to-game basis. I just think we are running into guys being put in some roles that they are not used to right now and it is a bit of an adjustment period because a lot of guys are being asked to do things that they have not been asked to do. We are just trying to figure it out and make sure we have all of the moving pieces in the right spots so we can continue to be productive."
- Ant Lasker
LAKE HAMILTON WOLVES
Head Coach: Scotty Pennington
Conference: 5A-South
2022-23 Finish: 27-5, 5A state runner-up
Notable Departures
Zac Pennington | Southern Arkansas University signee, all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament
Charter Harris | Arkansas Tech University signee, all-conference
Players To Watch
G/F Ty Robinson 6-4 SR | Florida Atlantic University commit, all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament
P Cooper Kindt 6-4 SR
G LaBraun Christon 6-1 JR | all-conference
G Zane Pennington JR | all-conference
G Aaron Abernathy 6-1 JR
F Jerome Johnson 6-0 SR
Outlook
Scotty Pennington knew he had a really good squad last year, but felt the Wolves were a year ahead of schedule once they finished as the 5A runner-up. While injuries have forced the Wolves to make some adjustments, Lake Hamilton and the rest of the state are looking at them again as one of the favorites. Robinson is in the conversation as the best player in the 2024 class with the ability to essentially play anywhere on the floor, while Abernathy, Christon and Zane Pennington have been other top contributors in the backcourt, while Kindt is very underrated in the paint.
Coach Said
"We knew last year could be special, but this group was undefeated in junior high and always been our best class. Unfortunately, we have had some injuries and right now we still have the expectation of being competitive and make a run like we did last year, but we are having to develop some guys in new roles that originally was not the plan. So far, they are doing that. We feel like we are bigger and more physical than last year, as well as better defensively."
- Scotty Pennington
MARION PATRIOTS
Head Coach: Emmanuel Wade
Conference: 5A-East
2022-23 Finish: 24-7, 5A state quarterfinalist
Notable Departures
Donnie Cheers | Southeast Missouri State football signee, all-conference, all-state
Martavius Davis
Players To Watch
G Lyndell Buckingham 6-3 JR | all-conference
G Jalen White 6-6 SR | all-conference
F David Brewer 6-6 SR
G Mikell Lewis 6-4 JR
G/F LaDaryl Robinson 6-7 SO
G Kayden Nesbitt 6-3 SR
Outlook
The most shocking immediate news of the 2023-24 season came from the Patriots, really before the official start, as head coach David Clark left "to pursue other opportunities" a few days before the season opener against Bentonville after winning 108 games with the program. However, Marion is in great hands under Wade, who won a 2A state championship with Marianna in 2021 and was the lead assistant under clark before taking over. Luckily for Wade, he has just about everyone back from an adverse 2022-23, with all-conference performers Buckingham and White, along with senior leader Nesbitt and stellar sophomore Robinson in the backcourt, while Brewer is a force in the middle.
Coach Said
"I think we have a really good chance to play well down the stretch and into the playoffs. We are still working through some kinks right now, but that just comes with the territory of the moment. We have a really big upside as a program with this group and have made a lot of progress in a short span. There is a really good shot of us winning the conference, but also making a strong push in the state tournament."
- Emmanuel Wade
MAUMELLE HORNETS
Head Coach: Michael Shook
Conference: 5A-Central
2022-23 Finish: 19-12, 5A state quarterfinalist
Notable Departures
Addison Shelton | Hendrix College signee, all-conference, all-state tournament
Players To Watch
G/F Markalon Rochell 6-5 JR | all-conference, all-state
G Jacob Lanier 6-6 SO | all-conference, all-state
F Jordan Harris 6-7 SO | all-conference
G Jonathan Frost 5-11 JR
F Joseph Mason 6-4 JR
G Branden Johnson 5-9 SO
G Elijah Newell 6-0 SR
G Darren Fleming 6-1 SR
P Malik McGuire 6-7 JR
Outlook
The loss of Shelton as the senior floor general has been felt thus far at times, but, like last season during the first half of the year, the Hornets have the pieces and are just waiting to see where each one fits. The trio of Harris, Lanier and Rochell is as good as any in Arkansas, while Little Rock Central transfer Fleming and fresh Texas – San Antonio football signee Newell is another senior who will factor into the mix. Johnson is an underclassmen to watch, along with the lengthy McGuire and Frost.
Coach Said
"In the offseason we have really put a focus on the weight room. We are stronger, faster, more explosive, quicker and will be more physical. We also have been playing well together. We have also put an emphasis on shooting to have more guys be able to help spread the floor and open up driving lanes and post up opportunities. The preseason has not provided a full picture because we had six guys in football this year. So the non-conference games will be a process of figuring out the rotations and roles for each guy. We should look a lot different by conference play."
- Michael Shook
PINE BLUFF ZEBRAS
Head Coach: Billy Dixon
Conference: 5A-South
2022-23 Finish: 25-7, 5A state champions
Notable Departures
X'zaevion Barnett | Bossier Parish (La.) Community College signee, all-conference, all-state tournament
Jordon Harris | University of Missouri football signee, all-conference, all-state. all-state tournament
Jabbar Spellman
Players To Watch
G Courtney Crutchfield 6-3 SR | University of Missouri football signee, all-conference, all-state, 5A state tournament MVP Missouri football signee
G Braylen Hall 5-11 SR | all-conference
G Kaden Higgins 5-11 SR
G Omar Covington 6-3 SR
F Randy Emerson 6-5 SR
G Deriyon Graydon 6-6 JR
Outlook
Between hosting the 5A state tournament at the Pine Bluff Convention Center and eventually winning the program's first state championship since 2015, an adverse 2022-23 was all worth it in the end for the Z's. The loss of Barnett, Harris and Spellman have been evident, but Dixon feels confident that everything can really get rolling in the back half with the entire roster now with the team. Missouri football signee and defending 5A state tournament MVP Crutchfield looks to lead this group to back-to-back state titles before embarking on his football career in the SEC.
Coach Said
"At this point we finally have our whole team in the gym, so that is a positive for us. The negative is that we do have some new additions to the team, so it is still an adjustment for them. Right now, we are just not consistent. We are still teaching and the frustration is having some guys who know what to do and others trying to figure it out. We have not played close to the expectation yet, so hopefully the guys can start coming together and gelling, as well as understand what we do."
- Billy Dixon
VAN BUREN POINTERS
Head Coach: Brad Autry
Conference: 5A-West
2022-23 Finish: 18-13
Notable Departures
Malachi Henry | University of Central Arkansas football signee
Conner Myers | all-conference
Players To Watch
F Glavine McDonald 6-3 SR | all-conference
G Drew Brasuell 6-2 SR | all-conference
F Jaxon Cazzell 6-3 SR | all-conference
G Trenton Cooley 6-0 JR
G/F A.G. Denton 6-2 JR
F Weston Wilcox 6-2 SO
F Elijah Johnson 6-3 JR
Outlook
There has been plenty to figure out for the Pointers during non-conference play, but with a couple of games remaining before the West slate begins in January they are in good position with three of their four losses coming to higher classifications. They recently won the Mustang Classic Championship in Missouri, while their main trio of Brasuell, Cazzell and McDonald were each named to the All-Tournament team. The West expects to be a much-improved conference this year, with the Pointers being a squad expecting to make big strides.
Coach Said
"The three keys for us are shooting the ball well on a nightly basis, being able to finish stops defensively by limiting teams to one shot and developing some depth. We have three guys back who have played a lot of varsity basketball the last two years. We are fairly inexperienced behind those guys, but have some talented guys that need to be ready to contribute at the varsity level."
- Brad Autry
VILONIA EAGLES
Head Coach: Troy Campbell
Conference: 5A-Central
2022-23 Finish: 22-9, 5A first round
Notable Departures
Jones White | Lyon College signee, all-conference, all-state
Players To Watch
F Dashun Spence 6-6 SR | all-conference, all-state
G Josh Lawrence 6-0 SR | all-conference, all-state
F Ethan Dietz 6-7 SR | all-conference
G/F Lane Turner 6-5 JR
G Kade Keller 6-0 JR
Outlook
The Eagles had a strong feeling they would benefit from three of their top four players returning in Dietz, Lawrence and Spence, while also having gained some quality additions. They made sure to challenge themselves this season and have mostly held their own. Vilonia notched a crucial conference victory over Maumelle on Dec. 15, while their losses include 4A contender Farmington as well as Class 6A contenders Bryant, Central and Fayetteville. The Eagles head into 2024 with a 9-4 record.
Coach Said
"I hope we can compete for the 5A-Central Conference Championship and make a deep run in the state tournament. We return a lot of experience, so we hope that will benefit us this season."
- Troy Campbell
OTHERS TO WATCH: Greene County Tech, Nettleton, Russellville
-- Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
