Arkansas high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/9/2024)
There were no shortage of memorable moments just a week into 2024.
Four Top-25 matchups went to overtime as North Little Rock survived archrival Conway in a Top 5 showdown and Greenwood escaped Russellville by a point. The 5A-East had two epic finishes as Marion outlasted West Memphis, and Greene County Tech edged Nettleton.
Overall, there were not many moves, which is expected in the early parts of the nonconference slate. A familiar name from Class 3A did enter the mix this week, claiming the 25th spot.
1. North Little Rock (17-2)
Last week: 1
Another instant classic in one of Arkansas' top rivalries, NLR survived No. 4 Conway 60-59 in overtime. The Lady Wampus Cats battled to force overtime, but the Lady Charging Wildcats were not going to be denied a W in the conference opener. NLR snapped a five-game losing streak to Conway and remains undefeated against in-state opponents.
2. Farmington (21-1)
Last week: 2
The Lady Cardinals took the court for the first time in a week on Friday and were given all they wanted by a very gritty, Top 20-ranked Gravette squad, but really got things clicking in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 63-43 win. They tip off this week at home against Shiloh Christian before traveling to Gentry on Friday.
3. Greenwood (12-3)
Last week: 3
Another heroic performance from Anna Trusty – who finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds to go with 4 assists, 4 steals and two blocks – pushed the Lady Bulldogs to victory with a winning layup in a too-close-for-comfort 71-70 overtime win over Russellville. That's now five straight wins for Greenwood.
4. Conway (12-6)
Last week: 4
It was mentioned last week that the Lady Wampus Cats took multiple steps forward in the Sandra Meadows Classic to close out 2023 and their performance against top-ranked arch rival North Little Rock was another example, despite a losing effort. They shot well late to force overtime, but NLR escaped with a one-point victory.
5. Fayetteville (11-6)
Last week: 5
Despite suffering a two-point loss to Springdale on Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs do have four Top-25 wins on their resume, including victories over No. 6 Cabot and No. 7 Fort Smith Northside. Two favorable matchups against Bentonville West and Fort Smith Southside are on the slate this week before a Jan. 16 showdown against No. 12 Har-Ber.
6. Cabot (18-2)
Last week: 6
A 30-point victory over Little Rock Southwest got 6A-Central play started off on the right foot for the Lady Panthers as they now prepare for a huge week. They'll hit the road twice, first against No. 4 Conway and then head to No. 9 Central on Friday.
7. Fort Smith Northside (14-3)
Last week: 7
After handling Rogers on the road 67-42 on Tuesday, the Lady Bears hardly gave an inch against Bentonville as they forced 19 turnovers in the 19-point triumph. They travel to Fort Smith Southside this week in their lone contest, before a big road matchup against No. 9 Springdale on Jan. 16.
8. Vilonia (11-5)
Last week: 8
After returning to 5A-Central play with a lopsided win over Mount St. Mary, the Lady Eagles had an even more dominating victory over Little Rock Christian, powered by sophomore Maddie Mannion's 60% shooting from long range. They host a sneaky Beebe squad on Tuesday, who has won seven of their past eight contests.
9. Springdale (14-2)
Last week: 18
There has already been plenty of proof that the Lady Bulldogs were out to make noise in Class 6A, and they notched a statement two-point win over No. 5 Fayetteville to put the win streak at seven games. Focus is an extra point of emphasis this week with matchups against Rogers Heritage and Bentonville before another Top 10 opportunity arrives on Jan. 16 against No. 7 Fort Smith Northside.
10. Little Rock Central (10-6)
Last week: 9
The Lady Tigers did not play last week. They host No. 23 Bryant on Tuesday and then No. 6 Cabot Friday.
11. Nashville (11-4)
Last week: 10
The Scrapperettes surpassed 65-plus points for the third consecutive game in their conference-opening win over Camden Fairview and then locked down Ashdown on Friday, holding the Lady Panthers to just 22 points. They hit the road twice this week with contests at Malvern and De Queen.
12. Har-Ber (11-5)
Last week: 12
Despite some frustrating moments, the Lady Wildcats prevailed against Rogers as this young squad was able to overcome adversity and notch their fourth consecutive win. Fantastic freshman Makenlie Campbell scored 27 points after putting up a 29 in Har-Ber's previous matchup against Russellville in the Hoops for Hunger Tournament finals.
13. West Memphis (10-6)
Last week: 13
It is always a show when West Memphis meets up with Marion and it was that way once again as the Lady Blue Devils pulled out a six-point win in overtime. That was West Memphis' fourth starlight victory over Marion dating back to the 2022 season.
14. Russellville (10-5)
Last week: 15
The Lady Cyclones showed signs of being a team to watch in Class 5A throughout non-conference play and their one-point overtime loss to No. 3 Greenwood in the 5A-West opener was just the latest example. Looking to break a two-game skid, Russellville starts the week at Greenbrier before hosting Alma on Friday.
15. Marion (8-6)
Last week: 14
A valiant effort was not quite enough to pull out the victory as the Lady Patriots failed to match scoring with arch rival West Memphis in an overtime loss to open up 5A-East play. They have dropped two of their past three contests against tough competition and there is no rest for the weary with two Top 25 matchups on the slate this week.
16. Searcy (13-3)
Last week: 16
A dominant win over Paragould to tip off 5A-East play put the Lady Lions' win streak at five and they have multiple immediate opportunities to keep climbing the ranks. They are on the road twice this week, first at No. 13 West Memphis before heading to No. 15 Marion on Friday, and then back at home against No. 21 Greene County Tech on Jan. 16.
17. Mountain Home (12-4)
Last week: 17
Highlighted by Laykin Moore's 5-for-6 shooting from long range, the Lady Bombers dominated Siloam Springs to start 1-0 in 5A-West play. With a new win streak started, they will host Harrison on Tuesday before hitting the road to Van Buren to close out the week.
18. Nettleton (14-3)
Last week: 11
For the first time this season, the Lady Raiders have dropped two consecutive contests following Friday night's eight-point overtime loss to Greene County Tech in the 5A-East opener. They have to re-group quick as a Tuesday road trip to No. 15 Marion tips off the week before Friday's home matchup against No. 13 West Memphis.
19. Lake Hamilton (13-6)
Last week: 20
After falling in a narrow loss to Class 6A Springdale to close out 2023, the Lady Wolves dipped back into 5A-South play and came out with a 30-point win over Hot Springs Lakeside. They are back at home on Friday against Benton for their lone game of the week.
20. Brookland (17-2)
Last week: 21
Following an 11-point win in a physical matchup with Highland, the Lady Bearcats thumped Southside (Batesville) to stay perfect in the 4A-3 standings (6-0) after returning to league play. They have a busy week that includes Pocahontas, Trumann and a Saturday matchup with Wynne.
21. Greene County Tech (13-5)
Last week: 25
Weslyn Burnside's three-pointer with 45 seconds left in regulation sent GCT's match with Nettleton into overtime and the Lady Eagles soared to a massive victory to start 5A-East play in the win column. They have won eight consecutive dating back to Dec. 9.
22. Gravette (13-5)
Last week: 19
Losses, especially back-to-back are never ideal, but the Lady Lions have to feel good about where they are. A four-point loss to Class 6A Bentonville to close out 2023 preceded a gusty performance against No. 2 Farmington that they were in until the fourth quarter. Expect them to get back on track against Prairie Grove on Friday.
23. Bryant (13-7)
Last week: 23
Senior guard Brilynn Findley drove the lane for a layup to seal the 44-42 win over Jonesboro and start 6A-Central play 1-0. Findley, a Delta State (Miss.) commit, finished just shy of a double-double with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. The Lady Hornets now have their focus set on Tuesday's contest against No. 9 Little Rock Central.
24. Morrilton (17-1)
Last week: 24
The Lady Devil Dogs pulled out wins over Clarksville and Waldron to put them at 6-0 in 4A-4 play. They are at home for both games this week, starting Tuesday against Dardanelle and Pottsville on Friday.
25. Bergman (25-2)
Last week: NR
The Lady Panthers claim the final spot in the Top 25, the first Class 3A squad to do so this season. Their only losses include No. 18 Nettleton and defending 5A Oklahoma state champion Sapulpa, while the Dec. 8 victory over No. 21 Greene County Tech looks really, really good following the Lady Eagles' overtime win over Nettleton last Friday.
Dropped out: Little Rock Christian (22)
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
