Arkansas high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/16/2024)
Weather has already had an impact on the schedule as multiple games were canceled or postponed, and more expect to be on the way this week. Stay tuned to SBLive Arkansas as we will provide updates regarding schedule changes.
Multiple squads played only one game last week, mainly because of the inclement weather. With that, there was not much movement, excluding a familiar 6A-West squad making its way in the mix for the first time in 2023-24.
If weather does permit, the Top 25 could look a whole lot different next week, with many ranked conference showdowns on the slate.
1. North Little Rock (18-2)
Last week: 1
A week removed from a thrilling finish against No. 4 Conway, the Lady Charging Wildcats handled Jonesboro on Friday in their only game of the week. They complete a three-game homestand Tuesday against No. 9 Central.
2. Farmington (23-1)
Last week: 2
Same song, different verse for the defending 4A state champions. The Lady Cardinals one again swept their two conference games in dominating fashion over Shiloh Christian and Gentry.
3. Greenwood (13-3)
Last week: 3
Russellville gave the Lady Bulldogs all they wanted last week and Greenwood was not about to allow it again. They handled Van Buren on Tuesday before their Friday contest against Harrison was pushed back to Jan. 30 due to inclement weather concerns.
4. Conway (13-6)
Last week: 4
Up against a gritty sixth-ranked Cabot squad in their lone game of the week, the Lady Wampus 'Cats came through with a 13-point victory. A road trip to Little Rock Southwest gets the week started, followed by a Top 10 matchup at home against Little Rock Central.
5. Fayetteville (13-6)
Last week: 5
As expected, the Lady Purple Dogs had no problem with Bentonville West and Fort Smith Southside. A big-time matchup looms at home against No. 11 Har-Ber on Tuesday.
6. Cabot (19-3)
Last week: 6
The week started with a tough loss on the road against No. 4 Conway, but ended much better as the Lady Panthers went back on the road to Little Rock Central and left with a Top 10 victory.
7. Fort Smith Northside (15-3)
Last week: 7
Fresh off convincing victories over Rogers and Bentonville, the Lady Bears throttled Fort Smith Southside last week to win their third straight. They travel to No. 12 Springdale on Tuesday for a highly anticipated matchup.
8. Vilonia (12-5)
Last week: 8
After hardly breaking a sweat against Beebe, the Lady Eagles have favorable matchups for the foreseeable future as eStem and Sylvan Hills are next up on the schedule.
9. Little Rock Central (11-7)
Last week: 10
A 40-point win over Bryant preceded a close loss to No. 6 Cabot at home. There is not a single doubt the Lady Tigers are clawing to get back on the floor with road matchups against top-ranked North Little Rock and No. 4 Conway this week.
10. Nashville (13-4)
Last week: 11
Following dominant victories over Malvern and De Queen, the Scrapperettes travel to Arkadelphia on Friday in their only game of the week after Tuesday's contest with Hope were postponed. As if they weren't dangerous enough already, this group expects to be fully healthy by the end of the month.
11. Har-Ber (13-5)
Last week: 12
Following a a close win over Bentonville and a tune-up against Bentonville West, the Lady Wildcats are laser-focused with crucial 6A-West matchups at No. 5 Fayetteville and then back at home against No. 12 Springdale.
12. Springdale (15-3)
Last week: 9
The Lady Bulldogs split last week's games, starting with a convincing win over Rogers Heritage before falling to Bentonville on the road. With plenty still in front, they have two massive opportunities against No. 7 Fort Smith Northside and No. 11 Har-Ber this week.
13. Nettleton (15-4)
Last week: 18
While the Lady Raiders did suffer their third consecutive loss in overtime against Marion on Tuesday, they responded with a Top 15 home victory over West Memphis. They are on the road for both games this week against Paragould and Batesville.
14. Russellville (12-5)
Last week: 14
The Lady Cyclones had a short memory following the heartbreaking one-point loss to No. 3 Greenwood, as they took out their frustrations on Greenbrier and Alma. They take on No. 17 Mountain Home to get the week started.
15. West Memphis (11-7)
Last week: 13
After escaping with a four-point win over Searcy to tip the week off, the Lady Blue Devils lost their first 5A-East game since February of 2022 in a 10-point loss to Nettleton. Bounce-back opportunities against Valley View and Paragould are up for grabs this week.
16. Searcy (14-4)
Last week: 16
The Lady Lions needed a strong response following a four-point loss to West Memphis, and they got it with a Top 25 road win over Marion which put them in a three-way tie for second place in the 5A-East. Their initial Tuesday game against No. 20 Greene County Tech was rescheduled to Jan. 30.
17. Mountain Home (14-4)
Last week: 17
Wins over Harrison and Van Buren put the Lady Bombers at 3-0 to start 5A-West play. They head down to No. 14 Russellville on Tuesday looking to steal one on the road and remain within reach of the league's top spot.
18. Marion (9-7)
Last week: 15
Tuesday's overtime win over Nettleton is the only thing currently standing between the Lady Patriots and a four-game skid. They look to bounce back against Batesville Tuesday, then notch a Top 25 road victory over No. 20 Greene County Tech Friday.
19. Brookland (20-2)
Last week: 20
Wynne nearly handed the Lady Bearcats their first lost in 4A-3 play, but Evan Polsgrove's shot with six seconds remaining saved the day. Brookland is now 9-0 against league opponents with Blytheville and Forrest City up this week.
20. Greene County Tech (15-5)
Last week: 21
Following wins over Batesville and Valley View, the Lady Eagles now stand alone at the top of the 5A-East standings. Tuesday's game against No. 16 Searcy was pushed back to Jan. 30, but they do get a shot at No. 18 Marion on Friday.
21. Bentonville (9-10)
Last week: NR
The Lady Tigers are yet another squad who had a rough go against a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule, but their perseverance finally paid off in a win over Springdale. After losing six consecutive games in December, Bentonville has won six of its past eight contests.
22. Gravette (14-5)
Last week: 22
After their game with Prairie Grove was cancelled, the Lady Lions were able to squeeze the matchup with Berryville in on Saturday in a 22-point victory. The win snapped a two-game skid following losses to Class 6A Bentonville and No. 2 Farmington.
23. Morrilton (19-1)
Last week: 24
The Lady Devil Dogs added two more victories to the long streak over Dardanelle and Pottsville, both at home, and weather permitting will travel to Clarksville and Fountain Lake this week.
24. Bergman (27-2)
Last week: 25
The Lady Panthers will be back at home against Flippin on Tuesday following convincing road wins over West Fork and Valley Springs. They remain undefeated against Class 3A competition and have won 10 straight.
25. Lake Hamilton (13-7)
Last week: 19
The Lady Wolves came up short in a tight 5A-South contest against a Benton squad that was due for a big victory. They look to get back on track in road contests against El Dorado and White Hall this week.
Dropped out: Bryant (23)
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
