Arkansas high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/22/2024)
It was all but guaranteed Mother Nature would halt most games statewide early in the week, but she decided to hang around longer than expected.
Some were able to complete multiple contests, but most squads squeezed only one in, while others did not play at all.
The most noteworthy news is a fresh No. 1 team for the third time in the past three weeks. Har-Ber moved up to the top spot last week after Bryant beat Little Rock Central on the road. Fayetteville seized its opportunity against the Wildcats on Saturday and has full intention of remaining there.
1. Fayetteville (19-2)
Last week: 4
The memorable overall sports year lives on for the Purple Dogs, who took down previously top-ranked Har-Ber on Saturday. The victory keeps Fayetteville's unblemished record against in-state opponents in-tact and the Purple Dogs now have sole possession of first place in the 6A-West.
2. Bryant (19-2)
Last week: 2
Did not play. The Hornets have a big one at home Tuesday against No. 9 North Little Rock before a Friday road trip to Conway.
3. Little Rock Central (17-4)
Last week: 3
Handled Conway on the road in the lone game of the week. The Tigers host Little Rock Southwest Tuesday before heading up to No. 12 Jonesboro to finish the week.
4. Har-Ber (18-2)
Last week: 1
They may have stubbed their toe against Fayetteville on the road, but everything is still right in front of the Wildcats who now sit a game behind the Purple Dogs for second place in the 6A-West standings.
5. Benton (16-4)
Last week: 5
Did not play. The Panthers make the short trip to Hot Springs Lakeside for a makeup game on Wednesday before coming back home against El Dorado to finish the week.
6. Marion (10-2)
Last week: 6
Did not play. The Patriots have a busy week that features a home game with Paragould to tip the week off, before heading to Greene County Tech and Valley View.
7. Little Rock Christian (15-6)
Last week: 7
If you thought the Warriors had dominated 4A-5 competition up to this point, they were not touched against Heber Springs in a 77-18 rout. They face Clinton and Joe T. Robinson this week.
8. Pine Bluff (12-4)
Last week: 8
Did not play. A loaded week tips off at No. 11 Lake Hamilton, a rematch of last year's 5A state finals. The Z's also defeated the Wolves 65-50 back in early December.
9. North Little Rock (13-4)
Last week: 9
Did not play. The Charging Wildcats hit the road for both games this week, first in a huge matchup against No. 2 Bryant on Tuesday, followed by a Friday contest at Cabot.
10. Farmington (21-2)
Last week: 10
The entire state of Arkansas experienced arctic temperatures all week, but the Cardinals remained hot in their 45-point triumph over Prairie Grove. They take on Huntsville, Berryville and Pea Ridge this week.
11. Lake Hamilton (15-5)
Last week: 11
Did not play. The Wolves are back on the court for a big one at home against No. 8 Pine Bluff on Tuesday, whom they have not beaten in almost two years.
12. Jonesboro (10-8)
Last week: 12
Did not play. They return to the floor with both games this week against Conway and No. 3 Little Rock Central at home.
13. Vilonia (13-5)
Last week: 15
Did not play. This week's slate feature matchups against Parkview, Sylvan Hills and Maumelle.
14. Russellville (18-2)
Last week: 17
After being hardly challenged by Siloam Springs, the Cyclones have three key matchups to close out January. It starts with a Harrison squad that is in dire need of a win on Tuesday and ends with a road trip to No. 24 Van Buren Friday.
15. Springdale (11-9)
Last week: 14
Springdale pummeled Fort Smith Northside to start the week, but were not able to keep pace against former Red Dog Courtland Muldrew and Har-Ber on Friday. They have a great opportunity to win back-to-back contests for the first time in 2024 this week against No. 23 Rogers and Rogers Heritage this week.
16. Maumelle (10-8)
Last week: 16
Did not play. Maumelle is back at the Hornet's Nest on Wednesday against Catholic before hitting the road to No. 13 Vilonia Friday.
17. Mountain Home (15-5)
Last week: 18
A bounceback victory in a 30-point rout of Greenwood put an additional exclamation on a successful night at The Hangar. The Bombers are back home on Tuesday against Greenbrier before heading to play a very dangerous Alma squad.
18. Bentonville (12-9)
Last week: 13
The Tigers' up and down season continued through last week as they fell to crosstown rival Bentonville West in what was, on paper, an upset. They did respond with a victory over Fort Smith Southside, but face a brutal slate this week with road games at top-ranked Fayetteville and No. 4 Har-Ber.
19. Nettleton (11-8)
Last week: 19
A 23-point road win over Batesville was all she wrote for the Raiders last week. They look forward to being at home for both games this week against Valley View and Searcy.
20. Parkview (10-9)
Last week: 20
Never a squad to shy away from additional competition, the Patriots throttled Eleanor McMain (La.) at the MLK 2024 Extravaganza held in Baton Rouge. That was the last time they took the floor as all games were postponed last week and return on Tuesday to host No. 13 Vilonia.
21. Morrilton (19-3)
Last week: 21
Overall, the Devil Dogs have been very impressive defensively since the calendar turned to 2024 and Friday's win over Fountain Lake was no exception. Morrilton is at home for both games this week against sneaky Subiaco Academy and Mena.
22. Mills University Studies (10-8)
Last week: 22
Did not play. The Comets return to the court Tuesday when they host Warren and then head down to Watson Chapel on Friday.
23. Rogers (12-8)
Last week: 23
The Mounties snapped a two-game skid in Saturday's road win over Fort Smith Southside. They have a short trip to No. 15 Springdale to get the week tipped off before hosting crosstown rival Rogers Heritage Thursday.
24. Van Buren (15-5)
Last week: 24
The Pointers' win streak is now at six games following a convincing victory over Harrison. They start the week with a road trip to Siloam Springs before heading back home to take on No. 14 Russellville.
25. West Memphis (8-11)
Last week: 25
Did not play. A three-game slate starts with Greene County Tech at home, followed by road trips to Paragould and Batesville.
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
