Arkansas high school boys 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.
It was yet another wild week as there has been no shortage of drama two weeks into 2024.
There is a new top squad following Bryant's huge road win over Little Rock Central, and Benton continues to make its case as Class 5A's best team with back-to-back Top 15 conference road victories.
Once you get past the Top 10, there is a lot to figure out and, hopefully, some of that will begin to work itself out if weather permits this week.
1. Har-Ber (17-1)
Last week: 3
Their 10th-consecutive win – plus some help from Bryant – moved the Wildcats into the top spot. A crucial week is ahead with a Top 5 road matchup against No. 4 Fayetteville, before hosting No. 14 Springdale, who is aiming to get some momentum rolling.
2. Bryant (19-2)
Last week: 4
Starting 0-2 sparked a blazing fire in the Hornets as they have now won 19 consecutive and notched their biggest one thus far on the road against previously top-ranked Little Rock Central. They travel to Cabot on Friday for their only contest this week.
3. Little Rock Central (16-4)
Last week: 1
The unblemished record against in-state opponents is no more, but the Tigers still have everything in front of them. They rebounded against Cabot after coming up short at home in a Top 5 matchup against Bryant, as No. 9 North Little Rock now has their full focus.
4. Fayetteville (17-2)
Last week: 2
Bryant defeating Little Rock Central is to blame for the shifting in the Top 4, but Fayetteville has their chance to upset No. 1 this time around just as Bryant did last week against Har-Ber on Tuesday. That is, assuming the weather does not make us wait for that matchup.
5. Benton (16-4)
Last week: 9
If you were on the fence about it prior to last week, it's time to buy stock in these Panthers. They earned two road victories over Top 15 opponents Pine Bluff – who was No. 5 – and Lake Hamilton to take control of the 5A-South.
6. Marion (10-2)
Last week: 6
A homestand sweep of Nettleton and then Searcy put the Patriots at double-digit victories for the season. This week features favorable matchups against Batesville and Greene County Tech.
7. Little Rock Christian (14-6)
Last week: 8
It was anticipated that the Warriors would tear through the 4A-5, and they have done so, plus some. They were just shy of triple-digit points in both contests last week, outscoring LISA Academy West and Pulaski Academy by a combined 190-64.
8. Pine Bluff (12-4)
Last week: 5
The Z's struggled to contain Terrion Burgess and Benton as the Panthers handed them their first loss of the season against Class 5A competition. A favorable road trip to Arkansas High is on Tuesday before closing out the week at home against Hot Springs.
9. North Little Rock (11-4)
Last week: 10
So far, so good for the Charging Wildcats who currently sit in a tie for first with No. 2 Bryant in the 6A-Central standings. They will find out a lot about themselves for the remainder of January with No. 3 Little Rock Central on the schedule twice, along with aforementioned Bryant.
10. Farmington (20-2)
Last week: 12
Three games thus far in 2024 have resulted in three dominant victories. The Cardinals put 86 on Shiloh Christian and 88 on Gentry, the ninth time this season they have surpassed 80 points and the third consecutive contest they hit the mark.
11. Lake Hamilton (14-5)
Last week: 13
Just when it seemed Benton was going to pull away on multiple occasions, the Wolves kept responding, but ultimately came up just short. Following a two-game homestand, Lake Hamilton hits the road this week against El Dorado and White Hall looking to rebound.
12. Jonesboro (10-8)
Last week: 7
While this is certainly unfamiliar territory for the Hurricane, don't make the mistake of writing them off. They have dropped two of their past three, but that has been against No. 2 Bryant and No. 9 North Little Rock.
13. Bentonville (11-8)
Last week: 17
Jekyll and Hyde is a proper term to describe the Tigers thus far, but they did finish last week strong with a two-point win over Springdale that snapped a two-game skid.
14. Springdale (10-8)
Last week: 11
Failing to finish and injuries have plagued the Red Dogs in the past four games, save for a convincing win over Rogers Heritage on Jan. 9. They hope to gain momentum against Fort Smith Northside before making the 10-minute trip over to top-ranked Har-Ber on Friday.
15. Vilonia (13-5)
Last week: 15
A light week featured a dominant victory over Beebe as the Eagles look to start the back half of January against eStem and Sylvan Hills this week.
16. Maumelle (10-8)
Last week: 24
They don't ask how you won, only if you did, and the Hornets escaped with two crucial 5A-Central wins over Parkview and Jacksonville, each by single-digit points. That's four straight for the Hornets as they welcome Catholic to the Hornet's Nest on Friday, who swept them last season.
17. Russellville (17-2)
Last week: 14
They were shocked by an Alma squad that could make a run in the back half, but that does not take away from the fact the Cyclones have three Top 25 wins on their resume, along with a one-point loss to No. 9 North Little Rock. A very important home game against No. 18 Mountain Home tips on Tuesday.
18. Mountain Home (14-5)
Last week: 16
A well-improved Van Buren squad did what it wanted against the Bombers, but Mountain Home has an immediate opportunity to bounce back over a No. 17 Russellville squad looking to do the same. They are currently tied with the Cyclones for second place in the 5A-West.
19. Nettleton (10-8)
Last week: 21
The Raiders went toe-to-toe with Marion, but were not able to upset the Patriots on the road. However, they capped the week with a crucial four-point win over West Memphis to keep themselves within short distance of first place in the 5A-East.
20. Parkview (9-9)
Last week: 19
The Patriots dropped a five-point heartbreaker at home against arch rival Maumelle, but battled back for a three-point victory over a tough Catholic squad to salvage the week. They travel to Beebe on Friday hoping to take another step forward.
21. Morrilton (18-3)
Last week: 22
Following home victories over Dardanelle and Pottsville, the Devil Dogs are on the road this week to Clarksville and Fountain Lake. Assuming they handle their business, that should set up a top conference showdown with a sneaky Subiaco Academy squad on Jan. 23.
22. Mills University Studies (10-8)
Last week: 23
Three consecutive 4A-8 wins is how the Comets have tipped off 2024 and it appears they have really found their groove. Stuttgart and Monticello get a crack at them this week.
23. Rogers (11-7)
Last week: 25
Rogers' only game, against crosstown foe Heritage, was postponed. They hope to play Fort Smith Southside and No. 2 Fayetteville this week if weather permits.
24. Van Buren (14-5)
Last week: NR
After a very impressive Top 25 win over 5A-West foe Mountain Home, the Pointers make their debut into the 2023-24 Top 25 standings. Few, if any, predicted it, but they are now in a tie for first play in the league with Alma.
25. West Memphis (8-11)
Last week: 20
West Memphis clamped down and secured a victory against Searcy to start the week, before falling in a close matchup against Nettleton. Valley View, who currently sits atop the 5A-East standings, comes to town Tuesday.
Dropped out: White Hall (18)
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
