Arkansas high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/30/2024)
There was not any serious movement in this week's rankings, at least in the Top 5.
While multiple defeats from 11-25 kept things mostly in-tact, there were drastic changes from spots 6-11 while one fresh face from the 5A-West made its season debut, checking in at No. 22.
With January coming to a close, expect many changes as the end of the regular season nears. You can keep up with all of the weekly conference standings, as well as postseason brackets, on the website or the SBLive app.
1. Fayetteville (21-2)
Last week: 1
They passed the test during their first week of being the Top Dawg in the state and Fayetteville continues to roll along, still unbeaten against in-state opponents.
2. Bryant (21-2)
Last week: 2
Slowing down is not an option for this squad as the win streak is now at 21 following a Top 10 triumph over North Little Rock, as well as the rout of Conway. Their next two matchups are crucial, starting with No. 12 Jonesboro on the road Friday.
3. Little Rock Central (19-4)
Last week: 3
Routs of Little Rock Southwest and Jonesboro were the third and fourth consecutive wins for the Tigers. They host rival North Little Rock in a Top 10 matchup Tuesday in their only contest of the week.
4. Har-Ber (20-2)
Last week: 4
The Wildcats got back to their winning ways after falling to Fayetteville the previous week, throttling both Rogers Heritage and Bentonville. Favorable matchups against Bentonville West and Fort Smith Northside are on the schedule this week.
5. Benton (18-4)
Last week: 5
Everything is right in the world for the Panthers, who currently have a two-game lead in the 5A-South race and hope to keep that going against Arkansas High and Sheridan this week.
6. North Little Rock (14-5)
Last week: 9
They hung in with No. 2 Bryant, but the Charging Wildcats were not able to keep pace with the Hornets down the stretch. A 23-point triumph over Cabot on Friday provided some much-needed momentum heading into what will be an intense showdown at No. 3 Little Rock Central Tuesday.
7. Farmington (24-2)
Last week: 10
At this point, if the Cardinals do not win 4A-1 games in convincing fashion then you raise an eyebrow. They rolled through yet another week, this time playing three games, to remain undefeated against 4A competition.
8. Lake Hamilton (17-5)
Last week: 11
Even while battling injuries, the Wolves had been so close to a statement win all season and they finally got it against Pine Bluff. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak to the Z's and the Wolves are back at home against Sheridan on Tuesday.
9. Pine Bluff (13-5)
Last week: 8
The Z's dropped consecutive contests for the first time this season when they fell to Lake Hamilton on Tuesday, but they regained some momentum in a convincing victory over Sheridan.
10. Marion (12-3)
Last week: 6
The Patriots had their first hiccup against an in-state opponent on the road against Valley View, but are still in good position tied atop the 5A-East standings. They tip off the week at home against Batesville before heading over to play rival West Memphis.
11. Little Rock Christian (16-7)
Last week: 7
Don't be foolish and discount the Warriors for falling to a red-hot Clinton team. This squad lost to Joe T. Robinson at almost the exact time in late January of last season and it ended up being one of the driving forces to the state championship run.
12. Jonesboro (11-9)
Last week: 12
The Hurricane have dropped two of their past three contests, both against Top 10 competition, but do not count them out just yet. It goes without saying that February will be a crucial month, but they have to finish January on the road against Cabot before hosting No. 2 Bryant on Friday.
13. Springdale (13-9)
Last week: 15
The Red Dogs got over the hump and won consecutive games for the first time in 2024, while four-star guard Isaiah Sealy also returned from injury. They finish out January at home against No. 19 Bentonville before taking on Fort Smith Southside on Friday.
14. Maumelle (11-10)
Last week: 16
They did fall to Catholic – the third consecutive time they lost to the Rockets in the past two seasons – by two points to start the week, but responded as well as you could have asked. A lights-out shooting performance by Darren Fleming led the Hornets to a road victory over previously 13th-ranked Vilonia before a sold-out crowd.
15. Vilonia (15-6)
Last week: 13
For the first time in 2023-24, the Eagles dropped a game against in-state competition as they were not able to match the impressive shooting of Maumelle. They only have one game this week, a road matchup against a dangerous Little Rock Catholic squad.
16. Russellville (19-3)
Last week: 14
Head coach Greg Chenault has continuously talked about keeping up the consistency in the back half of the season and the Cyclones are now at a crossroads. They are currently two games out of the 5A-West's top seed, but wins over No. 24 Mountain Home and Greenwood this week will get another win streak rolling.
17. Nettleton (13-8)
Last week: 19
Winners of four consecutive contests, the Raiders sit in a tie atop the 5A-East with No. 10 Marion and look to keep adding to the streak in road matchups with Paragould and Greene County Tech this week.
18. Parkview (11-10)
Last week: 20
After taking one on the chin to Vilonia at home, the Patriots rebounded with a 12-point triumph over Beebe. They take on Sylvan Hills and Jacksonville this week, both of whom they have already conquered this season.
19. Bentonville (12-11)
Last week: 18
They still have a hold on the No. 4 seed in the 6A-West standings, but it is getting down to crunch time for the Tigers after dropping three of their past four games. They start the week on the road against No. 15 Springdale, who looks to avenge Jan. 11's two-point loss to the Tigers.
20. Mills University Studies (13-8)
Last week: 22
The potentially dangerous team that head coach Raymond Cooper talked about early in the season seems to have come to fruition. The Comets have yet to lose in 2024 and have hardly been challenged against 4A-8 competition as winners of six consecutive contests.
21. Rogers (13-9)
Last week: 23
After splitting their games last week, the Mounties are aiming to find their groove, having dropped three of their past five contests. It is crucial that they take advantage of that on Tuesday at crosstown foe Rogers Heritage, then Friday when Bentonville West comes to town.
22. Alma (13-8)
Last week: NR
Though it may have seemed risky a month ago, it is officially time to buy stock in these Airedales. They have won seven consecutive contests dating back to Dec. 30 and are back at home for both games this week, starting with No. 23 Van Buren Tuesday.
23. Van Buren (16-6)
Last week: 24
A five-point home loss to Russellville broke the Pointers' seven-game win streak. It does not get any easier with two road trips scheduled for this week, starting with 5A-West leader and 22nd-ranked Alma.
24. Mountain Home (16-6)
Last week: 17
The Bombers fell in a three-point heartbreaker to Alma on the road following a convincing win over Greenbrier. Their next three contests are on the road, beginning with No. 14 Russellville on Tuesday.
25. West Memphis (11-11)
Last week: 25
A squad that has played a gauntlet of a schedule, the Blue Devils finally created some breathing room for themselves. They are on a three-game win streak for the first time this year, with two big home opportunities against Valley View and No. 10 Marion this week.
Dropped out: Morrilton (21)
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
