EARLY-SEASON SUPER SIX
NO. 1 DUMAS
COACH Larry Harris
CONFERENCE 3A-8
2019-20 RECORD 26-4
KEY RETURNERS G Mike Reddick (6-0, Soph.), F Tamarja Parker (6-4, Sr.), F Kylin James (6-1, Sr.), G Daylen Davis (5-10, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 20 at Clarendon, Dec. 5/Jan. 29 vs. Smackover, Jan. 8/ Feb. 2 vs. Drew Central
NOTEWORTHY Bobcats held down the top spot for much of last season and nearly finished it off with a trip to the title game, but Rivercrest pulled away from them in the semifinals. … A slew of guys return, including double-double threats Parker and James. … Reddick is expected to take a huge leap forward.
NO. 2 RIVERCREST
COACH Hunter Robinson CONFERENCE 3A-3 2019-20 RECORD 24-8 KEY RETURNERS G Robert Burks (5-6, Jr.), G Alex Askew (6-1, Sr.), G Kam Turner (5-11, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Dec. 11/Jan. 22 vs. Osceola, Dec. 12 at Marion, Dec. 30 at Greene County Tech
NOTEWORTHY Defending champs have to replace high-scoring guard Shamar Jones, but Turner is capable of picking up the slack. … Rivercrest’s first and only state championship came in 2019. … The Colts will again duke it out with Osceola in the 3A-3, whom they were set to face for the title until covid-19 stepped in.
NO. 3 ELKINS
COACH Jared Porter
CONFERENCE 3A-1
2019-20 RECORD 29-5
KEY RETURNERS G Kain Johnson (5-10, Sr.), F Aiden Underdown (6-4, Jr.) CIRCLED DATES Dec. 15/Jan. 22 vs. Bergman, Dec. 30 vs. Lavaca, Jan. 12/ Feb. 5 vs. Valley Springs NOTEWORTHY Paxton Barnett and Caden Vaught did lots for the Elks, but they’re no longer around after graduation. … Johnson is a football stud, and he’ll be the man for Elkins this year on the court as well. … Elkins has never played for a state title.
NO. 4 PRESCOTT
COACH Tony Price
CONFERENCE 3A-7
2019-20 RECORD 18-5
KEY RETURNERS G Jacobi Nolen (5-11, Sr.), G Chadarius Haynie (5-11, Sr.), CIRCLED DATES Dec. 11 vs. Magnolia, Dec. 15 at Nashville, Jan. 5/29 vs. Ashdown
NOTEWORTHY Beau Brickell did big things during his tenure with the Curley Wolves, but he’s now at Cutter Morning Star to take over for Matt Carter. … Nolen earned All-Arkansas accolades during his junior season. … Prescott has had several deep postseason runs but never captured a state championship.
NO. 5 OSCEOLA
COACH Vernon Wilson CONFERENCE 3A-3 2019-20 RECORD 19-7 KEY RETURNERS F Anthony Harris (6-4, Jr.), G Chris Littleton (6-1, Sr.) CIRCLED DATES Nov. 19/Jan. 25 vs. Marion, Dec. 11/Jan. 22 vs. Rivercrest, Dec. 19 vs. Earle
NOTEWORTHY Seminoles have to find replacements for a number of starters, particularly guard Dan Newsome and forward Greg Hooks. … Harris should put up big numbers as his role expands exponentially. … Osceola has won five state titles after sharing with Rivercrest last season.
NO. 6 BERGMAN
COACH Bo Martin
CONFERENCE 3A-1
2019-20 RECORD 32-9
KEY RETURNERS F Elijah Royce (6-4, Sr.), G Asher Fultz (6-2, Sr.),
CIRCLED DATES Dec. 15/Jan. 22 vs. Elkins, Jan. 5/Jan. 29 vs. Valley Springs NOTEWORTHY The Panthers’ 2019-20 season ended with a 20-point loss to No. 1 Dumas in the first round, so they’ve got plenty of incentive to clear that hurdle this season. … Bergman has won its past three games since losing 83-76 to Izard County on Oct. 29. The team is 5-1 going into Friday’s game against West Side Greers Ferry. … The first of two matchups against Elkins is Dec. 15.
ON THE CUSP
Mayflower, Valley Springs, Manila