Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
CLASS 6A TEAM CAPSULES
GIRLS
FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE LADY BEARS
COACH Rickey Smith
CONFERENCE 6A-Central
2018-19 RECORD 28-1, 13-1
PLAYOFF RESULT Won Class 6A state championship after beating Bentonville 36-34 at Hot Springs WHO’S BACK? Jersey Wolfenbarger (Jr., 6-2), Tracey Bershers (Jr., 6-1), Jazz Coleman (Sr., 5-10).
THE SCOOP Defending state champions return plenty of players, led by Jersey Wolfenbarger, the MVP of the state tournament. . …. Wolfenbarger is a top Division I prospect who averaged 15.7 points as a sophomore. She scored 23 points and went 7 for 7 in championship game vs. Bentonville. …. Tracy Bershers returns after averaging 18.4 points per game. …. Jazz Coleman averaged 15.9 points per game. …. Coleman is the daughter of Red Coleman, who also won a state championship at Northside.
FAYETTEVILLE LADY BULLDOGS
COACH Vic Rimmer
CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 20-5, 12-2
PLAYOFF RESULTS Lost in semifinals to Fort Smith Northside in three overtimes.
WHO’S BACK? Sasha Goforth (Sr., 6-0), Coriah Beck (Sr., 5-8), Haitiana Releford (So, 5-8), Claudia Bridges (Jr., 5-4), Ariana Saitta (Jr., 5-6) THE SCOOP Fayetteville appears loaded with all five starters returning from a team that finished 20-5. … The team is led by senior guards Sasha Goforth and Coriah Beck. . … Goforth averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds per game. She is verbally committed to Oregon State. … Beck averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game. She is verbally committed to Memphis. … Releford averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds as a freshman. … Fayetteville expects major contribution from Caroline Lyles, a 5-foot-10 sophomore guard who already has Division I offers.
ROGERS LADY MOUNTIES
COACH Preston Early CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-2019 RECORD 18-10, 9-5 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in quarterfinals to Conway. WHO’S BACK? London Hatch (Sr., 5-7), Kate McConnell (Sr., 5-7), Gracie Carr (Jr., 5-11), Taylor Treadwell (Jr., 5-9).
THE SCOOP Rogers graduated its top two scorers from a team that finished third in the 6A-West Conference. …. Kate McConnell returns after averaging 9.5 points per game last season. …. London Hatch returns after averaging 7 points and 3 assists per game. ….. Gracie Carr, a 5-11 forward, and Taylor Treadwell, 5-9, will be counted upon in the frontcourt.
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER LADY WILDCATS
COACH Kimberly Jenkins
CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 9-17, 2-12
PLAYOFF RESULT Did not make state tournament
WHO’S BACK? Sophie Nelson (Sr., 6-0), G Kania Starks (Jr., 5-7), G Caylan Koons (So., 5-6).
THE SCOOP Caylan Koons returns after leading Har-Ber with 15.6 points and 8 assists as a freshman. Made all-conference, all-state, and selected NWADG Division I Newcomer of the Year. She shot 42.6 percent from 3-point line. … Senior Sophie Nelson returns after leading Har-Ber with 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Has recovered from a back injury that hindered her for most of conference season. … Top defender Kania Starks returns after averaging 9.4 points and 2.6 assists last season. … With only three seniors on the roster, Har-Ber will need contributions from its sophomores and freshmen.
SPRINGDALE LADY BULLDOGS
COACH Heather Hunsucker CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-2019 RECORD 13-13, 6-8 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in opening round of state tournament in overtime to Little Rock Central
WHO’S BACK? Thaly Sysavanh (Sr., 5-6), Alexa Bersi (Sr., 5-7)
THE SCOOP Springdale must replace plenty of players, including Marquesha Davis, who’ll play this season as a freshman at the University of Arkansas. … Thaly Sysavanh returns at guard after averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 assists per game. … Alexa Bersi is back after averaging 3 points per game.
VAN BUREN LADY POINTERS
COACH Chris Bryant CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-19 RECORD 15-13, 8-6 PLAYOFF RESULT: Eliminated in the first round by Bryant.
WHO’S BACK? Lexi Miller (Sr., 5-7), Emmalee Greebe (Sr., 6-1), Brooklyn Kannady (So., 5-9)
THE SCOOP Van Buren returns a solid trio of starters in its final season in the 6A-West before moving to the 6A-Central. … Point guard Lexi Miller averaged 10.9 points and 4 assists for the Lady Pointers. … Center Emmalee Greebe averaged 5.7 points and 4 rebounds per game. … Guard
Brooklyn Kannady averaged 8 points and 2 assists as a freshman …. Van Buren has a taller team than usual this season with several girls around the 6-foot mark.
ROGERS HERITAGE LADY WAR EAGLES
COACH Josh Laymon 2018-19 RECORD 5-21, 1-13 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not make state tournament.
WHO’S BACK? Pam Seiler (Sr., 6-5), Maddie Lynge (Sr., 5-5), Alex Pabon (Sr., 5-11), Lanee Knight (Sr., 5-7)
THE SCOOP Josh Laymon takes over as coach at Rogers Heritage. … Laymon coached for seven years at Class 1A Norfork, where he led teams to a 195-75 record and six consecutive state tournament appearances. … The Lady War Eagles return five seniors who saw considerable playing time last season.
FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE LADY MAVERICKS
COACH Robert Brunk CONFERENCE 6A-Central 2018-19 RECORD 0-24, 0-14 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not qualify for state tournament
WHO’S BACK? Shielo Laranjo (Sr., 5-2), Sabrina Phonkhoumphon (Sr., 5-2), Taylor Grist (Sr., 6-0), Arianna Rice (Sr., 5-5), Sariya Reed (Jr., 5-10), Emily Forsgren (Jr., 5-5), Lauren Redding (Jr, 5-2). THE SCOOP First-year Southside coach Robert Brunk faces a major rebuilding project with the Lady Mavericks, who finished 0-24 last season. …. Brunk coached the previous three years at Sallisaw, Okla. He also coached at Muldrow, Stilwell, and Sallisaw Central in Oklahoma. … Southside returns four players with some starting experience.
BENTONVILLE LADY TIGERS
COACH Tom Halbmaier CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 26-4, 13-1 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to Fort Smith Northside in state championship game.
WHO’S BACK? Maryam Dauda (Jr., 6-4), Bella Irlenborn (Sr., 6-2), Emily Sanders (Sr., 5-10), Natalie Smith (Sr., 5-7), Heidi Baum (Sr., 5-7), Ashley Andurs (Sr. 5-7), Riley Hayes (Jr., 5-8), Kadie Kultgen
THE SCOOP Bentonville returns a deep squad led by Maryam Dauda, a 4-star recruit by ESPN and the top-ranked post player in the nation for the 2021 class. … Bentonville also returns Bella Irlenborn, a 6-2 senior who is committed to play at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. … Seniors Emily Sanders and Natalie Smith are both committed to John Brown University.
BENTONVILLE WEST LADY WOLVERINES
COACH Randy Richardson CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 10-17, 5-9
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to North Little
Rock in first round
WHO’S BACK? Jada Curtis (Sr., 5-7), Eveling Guevara (Sr., 5-5), Kylee Renick (Jr., 5-7), Chloe Jones (Jr., 5-5).
THE SCOOP West hopes to build chemistry and depth with a team that has no returning starters from last season. BOYS
FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE GRIZZLIES
COACH Eric Burnett CONFERENCE 6A-Central 2018-2019 RECORD 21-11, 8-6 PLAYOFF RESULT Won Class 6A state championship 44-41 over Bryant
WHO’S BACK? Jaylin Williams (Sr., 6-10), Braylin McKinley (Sr., 6-7), Noah Gordon (Sr., 6-3)
THE SCOOP Northside should be a strong contender again after winning its second state championship in three seasons. … Senior center Jaylin Williams is a 4-star recruit who averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists as a junior. He was named tournament MVP after scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in championship game against Bryant. … Braylin Williams is back after he averaged 6 points and 5 rebounds as a junior. … Noah Gordon averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who got hot in postseason after finishing fourth place in the 6A-Central with an 8-6 record. … Junior guard Jacob Joe is the younger brother of Arkansas standout Isaiah Joe.
FAYETTEVILLE BULLDOGS
COACH Brad Stamps
CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 21-6, 12-2 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to Fort Smith Northside in state quarterfinals
WHO’S BACK? Tamaury Releford (Jr., 6-6), Isaiah Releford (So., 6-1), Connor Barnett (Sr., 6-0), Austin Garrett (Sr., 6-4).
THE SCOOP Former assistant Brad Stamps takes over at Fayetteville for Kyle Adams, who retired after 37 years as a coach, including the last nine at Fayetteville. Stamps played on Fayetteville’s state championship team in 1987. … Stamps added Ronnie Brewer and Nicky Bradford to his coaching staff. Brewer is an FHS graduate who played at Arkansas and in the NBA. …. Bradford is an FHS graduate who played at Kansas and overseas as a professional. …. Brothers Tamaury Releford and Isaiah Releford each made all-conference and all-state for the Bulldogs.
SPRINGDALE BULLDOGS
COACH Jeremy Price CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-19 RECORD 11-15, 5-9 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the first round of the state tournament to North Little Rock.
WHO’S BACK? J.P. Hignite (Sr., 6-0) THE SCOOP Hignite is the lone returning starter for Springdale. … He’ll be helped by senior forward Grant James and junior center Jordan Owens, who is the lone big man for Springdale at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds. … Springdale is counting on contributions from newcomers Damnique Hertin, Terry Gupton, and Ladarius Wonsley, a standout football player for the Bulldogs. … Price is a former all-state player for Springdale and the son of former longtime coach Steve Price.
BENTONVILLE TIGERS
COACH Richard Rippee CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-19 RECORD 21-8, 10-4 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to Bryant in state semifinals
WHO’S BACK? Brayden Freeman (Sr., 6-5), Colton Simmons (Sr., 6-5), Sawyer Price (Sr., 6-0)
THE SCOOP Bentonville returns a solid nucleus with all-conference players Brayden Freeman and Colton Simmons and guard Sawyer Price, a top defender. … Freeman averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. …. Simmons averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 rebounds per game. Bentonville expects contributions this season from part-time starter Thane Spencer, Ben Pankau, and players from junior varsity and sophomore teams that went a combined 24-4 last season. … Bentonville’s 9th-grade team won the regional championship and finished 26-1.
BENTONVILLE WEST WOLVERINES
COACH Greg White CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-19 RECORD 12-16, 6-8 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to the eventual state champion Fort Smith Northside 52-47
WHO’S BACK? Dillon Bailey (Sr., 6-1), Evan White (Jr., 5-11), Jonas Higson (Sr., 6-3), Riley Bucino (So., 6-2), Kade Ruffner (So., 6-3), Brenden Honeycutt (Sr., 6-7), Luke Allen (Sr., 6-1), Jacob McGee (Jr., 6-5).
THE SCOOP Dillon Bailey is a three-year starter who averaged 12 points per game last season. Bailey has a 4.05 grade point average and scored 29 on his ACT. … Jonas Higson came back last season after sitting out his sophomore year. … Evan White started 12 games as a sophomore last season. … The Wolverines finished 6-8 in conference play after starting 1-7.
ROGERS HERITAGE WAR EAGLES
COACH Tom Olsen CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-2019 RECORD 11-15, 5-9 PLAYOFF RESULT Did not qualify for state tournament
WHO’S BACK? Logan Clines (Sr., 6-2), Jason Kimball (Sr., 6-4), Kyle Ingram (Jr., 6-4).
THE SCOOP Heritage failed to qualify for postseason after losing a tie-breaker in the 6A-West standings. … Clines, Kimball, and Ingram are returning starters for the War Eagles. … Clines and Kimball were double figures scorers last year and major
contributors since their sophomore seasons. … Heritage expects major contributions this season from senior guard Logan Glenn and Micah Hill, a 6-3 sophomore with plenty of potential. SPRINGDALE HAR-BER WILDCATS
COACH Tommy Deffebaugh CONFERENCE 6A-West 2018-19 RECORD 12-19, 6-8 PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in first round to
Cabot
WHO’S BACK? Lawson Jenkins (Sr., 6-7), Nick Buchanan (Sr., 6-2).
THE SCOOP Former Bentonville assistant coach Tommy Deffebaugh takes over at Springdale Har-Ber for Scott Bowlin, who is now at Melbourne. Deffebaugh was previous an Arkansas women’s assistant coach under Jimmy Dykes. … Deffebaugh inherits a team led by seniors Nick Buchanan and Lawson Jenkins, two all-state players. … The Wildcats will be helped by two transfers, Tavari Eckwood and JaJuan Boyd, a top guard from Springdale. … Har-Ber is also expecting quality minutes from seniors Charlie Bockelman, Garrett Pierone, and Micah Seawood, a standout receiver in football for the Wildcats. FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE MAVERICKS
COACH Stewart Adams CONFERENCE 6A-Central
2018-19 RECORD 6-21, 1-13
PLAYOFF RESULT Southside did not make the playoffs last season.
WHO’S BACK? Mykale Franks (Sr., 6-1), Elijah York (Sr., 5-10)
THE SCOOP Stewart Adams takes over at Southside for Charlie Cooper, who retired from coaching. … Adams is a former basketball player who graduated from Southside in 1993. … Southside returns two starters in Mykale Franks and Elijah York. … Franks averaged 11 points per game and York averaged 5 points per game. … The Mavericks also expect contributions from seniors Gakell Mitchell, Dedrick Washington, and Dawsyn Smit. … Juniors to watch include 6-4 center Josh
Merrell, forward Ethan Vaugh, and guards Jairo Phonesouphan and Caiden LaRoche . … Xander Naegle and Corbyn Mobley are sophomores who could contribute. … Southside will move to the 6A-West next season. VAN BUREN POINTERS COACH Brad Autry
CONFERENCE 6A-West
2018-2019 RECORD 6-20, 2-12 PLAYOFF RESULTS Did not qualify for state tournament.
WHO’S BACK? Braden Gilmore (Sr., 6-5), Demarius Newton (Sr., 6-2), Trent Ball (Jr., 5-10), Gary Phillips (Jr., 6-1)
THE SCOOP Brad Autry takes over at Van Buren after the Pointers lost 20 games last season. … Autry is a veteran college coach who spent the past four years at Southern Illinois. … He also coached at Tulsa, Arkansas-Little Rock, and Marquette. … Gilmore and Phillips each averaged 12 points per game last year for Van Buren. … Gilmore also averaged 12 rebounds per game. … Van Buren has added Tiyeze Castlebury, a 6-2 transfer from Arkoma, Okla.