Kirby, led by Coach Robert Tucker, is the top girls team in the early-season Super Six.
NO. 1 KIRBY
COACH Robert Tucker
CONFERENCE 1A-7
2019-20 RECORD 39-5
KEY RETURNERS F McKenzie Jones (60, Sr.), G Allison Strasner (5-4, Sr.), F Gracie Davis (5-6, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 19 at Lake Hamilton, Dec. 5 vs. Nettleton, Jan. 15 vs. Emerson
NOTEWORTHY The Lady Trojans won their final 18 games last season en route to picking up their second state championship. … They lost key seniors but have last year’s title game MVP McKenzie Jones returning. … Robert Tucker has guided Kirby to both state championships.
NO. 2 VIOLA
COACH Jason Hughes
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 39-3
KEY RETURNERS G Sami McCandlis (59, Jr.), F Lindsey Browning (5-11, Jr.), G A.J. McCandlis (5-6, Soph.), G Macey Perryman (5-8, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 23 at Farmington, Dec. 15/Feb. 2 vs. Norfork, Jan. 18 at Melbourne
NOTEWORTHY A lot of firepower returns from last season’s state runner-up team, including A.J. McCandlis. The sophomore had 16 points in the title game vs. Kirby. … Viola started the this season with a victory over Class 3A power Bergman before taking down perennial Class 2A contender Marmaduke. … The Lady Longhorns’ last state title came in 1961.
NO. 3 WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY
COACH Megan Berry
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 32-10
KEY RETURNERS G Haley Gentry (5-4, Jr.), G Ashtyn Knapp (5-6, Jr.), F Kamryn Sutterfield (5-9, Sr.), G Sarah Carlton (5-4, Jr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 16 at Melbourne, Dec. 4/Jan. 28 vs. Rural Special, Dec. 21/ Jan. 22 vs. Viola
NOTEWORTHY Plenty of standouts for the Lady Eagles, who were a game away from playing for a state title last season. … Haley Gentry was an all-state golfer and helped West Side Greers Ferry win a
state championship. … Showdown Monday at Melbourne is a measuring stick.
NO. 4 EMERSON
COACH Bo Hicks
CONFERENCE 1A-8
2019-20 RECORD 32-4
KEY RETURNERS F Chasity Jones (5-7, Sr.), F Lexi Pyle (5-9, Sr.), G Addison McNeil (5-9, Sr.), G Cassidy Jones (5-7, Jr.), G Marleena Brown (5-6, Sr.) CIRCLED DATES Nov. 12 at Nashville, Dec. 17 vs. Star City, Jan. 15 at Kirby NOTEWORTHY Last season ended in the quarterfinals with a three-point loss to West Side Greers Ferry. … All four of the Lady Pirates’ defeats came to teams that participated in the playoffs. … Barometer game occurs Dec. 17 against Class 4A state champion Star City.
NO. 5 NORFORK
COACH Will Stewart
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 25-12
KEY RETURNERS G Eva Maple (5-4, Sr.), G Kylie Manes (5-6, Jr.), C Hannah Bryant (6-4, Sr.), G Kiley Alman (5-8, Soph.) CIRCLED DATES Dec. 8/Jan. 29 vs. Hillcrest, Dec. 15/Feb. 2 vs. Viola, Dec. 21 at Marmaduke
NOTEWORTHY Four of their top players return, led by Hannah Bryant. … Lost close one to Marmaduke and played tough against Class 3A champion Valley Springs already this season. … Stewart was tabbed to coach the boys and girls teams starting last season.
NO. 6 RURAL SPECIAL
COACH Trey Berry
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 20-14
KEY RETURNERS G Abbey Linville (5-5, Sr.), F Bailey Perry (5-8, Sr.), G Gabrieall Welch (5-6, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 16 at Quitman, Dec. 4 vs. West Side Greers Ferry, Jan. 15 vs. Viola
NOTEWORTHY Lady Rebels have been state runner-up in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2019. … Rural Special had two separate four-game losing streaks last season before advancing to the second round of the state tournament. … Tough schedule awaits despite already playing Viola earlier this season.
ON THE CUSP
Mount Vernon-Enola, Sacred Heart, Wonderview