EARLY-SEASON SUPER SIX
NO. 1 VIOLA
COACH Rick Luna
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 29-10
KEY RETURNERS G Blaine Marberry (6-2, Sr.), F Andrew Cantway (6-3, Sr.), G Gage Harris (5-11, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 23 at Farmington, Dec. 29 at Brookland, Jan. 5/29 vs. Izard County
NOTEWORTHY Rick Luna left Dora, Mo., to step in for the recently retired Skip Dulaney. Luna went 86-8 over the past three seasons. … Viola returns four starters, led by Blaine Marberry, but also have Luna’s three triplets (Mason, Bryson, Austin) to add to an already stacked team. … Mason Luna has committed to play baseball at Drury.
NO. 2 IZARD COUNTY
COACH Kyle McCandlis
CONFERENCE 1A-2
2019-20 RECORD 39-6
TOP RETURNERS G Coby Everett (5-11, Sr.), F Caleb Faulkner (6-4, Sr.), G Chase Orf (6-2, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 24 at Jonesboro, Dec. 29 at Mount Vernon-Enola, Jan. 5/29 vs. Viola
NOTEWORTHY The Cougars have three starters back from the team that nearly won a second consecutive state title eight months ago. … Everett, who holds an offer from Lyon College, is one of two all-state performers back for McCandlis. … Izard County won 62 games in a row before losing in last season’s final to Nevada.
NO. 3 MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA
COACH Josh Zarlingo
CONFERENCE 1A-4
2019 RECORD 29-9
KEY RETURNERS G Wesley Booker (6-4, Sr.), G Adam Felton (6-2, Sr.), G Carter Smothers (6-1, Sr.), G Gavin Smothers (6-1, Jr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 17/Jan. 8 vs. Wonderview, Dec. 29 vs. Izard County, Feb. 9 at West Side Greers Ferry NOTEWORTHY Sophomore Kyler Chapman may be the best kept secret in 1A after scoring 29 points against Dermott this season. … Carter Smothers’ outside shooting gives the War Hawks a dimension for other teams to defend. … Mount Vernon-Enola last made an appearance in the state championship game in 2009.
NO. 4 BRADLEY
COACH Benny Harris
CONFERENCE 1A-8
2019 RECORD 34-7
KEY RETURNERS G Jonathan Easter (5-10, Sr.), G John Easter (5-10, Sr.), F Jacardo Cornell (6-3, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Today vs. Kirby, Dec. 9/Jan. 19 vs. Nevada, Dec. 11/Jan. 22 vs. Emerson
NOTEWORTHY One sluggish third quarter against Izard County in the Class 2A quarterfinals last season might have kept Bradley from playing for a championship. … The Bears already have a signature victory this season, 65-44, over Kirby. … Bradley has won one state title (1994).
NO. 5 NEVADA
COACH Bobby Mullins
CONFERENCE 1A-8
2019 RECORD 34-6
TOP RETURNERS G Javontae Pearson (510, Sr.), F Jared Todd (6-1, Sr.), C Kobe Edwards (6-7, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 17 at Pulaski Academy, Dec. 10 at Lake Hamilton, Dec. 8/ Jan. 19 vs. Bradley
NOTEWORTHY The defending state champion lost last year’s Class 1A state tournament MVP Keyonte Coleman to graduation but have plenty left, starting with Javontae Pearson. … Blue Jays have played in three state title games. … Nevada returns three starters from last year.
NO. 6 KIRBY
COACH Marty Smith
CONFERENCE 1A-7
2019 RECORD 37-4
TOP RETURNERS F Christian Miller (6-4, Sr.), G Brody Tucker (6-2, Sr.), G Tanner Davis (6-1, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Today at Bradley, Dec. 19 at Lake Hamilton, Feb. 5 at West Side Greers Ferry NOTEWORTHY Trojans have a statement win over Nevada 84-80 last week, but have encountered a couple of losses as well. … All-state guard Cameron Gaither transferring to Caddo Hills was a big loss. … Brody Tucker had 36 points vs. Nevada.
ON THE CUSP
The New School, Concord, West Side Greers Ferry