EARLY-SEASON SUPER SIX
NO. 1 ENGLAND
COACH Trent Morgan
CONFERENCE 2A-6
2019-20 RECORD 30-5
KEY RETURNERS F Jamal Shorty (6-1, Sr.), G Traejon Blake (6-1, Sr.), F Keaton Green (6-0, Jr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 19 at Dumas, Dec. 14/Jan. 26 vs. Marianna, Dec. 21 vs. Earle
NOTEWORTHY The Lions lost their top two players from last season in Tamarous Dodson and Kavante Davis, who combined for 43 of the team’s 68 points in the championship game. … England has experience with Jamal Shorty and Traejon Blake, but some younger players will have to acclimate quickly. … Marianna will be a serious challenge to the Lions’ title.
NO. 2 MARIANNA
COACH Emmanual Wade
CONFERENCE 2A-6
2019-20 RECORD 29-5
KEY RETURNERS F Kelvin Bowers (6-3, Sr.), F Terran Williams (6-5, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 20 vs. Bay, Dec. 14/ Jan. 26 vs. England, Dec. 30 vs. Dermott
NOTEWORTHY Marianna spent most of last season as the No. 1 team in Class 2A but was upset in the semifinals by rival Earle. … Terran Williams has committed to play for Louisiana Tech. … The Trojans haven’t won a state championship since 1983.
NO. 3 EARLE
COACH Carl Miller CONFERENCE 2A-3 2019-20 RECORD 21-10
KEY RETURNERS G Rholly Davis (6-2, Jr.), G Donnie Cheers (5-10, Soph.), G Devin Johnson (6-1, Sr.), G Jermayne Johnson (6-0, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Dec. 5 at Hot Springs, Dec. 18/Feb. 2 vs. Bay, Jan. 7 vs. Clarendon
NOTEWORTHY Earle has won three state championships in the past five seasons. … Donnie Cheers had a banner freshman season, culminating with a 21-point outing in the title game against England. … Carl Miller has won 41 games at Earle in his first two seasons.
NO. 4 LAVACA
COACH Renner Reed CONFERENCE 2A-4 2019-20
RECORD 34-5
KEY RETURNERS G Drake Grantham (6-2, Jr.), G Luke Watson (5-10, Jr.), G Kolby Glidewell (5-11, Jr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 16 at Farmington, Dec. 3 at Pea Ridge, Dec. 21 at Waldron
NOTEWORTHY Golden Arrows have to replace a load of contributors, particularly Mett Melton. … Drake Grantham, Luke Watson and Kolby Glidewell combined for 59 points in a 71-59 victory over Greenwood on Nov. 7 in a benefit game. … Road trip to Pea Ridge for a nonconference game should be interesting.
NO. 5 FLIPPIN
COACH Josh Robins
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 27-11
KEY RETURNERS G Devyn Payne (6-0, Sr.), G Preston Beilding (5-8, Sr.), G Evan Riggs (6-0, Sr.), F Dale Smyser (6-4, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Nov. 20 at Greene Co. Tech, Nov. 24 at Perryville, Dec. 12/Jan. 26 vs. Jasper
NOTEWORTHY Flippin was off to a 4-2 start before facing Valley Springs on Tuesday night. … Josh Robins’ team responded to a 67-55 loss to Ozark Mountain on Nov. 5 by blasting Mount Judea four days later, 64-13. … The Bobcats lost in the first round of the state tournament last season.
NO. 6 CADDO HILLS
COACH Josh Ferrell
CONFERENCE 2A-7
2019-20 RECORD 32-11
TOP RETURNERS G Connor Kincannon (5-10, Jr.), G Rayce Young (6-0, Jr.), F Keegan Williamson (6-2, Sr.)
CIRCLED DATES Dec. 4 at Hot Springs, Dec. 29 at Jessieville, Dec. 8/Jan. 5 vs. Cutter Morning Star
NOTEWORTHY Getting Kirby transfer Cameron Gaither was a huge addition for the Indians. … Game against Class 5A contender Hot Springs could be an entertaining one while providing Caddo Hills a gauge on where it stands. … Connor Kincannon averaged nearly 17 points in the state tournament in March.
ON THE CUSP
Tuckerman, Fordyce, Pangburn