Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
CLASS 5A TEAM CAPSULES
GIRLS ALMA LADY AIREDALES
HEAD COACH Codey Mann
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 15-13, 6-8, defeated in first round of 5A playoffs
WHO’S BACK? F Loryn Kelley (Sr., 5-11), G Halyn Carmack (Jr., 5-4), G Lydia Mann (Soph., 5-9), G Kailie Plourde (Sr., 5-4), G Kenzie Rushing (Jr., 5-4)
THE SCOOP Sophomore guard Lydia Mann was all-state and all-Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after averaging 16.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals as a freshman. She’s been offered by Harding and Arkansas Tech. … Junior post Chloe Trusty (5-11) moved in from Batesville and will factor in Lady Airedales’ rotation. … Kelley averaged 8.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. … Alma could play several sophomores including guards Presley Taylor and Alina Duggar.
GREENWOOD LADY BULLDOGS
HEAD COACH Clay Reeves
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 25-5, 12-2, finished costate 5A champions with Nettleton
WHO’S BACK? G Shea Goodwin (Sr., 5-5), G Kinley Fisher (Sr., 5-7), G Ally Sockey (Sr., 5-6), G Haven Clements (Sr., 5-8), G Abby Summitt (Jr., 5-9), G Megan Gray (Jr., 5-5), G Maddy Cartwright (Soph., 5-11).
THE SCOOP Seniors Shea Goodwin, Kinley Fisher, Ally Sockey and Haven Clements have been playing on the varsity since they were freshmen. … Fisher (18.3 ppg) signed with Mercer and Goodwin at Arkansas-Monticello, while Sockey will sign to play softball at the University of Arkansas. … Freshman Anna Trusty, a 5-11 guard, will play a varsity role. … Greenwood plays a tough nonconference schedule, including games against co-7A state champions Bentonville (twice) and Fayetteville, 4A co-state champion Farmington, 7A schools North Little Rock, Conway, Springdale Har-Ber, Fort Smith Northside and 5A schools Lake Hamilton and Jacksonville.
SILOAM SPRINGS LADY PANTHERS
HEAD COACH Tim Rippy
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 8-18, 2-12 5A-West, did not qualify for postseason
WHO’S BACK? G Sydney Moorman (Sr., 5-6), G Quincy Efurd (Sr., 5-6), F Mia Hevener (Sr., 5-9), F Reina Tiefel (Jr., 5-10), F Hannah Riley (Jr., 5-10), G Halle Hernandez (Jr., 5-5).
THE SCOOP Sydney Moorman is the Lady Panthers’ leading returning scorer at nearly 8 points per game. … Siloam Springs welcomes a talented sophomore class that went 20-5 last year and 9-1 in Northwest Arkansas Conference, advancing to the NWA/River
Valley Region Tournament. … Sophomores Brooke Ross (5-10), Brooke Smith (5-10), Mimo Jacklik (5-3) and Rachel Rine (5-5) figure to impact the varsity team early on. … Senior Quincy Efurd was an all-state cross country runner. … Senior Mia Hevener spent the summer at Army basic training in South Carolina.
VAN BUREN LADY POINTERS
HEAD COACH Michael Kinney
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 10-18, 4-10 in 6A-West, did not advance to postseason
WHO’S BACK? G Brooklyn Kannady (Jr., 5-8), G Bailee Woodard (Sr., 5-5), P Elizabeth Rainwater (Sr., 5-10), G Bri Ball (Soph., 6-0), G Sunni Harrington (Sr., 5-5)
THE SCOOP First-year coach Michael Kinney has been an assistant with Van Buren for 24 years and has coached football, track and boys and girls basketball. … Kinney’s daughter Jamilyn is a former Van Buren basketball star and current player at Belmont. … Avery Shelley (5-9) transferred from Fort Smith Northside and is projected to be the Lady Pointers’ starting point guard. … Shelley has committed to Neosho County (Kan.) Community College. … Kannady has started since her freshman season and is Lady Pointers’ leading returning scorer at 11 ppg.
BOYS ALMA AIREDALES
HEAD COACH Stan Flenor
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 14-13, 6-8 did not advance to playoffs.
WHO’S BACK? C Nathan Whalen (Sr., 6-6), G Drew Battles (Sr., 5-11)
THE SCOOP The Airedales do not have any returning starters from last year’s team. … The Airedales are counting on seniors Nathan Whalen, Drew Battles and Jacob Coursey to be cornerstone players. … Several Airedales will join the basketball team after football season, including junior Hunter McAllister (6-6), Whalen and Coursey. … The Airedales will have a move-in eligible at the end of the semester in guard Keyton Mitchell (5-10). … Senior Logan Taylor (6-4) and junior Stewart George (5-10) will also figure in the Airedales’ rotation.
GREENWOOD BULLDOGS
HEAD COACH Donnie Husband
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 4-13, 1-13, did not qualify for state playoffs
WHO’S BACK? G Evan Bartlett (Sr., 6-3), G
Caleb Ligon (Sr., 6-1) F Braden Stein (Sr., 6-6), G Sam Forbus (Jr., 6-1), G Jase Strozier (Sr., 5-8).
THE SCOOP The Bulldogs expect sophomores Aiden Kennon (6-1) and Hunter Houston (6-1) to join the team after football season. … Greenwood’s sophomores were 17-6 as freshman and advanced to the regional tournament. … Juniors Jay Wright (6-3) and Joe Russell (5-10) are in the mix for playing time. … Head coach Donnie Husband is in his 36th year overall, his third at Greenwood.
SILOAM SPRINGS PANTHERS
HEAD COACH Tim Stewart
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 13-12, 4-10 in 5A-West, did not qualify for postseason
WHO’S BACK? G Landon Ward (Sr., 5-10), G Max Perkins (Sr., 6-4), G Breck Soderquist (Sr., 6-4), F Jackson Ford (Sr., 6-6), G Josh Stewart (Jr., 6-3), G Carter Winesburg (Jr., 5-10).
THE SCOOP The Panthers return their two of their top three scorers from last season in senior guard Landon Ward (11.4 ppg) and Josh Stewart (10.6 ppg). … Senior post Jackson Ford (6-6) has made big strides and could be a difference maker, Tim Stewart says. … Siloam Springs will play several Class 7A teams in nonconference play, including Bentonville, Bentonville West, Rogers, Springdale Har-Ber and Fort Smith Southside. … The Panthers have not made the state tournament since 2016.
VAN BUREN POINTERS
HEAD COACH Brad Autry
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2019-20 RECORD 10-16, 4-10 in 6A-West, first round of 6A playoffs.
WHO’S BACK? G Gary Phillips (Sr., 6-1), G Jaiden Henry (Sr., 5-10), G Avery Salisbury (Sr., 6-3), G Jose Estrada (Sr., 5-10), P Connor Brady (Jr., 6-1).
THE SCOOP The Pointers will have several join the team after football season, including point guard Gary Phillips, guard Jaiden Henry and post Connor Brady. … Phillips was the Pointers’ leading scorer last season at 15 ppg, while guard Avery Salisbury averaged around 10 ppg. … Autry said guard Jaiden Henry is a “game changer who does all the things you need a guy to do to win games.” … Autry said a big portion of the Pointers’ success will depend on how quickly their football players can get their basketball legs. … Senior forwards Brandon Miller (6-3), Baylor Shook (6-1) and sophomore Connor Myers (6-3) also will see time.