TOP TEAMS AT A GLANCE

1. JONESBORO

COACH Jodi Christenberry CONFERENCE 5A-East

2020-21 RECORD 23-6

TOP RETURNERS G Ereauana Hardaway (5-6, Sr.), F Destiny Thomas (6-3, Sr.), G Bramyia Johnson (5-6, Jr.)

MARQUEE GAMES Nov. 30 at Pulaski Academy, Dec. 28-31 at Sandra Meadows Classic, Feb. 15 vs. West Memphis, Feb. 25 at Marion

NOTEWORTHY The defending champs will have a bull’s-eye on their backs after winning the Class 5A title in March. … Hardaway has signed with North Texas and Thomas has inked with Memphis. … Freshman Allannah Orsby will be a good one for years to come. … Lady Hurricane have challenging tests before getting into league play.

2. WEST MEMPHIS

COACH Erica Leak

CONFERENCE 5A-East

2020-21 RECORD 11-15

TOP RETURNERS G Janiyah Tucker (5-5, Jr.), F Clemisha Prackett (5-11, Jr.), G Aniyah Price (5-6, So.)

MARQUEE GAMES Nov. 16 vs. Little Rock Parkview, Dec. 14 at Conway, Jan. 7 at Marion, Feb. 15 at Jonesboro NOTEWORTHY Leake still has youthful group, but they’re super skilled. … Prackett averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds last season. … Price had a good freshman year en route to earning all-conference honors. The sophomore averaged nearly eight points. … West Memphis lost in the 2020-21 championship game to No. 1 Jonesboro.

3. LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN

COACH Ronald Rogers CONFERENCE 5A-Central 2020-21 RECORD 23-2 TOP RETURNERS G Mia Smith (5-7, Jr.), G/F Ashton Elley (5-11, Sr.), F Ashley Hopper (6-0, Sr.), F Sheridan Cross (510, Sr.) MARQUEE GAMES Dec. 16 at Pulaski Academy, Jan. 11 at Sylvan Hills, Jan. 14 vs. Little Rock Parkview, Feb. 15 at Jacksonville

NOTEWORTHY The Lady Warriors begin life without Wynter Rogers, who left her mark on the program before heading to West Virginia. … Elley has signed with Alabama-Birmingham. … Smith, along with Katelyn Harris, solidifies Little Rock Christian’s backcourt. … Ashley Hopper and Sheridan Cross at one of the best rebounding tandems in Class 5A.

4. GREENWOOD

COACH Clay Reeves

CONFERENCE 5A-West

2020-21 RECORD 23-5

TOP RETURNERS F Mady Cartwright (510, Jr.), G Megan Gray (5-4, Sr.), G/F Abby Summitt (5-10, Sr.)

MARQUEE GAMES Dec. 2 vs. Conway, Dec. 17 vs. North Little Rock, Dec. 21 vs. Bentonville, Feb. 4 vs. Russellville NOTEWORTHY The Lady Bulldogs will have to replace three very good players in Kinley Fisher, Ally Sockey and Shea Goodwin, not to mention others. … Gray recently inked with Hendrix. … Summitt could be in line for an impressive year after experiencing some big moments last season. … Cartwright was a All-Arkansas Preps player as a sophomore.

5. MARION

COACH Shunda Johnson CONFERENCE 5A-East

2020-21 RECORD 12-16

TOP RETURNERS F Kiera Neal (6-0, Jr.), G Ny’asia Jackson (5-2, So.), F Daedrianna Cail (6-0, Sr.), G Jessica Robins (5-6, Sr.) MARQUEE GAMES Nov. 23 vs. Fort Smith Northside, Nov. 30 vs. Little Rock Parkview, Dec. 7 vs. Conway, Feb. 4 at West Memphis, Feb. 25 vs. Jonesboro NOTEWORTHY The Lady Patriots’ run to last season’s semifinals wasn’t exactly a fluke because that team had talent, just like this year. … Jackson had 18 points in Marion’s 33-point blowout of Hernando (Miss.) in its first game. … Cail has committed to play volleyball for UALR.

6. LAKE HAMILTON

COACH Blake Condley CONFERENCE 5A-South

2020-21 RECORD 24-4

TOP RETURNERS G Hayleigh Wyrick (5-8, Sr.), G Ginny Higginbotham (5-8, Sr.), F Audri Winfrey (6-0, Sr.)

MARQUEE GAMES Dec. 17 at Nettleton, Dec. 28-30 Kameron Hale Classic, Feb. 4 at Hot Springs Lakeside

NOTEWORTHY Wyrick, who signed with Arkansas Tech, averaged 15 points and five rebounds last season. … Two other all-conference players, Higginbotham and Winfrey, are back as well. Winfrey signed with Ouachita Baptist. … A trio of sophomores (Brooklyn Braughton, Emma Hughes, Makenzee Clark) will have big roles. ON THE CUSP Little Rock Parkview, Nettleton, Sylvan Hills, Jacksonville, Russellville