TOP TEAMS AT A GLANCE
1. Greenwood
COACH Clay Reeves
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2021-22 RECORD 27-4
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING No. 1 TOP RETURNERS Anna Trusty (5-10, Jr.), Carly Sexton (5-6, Jr.), Madison Cartwright (5-10, Sr.)
MARQUEE TESTS Nov. 22 vs. Nashville, Nov. 29 at Conway, Dec. 16 at North Little Rock
NOTEWORTHY Reeves has another dynamo of a team, led by the versatile Trusty. … Cartwright, a two-time all-stater, has signed with Tulsa. … Many of the same cast of characters are back from last season’s team that rolled to another Class 5A state championship.
2. West Memphis
COACH Erica Leak
CONFERENCE 5A-East
2021-22 RECORD 19-8
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING No. 5 TOP RETURNERS Janiyah Tucker (5-5, Sr.), Clemisha Prackett (6-0, Sr.), Alayiah Price (5-9, So.), Aniya Price (5-8, Jr.) MARQUEE TESTS Nov. 29 vs. Little Rock Central, Dec. 13 vs. Conway, Jan. 6 vs. Marion, Feb. 3 at Marion NOTEWORTHY Uber talented squad that may have more on-ball quickness than any other team in 5A, particularly the Price sisters. … Prackett, who’s a disruptor on the defensive end, has signed with Alabama A&M. … Some top-notch matchups loom for West Memphis, starting with Little Rock Central in two weeks.
3. Marion
COACH Shunda Johnson CONFERENCE 5A-East
2021-22 RECORD 23-8
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING No. 3 TOP RETURNERS Kiera Neal (6-0, Sr.), Alyse Holliman (6-0, Sr.), Ny’asia Jackson (5-2, Jr.)
MARQUEE TESTS Nov. 17 vs. Little Rock Central, Dec. 6 at Conway, Dec. 20 at Bryant, Jan. 6 at West Memphis NOTEWORTHY Neal has garnered interest and offers from collegiate programs. … The Lady Patriots have a plethora of battles on deck, especially in nonconference play during December. … Matchups with West Memphis will highlight this year’s 5A-East Conference.
4. Little Rock Christian
COACH Ronald Rogers
CONFERENCE 5A-Central
2021-22 RECORD 24-5
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING No. 4 TOP RETURNERS Mia Smith (5-7, Sr.), Kate Denton (5-7, Sr.), Ella Watson (58, Jr.)
MARQUEE TESTS Dec. 16 at Greenwood, Jan. 6 at Vilonia, Feb. 14 vs. Little Rock Parkview
NOTEWORTHY The Lady Warriors are one of the programs that will get better and better as their year goes on. … Sophomores A.J. Jackson and J.B. McNay will be solid. Freshman Whitley Rogers is going to bust through in her first varsity season, too. … Smith, one of the state’s top athletes, has committed to Mid-America Christian (Okla.).
5. Little Rock Parkview
COACH Lahoma Howard CONFERENCE 5A-Central
2021-22 RECORD 9-15
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING Unranked TOP RETURNERS Jada Page (5-4, Sr.), Tyra Robinson (6-2, Sr.), Jasmine Davis (5-9, Sr.), Deanna Kamanga (5-11, Sr.) MARQUEE TESTS Nov. 22 vs. Little Rock Central, Jan. 17 vs. Little Rock Christian, Feb. 21 vs. Vilonia
NOTEWORTHY This Parkview team is much more experienced and that should make a difference this season as opposed to last year. … Page and Davis form one of the classification’s top backcourts, especially with the way the two can turn things up on defense. … The Lady Patriots did lose ther top outside shooter in Jordan Gregory, but Davis has proven that she can drill it beyond the three-point line.
6. Russellville
COACH Will Stewart
CONFERENCE 5A-West
2021-22 RECORD 13-14
LAST YEAR’S FINAL RANKING Unranked
TOP RETURNERS Taleigha Ealy (6-0, Jr.), Brenna Burk (5-5, Jr.), Tiana Freeman (5-10, Jr.), Zariyah Willis (5-5, Jr.) MARQUEE TESTS Nov. 21 vs. Marion, Dec. 13 vs. Little Rock Central, Jan. 6 at Greenwood, Feb. 3 vs. Greenwood NOTEWORTHY Stewart, who takes over as coach for Jae Kell, brings a winning mentality to the Lady Cyclones after capturing a state championship last season at Class 1A Norfork. … Burk’s name will ring out more this season after notching all-conference honors as a sophomore. … Ealy has started ever since her freshman year.