PREP BASKETBALL: 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 co-state 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.

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