BOYS
County Line Indians
HEAD COACH Joe Brunson
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 21-15 overall, 10-2 1A-4 Conference
WHO'S BACK? G Anthony Morgan (Sr., 6-0)
THE SCOOP The Indians will have to deal with youth and inexperience as Morgan is the only player with any significant playing time last season. ... Brunson likes what he sees from newcomer Aundrae Milum, a 6-1 sophomore guard. ... Other players expected to contribute are Caleb Soller, a 5-10 junior guard; Kelby Rudd, a 5-8 sophomore guard and Drake Price, a 5-8 sophomore guard. ... County Line is one of several Class 1A schools in the area to switch conferences this season.
Deer Antlers
HEAD COACH Rick Napier
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 19-13 overall, 6-6 1A-1 Conference
WHO'S BACK? F/G Dale Dotson (Jr., 6-4), F/G Avery Young (Jr., 6-2)
THE SCOOP Napier becomes the Antlers' fourth coach in the last three years. ... Keegan Middleton, a 6-1 F/G who was a contributor last year, will join the team at the semester. ... Other information was unavailable as of press time.
Haas Hall-Rogers Great Danes
HEAD COACH Zach Harrod
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 4-19
WHO'S BACK? PG Zack Kublanov (So., 5-4), G Max Kublanov (So., 5-5), F Casey Shehan (Jr., 5-10), F Pierson Stoyanov (So., 5-10), P Stephen Sexton (Soph. 5-11).
THE SCOOP The Danes enter the 1A-1 West after spending last year with a junior varsity schedule last year. ... All five players return from a team that finished third in the NWA Postseason Tournament. ... Haas Hall-Rogers will be one of the teams playing home games at the new AAO building in Rogers.
Jasper Pirates
HEAD COACH Mike Parker
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 20-19 overall, lost in first round of state tournament to Kirby.
WHO'S BACK? C Sam Parker (Sr., 6-0)
THE SCOOP The Pirates must rebuild around Sam Parker, who averaged 9.3 points per season and was an all-conference player. ... Layton Smith, a 6-2 forward, is Jasper's only senior. ... Three juniors are expected to contribute: 6-0 guard Cole Villines, 5-11 guard Jesse Harrison and 5-11 post Calvin Smith. ... The Pirates welcome back Huston Davidson, a 6-2 sophomore who returned from an injury, while 5-10 sophomore point guard Forrest Siebert and 5-7 sophomore point guard Mason Morgan will see action.
Kingston Yellowjackets
HEAD COACH Pat Summers
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 20-16 overall, lost to Bradley in the Class 1A state tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Information not available
THE SCOOP Information wasn't provided as of press time.
Lead Hill Tigers
HEAD COACH Derek Rogers
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 18-21 overall, 6-10 1A-2 Conference
WHO'S BACK? G William Mancinelli (Jr., 5-9), F/G T.J. Catron (Sr., 6-0), F/G Cody Paul (Jr., 6-2), Jonathan Fulton (Sr., 6-1), F/P Dustin Turner (Jr., 6-4)
THE SCOOP Paul was the Tigers' leading scorer last season, averaging 16 points per game, and earned all-conference and all-district tournament honors. ... Catron was a close second in scoring with 12 points and pulled down a game-high 9 rebounds. Mancinelli averaged 9.3 points per game and is expected to contribute more with improved shooting. ... Fulton is the Tigers' best defensive player and also averaged 6 assists per game, while Turner could be the most improved player. ... Lead Hill welcome newcomers Pierce Marshall (6-2 senior who sat out last year after a transfer), Mason Cain (5-11 sophomore) and Kaden Greenlaw (5-10 junior who was injured most of last season.
Mount Judea Eagles
HEAD COACH Calvice Casey
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 2-23 overall, 1-11 1A-1
WHO'S BACK? C Tyler Smith (Jr., 5-11); F/G Trenton Faught (Jr., 6-3), G Mattew Cook (Jr., 5-9), F Devan Richardson (Sr., 6-0), G Chase Campbell (Sr., 5-9).
THE SCOOP Casey returns for his second season and will have his starting five intact again. ... The Eagles also have high hopes for Jacob Eddings, a 5-7 sophomore guard that should contribute. ... Other players who could earn playing time include 5-9 junior guard Chase Clayborn, 6-6 senior center Landon Smith, 5-9 point guard Dakota Recoy, 6-1 senior center Jayden Dotson and 5-10 senior guard JD Johnson.
Mulberry/Pleasant View Yellowjackets
HEAD COACH Zack Zajicek
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 16-15 overall, 7-5 1A-4, reached the Class 1A regional tournament.
WHO'S BACK? G Joseph Lewis (Sr., 6-0), F Tyler Williams (Jr., 6-1), P Ian Price (Sr., 6-54)
THE SCOOP Mulberry moves into a new conference after being in the 1A-4 last year. ... Lewis averaged 9 points and 1.5 steals per gfames, while Williams averaged 8 points and 10 rebounds per contest. ... Price provided an inside presence with 2 blocked shots per game. ... Newcomers who are expected to contribute include 5-9 junior guard Tuff Villines, 6-5 sophomore Dominic Belt, 6-0 sophomore guard Brycen Marvine and 5-11 sophomore guard John Henslee.
New School Cougars
HEAD COACH David Ferrell
CONFERENCE 1A-West
2019-20 RECORD 36-2, 12-0 1A-1, won conference and regional titles, lost in first round of state tournament.
WHO'S BACK? None
THE SCOOP The Cougars must rebuild as all five starters graduated from last year's successful team. ... Players expected to contribute include Holden Blankenship, a 6-4 senior; Will Sturner, a 6-1 sophomore; Macheal Hardiman, a 5-8 sophomore and Evan Goldman, a 6-3 sophomore.
NWA Classical Academy Spartans
HEAD COACH Darin Wallace
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 9-18
WHO'S BACK? Alex Richardson (Sr., 6-0), Sandeep Dhillon (Jr., 6-0), Aidan Looney (Sr., 6-0), Maddox Nosari (Jr., 6-2), Devonte Loera (6-0, So.)
THE SCOOP For the first time in the school's young history, there are more upperclassmen in the starting lineup than there are freshmen and sophomores. ... Landon Courtney, a 6-0 sophomore, will be eligible and able to push for playing time ... Wallace expects another balanced scoring attack this season as NWA Classical hopes to counter its lack of size with an aggressive style of defense.
Oark Hornets
HEAD COACH Dylan Kilgore
CONFERENCE 1A-4
2019-20 RECORD 3-29 overall, 1-11 1A-4
WHO'S BACK? Information not available at press time
THE SCOOP Kilgore takes over for Bill Ward. ... Other information was unavailable at press time.
Omaha Eagles
HEAD COACH Rocky Dodson
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 21-13 overall, 8-8 1A-2
WHO'S BACK? Devon Wolf (Sr., 5-10), Jayden Barber (Jr., 6-3), Ezra Hayes (Jr., 6-0), Levi Rogers (6-2, Jr.)
THE SCOOP Wolf is the only senior on an Eagles team that must replace all five starters. ... Barber, Hayes and Rogers all saw limited playing time last year. ... Kaden Lee, a 6-3 sophomore, can play any position but is currently out with a medical condition. ... Other newcomers include 6-4 sophomore William Gray, 6-3 sophomore Chase Curtis and 5-11 sophomore Edden Moon. ... Gabe Morrison, a 5-11 guard, sat out last season but has been a pleasant surprise.
Ozark Catholic Griffins
HEAD COACH Cody Vaught
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 21-11
WHO'S BACK? Steven Flores (Sr., 6-2), Isaac McClinton (Sr., 6-2), Matthew Moix (Sr., 6-6), Jonathan Cass (Sr., 6-3),
THE SCOOP This is the first year that Ozark Catholic will be full Arkansas Activities Association members. ... McClinton, a three0-year starter and the school's career leading scorer, was the team's leader in scoring with 15 points per game and assists with an average of 4 per game. ... Moix and Cass will share the inside duties this season after improving greatly over the last two seasons. ... Moix returns after being sidelined last season with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. ... Preston Efird, a 5-9 junior, is one of the team's better shooters and should see significant playing time. ... Sophomores that could contribute include 5-11 guard Ashton Efird, 5-8 guard Jackson Holmes, 6-2 forward Perrin Lunsford and 5-9 guard Ervin Sanchez.
Ozark Mountain Bears
HEAD COACH Noah Chagron
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD N/A
WHO'S BACK? Information not available at press time
THE SCOOP Ozark Mountain will play as one united team this season after being three different teams -- Western Grove, St. Joe and Bruno-Pyatt -- last year. ... No other information available at press time.
Scranton Rockets
HEAD COACH Tyler Hammers
CONFERENCE 1A-4
2019-20 RECORD 22-13 overall, 8-4 conference (reached regional tournament)
WHO'S BACK? Dakota Pickartz (Sr.), Ryan Willems (Sr )
THE SCOOP Pickartz and Willems are expected to be the leaders on a young Rockets team. ... Newcomers who are expected to contribute this year include sophomore Joseph Cox, sophomore Heston Turner and senior Matthew Hatcher. ... Scranton moves east to the 1A-4 and faces different competition in its new conference.
St. Paul Saints
HEAD COACH Mike Foster
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 13-13 overall, 6-6 conference
WHO'S BACK? F Steven Gulledge (Jr. 6-1), G Chris Getz (Sr., 5-9), G Ethan Stark (Sr., 5-9)
THE SCOOP Foster takes over the Saints as he replaces Bruce Dunlap, who moved into school administration. ... Gulledge averaged 10.3 points per game, good for third on the team last season, and 6.5 rebounds per game, which was second on the team. ... Getz played all 26 games last year and averaged 7.2 points per game, while Stark averaged 2.8 points in 23 games. ... Foster expects newcomers Hughston Golightly, Caden Theruilt, Matthew Shepard and Matthew Schmidt to get playing time and give the Saints a good 10-deep roster.
Thaden School Barnstormers
HEAD COACH Nick Bower
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD Not available.
WHO'S BACK? F Joe Fahey (Sr., 6-3), G Alex Chrisco (Sr., 6-0).
THE SCOOP Bower takes over as the coach of the Barnstormers, who becomes an Arkansas Activities Association affiliate this season after playing a junior varsity schedule next season. ... Other information was not available as of press time.
GIRLS
County Line Lady Indians
HEAD COACH Joe Brunson
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 20-15 overall, 9-3 conference
WHO'S BACK? PG Breanna Walker (Jr., 5-5), F Nicole Vigil (Jr., 5-9), F Kaylee Whitson (Jr., 5-6)
THE SCOOP The Lady Indians will have to replace all five starters, which means building around their three returning juniors. ... Walker averaged 4.2 points and 4 assists per game last year, Vigil averaged 4.6 points per game and Whitson averaged 2.2 points per game. ... Newcomers who are expected to contribute include five sophomores: 5-7 guard Jayleigh Smith, 5-7 forward Caidence Miller, 5-8 forward Allison Porter, 5-6 guard Maddie Phillips and 5-7 forward Melissa Ludwick.
Deer Lady Antlers
HEAD COACH Rick Napier
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 8-25 overall, 4-6 conference
WHO'S BACK? Information not available at press time
THE SCOOP Napier takes over as coach for Miranda Gilmore, who resigned after last season. ... Other information was not available as of press time.
Jasper Lady Pirates
HEAD COACH Ben Grice
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 16-16 overall, 6-4 conference
WHO'S BACK? SG Brooklyn Flud (Sr., 5-4), F Halle Emerson (Jr., 5-9)
THE SCOOP Grice takes over for Jeff Lewis, who resigned to focus more on his principal duties. Grice served as an assistant last season. ... Flud and Emerson will be the team's leaders after they earned all-conference honors last season. ... Aubrey Henderson, a 5-7 guard, and Kaylee Reynolds, a 5-9 forward, both played as freshmen last year and should contribute more with experience and improvement. ... Zailia Phillips, a 5-4 senior guard, transfered to Jasper last year and will help the Lady Pirates. ... Jasper will be in a new conference this season after being in the 1A-1 the last two years.
Kingston Lady Yellowjackets
HEAD COACH Pat Summers
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 21-12 overall, 8-2 conference
WHO'S BACK? Information not available at press time
THE SCOOP Information not available at press time.
Lead Hill Lady Tigers
HEAD COACH Andy Munday
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 24-17 overall, 6-8 1A-2 Conference (lost in regional tournament)
WHO'S BACK? G Kelsey Rogers (Sr., 5-2), G Lily Norman (Sr., 5-2)
THE SCOOP Rogers averaged 14.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, with a season-high 28 points in a loss to Bergman and one double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) against Western Grove. ... Norman averaged 9.9 rebounds, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game and had a career-high 33 points in a game against Mount Judea last season. ... Lead Hill will have to overcome its lack of height -- senior Harley Lee, at 5-8, is the Lady Tigers' tallest player -- and its lack of depth with only eight players on their roster.
Mount Judea Lady Eagles
HEAD COACH Calvice Casey
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 2-17 overall, 1-9 conference
WHO'S BACK? G Jeannie Madison (Jr., 5-7), P Ashton Collins (Jr., 5-8), G Karsyn Clayborn (Jr., 5-6)
THE SCOOP The Lady Eagles will still be considered a young team as their lone senior -- 5-6 guard Alissa Middleton -- is considered a newcomer. ... More than half of Mount Judea's roster is either a sophomore or a freshman. ... Most of the players on the roster are listed in the 5-6 to 5-8 range.
Mulberry/Pleasant View Lady Yellowjackets
HEAD COACH Arel Ferguson
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 12-18 overall, 4-8 conference
WHO'S BACK? P Payton King (Sr., 5-10), Amee Parish (Sr., 5-8)
THE SCOOP The Lady Yellowjackets return four of their five starters from last year's team, as well as the first player off the bench. ... King led Mulberry with an average of 15 points and seven rebounds per game, while Parish averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds per game. ... Newcomers who are expected to contribute are Madi McNatt, a 5-10 junior forward, and Ashtyn Conley, a 5-5 freshman guard.
New School Lady Cougars
HEAD COACH Von Eshnaur
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD N/A
WHO'S BACK? N/A
THE SCOOP The New School begins varsity play for the first time this season. ... Eshnaur takes over as the Lady Cougars' coach after being the women's assistant coach at John Brown. ... The team will consist of six sophomores -- Maria LaPorte, Kynnedy Wolff, Zariah Salley, Faith Caviness, Emma Caviness and Luciana Terminella. ... The Lady Cougars did finish with an 11-4 record in junior girls play last season.
NWA Classical Academy Lady Spartans
HEAD COACH Ladale Clayton
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 2-19 overall, 1-9 conference
WHO'S BACK? Player (Class, Ht)
THE SCOOP Clayton takes over as the Lady Spartans' coach this season. ... NWA Classicial will be in the 1A-1 West this season after being in the 1A-1 last season. ... Other information was unavailable at press time.
Omaha Lady Eagles
HEAD COACH Joe McKinney
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD 5-24 overall, 3-11 conference
WHO'S BACK? F Maria Bearden (Jr., 5-7)
THE SCOOP The Lady Eagles will have to deal with inexperience as Bearden is the only returning player with any significant playing time last season, and 5-2 guard Taryn Kimberlin is the team's only senior. ... Six of Omaha's 10 players on the roster are sophomores, which adds to its youth. ... newcomers include sophomores Katelyn Rogers (5-8 forward), Drew McKinney (5-7 guard/forward), Shelby Whitehurst (5-5 guard), Taylor Evans (5-4 guard), Elaine Rasmussen (6-1 post) and Tristan Kimberlin (5-3 guard)
Oark Lady Hornets
HEAD COACH Dylan Kilgore
CONFERENCE 1A-4
2019-20 RECORD 13-20 overall, 0-12 conference
WHO'S BACK? Information not available at press time.
THE SCOOP Information not available at press time.
Ozark Catholic Lady Griffins
HEAD COACH Brendan Wiley
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 7-18 overall
WHO'S BACK? Rebecka Burton (Sr., 5-7), Therese Rocha (Sr., 5-4), Mary Doke (Jr., 5-2), Isabel Cruz (Jr., 5-5), Darynka Roldan (Jr., 5-2)
THE SCOOP Ozark Catholic will be a full member of the Arkansas Activities Association this year after playing a full nonconference schedule last year. ... Doke was the team's leading scorer and played point guard last season. ... Roldan led the Lady Griffins in 3-point shooting last year. ... Newcomers include a group of freshmen: Celena Alvarez (5-1), Isabel Quezada (5-2), McKenna Smith (5-4), Clara Mariscotti (5-4), Isabella Antony (5-5) and Gabbi Dickinson (5-9).
Ozark Mountain Lady Bears
HEAD COACH Kelsey Hudson
CONFERENCE 1A-1 East
2019-20 RECORD N/A
WHO'S BACK? G Brooklynn Baker (Sr., 5-5), Jordyn Jackson (Jr., 5-3)
THE SCOOP Ozark Mountain will play as one united team this season after being three different teams -- Western Grove, St. Joe and Bruno-Pyatt -- last year. ... Hudson was the coach at Western Grove last season. ... Baker was an all-conference selection last year at Western Grove. ... Top newcomers include 5-10 junior forward Macy Young, 5-1 senior guard Skylar Shatswell and 5-7 junior forward Amara Collins.
Scranton Lady Rockets
HEAD COACH Brad Harrison
CONFERENCE 1A-4
2019-20 RECORD 16-15 overall, 10-2 conference
WHO'S BACK? G Whitney Fox (Sr., 5-7), G Libby Kremer (Sr., 5-4), G Kayla Siebenmorgen (Sr., 5-5), F Grace Blaschke (Sr., 5-7)
THE SCOOP Fox, an all-state player as a sophomore, returns after missing all of last season with a broken foot. ... Kremer earned all-state honors last season after she averaged 13.5 points per game. ... Siebenmorgen averaged 8.7 points per game last year and earned all-conference honors. ... Blaschke was also an all-conference player last season. ... The Lady Rockets' top newcomer is sophomore guard Tara Williams.
St. Paul Lady Saints
HEAD COACH Shannon McBee
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD 20-7
WHO'S BACK? P Emily Burnett (Sr., 5-9), G Tristen Perry (Sr., 5-5), F Nolva Cousins (Sr., 5-5)
THE SCOOP Burnett is solid in the paint, averaging 15 points per game. ... Perry gives the Lady Saints an outside shooting threat. ... Cousins is considered the team's "sparkplug" and brings energy. ... Destinee Starks, a 5-0 junior guard, assumes one of the other starting roles and is the team's defensive specialist. ... St. Paul has a strong bench with junior Alesa Bailey, Katlynn Cambell, a 5-9 junior, and sophomore Trinity Davis.
Thaden School Lady Barnstormers
HEAD COACH Sarah Sagely
CONFERENCE 1A-1 West
2019-20 RECORD N/A
WHO'S BACK? N/A
THE SCOOP Sagely will lead the Lady Barnstormers into their first season of conference play after a junior varsity schedule last season. ... Thaden will be led by a trio of seniors: Claire Wise, Sara Orr and Savannah Peters. ... The Lady Barnstormers have an eight-player roster, including freshman Olivet Deschamps.