Girls
Alpena Lady Leopards
HEAD COACH Michael Smith
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 30-8
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the state tournament to Kirby.
WHO'S BACK Amelya Cook (5-7, Sr.), Desiree Deitrich (5-8, Sr.), Katherine Rodas (5-9, Soph.), Bella Philips (5-6, Jr.), Emma Johnson (5-6, Soph.).
THE SCOOP Michael Smith replaces longtime coach Larry McKinney, who retired after last season. ... The team returns plenty of experience from a state tournament team, despite having its leading scorer move away. ... The seniors are looking to win their third consecutive conference and district tournament titles. ... Smith said the group has adapted well to lack of practice time in the offseason because of covid-19. ... The team could also not hit its stride until later in the season since several also participated in volleyball, Smith said.
Decatur Lady Bulldogs
HEAD COACH Jeremy Schopper
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 4-19, 2-8
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 36-35 to Yellville-Summit in the first round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Annabelle Schopper (5-10, Sr.), Karelys Cardona (5-9, Soph.)
THE SCOOP Two-time all-conference selection Annabelle Schopper averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game a year ago. ... Schopper is committed to play at Evangel. ... Sophomore Karelys Cardona should help inside, while junior Kaitlyn Funk returns after taking last year off. ... Freshmen Abigail Schopper and Annabelle Bell should also contribute.
Eureka Springs Lady Highlanders
HEAD COACH Ryan Sanchez
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 18-15, 8-2
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 53-41 to Bigelow in the first round of the state tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Olivia Cross (5-7, Jr.)
THE SCOOP Returns only one starter from a team that made the state tournament for the first time in 11 years. ... Graduated five seniors ... Depth should be a strength though, playing 8-9 players each night with the bulk of those being juniors.
Johnson County West Lady Rebels
HEAD COACH Karra Busch
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 7-19
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK Graci Domerese (5-4, Sr.), Ryleigh McMillan (5-3, Sr.), Cenyann McMillan (5-4, Sr.), Kailee Hayes (5-10, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Four starters return from a team that lost in the first round of the district tournament. ... The Lady Rebels will try to utilize their quickness in the dribble drive offense to create scoring chances. ... Domerese is also an offensive threat from the perimeter. ... Busch says the group plays hard and is "fun to coach."
Lavaca Lady Arrows
HEAD COACH Justin Wyles
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 10-20
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 41-31 to Hackett in the first round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Rylie Green (5-2, Jr.), Lindsey Morgan (5-4, Jr.), Selena Shelly (5-7, Jr.), Katie May (5-5, Soph.), Anna Davis (5-7, Soph.).
THE SCOOP The Lady Arrows return two starters, but have no seniors on the roster. ... Green will miss the first couple of games with an injury but is expected to return. ... May will run the point in Green's absence. ... Group doesn't have much size, but will rely on strong guard play. ... Shelly played sparingly a year ago but showed great improvement in the offseason and is expected to make big contributions.
Lifeway Christian Lady Warriors
HEAD COACH Peter Ryan
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 21-12
PLAYOFF RESULT First year as part of the Arkansas Activities Association.
WHO'S BACK? Braydin Fulcher (5-6, Sr.), Abby Moseley (5-10, Sr.), Hallie Moseley (6-1, Soph.), Karlie Lindsay (6-0, Sr.),
THE SCOOP Lilly Moseley, a 6-0 freshman, gives the Lady Warriors even more size joining sisters Hallie and Abby on the varsity roster. ... Freshman Callie Hull also runs the point. ... Size is obviously a strength but ballhandling needs work according to coach Peter Ryan. ... But Ryan likes the group's overall work ethic.
Magazine Lady Rattlers
HEAD COACH Randy Loyd
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 15-11
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Kiara Vasquez (5-9, Sr.), Kylie Robinson (5-5, Jr.), Jordyn Craigbaum (5-5, Sr.), Raymie Davis (5-3, Sr.), Tannea Thomas (6-0, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Vasquez and Robinson will be four-year starters, while Davis and Craigbaum will be starting for the second year, so the experience will be a strength. ... Robinson set a school record, scoring 43 points in a game last season. ... The Lady Rattlers should be well-rounded with not a great deal of quickness, but they have several who shoot the ball well.
Mansfield Lady Tigers
HEAD COACH Josh Bryan
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 6-18, 2-12
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 54-33 to Waldron in the first round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Makayla Strutton (5-7, Sr.), Danielle Lillie (5-4, Sr.), Brooke Wright (5-10, Sr.),
THE SCOOP The Lady Tigers drop down to Class 2A this season and look to make some noise. ... Senior Brooke Wright helped lead them to an undefeated state championship volleyball season. ... Wright earned Most Valuable Player honors in the state volleyball tournament. ... Makayla Strutton was the team's leading scorer a year ago and earned all-conference honors. ... Sophomores Natalie Allison, Skylynn Harris and Seven Sanderson should all contribute after leading the junior team to a conference and district tournament title a year ago.
Mountainburg Lady Dragons
HEAD COACH Zach Dean
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 16-12, 8-4
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 39-38 to Eureka Springs in the first round of the regional tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Haley Reed (5-4, Jr.), Annie Beasley (5-4, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Jordan Watkins, who was the sixth man a year ago, will be counted on heavily this season to shoulder the scoring load. ... The Lady Dragons lost three seniors so there will be new fac3s on the court. ... They will also be young with just one senior on the roster.
Boys
Alpena Leopards
HEAD COACH Phillip Roberts
CONFERENCE 1A-1
CONFERENCE 11-19
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost to County Line in the opening round of the regional tournament,.
WHO'S BACK? Nicholas Stone (6-1, Sr.), Bryce Martin (6-0, Jr.), Kobe Hicks (6-0, Jr.), Cody Block (6-0, Soph.), Barron Ohler (6-0, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Roberts begins his 21st year at Alpena and 30th in coaching. ... Stone and Martin are both returning starters but several others got valuable playing time a year ago because of some injuries. ... Block has shown great improvement and Hicks scored in 18 points a year ago in the game that got them into the regional.
Arkansas Arts Academy Diamonds
HEAD COACH Austin Frederking
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 14-8
PLAYOFF RESULT Did not compete in the conference a year ago.
WHO'S BACK Ben Vogel (6-4, Sr.), Bryle Rivera (5-6, Soph.), Chyrell Stanley (5-11, Soph.).
THE SCOOP Vogel averaged 22 points and 6 rebounds per game a year ago. ... The Diamonds are in just their third year fielding a high school varsity team. ... The team doesn't have a great deal of size, but likes to push the pace to take advantage of their quickness.
Decatur Bulldogs
HEAD COACH Dayton Shaw
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 6-19, 1-9
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 62-44 to Lavaca in the first round of the regional tournament
WHO'S BACK? Bryson Funk (Sr.), Kevin Garcia (Sr.), Carlos Hernandez (Sr., Christian Ramirez (Jr.), Enrique Robi (Jr.), Trevor Glrdenor (Sr.), Edgar Hererra (Jr.)
THE SCOOP Garcia averaged more than 10 points a game last season, while Funk averaged 8 points per game. .. The Bulldogs return a great deal of experience from last year's team which reached the regional tournament. ... Several sophomores are expected to see meaningful minutes. ... Junior Andres Revolario is returning to basketball and should help especially defensively. ... Coach Dayton Shaw is in his first season at Decatur.
Eureka Springs Highlanders
HEAD COACH Brian Rambo
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 8-18, 4-6
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 45-28 to Cotter in the first round of the district tournament
WHO'S BACK? Matthew Lester (6-0, Jr.), Kegley Ertel (6-3, Jr.), Shane Holloway (6-9, Soph.)
THE SCOOP Matthew Lester averaged more than 18 points per game a year ago and earned all-state honors. ... Junior guards Teagan Farriester and Braden Gerth are newcomers who should provide athleticism. ... Farriester has good range as an outside shooter, while Gerth's high I.Q. and defense should be assets.
Johnson County Westside Rebels
HEAD COACH Nick Bartmier
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 12-15
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Austin Bartlett (6-2, Sr.), Peyton Chrisman (5-7, Sr.), Dakota Beavers (5-9, Jr.), James Linton (6-0, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Bartlett is the lone returning starter and averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Chrisman averaged 7 points per game last year, but is expected to make a greater contribution this season. ... Beavers and Linton should bring athleticism.
Lavaca Golden Arrows
HEAD COACH Renner Reed
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 34-5, 12-0
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 47-33 to England in the state semifinals.
WHO'S BACK? Luke Watson (5-10, Jr.), Drake Grantham (6-2, Jr.), Avery Walker (5-8, Jr.), Kolby Glidewell (5-11, Jr.)
THE SCOOP The Arrows are a young team with just one senior on the team and replacing five starters. ... Depth should be an asset with some young, energetic players who are eager to prove themselves. ... The team will look to progress as the season moves forward.
Lifeway Christian Warriors
HEAD COACH Peter Ryan
CONFERENCE 2A-1
2019-20 RECORD 21-20
PLAYOFF RESULT First year in an Arkansas Activities Association conference.
WHO'S BACK? Preston Green (6-0, Sr.), Ant Potter (6-1, Sr.), Sam Green (6-3, Sr.), Luke Melton (5-10, Sr.), Chandler Mathis (6-3, Jr.).
THE SCOOP This is the first year the Warriors will compete in a conference in the Arkansas Activities Association. ... The school competed in the Heartland Conference last season, which included mostly Oklahoma schools. ... Peter Ryan, a 2013 graduate of Lifeway Christian is in his second season as coach. ... The Warriors will be more guard-oriented than a year ago and smaller, but have good quickness.
Magazine Rattlers
HEAD COACH Justin Mackey
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 4-18, 1-11
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 63-45 to Johnson County Westside in the first round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Cam Raggio (6-6, Sr.), Brady Watson (6-4, Sr.), Ashton Droemer (5-9, Jr.), Haden Littleton (5-11, Jr.)
THE SCOOP Watson earned all-conference honors a year ago, while Droemer is a strong ballhandler with great footwork. ... Raggio is returning from a knee injury. ... Senior Tatum Scott and junior Austin Krigbaum added perimeter scoring and great on-ball defense after being away from basketball for a year. ... Senior Cole Gilbert is another who has been away from basketball for a while but should also contribute.
Mansfield Tigers
HEAD COACH Keith Stovall
CONFERENCE 3A-1
2019-20 RECORD 9-12, 4-10
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost 66-48 to Charleston in the second round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Zayne Dugan (6-6, Jr.), Codi Chick (5-11, Sr.), Bri Sanderson (6-4, Sr.), JoJo Bailey (5-11, Sr.), Tyler Escalante (6-1, Jr.), Ethan Pettus (5-10, Jr.), Jackson Andrews (5-10, Sr.).
THE SCOOP Chick, who averaged 12 points and 4 rebounds, is the lone returning starter. ... Bailey played extensive minutes off the bench the last two seasons. ... Despite returning only one starter, several players saw minutes a year ago off the bench.
Mountainburg Dragons
HEAD COACH Michael McDonald
CONFERENCE 2A-4
2019-20 RECORD 9-17
PLAYOFF RESULT Lost in the first round of the district tournament.
WHO'S BACK? Ethan Gregory (6-0, Sr.), Waylon Cluck (6-1, Sr.), Luke Moxley (5-9, Sr.), Sam Ortlieb (5-9, Jr.), Zach Jones (6-4, Jr.), Jodin Davidson (6-4, Jr.), Austin Byron (5-9, Sr.), Preston Clark (5-10, Jr.)
THE SCOOP The Dragons will look to rebound from a disappointing season with injuries and players moving away affected the year after making the state tournament two years ago. ... Gregory, an all-state selection as a sophomore, missed all of last season because of a knee injury. ... Cluck is a two-time all-conference selection, who made 9 3-pointers in a game last season. ... The issues last season allowed younger players to get valuable experience which could pay off this year.