1A – 3 Girls Postseason Basketball With three of the eight schools not fielding girls teams this season , four of the five teams will earn spots in the 1A-2 Regional Tournament in Calico Rock . It is quality over quantity in the conference led by one of the favorites to win the 1A State Championship , the Mammoth Springs Lady Bears . Mammoth Springs has the conference and the number one seed in the district tournament wrapped up sitting undefeated in conference . The Lady Bears have also challenged themselves outside of conference by playing some of the top teams in each of the larger classifications . Mammoth Springs has been considered the top team in 1A all year in most every publication , and will look to finish the season in Hot Springs . Marked Tree is in the midst of an unbelievable turnaround . The Lady Indians finished 1-15 a year ago , but have the two seed in the district tournament sewn up , losing only to Mammoth Spring in conference . Coach Colt Frazier has counted on senior Kiasia Burns and a cast of sophomores and a freshman to complete the turnaround , with Burns being the only returning starter . The Hillcrest Lady Screamin ’ Eagles look to be in the third-place position and hope to make a run in the district and regional tournaments . Playing tough conference foes like Mammoth Springs and Marked Tree and challenging themselves in the non-conference has provided good experience for Hillcrest to fall back on in the postseason . Armorel and Maynard are battling it out for the final regional spot . Armorel is led by seniors Holly Nixon and Kyleigh Flatness and junior Anna Loyd . It will come down to a district tournament showdown to see who advances to another week of hoops . With quality teams within the conference , and extra non-conference games to gain experience , whoever makes it out of the district tournament will have a chance to go far . NEA Sports projects Mammoth Spring to win a state title while Marked Tree will make a strong postseason run as well .
Jonesboro Boys The Jonesboro Golden Hurricane have moved up to the 6A classification and haven ’ t missed a beat . Jonesboro is battling at the top of the toughest basketball conference in the state , not to mention the challenge Coach Wes Swift put his guys through in the nonconference slate . All of this to prepare JHS to make a run and win their third straight state title and first in the state ’ s highest classification . The Golden Hurricane have been one of the state ’ s highest ranked teams in all publications this season and look to keep rolling into the postseason . Senior Deion Buford-Wesson has been one of the top players in the state all season long , averaging around 20 points a game against the state ’ s best competition . Elon signee Isaac Harrell has continued to impress for the Hurricane . The senior has added double figures most every night and has hit big shots time and time again . Phillip Tillman has emerged as a force this season as the senior looks to make big game contributions towards another run at a title . Fellow senior Devarious Montgomery has contributed in the scoring column , but also big-time contributions on the glass . These seniors lead a deep group who have put in the work and to capitalize in Hot Springs in March . Don ’ t be surprised to see the Hurricane pull off a 3-peat .
Jonesboro Girls The move to 6A has been a learning experience for the Lady Hurricane this season . Jonesboro has battled in a conference with some of the state ’ s best teams and even a couple nationally ranked squads . Still , JHS has an opportunity to get to the state tournament in their first year in class 6A . Coach Jodi Chistenberry has handled a young team in a difficult conference , well . A couple of seniors have shown leadership , and some young talent has shown promise . Senior Bramyia Johnson has been a leader in the scorebook and on the floor for the Lady Cane . Johnson has had a strong season , and has led JHS in scoring many nights . Fellow Senior Diamonique Reynolds has battled back strong after missing last season to injury and hopes to continue being a strong contributor down the stretch . Sophomore Allanah Orsby has followed up an impressive freshman campaign with a stellar sophomore year . These ladies hope to play strong down the stretch , be playing their best basketball at the end of the season , and make a run in the postseason .