2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 79

5A East Boys Postseason Preview The 5A East has proven once again to be a tough balanced conference and getting to the state tournament will be a battle until the final game . The Marion Patriots have been atop not only the conference , but also ranked near or at the top of the state in all publications . Following closely behind are the Nettleton Raiders . Coach Bubba Deaton ’ s bunch has a fun team to watch all year led by athletic junior Taylor Smith . Smith ( 6-5 ) is a high-flying athlete that can shoot it or attack the rim . Helping him on the perimeter are Derodrick Moton and Brandon Alexander . These two guards have quickness that can cause havoc on both ends of the floor . Inside , Jordan Pigram and Deshaun Jackson have proven to be a formidable duo . The Raiders are another 5A East team that have been ranked in the top five of the state most of the year . The other two state tournament spots are up for grabs and all six remaining teams could end up there if they play well down the stretch . West Memphis , Searcy , Valley View , Paragould , and Greene County Tech have been within a game or two of each other all season . Batesville is at the bottom and will need to win out to have a shot . Valley View has been led by sophomore Oliver Barr most nights . Barr has been the leader in scoring and near the top in rebounds as well . Junior point guard Carson Turley has played well this year , as has senior Jackson Harmon . Those two have used their experience to lead a deep lineup . Paragould is led by Gavin Hall , Nate Brittingham , and Caleb Jiles . Hall is a scorer who can fill it up on any given night , while Brittingham and Jiles have had big games as well . Greene County Tech got off to a hot start this year , but sputtered at the beginning of the conference season . The Golden Eagles look to right the ship and with the way they can shoot it , they are a threat night in and night out . Benji Goodman and Tyler Vincent lead a balanced lineup that can put points up in a hurry . Matt Hendrix has led Batesville this season , and hopes to lead a turnaround for the Pioneers . Whoever makes it out of the conference will surely have earned that trip to the state tournament in Pine Bluff . One thing is for sure , every single game will be important , and each game will be exciting . NEA Sports predicts Marion to make a strong run to the final four and potentially the finals . Nettleton is another team that has the talent to go deep as well .

5A East Girls Postseason Preview Coming down the stretch , it looks like there are several teams that are still in the hunt for the 5A East Conference title and one of the four spots in the state tournament . West Memphis has been good early on , pulling several big wins . Nettleton , Paragould , Marion , and Greene County Tech are all still in the hunt for a tournament spot . Nettleton is guarding efficiently according to Coach Tim Hawkins , and rely on four Lady Raiders to fill the stat sheets . Mackenzie Williams leads the way scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds a night . Akyria James is an all-everything guard that averages eight points , four assists , and a pair of steals . Backcourt mate Carmen McShan has the same stat line and is ferocious on the defensive end . Post player Donna Douglas ( 7 ppg and 7 rpg ) completes the one-two punch inside for the Lady Raiders . Kemauri Brown and Shakira Brown lead the way for the Paragould Lady Rams . The Browns have been a tough duo to handle during the season and look to lead Sonja Tate ’ s squad into the postseason . The Greene County Tech Lady Eagles have been in several tough battles this season and hope that the outcomes fall in their favor down the stretch . Ava Carter , Jacy Edrington , Acey Fahr , Weslyn Burnside , and Miyah Butler lead a deep and balanced attack for GCT . All the season stats are close in this lineup . Carter ( 9 ppg , 4 rpg , and 3 apg ) and Edrington ( 8 ppg , 4rpg , 3 apg ) lead the way , with Fahr , Burnside , and Butler all averaging five to six points and four to six rebounds . Searcy , Valley View , and Batesville are at the bottom of the conference , but don ’ t count them out just yet . Morghan Weaver leads a group of inexperienced Lady Blazers down the stretch including Annika Wilbanks , who has been a pleasant surprise in conference play . They have been in several games needing to find some offense to turn the outcome in their favor . Abby Hurley and the Batesville Lady Pioneers are hoping to turn things around and make a run at the postseason , as well .