One thing holds true in February and March , the Earle Bulldogs will be a hard team to beat . This held up again last season . Earle finished the year 19-12 , but it was a late season run to a regional title and a trip to state semifinals that have the Bulldogs excited about this season . Coach Carl Miller loved what his young team did in the postseason and is hoping to build off that going into a new year . Leading the way is three-year starter Joseph McVay . The senior was selected to the All-State Tournament Team during the Bulldogs postseason run . He leads a large group of returners that are looking to make another run to Hot Springs . Taron Hurst , Derek Lately , Clifton Wren , and Jaylon Robinson all saw significant time and bring back a lot of postseason experience . Javon Scott and Oscar Miller are looking to contribute and provide depth for Earle . Coach Miller is looking to develop some experience in the post , but feels his team quickness can make up for that . NEA Sports predicts that Earle will get off to a faster start this year , competing for a conference title in the loaded 2A-3 , and also be a tough matchup for any opponent in the postseason . If the Bulldogs fail to get off to a decent start in the conference they will be placed in another play-in game to go to the regional . NEA Sports still likes their chances to make a deep run and contend as one of the better teams in class 2A .
The Earle Lady Bulldogs suffered through a 4-18 season a year ago , but a young group of Lady Dogs hope to help Coach Steve Jefferson and company turn things around . The Junior Lady Bulldogs have won back to back district tournament titles and several key players from those teams are looking to move up , make an immediate impact , and make Earle competitive in the strong 2A-3 conference . Sophomore Jada Maples and freshman Journey Jefferson are two young Bulldogs looking to play big roles for the team . Senior center Dakota Lately will look to provide the leadership needed for such a youthful roster . Junior Aniyah Miller also returns some experience to the roster . Sophomores Martabria Doss , Kay Richardson , Ariana Perry , Madison Pounds , Jamala Greenlaw , and Christian Boykin should provide the spark to help Earle be more competitive . Coach Jefferson believes in his team . “ This team , I feel , will be very competitive and will compete every night ,” Coach said . “ The sophomore class knows what it takes to win and they are a tight knit group . We lack a physical post presence , but I think we can get by with our skill , speed and length on the perimeter . I ’ m trusting my lead dogs to put our team in a good position down the stretch . I think if we set the tone early in games then we can play the type of ball that is uncomfortable .” Look for the Earle Lady Bulldogs to be in the mix for a regional spot in February and to finish in the upper half of the conference .
After back to back trips to the state finals , the Blytheville Chickasaws will have a new look for the 2023-2024 season . Athletic Director Leon Harris will take over the head coaching position after Mckenzie Pierce moved across the state to Fort Smith Northside after a 34-2 season . The Chicks have been at the top of the tough 4A-3 conference year in and year out , but to accomplish that again , Coach Harris will have to rely on a young but talented group . “ Even though we are young , we have some athleticism ; we just have to put all the pieces together ,” Harris said . Blytheville returns one starter in Jeremiah Wells who brings back the most experience . Wells will need to expand his role to lead the Chickasaws . Travis Anderson returns some experience as well after seeing some minutes on the conference and district title team a year ago . Elijah Donnerson is a senior that has moved back into the district that will provide leadership and experience for Coach Harris ’ squad . Mike Dawkins is another name that Coach Harris says will turn some heads . The 6 ’ 4 athlete is very skillful but needs some experience to put it all together . “ You won ’ t find a harder working group than what I have ,” he said . “ We will have to do it on defense collectively as a group . We are going to give ourselves a chance to win ball games by playing defense , rebounding , and not turning the ball over . Everyday in practice has been a battle . These guys bring it everyday .” Even with new faces and a new leader , NEA Sports predicts the Blytheville Chickasaws will once again be in the hunt for a conference title and be a force in the postseason .