The Jonesboro Golden Hurricane are the standard for high school basketball excellence in the state of Arkansas . Jonesboro finished 30-3 last season while winning another state championship . They lose a ton of key pieces from a season ago which include : seven seniors . Deion Buford-Wesson , Isaac Harrell , Devarius Montgomery , Phillip Tillman , Kylen Kelly , James Blair , and Ty Spicer . Coach Swift only returns one starter in CJ Larry who started the final 15 games last year . The junior averaged five points per game while completing a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio . He has a UAPB offer with interest from ASU , Belmont , SEMO , and NW Louisiana . Coach Swift will look to several other players this season to step up and carry on the winning tradition for Jonesboro . He has four senior guards in Chris Stacy , Caleb Chew , Terrance Brown , and Doss McDaniel . Stacy , who plays wide receiver for the football team , is a big-time shooter for Coach Swift . Brown is the football team ’ s starting QB . He will back up CJ Larry at point guard . Coach Swift loves his intelligence . McDaniel is coming off major knee surgery which might limit him especially early but when he ’ s on the floor , he ’ s a great shooter . Chew is strong getting to the rim . There are four juniors that will also see key minutes from the Hurricane . Guard DJ Johnson is a shooter . Swingman Luke Baltz is another solid shooter . Kelen Smith will play guard . He ’ s an athletic slasher that has improved his shot . Last but not least , Myreion Taylor will play forward and serves as the team ’ s best offensive post player . Coach Swift says the teams has to overcome a lack of size and inexperience . “ We ’ ll lean on CJ to lead us but will need strong leadership from our senior class .” Jonesboro will make the state tournament . NEA Sports isn ’ t sure they have enough coming back to win another state title .
The Cedar Ridge Timberwolves finished 21-11 a season ago with a postseason run that earned Coach Cody Edgar ’ s team a regional tournament runner-up and a trip to the 2A State Elite 8 . Now , with a wealth of talent and experience returning , along with a few new faces , the Wolves are primed and ready to make a deeper run this year . “ I love this group . Probably my favorite group I have ever had ,” Coach Edgar explained . “ These guys practice , lift , hunt , fish , go to church , and are together all the time . They are a very close group with little ego and who just want to win at a high level .” Leading the way is All-Conference , All- Region , and All-State guard Caden Griffin . The senior guard averaged 18 points and seven rebounds a game last season leading the Timberwolves . The older Griffin is a dynamic guard that scores at all three levels . Fellow senior Kade Barber returns as Cedar Ridge ’ s leading rebounder . Barber brings toughness and strength on the glass , which is a key for the Wolves to have success this season . Junior guards Kyle Province and Easton Griffin return after averaging 11 and eight points a game respectively . Senior Matt Hendrix moves over after an All-Conference season at Batesville averaging 18 points and seven rebounds a game . Junior guard Lawson Bruce was in the starting lineup at last season ’ s end due to his incredible motor on the floor . Senior forward Abe Ozbun and junior guard Ryan Barber will provide more depth to a stacked Timberwolf lineup . There is no doubt that Cedar Ridge has a lot of fire power . “ We are a talented group with lots of weapons ,” Edgar said . “ Our success will depend on the same things as last year which is defending at a high level and competing on the boards . We also have to get shot attempts every trip . We score it well , so the only thing that becomes problematic on offense is the turnover situation . If the turnovers are down , and we win the rebounding battle we normally have a chance to win . We have good depth with eight different guys who have started for us and played rotational minutes returning .” The 2A-2 conference proved to be one of the toughest in the state a year ago , and it doesn ’ t look like there will be any break this season . Even so , NEA Sports predicts Cedar Ridge to win their conference and be one of the teams to have a legit shot at reaching Hot Springs .
The Jonesboro Lady Hurricane felt a few growing pains last season as they moved up to the 6A Central , one of the state ’ s toughest conferences . Coach Jodi Christenberry ’ s squad managed a 10-18 record and still found their way to the state tournament where they fell in the opening round . JHS hopes to continue their growth this year and improve in the state ’ s largest classification . Coach Chrstenberry has seen her girls put in the work , and is hoping they reap the benefits . “ This group has really come out and worked hard this preseason through a number of hardships that have been dealt to us .,” Coach Christenberry shared . “ I like our attitudes and work ethics . We will have to limit scoring opportunities for our opponents and be patient on offense . We must come to play our best every night because nothing will be easy this year ( nor has it been in the past ).” The Lady Hurricane lost four key players that started or played big minutes but has several returning players that could lead the way . Junior Allannah Orsby has plenty of experience being a two-year starter for Jonesboro averaging 10 points , six rebounds , and two steals a game . Orsby is a long , lanky guard that can score at all three levels . She possesses a high basketball IQ and can wreak havoc on the defensive end . Senior Amiya Butler is another returning starter at the guard position . Butler is deceptively quick and can be creative in getting to the rim . She has worked on improving her outside shot and being more involved on the defensive end . Several others are looking to increase their roles on the team , including junior guard Eljanae Daniels . Daniels has a good basketball IQ allowing her to read situations well , and she has improved her scoring ability in the offseason . Senior guard Jimaria Jackson is a quick , smart defender who will be a major factor in the Lady Cane ’ s defensive scheme . Junior forward Brooklyn Webb is a little undersized in the post , but makes up for it with her strength . Webb makes good moves inside , rebounds well , and works hard on the floor . Jonesboro may be a little undersized at the 6A level , but Coach Christenberry hopes her team makes up for it with their quickness , defense , and willingness to outwork the other team . NEA Sports predicts the Lady Hurricane will battle for another trip to the state tournament this season .