The Jonesboro Golden Hurricane ended an up and down season last year at 16-14 with a first round win at state over Bentonville before falling to Har-Ber . Coach Wes Swift ’ s Canes are hoping to ride that late season momentum into a successful 2024-2025 campaign and a deeper run in the state ’ s largest classification . JHS will rely on a stable of returners with big game experience . Seniors CJ Larry , DJ Johnson , Luke Baltz , and Kelen Smith return to lead the Hurricane . Larry ( 6 ’ 3 ) is an elite guard who is committed to Northwestern State . The All-State guard averaged 12 points and four rebounds last year and is one of the top defenders in the state . Johnson ( 6 ’ 4 ) is an athletic wing who can really shoot it . He was All-Conference last season and is looking for an even bigger season . Baltz ( 6 ’ 3 ) also earned All -Conference as a junior as a strong , physical wing who can defend and shoot the ball . Smith ( 6 ’ 2 ) is a very athletic guard that can get to the rim and finish . He earned All-Conference honors averaging 11 points and four rebounds and has continued to improve as a shooter and defender . Seniors Adam Rutherford and Myreion Taylor , juniors BJ Knowlton and Jaques Jordan , and sophomore Lleyton Weaver are all looking to fill some gaps and make an impact this season . Coach Swift is excited about this team . “ We really like this team !” he said . “ We ' ve got a lot of experience coming back and they are probably the most mature team we ' ve had in some time . Our strength will be on the perimeter . We have a lot of guys that can play on both ends of the floor ! They like each other and seem to be hungry to get back to the winning ways of the past .” The 6A Central may be the toughest conference in the state year in and year out , but JHS competed last year . With so many perimeter weapons and returning experience , look for the Jonesboro Golden Hurricane to battle near the top of the conference and make another run into the postseason .
The Cedar Ridge Timberwolves enjoyed some success last season finishing 27-9 earning a spot in the state ’ s toughest regional tournament . Coach Luke Cornett takes over in Newark and hopes to lead the Wolves into the state tournament . Senior guards Kyle Provence and Easton Griffin lead the way for the returning Timberwolves . Provence is a two year starter that is intelligent and provides a threat from the three point line . Griffin is another two year starter that provides length , athleticism , and the ability to score . Fellow seniors Ryan Barber and Lawson Bruce are looking to expand their roles this upcoming season . Barber is a forward that is long and athletic , while Bruce provides more physicality . Sophomore Rylan Brown moves up and provides more physicality and a presence in the post . Coach Cornett knows what his new team needs to do to continue the success Cedar Ridge has experienced the last few years . “ Our keys to success will be our ability to rebound the basketball and also having numerous guys that have the capability to score ,” Coach Cornett said . “ Our weaknesses will depend upon how often or how many times we turn the basketball over .” The 2A-2 will once again be stacked with some of the classification ’ s toughest teams all together . The Timberwolves will be one of those teams competing for one of those coveted regional berths . Cedar Ridge should battle in the top half of the conference and be a tough out come tournament time .
Coach Nolan Smith takes over a Cedar Ridge Lady Timberwolves program that finished 14-14 last season , just missing out on the regional tournament . Coach Smith hopes to bring a tough style of basketball to a tough 2A-2 conference . “ We look to make games ugly and play a physical style of defense in hopes to help generate some offense ,” he said . “ Our strengths would be strong guards who are not afraid of contact and can score some around the rim .” Leilah Campbell is a forward who started last season and does a great job rebounding and finishing around the rim . Campbell can shoot the three and is a physical player who does a little bit of everything . Junior Emilee Pankey returns at the guard spot . She is a scorer who handles the ball well and gets to the rim . Pankey will be looked to score a lot for the Lady Wolves . Sophomores Lynlee Bruce , Reagan Skaggs , and Addison Owens will have to step into big roles this year . Bruce is a forward who scores well around the rim and will often guard the opponent ’ s best player . Skaggs is a guard who can handle the ball and shoot the three . Skaggs could be a difference maker if she gets hot shooting the ball . Owens is a guard that can score and works extremely hard . Freshman Shelby Pankey is a swing type player that can do a little bit of everything . Rebounding and scoring will be her main role most nights , and she can step out and shoot the perimeter shot . “ Our keys to success would be limiting turnovers and rebounding the basketball ,” Coach Smith added . “ Defensively limiting opponents to one shot will be our biggest emphasis .” The 2A-2 will be tough again this season , but look for the Cedar Ridge Lady Timberwolves to play tough and compete for a regional berth this year .
The Jonesboro Lady Hurricane will have a lot of new faces after making the 6A State Tournament last season finishing 12- 19 . Coach Jodi Christenberry will only have one returning starter to navigate the brutal 6A Central . “ Consistency and growth will be our focus this year ,” Coach Christenberry said . “ With so many new faces learning our system , I look to have some growing pains and somewhat of a rollercoaster ride , but toward the end of the year and beyond , I feel that we have a very good chance at becoming a genuine team who works together well , becomes more consistent in all aspects of the game , and shows a desire to leave everything on the court every night .” Eljanae ’ Daniels is the only returning starter for JHS . The senior point guard is calm under pressure and a great leader on the floor . Daniels can score or create for a teammate . She is mature in action and attitude . Junior Sya Woods will need to step up and make contributions this year along with classmate Skylar Gambrell . Woods is an extremely fast guard with a high motor . She doesn ’ t back down , and her athleticism is an advantage on both ends of the floor . Gambrell is a strong , coachable guard who works hard and will contribute on both ends as well . Youth makes up the rest of the roster . “ A number of our sophomores will be called upon to fill key roles this year ,” Coach Christenberry said . “ Time will tell who can transition from junior high to the rigors of high school basketball well . Many are stepping up in practice and all have brought a breath of fresh air with their good attitudes and competitive natures .” It may be an up and down season until the young ones find their footing , but look for the Lady Canes to be ready by conference play and compete to return to the postseason .