The Riverside Lady Rebels went undefeated to win the 2A-3 Conference title last season , and after a hiccup in the district tournament , won their second straight regional title . Coach Tyler Timms bunch finished 30-7 after a close loss to eventual undefeated 2A State Champion Mt . Vernon-Enola in the state final four . The Lady Rebs have lost a few key pieces to that team , but have plenty of returning firepower to make another run towards Hot Springs . “ We lost some really good players to graduation last year , but our players are excited ,” Coach Timms said . “ I am excited for them . This is probably our quickest group , and I think they play well together . The players understand what type of team we want to be and who we are .” The 2024 2A-3 Conference Player of the Year Brooklyn Berry returns for her senior season to lead Riverside . Berry is a tremendous shooter who plays with passion and can defend and rebound . She averaged 12 points a game last season in a balanced offensive attack . Classmate Klaire Womack returns after an All-Conference season last year . Womack has always been one of the best defenders on the team , and has improved her shot going into this season . Junior Rylee Eakins is the third starter returning after being the second leading scorer ( 11 points per game ) and second leading rebounder ( five rebounds per game ). The two time All-State Tournament team honoree picked up her scoring to 16 points a game in last year ’ s state tournament run and can do just about everything needed on the floor . Also returning is plenty of experience off the bench with players who will be expected to expand their roles from last season . Senior Annalee Qualls will be counted on to take a big step up and give the Lady Rebels big minutes after playing behind Amber Courtney last year . Similarly , Carly Jo Womack will take over the full time point guard reigns after splitting time with Gracie Washington last season . Womack was All NEA Tournament and All Region as a sophomore , shooting better than 80 % from the free throw line . Junior Briley Travis earned All NEA Tournament as well last December and has shown she can really shoot the ball . Fellow Junior Mackey Morgan transferred in from Bay where she averaged nearly 17 points per game and is looking to provide some depth for the Lady Rebs . Arden Vaughn moved up as a freshman last season after leading the junior high to an undefeated conference and district tournament season . The sophomore will look to make a big impact this year . Coach Tyler Timms has plenty of weapons returning , but knows what his team needs to improve on to make another run . “ We aren ' t as physically strong as we were last year so our effort will have to be great to have the type of year we ' ve been accustomed to having ,” he said . “ Our strengths are that we have several returning players along with some talented new players . We have to attack the glass and rebound .” NEA Sports predicts another successful season for the Riverside Lady Rebels . Look for them to be the favorites in the 2A-3 conference , and one of the favorites to cut the nets down in Hot Springs .
The Riverside Rebels had a successful season a year ago finishing 29-11 . They finished as Williams Baptist Invitational Champions , 2A-3 Co- Conference Champions , District Tournament Champion , and Regional Tournament Runnerup . The Rebels lost a heartbreaker to eventual 2A State Runner-Up Marshall in the first round of the 2A State tournament to end a great season . Coach Buster Campbell ’ s squad lost some key pieces , but have several returning starters , and some newcomers that could help the Rebs enjoy another successful season . A trio of seniors lead the way for Riverside in Cash Gillis , Brayeson Timms , and Thatcher Durham . All three were All- Tournament selections for the WBU and NEA Invitationals , and All-Conference and All-Region selections . Gillis is a strong inside / out presence that can score at all three levels . He averaged 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season . Timms is as quick with the basketball as anyone in the state and can knock down the outside shot . He averaged 12.3 points and 3.2 assists a year ago . Durham is a sharp shooter that can get hot quickly . He averaged 11 points and 2.6 assists in his junior year . Fellow senior Bryce Smith looks to expand on his role with his quickness from the guard spot , while junior Tucker Emery is a strong forward that plays hard and should bring some toughness to the floor . Sophomore post Daniel Couch will add an inside presence on both ends of the floor with his 6 ’ 5 frame , and classmate Maddox Stone has been getting better every day according to Coach Campbell . Last season the 2A-3 proved to be the toughest , most balanced league in the state producing a state champion , and the region was just as tough with the runner-up . Coach Campbell knows that could have as easily been his guys , and believes it could very well be this season . “ This bunch has a chance to make some noise ,” he said . “ We have good size , some quickness and some scorers . If we can learn to defend , rebound and share the ball they might overcome poor coaching . We need to improve our mental toughness and become more consistent .” Whoever survives the 2A-3 and gets through the region could very well find themselves in Hot Springs , and the Riverside Rebels will have just as good a chance as anyone . NEA Sports predicts that Riverside wins their conference and will make a legit run in the 2A State Tournament .
A familiar face takes over on the banks of the Mississippi River as Sammie Lewis takes the head coaching position for the Marion Patriots . The Patriots finished 19-5 last season , earning a trip to the 5A State tournament as the two seed out of the tough 5A East . Coach Lewis will have a couple of starters and some key reserves return to make Marion one of the favorites in a balanced conference . Senior Mikell Lewis leads the way as a three year starter . The 6 ’ 4 forward has a high motor and is a great on ball defender and rebounder . Lewis is a great finisher around the rim and has expanded his game on the perimeter . Junior Ladaryl Robinson is a 6 ’ 7 post player who is a skilled player who can play with his back to the basket or facing up on the outside . He also is a presence on the defensive end as a shot blocker and rebounder . Juniors Chandler Randle , Jalen Neal , and Dexter Higgings will all be key pieces in the starting lineup . Randel is an athletic shooter that can defend , and Neal is a strong , physical player who can finish at the rim . Higgings is a super quick and crafty point guard that will run the Patriot offense and get after opposing guards defensively . All three will be good defenders , which will be a key for Marion . “ The keys for us are going to be getting the buy in we need and trusting each other ,” Coach Lewis said . “ We have some size , and should be a team that defends and rebounds at a really high level . Early offense may be a struggle doing some new things that may be out of their comfort zone , but it will work itself out . They are a great group on and off the court . If we can make shots and defend , we have a chance to be really competitive .” The Marion Patriots will battle at the top of the 5A East and make their way back to the state tournament .