The Earle Bulldogs are moving into the tough 1A-3 conference , but that doesn ’ t change the expectations that are always there for Coach Carl Miller and his squad . Earle finished 16-10 a year ago , but finished strong with a berth in the 2A State Tournament . With several key returners , Coach Miller and crew are poised for a great year in a different classification . Seniors Jaylen Robinson and Kharon Austin return to lead the Bulldogs this season along with juniors Taron Hurst , Derrick Lately and Clifton Wren . Robinson , Hurst , Lately , and Wren all started last season and provide a balanced attack for opposing teams to worry about . Senior Raylen Evans and Sophomores Antonius Dorsey , Dontay Bell , Derian Maples , Jordan Williams , and Marvin Halk all look to provide depth to the Bulldog lineup . As tradition holds , Earle will be one of the favorites in the loaded 1A-3 and state wide . NEA Sports predicts the Bulldogs will battle at the top of the conference and look to make a run to Hot Springs come March .
. The Earle Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a 22-11 season a year ago , a conference runner-up finish , a district tournament championship , a berth in the regional tournament , and a trip to the 2A state tournament . Now , coach Steven Jeffreson and his Lady Dogs will move into the 1A-3 . They have the firepower to compete at the top . The dynamic duo of Jada Maples and Journey Jefferson return to lead Earle this season . Maples and Jefferson are as good as any guard tandem in the state at any level . Maples , a junior , and Jefferson , a sophomore , each have the ability to take over a game . They did the bulk of the scoring last season , and will be counted on again to carry the load this year . Each guard can score at all three levels , handle the basketball , and create for other teammates . Teammates like sophomore Madison Dunn who could reap the benefits of teams focusing on Maples and Jefferson . Dunn moved up late in the season and was a big spark in the Lady Bulldogs postseason run . Guard Madison Pounds will play a key role as well , along with Janaria Murray , Anyiah Miller , Natalie Sanders , and Christian Boykins . Coach Jefferson believes this edition of the Earle Lady Bulldogs will have a little more balanced attack . These ladies have one goal , and Coach Jefferson is doing what he can to prepare them for the journey . “ This year I think our schedule would put us in the best position to make a state title run ,” Coach Jefferson explained . “ We have scheduled some very good teams in upper classifications to help us prepare for the postseason .” That tough early schedule should help the Lady Bulldogs to battle at the top of the 1A-3 with the likes of Marked Tree . NEA Sports predicts the Earle Lady Bulldogs will be one of the favorites not only in the conference , but also in the state . Look for Earle to win their conference and make a run to Hot Springs in hopes of cutting down some nets .
The East Poinsett County Warriors used a late season tournament run to cut down the nets and win the 2A State Championship . Coach JeMarcus Thaxton ’ s tribe finished 23-13 and claimed the 2A North Regional Championship along with the state title . The Warriors lost some key pieces from that championship team , but have a lot of experience and talent returning to defend their title . Senior guard Tyrus Reel returns to lead EPC this season . The three year starter averaged 13 points , 4.5 rebounds , 3.8 rebounds , and 1.3 steals a game . Reel was All-State Tournament last March and is an elite defender with all the tools on offense , shooting , passing , and decision making . Junior Jacob Gaines is the reigning 2A State Tournament MVP and leading returning scorer at 15.6 points a game . Gaines also averaged 7.5 rebounds a night and is strong at both attacking and protecting the rim . Several players who got minutes last season will look to expand their roles this year . Juniors Doug Reel and Dee Buchanan saw some time last year , but will look to make a bigger contribution on both ends of the floor . Doug Reel is a great defender and rebounder , controls the paint , and finishes around the rim . Buchanan is another defender and rebounder who brings another level of physical toughness . Ashton Reel is a sophomore who is a physical player who is a great rebounder and can finish around the rim , while classmate Quincy Perry is a great defender who can attack the rim . Coach Thaxton says his guys are still learning and accepting new roles , but believes the talent is there . “ Our keys to success will be remaining humble , coming to work every day , and playing up to the standard . We have a lot of depth , experience , and length .” It was a late season run that pushed the East Poinsett County Warriors to a state title last season . It may take this year ’ s Warriors some time to settle into new roles , but NEA Sports predicts that EPC will be ready come tournament time and be tough to handle on the road to defending their title .
Coach Spencer Harston and the East Poinsett County Lady Warriors finished the season 11-14 , just missing out on last year ’ s regional tournament . The Lady Warriors have several key pieces returning in hopes of taking that next step into the regional tournament and mayne beyond . Three year starter Kyla Harston returns after averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds last season . The senior forward is a three time All-Conference player and should be the engine that drives this EPC team . Fellow senior Jalyn Constant returns after making over 90 three point attempts in her sophomore and junior seasons . The forward provides a viable outside threat to the Lady Warrior attack . Several other players will look to expand their roles and make bigger impacts this season . Juniors Riley Ashcraft , Kelly Ashcraft , and Madison Thomas are looking to provide a spark . Riley is a guard that is another outside shooting threat and handles the ball well . She was the sixth man last year , but should find her way into the starting lineup . Kelly is a forward who rebounds well and has improved on finishing around the basket . Sophomores Allison Gaines , Kylee Henderson , and Alainna Sweeney should make immediate impacts this season . Gaines is a guard with elite athleticism and is a great defender . Henderson handles the ball well and is improving on finishing at the rim in traffic . Sweeney is a great defender at the guard spot and has improved her shooting . The 2A-3 will be as tough as usual , but Coach Harston feels if his team can defend well without fouling and play well in transition , they will have a shot . Look for the East Poinsett County Lady Warriors to compete in the middle of the conference for a chance to go to the regional tournament .