. The Rivercrest Colts followed up a state semifinal run in 2023 with a 30-4 season , 3A-3 conference and district tournament titles , a 3A-2 Regional championship , and a 3A State Quarterfinal run in 2024 . The Colts fell to eventual state champion Central Arkansas Christian . With so many returners , the expectations in South Mississippi County have not wavered for Coach Hunter Robinson and his squad . “ We have several athletic players returning with tons of basketball experience ,” Coach Robinson said . “ Our shooting must improve throughout the year , and we must develop some depth early in the year .” Senior guard Cavonta Washington returns as a three year starter and a proven winner . Washington averaged 12 points per game last season and is capable of big nights with a 27 and a 28 point outing last year . Junior guard Jayden Young is the returning leading scorer for the Colts at 18 points per game . Young sees the floor well and can dish the ball with the best of them . He has a high basketball IQ and makes everyone around him better . Fellow junior Emmerence Harris is close behind at 16 points a night a year ago . The slasher is the team ’ s best defender and rebounder . Harris is a proven scorer that balances the scoring attack . Classmate Jamarius Byrd averaged five points last year and is a great ball handler and leaper . Byrd brings some experience to the floor and will look to expand on his role this season . Junior Marquis Nunn is a great leaper with a ton of potential who could emerge as a player to provide depth along with senior Jakavion Williams and juniors Sequori Bonner and Asier Burks . The 3A-3 will have a little different feel this season with the additions of Newport , Walnut Ridge , and Hoxie , but still have rivals Osceola and Manila . The Rivercrest Colts will once again be the favorite to win the league and be one of the favorites to make it to Hot Springs in maybe the states most balanced and deep classifications .
The Rivercrest Lady Colts earned a trip to the 3A State Tournament last season finishing 18-13 . Coach Ronnie Dye lost three starters and a lot of size from last year , but has a lot of talent and quickness back , so look for the Lady Colts to speed things up . “ We have lost lots of size from the past few seasons ,” Coach Dye said . “ We have been used to having a size advantage on most of our opponents and usually slowed the pace the past few seasons . This year , we will have one player around six foot tall , but will have four guards who can handle on the floor most of the time . We will be a much quicker team this season and the key to us having success is bringing defensive pressure and pushing the tempo every single night .” Senior Destiny Burks leads the way for Rivercrest . The All-State guard averaged 16.7 points , five rebounds , 2.5 assists , and three steals eclipsing the 1,000 point mark in the state tournament last season . Burks has great shooting range and a high basketball IQ . Jalexia Young returns at point guard . The senior averaged eight points and four rebounds a game and usually drew the best offensive player on the opposing team . Young missed 17 games with an injury last year , but looks to be healthy and ready to start her senior season . Six foot sophomore Ella Gonzalez was All-Conference as a freshman averaging four points and seven rebounds . Gonzalez is a great rebounder and shot blocker . After that , the Lady Colts are very young . Freshmen Randashia Booker and Lani Latham will have a chance to move up and start . Booker has a high motor , can shoot and rebound , while Latham is very tough and plays extremely hard making her a tough defender . Junior Lakiya Speed returns after not playing last season and classmate Kiarie Thomas moved in from Indiana . Speed is very strong and can shoot , Thomas is very athletic , while fellow junior Treasure Buchanan can shoot it from outside . Sophomores Gabby Harris , Kamryn Goodlow , Tamiyah Mosley , and Damiya Barbee are all looking to make an impact this season . Coach Dye feels defense will be the key for his squad . “ Mental toughness and grit are what we have been working on this offseason ,” he said . “ We will have some players who will battle hard night in and night out , especially on the defensive end . Our goal : " Guard hard and make em ’ hate it !" If we can bring the pressure every night defensively and work on the boards , we should see some success this season .” The 3A-3 will be a battle every night , and the Rivercrest Lady Colts will be at the top battling for a conference title .
The Osceola Seminoles finished 21-13 after a slow start last season reaching the district tournament finals , the regional tournament finals , and the quarterfinals of the 3A State Tournament . Coach Bryanth Basemore has four players back with starting experience who he will rely on to get off to a faster start in hopes to make a deeper run in the playoffs . Seniors Jeremiah Jacobs and Jerion Long along with juniors Tyler Bell and Maurice Washington all return for the Noles . Each started some games last season and gained valuable experience especially in the postseason . Seniors Tyrese James , Chris Wilkins , and Donavan Littleton along with juniors Anthony Brown and Kash Spann all should factor into the lineup and contribute to the Seminole attack . Coach Basemore cites staying healthy as a major factor to his team ’ s success . The 3A-3 has a bit of a new look , but with the usual suspects at the top . To no one ’ s surprise , Osceola will be right there at the top battling for a conference title . Look for the Seminoles to compete at the top of the conference and be a tough out come tournament time , with their eyes set on making it to Hot Springs .
The Tuckerman Bulldogs will move down in classification , but that does not mean they will move down in competition . In fact , the 2A-2 conference looks to be one of the strongest in the state at any level . Coach Josh Longino knows the challenge ahead , and likes what his guys bring to the table . Tuckerman finished 24-13 last season claiming a district title and a Kell Classic Championship . The Bulldogs lost three starters , but return key players in search of a deeper postseason run . Leading the way is two time All-State selection Amare Neal . The senior point guard led the team with 19 points , six assists , and six rebounds a night . Neal is a three level scorer , great facilitator , and the best defender on the team . Fellow senior Brealyn Odom returns as well looking to expand on his six points and five rebound a game average . Odom has great length for rebounding and is one of the Bulldog ’ s best outside shooters . Andrew King is a senior looking to be a physical presence inside . He is physical and a strong rebounder with a good work ethic . Junior Christian Ashley has length and athleticism and plays with a lot of energy , Sophomore guard Zeke Church is a good shooter with a tremendous work ethic . Coach Longino ’ s squad will be a bit undersized , but very athletic with a lot of speed . “ We need to use our athleticism and quickness to our advantage on offense and defense ,” Coach said . “ Our depth is young , but they will step up and fill key roles .” The 2A-2 has several traditional powers and programs with a lot of recent success , but NEA Sports predicts the Tuckerman Bulldogs will be right in the mix for a conference title at the end of the season .