The Southside Southerners will transition to the 4A-6 conference in hopes of winning the new look league . Coach Ty Ferguson has some guys returning after finishing 17-13 last season . Seniors Louis Calhoun and Comeron Foree both return after starting a year ago . Calhoun and Foree should provide leadership to the younger group , while making an impact on the stat sheet as well . 6 ’ 10 senior Kaden Williams will unfortunately miss the season due to injury . Sophomore Trey Allen also returns after starting as a freshman . Allen looks to make big contributions on both ends of the floor . Coach Ferguson knows these guys will be key . “ Louis , Cameron and Trey will be our most important pieces ,” coach said . “ With 6 ' 10 Kaden Williams being out with injury , they will all have to step up and play a much bigger role than they did last season . We will need to play really good defense and team rebound . We are undersized so we will also have to play fast .” The Southside Southerners should compete well in the small yet solid 4A-6 . Travel will be a factor inside the league , but the Southerners should be battling near the top of the conference . This will give them a chance at regional play in February .
There will be a lot of new looks for the Southside Southerners in the 2024-2025 season . Coach Michael Harville will have several new faces in key spots , along with a new conference in the 4A-6 . “ We are incredibly young in very important positions on our team ,” Coach Harville said . “ We will be building off a Junior High District Championship season with many of those players in key positions on our senior high team . We will have depth on our team . We will have scoring ability , especially from the three point line .” Sierra Carter and Chaney McCance are two seniors returning with the most experience . McCance led the team in assists last season and has the most experience , while Carter led the Lady Southerners in all field goal percentage categories . They will have to provide leadership to a roster full of young teammates . Fellow senior Kourtlynn Sutton has experience in the system and will have to expand her role at the guard spot . Junior Alyssa Haigwood is a spot up shooter who is all over the floor with her hustle . Sophomores Bailey Caddy and Scarlett Taylor are looking to make an impact . Caddy is a dedicated player that can really shoot the three and is great in transition . Taylor has length that could be effective on both ends of the floor . Freshmen Emily Guyette and Maci Witt will move up in hopes of making major contributions . Guyette is an athletic big that has great touch around the rim and is a rim protector on defense . Witt is a good ball handler and decision maker that can score or make the right pass . The Southside Lady Southerners may have a lot of youth , but those young players have a lot of talent . NEA Sports predicts Southside will have a chance to be in the hunt for the 4A-6 crown and earn a trip to the regional tournament .
McKenzie Pierce returns to Blytheville after a year away in Fort Smith to lead the Chickasaws . Coach Pierce will resume control of a Blytheville team that finished 14-15 last season losing in the first round of the 4A East Regional Tournament . The Chicks will have to rely on a lot of young , inexperienced players to battle their way back to the state tournament . Senior Tylis Thurman is back at point guard to lead Blytheville . Thurman had some starts last season , and was a key on the 2022 State Runner-up team . He is a high energy leader that does the little things right . Fellow senior Jontavion Johnson also had some starts last season . Johnson is a four year starter who Pierce calls a junkyard dog . The forward is long , athletic , great around the basket , and excellent on the defensive end . Junior Frantavis Robinson is a 6 ’ 3 wing player who is a very versatile piece . The Rivercrest transfer played a key role for the Colts last season and brings some experience to the floor . Robinson can score at all three levels and is a tremendous passer . Coach Pierce admits there is work to do , but feels this team has the potential to have success . “ We certainly feel like we have the core pieces to make a deep run ,” Coach Pierce said . “ The biggest thing for us is figuring out the complimentary pieces and gaining experience . We are not where we need to be with our consistency in practice with our work ethic , toughness , and being mindful with what we are trying to accomplish . My first run in Blytheville , while we had talent , we felt like we not only outworked people on a daily basis , but we could out think you . We have a tough schedule which at some point will bring some adversity , and I think how we respond to that will determine what type of team we are come the postseason .” The Blytheville Chickasaws will see some challenges early in the season , but that is by design as Coach Pierce looks to challenge his new squad . NEA Sports predicts the Chickasaws will be primed and ready to compete in the 4A-3 when conference time rolls around . Blytheville will be a tough team to handle when the postseason arrives and could make some noise .
The Blytheville Lady Chickasaws start the 2024-2025 season with a new coach . Jacquonna Young takes over in Mississippi County and hopes to continue the trending improvement the Lady Chickasaws have shown finishing 8-17 last season . Three starters return this season to lead the Lady Chicks . Seniors Mikayla Guess and McKenzie Thomas return , along with junior Kaleigh Middlebrooks . Guess is a guard that handles the ball well , can penetrate and score , has a high basketball IQ , and is aggressive defensively . Thomas also handles the ball well , can push in transitions , and rebounds the ball well . Middlebrooks is strong with good handles , can rebound , and scores the ball well . Some younger players are hoping to contribute this season . Junior ZyRihana McNear is a quick point guard that can get the ball up the floor , and is very aggressive on defense . Freshman duo Mckinley Walker and TyRica King are looking to make an impact . Walker is another point guard who has a great attitude , leadership skills , and goes hard every day . King is an athletic guard that play any perimeter position and scores inside or outside . Coach Young likes her young group , but knows there is more work to do . “ Our key for success this season is being disciplined ,” Coach Young said . “ I ' m making sure my players are disciplined on and off the court . Handle your business in the classroom and it will carry over to the court . Also , making sure we complete the little things that need to be completed like not missing any block-outs or not missing any rebounds . Also , we are making sure we stay together , keep everyone engaged and encouraged , and making sure everyone knows their role . We also have to be disciplined when knowing to push the ball or set up a play , and just making sure we fight until the end . We are not stopping until that last buzzer sounds .” Look for the Blytheville Lady Chickasaws to continue to show improvement and battle for a regional berth in February .