Coach Isaac Middlebrooks and the Batesville Pioneers will rely on a core group of returners to improve on last season ’ s 8-18 record . All-Conference guard Talen Foree returns to lead the Pioneers after averaging 13 points and six assists last year . Foree proves to be an outside threat shooting 39 % from downtown . Ransom Dunlap is considered Batesville ’ s best outside shooter averaging nine points on 44 % shooting from three last season . Rafa Thomas also returns after averaging eight points a game and is considered the team ’ s best athlete . Senior Carter Johnson will provide effort and energy in the post , while Kalon Johnson and Rylan Wilcox will look to expand their minutes from last season . Juniors Deo Ross , Cole Bentz , Carson Farrier , and Carson Hillis look to provide depth . Coach Middlebrooks likes the work his guys have put in . “ This is a very hard working group ,” he said . “ Last year was a big step forward for Batesville . The kids bought in and were very competitive by the end of the year .” Coach knows what lies ahead in the 5A East and what the Pioneers will need to do to compete . “ For us to be successful this year we have to learn to play undersized . Our tallest kid is 6 ’ 2 . We shoot the ball very well when it is in the flow of the offense but we need to make teams guard us for 25 to 30 seconds every trip to shorten the game . On defense we have to rebound with a sense of urgency . We cannot let the teams we play have two and three opportunities every trip down the floor .” The Batesville Pioneers will continue to work and be a tough matchup for some conference foes . Look for them to battle every night in hopes of gaining a ticket to the state tournament .
Coach Chris Pilz takes over a Pocahontas Redskins program that finished 4-18 last season , but returns all five starters and plenty of experience . Pilz comes to Pocahontas after a 32 year coaching career in Missouri , where he is a member of the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association ' s Hall of Fame . Pilz inherits plenty of returning experience and a program with a lot of tradition . “ Coach Hagood and Coach Brewington have built a remarkable basketball tradition that fills our Pocahontas community with pride and excitement ,” Coach Pilz said . “ As we embark on the 2024-2025 season , our daily mission is to build upon this legacy , ensuring our seniors enjoy a memorable farewell during their final high school campaign .” A trio of seniors in DJ Coffey , Tid Kios , and Nate Major should bring leadership to a squad looking to compete in a new look 4A-3 . Juniors Payne Swann , Landon Karow , Mason Priest , and Jared Mitchell will look to provide support to the senior class and make major contributions . A large sophomore class is looking forward to moving up and making an impact this season . Xavyer Ballard , Spencer Jones , Jaxson Woods , Colt Castleman , Isaac Molina , Colton Blackwell , Parker Radcliff , and Joshua Dominick are hoping to make some noise at the senior high level . Coach Pilz has seen some improvement since he arrived . “ With all five starters returning and a wealth of varsity experience , we ’ re preparing for a competitive season ,” he said . “ In the pre-season our team has shown the ability to sink the long " 3 " with accuracy . We anticipate continuous growth as our players adjust to a new leadership voice and implementation of new basketball schemes / strategies . Our players , coaches , and community are excited for what lies ahead this hoops season !” Look for the Pocahontas Redskins to show considerable improvement and battle each and every night to be ready for the postseason .
The Pocahontas Lady Redskins will be inexperienced but ready to compete in a new look 4A-3 conference . Coach Ali Brooks lost five graduates from last year ’ s 13-14 team and is hoping to lead a new group of Lady Redskins back to the postseason . Two starters return in seniors Abby Liebhaber and Lauren Chester . Liebhaber is a point guard who sees the floor well , is a good shooter , and a great team leader . Chester is the team ’ s best defender and can shoot the three or attack the rim . Fellow seniors Blair Baxley , Breonna Johnson , and Sophia Reinstma will look to fill in roles for the Lady Skins . Baxley will be a physical presence in the post , but can also step out and shoot from the perimeter . Johnson will step into a forward role , and is willing to do whatever the team needs according to Coach Brooks . Reintsma is a shooter who understands the game and is hoping to add an outside threat to the lineup . After those five seniors , seven sophomores will look to add depth to the Pocahontas roster . Jacalyn Chester is a long , athletic post that should see a lot of minutes , along with classmates Rylie Baltz at guard and Olivia Hardage in the post . Coach Brooks likes how her girls compete every day in practice . “ We are a young team with not a lot of experience ,” she said . “ They are a hardworking group that will do anything asked of them . They will be able to compete with most teams in our conference . We will shoot the ball well , but several players will play in different roles than in the past .” The Pocahontas Lady Redskins should have an opportunity to battle for a regional berth in February . Look for them to be in the mix come tournament time .
The Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds enjoyed a 30-12 season a year ago , culminating in a trip to the 2A State Tournament . A two point loss to eventual champion EPC ended their season , but provided motivation for Coach Daniel Bates ’ team . With four returning starters , the Hounds have their sights set on another successful season and a deeper run . Hudson Rorex leads the way for the returners . The junior guard averaged 19 points , four rebounds , and four assists a game . Rorex is an intelligent player who can score the ball at all three levels and is a very good perimeter defender . Dallas Durham averaged 13 points , four assists , three rebounds while also shooting 40 % from three as a freshman playing up on the high school squad . The sophomore guard has a high motor and attacks the rim while seeing the floor very well . Senior forward Logan Hill looks to expand on his eight points , four rebounds , and three assists per game as he has improved his outside shooting . Hill is a very intelligent player who uses his body and angles well to score the ball . Fellow senior Braxton Wall averaged eight points and seven rebounds last season . Wall is a great leaper who rebounds well and finishes around the rim . He is very versatile and can defend all five positions . Juniors Colton Sexton and Cole McCall are looking to make an impact in the lineup . Sexton is the tallest player on the team and protects the basket on the defensive end . He has gained strength and improved finishing around the rim . McCall is one of the best shooters on the team and is very strong and physical . Sloan-Hendrix will be in a new look 2A-2 which could be considered the toughest in the state . Familiar foes Cedar Ridge , Izard County Consolidated , and Marshall return with the addition of Mammoth Springs and Tuckerman . If they survive that , the regional could even be tougher . To do that , Coach Bates knows what it will take . “ The keys to success for our team this year are to play great on ball defense every night ,” he said . “ We need to rebound at a high level and make sure we are taking the correct shot consistently .” Even in a tough league , Sloan-Hendrix has the weapons to compete for a conference title . Whoever survives the conference and regional tournaments , will have a great shot at making it to Hot Springs , and the Sloan-Hendrix Greyhounds has as good a shot as any .