The Rector Cougars missed the regional and state tournament after a 13-15 season , and Coach Matt Mills and company are hungry to get back . With several returning starters , Rector will be in the hunt once again . “ I ' m really looking forward to the 2024-2025 season ,” Coach Mills said . “ We have the skill set and talent to compete in any 2A league . Perimeter shooting and experience should be some strengths of this group . We return five players that started at some point last year . Obviously , replacing Cooper Rabjohn will be a tall order , but our returners are finally ready to make plays consistently . We missed the state tournament last year for the first time in a long time . We are looking to get back to postseason play where we feel we belong .” Senior guard Cash Lindsey leads the way for the Cougars . Lindsey is long and athletic and can score at all three levels earning him All- Conference honors last year . Junior Lane Hemphill is a 6 ’ 4 forward that can put the ball in the hole and handle the ball like a guard . Hemphill could be a tough matchup for some defenses . Senior point guard Hayden Vavak will handle the ball for the Rector offense . Coach Mills calls him a true old school point guard who can control the offense and distribute the ball . Senior guard Austin Simmons is a real threat from three , hitting big shots in key moments last season . Junior Kason Jetton and sophomores Colton Haywood , Ben Schimming , and Mason Mooney will look to provide depth off the Cougar bench . Jetton is a physical presence inside that brings toughness to the floor , while Haywood may be the best athlete on the team . Mooney can score in various ways from the guard spot , and Schimming is one of the better rebounders and post defenders on the team . The Rector Cougars should battle near the top of the conference and play for a shot to return to the regional tournament .
The Rector Lady Cougars finished 12-13 last season , and are looking to get back to the regional tournament with a young group in Clay County . Coach Bill Taylor returns to lead the Lady Cougars through the tough 2A-3 conference which adds Corning and Piggott this season . Sophomore forward Rylee Wilburn is the only returning starter from last year as she was brought up as a freshman . Wilburn is an all-around player that has size and skill to match her leadership as only a sophomore . Maggie Rabjohn and Karrin Henderson will have key roles as senior leaders that have the ability to hit the three . Two junior forwards , Cearra Machan and Abigail Schuerman , will be leaned on heavily for their athleticism and defensive abilities . Sophomore guard Anna Isom will have a starting role and will be trusted to handle the ball and hit the three . Other key players are sophomore guards Bailey Vangilder and Breanna Johnson as well as sophomore post Anniston Scott . These role players are growing every day and improving . They look to have key minutes off the bench when needed during the season . Coach Taylor and his staff know what it takes to succeed this season . “ We have to be able to shoot the ball , control what we can control , and stay out of foul trouble ,” he said . “ What we lack in size we make up for in grit and discipline .” The Rector Lady Cougars have the potential to make some noise this season . They will battle each and every night and be well coached . NEA Sports predicts that Rector will battle in the middle of the 2A-3 and have a chance at a regional tournament spot when they tip off in the district tournament .
The Piggott Mohawks are moving into the 2A-3 conference in hopes of seeing improvement from last season . Coach Scott Dodd has three returning starters and a solid senior class to rely on getting that done . Seniors Cole James , JJ Avila , and Williams Lucas all return to the starting lineup . Lucas earned All-Conference last season and is a strong defender that can guard any position on the floor . He was strong on the boards and can score in multiple ways . James plays with a lot of energy and emotion . The forward is another defensive stopper who can guard multiple spots . Avila is a guard that loves to compete . The second year starter can shoot the ball , handled the ball a lot last season , but will move to an off guard this year . Fellow seniors Lucas Morrow , Tucker Dunlap , Skyler Raymer , and Kayden Reel will all look to fill gaps on the roster . Morrow will take over much of the ball handling duties this year as well as knocking down shots from all over the floor . Raymer is another guard that can shoot the ball consistently , and should provide an outside threat . Dunlap and Reel are centers who should provide an inside presence . Dunlap is a team first guy who 4866works hard every day and does everything asked of him , while Reel can run the floor , block shots , and grab rebounds . Junior Cason Maynard is a forward with a high motor and works hard every day . Sophomore Keaton Wicker moved up and started in the district tournament a year ago . The guard can handle the ball , see the floor well , and get others involved . Coach Dodd is looking forward to taking this team into a new conference . “ Our keys to success will be outworking our opponents , limiting turnovers and communicating ,” he added . “ We will be returning three starters from last year ' s group . We will have to work together and lean on the senior group .” Look for the Piggott Mohawks to compete in a new conference with a chance to earn a regional tournament berth in the district tournament .
The Piggott Lady Mohawks made the regional tournament for the first time since 2006 , and with everyone returning , Coach Clinton Haley is hoping to repeat that feat and go even deeper into the postseason . The Lady Mohawks will have to do so in a new conference as they move down to the 2A-3 conference , which is as deep and balanced as any in the state . “ We are not very deep with only eight girls on the roster , but the eight are solid ,” Coach Haley said . “ We are an extremely young team containing one junior , five sophomores , and two freshmen . We made the regional tournament last year for the first time since 2006 and are looking to repeat that accomplishment and make the state tournament .” Sophomore Libby Brantley returns after an all-conference season last year averaging 15.3 points , eight rebounds , and 2.4 blocks per game . Brantley can score at all three levels , and her length allows to defend and alter shots . Fellow sophomore Madden Mack also earned All-Conference honors averaging 8.7 points a game , as did classmate Brooklyn Langley who averaged 7.8 points and 1.8 steals a night . Mack is a guard with good handles and the ability to score , while Langley is explosive off the dribble and attacking the rim . Junior Jocelyn Rathel provides an inside presence on both ends of the floor as well as leadership . Sophomores Blakely Donner and Bralee Cook will look to make contributions on the floor . Donner is a tough ball handler and defender while Cook is new to the program . Two freshmen Emma Rathel and Kayla Brenna will move up and make an impact . Rathel is a gritty player with a strong defensive presence , while Brenna brings athleticism and speed to both ends of the floor . The 2A-3 proves to be tough every year , and this year will be no different , but look for the Piggott Lady Mohawks to come in and make some noise this season and battle for a second straight regional berth .