The Jonesboro Lady Hurricane entered the 2026 season looking to build momentum after finishing 4 – 15 overall and 2 – 10 in 6A Central play last year. Their season concluded in the first round of the state tournament on May 15, but head coach Rebeka House returns a number of players who gained valuable varsity experience. With a combination of returning starters and several newcomers expected to step into key roles, the Lady Hurricane will focus on improvement and competitiveness throughout the season. Offensively, Jonesboro returns several players who are expected to anchor the lineup. Ella Green brings speed and athleticism to center field and is projected to lead off, setting the tone at the top of the order. Harper Harris will bat second while handling second base, giving the Lady Hurricane another steady presence in the infield. Braylynn Calloway returns at shortstop and is expected to hit fourth, providing a key run-producing bat in the middle of the lineup. Katlyn Lynch contributes both in the circle and at the plate and is expected to hit sixth. Arihya Quattlebaum returns at third base and will bat seventh, while Justice Taylor adds depth at first base near the bottom of the order. Additional returning players Mya Watkins, Kat Williams, and Brooklyn Sheafe also provide valuable experience and depth. In the circle, Lynch returns as the team’ s primary pitcher. Her control and ability to consistently throw strikes will be an important factor as Jonesboro works to limit scoring opportunities. Several newcomers are expected to make an impact this season. Alayiah Searcy moves into left field and is projected to bat third, while Addy Rich takes over catching duties and will hit fifth in the lineup. Kali Farris adds versatility as a utility player, while Azariah Salamone and Allison Wilkes provide additional pitching options. Mirikil Stewart brings speed to the outfield and could contribute near the bottom of the lineup. For the Lady Hurricane, success this season will come from maintaining high energy, trusting teammates, and competing hard in every game.
The Jonesboro Hurricane enter the 2026 season with experience returning at several key positions after finishing last year with 16 wins. Competing in the always challenging 6A conference, Jonesboro will rely on veteran leadership and a deep pitching staff to build early momentum. Six everyday players return to the lineup, including several multi-year starters. Senior Asa Myers has been a four-year starter and will again be a cornerstone for the Hurricane. Myers hit. 300 last season and will bat near the top of the order while playing shortstop and contributing on the mound. His steady defense and competitive approach make him one of the team’ s most reliable players. Junior catcher Luke Weatherley, a Memphis commit, is entering his third season as a starter and will anchor the middle of the lineup. Weatherley hit around. 300 last season and is widely regarded as one of the area’ s top defensive catchers with a 1.9 pop time. His leadership behind the plate is a major asset for the pitching staff. Junior center fielder Kam Davis returns as another three-year starter. Davis hit approximately. 260 last season and brings elite speed with a 6.6 sixty-yard dash, along with a strong arm in the outfield. Hudson Couch also returns as a versatile two-year starter capable of contributing at second base, third base, the outfield, and on the mound. Sophomore CJ Lovelace, currently finishing basketball season, is expected to step into a major role when he joins the team. Lovelace will factor into both the lineup and the pitching rotation, adding athleticism and offensive production. Pitching depth is a strength for Jonesboro with three of the top four arms returning. Myers brings a mid-80s fastball and the ability to throw four pitches for strikes. Weatherley provides power on the mound with an upper-80s fastball that has reached 92 miles per hour. Lovelace adds another reliable arm with an 80-82 mph fastball and strong pitch mix. Additional contributors include Pace Jones, who can play first base, the outfield, and pitch, and junior Clay Olson, who returns after battling injuries and brings a low-to-mid-80s fastball along with a slider and changeup. The Hurricane’ s strengths lie in their returning experience and pitching depth. With a young roster that features only two seniors, the team will need to mature quickly in a difficult conference. If Jonesboro can get off to a strong start and develop its younger players, the Hurricane have the talent to make a strong push during the 2026 season.
Coach Jake Algee and the Nettleton Raiders are hoping some returning experience along with talented newcomers will give the Raiders a chance to improve on last season’ s 5-17 record. Some of the returners will have to step into bigger roles this year for Coach Algee. Carter Clarkson will be a big leader on the team. He will likely hit in the three-hole with his ability to hit line drives in the gaps. Carter will be a strong leader on defense as well starting most games behind the dish and also playing some third base. Cole Phillips and Drew Gossett will be key components in the outfield and will hit in the top of the lineup, with Phillips at the four spot with his pop and Gossett is a possible leadoff for us with his speed. Tyler Cole is another returner that will help out a ton holding down center field and either hitting lead off or at the nine spot to utilize his speed. Cole will also be a big time arm on the mound and will get his team a lot of ground balls with his fastball movement and also some strike outs with his off-speed that he’ s been developing over the fall. Keegen Raub will be a utility infielder filling in where he is needed and filling in at the bottom of the line up with someone who can still barrel the baseball well. Wyatt Park will get a ton of innings on the mound this year. Park utilizes the movement of all of his pitches to induce a lot of weak contact for our defense.“ We have a lot of new additions this year,” Coach Algee said.“ We have four freshmen that are going to have the opportunity to start for us this year.” Elijah Letner, Caden Prondzinski, Jackson Morris, and Miles Purcell are all going to be a big component of the Raider offense and defense. Letner will swing it towards the top of the lineup and will swap in and out behind the dish with Clarkson when he isn ' t playing shortstop. Morris will be a solid lead-off hitter and will play first and some outfield. Caden Prondzinski will be holding down the hot corner at third base and swinging in the two spot. Purcell has a good stick and will be Mr. Utility man playing the role of filling in where he is needed. Coach Algee is optimistic about his group.“ The two key things I want to execute for this team to succeed is solid contact offense, trying to hit line drives and play small ball, and lock down defense behind our pitchers,” Algee said.“ We will focus on on-base percentage, batting average., and fielding percentage. If we can execute all of these at a high level we will have a chance to be in every game that we play.” The younger Raiders may give the Nettleton baseball a shot in the arm they need to begin the improvement they are looking for.