Class 2A Arkansas high school boys basketball preview

Eight teams to watch in Class 2A Arkansas prep boys basketball

With the start of a new season, SBLive is previewing Arkansas high school basketball. Today, we feature eight teams to watch from the boys ranks of Class 2A. Over the coming weeks, there will be features for each classification as well as player position lists. 

Head over to the website for complete coverage and standings throughout the season. You can also listen to our weekly podcast, Arkansas Prep X-Tra, for even more in-depth coverage. 

Bigelow guard Bennett Wilson (Photo by Tommy Land)

BIGELOW PANTHERS 

Head Coach: Craig Neumeier 

Conference: 2A-5

2022-23 Finish: 30-2, 2A state champions

Notable Departures

Javon Orr | all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament

Wade Nutt | all-conference, all-state tournament 

Players To Watch

G Bennett Wilson 6-2 SR | all-conference, all-state, 2A state tournament Most Valuable Player

G Brandt Tipton 6-1 SR | all-conference

F Carter Alexander 6-0 SR | all-conference 

F Rhett Neumeier 6-2 SR | all-conference

G Josh Trantina 6-2 SR

G Martell Macon 5-11 JR

G Ryan Hobbs 6-2 JR

F Jayden Dunlap 6-1 JR

Outlook

Neumeier led Bigelow to the state finals in 2005 where it lost by a substantial margin to Buffalo Island Central, but last March's trip to the championship game resulted in the program's first ever boys state title. While Nutt and Orr are big losses, it would be hard to argue against the Panthers being the favorite to repeat with the majority of contributors back, led by 2A state tournament MVP Wilson (16 PPG, 6 APG, 2 SPG). Additional returnees in the rotation are Tipton (12 PPG, 5 APG, 4 SPG), Macon (8 PPG, 3 SPG), Alexander (7 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG), Hobbs (7 PPG, 2 SPG) and Rhett Neumeier (5 PPG, 5 RPG). 

Coach Said

"Hoping for a repeat of last year. Was a great year and a lot of returning players with a lot of experience. This group together has only lost 3 games since eighth grade, two of which were last year. Guard play is a strength along with high basketball IQ with this group." 

- Craig Neumeier

Cedar Ridge guard Caden Griffin (Photo courtesy of the Cedar Ridge School District)

CEDAR RIDGE TIMBERWOLVES 

Head Coach: Cody Edgar

Conference: 2A-2

2022-23 Finish: 22-11, 2A state quarterfinalist 

Notable Departures

Hunter McKinney 

Jerrit Pectol | Lyon College signee 

Players To Watch

G Caden Griffin 6-2 SR | all-conference, all-state tournament 

G Matt Hendrix 6-1 SR | all-conference (at Batesville)

G Kyle Provence 6-0 JR

F Kade Barber 6-5 SR

G Easton Griffin 6-1 JR

F Lawson Bruce 6-3 JR

G Ryan Barber 6-3 JR

F Abe Ozbun 6-4 SR

Outlook

This Timberwolves program has been one of the better turnaround stories in the state as one of the final eight teams standing last spring after winning only five games in 2021-22. They now have the makings of a team ready to compete for a championship with four of five starters returning who will be well battle-tested throughout the year. Caden Griffin (18 PPG) returns as Cedar Ridge's leading scorer, while younger brother Easton Griffin (8 PPG), as well as Provence (10 PPG) and Barber (5 PPG) return along side him. The Timberwolves also got a big addition in Hendrix, who averaged 17 points per contest and was named all-conference at Batesville last season.  

Coach Said

"We return a large part of last year's team. We were finishing games with three sophomores on the floor in the postseason. That experience should help us heading into this year. We play an extremely tough non-conference schedule including the Hurricane Classic at Jonesboro, Lyon College Tournament and Ronnie Brogdon Tournament at Highland."

- Cody Edgar 

EARLE BULLDOGS 

Head Coach: Carl Miller

Conference: 2A-3

2022-23 Finish: 19-12, 2A state semifinalist

Notable Departures

Kwatin King | Central Baptist College signee

Tyrome Hurst | Central Baptist College signee

Players To Watch

F Joseph McVay 6-3 SR | Vanderbilt football commit

G Kharon Austin 5-9 JR

G/F Jaylin Robinson 6-4 JR

G Ta'ron Hurst 5-9 SO

G/F Derek Lately Jr. 6-2 SO

G/F Clifton Wrenn Jr. 5-9 SO

G Keonta Harris 5-8 SO

P Javon Scott 6-6 SR

Outlook

It took some time for everything to come together, but it did for the Bulldogs late last year and resulted in a deep state tournament run. Sitting at 8-13 near mid-February, Earle got hot and won the 2A-North Regional as a No. 4 seed, which in turn led them to earning victories in eight of their final ten contests. Vanderbilt football commit McVay is back as the leader of the squad following the departure of King and Hurst, while Coach Miller mentioned that he expects a host of underclassmen to provide quality minutes. A couple of non-conference matchups include 5A semifinalists Greene County Tech and Harrison. 

Coach Said

"Players have shown commitment and made all summer workouts and team camps."

 - Carl Miller

EAST POINSETT COUNTY WARRIORS 

Head Coach: JeMarcus Thaxton 

Conference: 2A-3 

2022-23 Finish: 16-15, 2A state quarterfinalist 

Notable Departures

Jamarkius Garrett | Arkansas-Pine Bluff football signee

Hayden Holiman 

Players To Watch

F Dennis Gaines 5-10 SR

G Omar McCuiston 6-1 SR

P Landon Nichols 6-2 SR

G Tyrus Reel 5-10 JR

F Jacob Gaines 6-1 SO

F Dee Buchanan 5-9 SO

P Doug Reel 5-10 SO 

Outlook

The Warriors are heavy state contenders for football in Class 2A, but also have high hopes on the hardwood following a rollercoaster 2022-23 campaign. Garrett and Holiman's presence in the paint will be tough to replace, but overall the Warriors are in good shape with four key starters returning. Reel (17 PPG, 5 APG), Gaines (15 PPG, 7 RPG) and McCuiston (10 PPG, 6 RPG) are all three key contributors on the football team and also have a lot of court minutes under their belt. Nichols (6 PPG, 6 RPG) is EPC's most experienced post player. 

Coach Said

"I feel that playing summer league games helped the team grow into a family and that will help get us through the tough times during the season. We are currently focused on football and I believe that will translate into some toughness on the basketball court, when the season begins."

- JeMarcus Thaxton 

ENGLAND LIONS

Head Coach: Trent Morgan 

Conference: 2A-5 

2022-23 Finish: 18-12

Notable Departures

Demario Carter | Central Day Academy Prep enrollee, all-state

Chandler Cheek | Arkansas Tech football signee, all-conference

Players To Watch

G Jayquan Mays 6-1 SO | all-conference 

G/F Trent Arnold 6-4 SO | all-conference 

G Landon Woods 5-8 SO

F Aden Scribner 6-3 SO

G DJ Turner 6-0 JR

Outlook

Trent Morgan is back for his second stint as England's head coach after spending last season in the same position at Russellville. If anyone knows how to reach the top of the mountain with this program it is Morgan, as he helped the Lions win back-to-back 2A state titles as an assistant in 2019 and then in 2020 as head coach. England has not made the state tournament since that last championship, but Morgan feels he has the squad to return. Mays, whom Morgan says is a potential college prospect, and Arnold (averaged 18 points per contest over the summer), along with Scribner and Turner provide plenty of talent for the next couple of seasons. Mills transfer Woods will also play an important role in the rotation. 

Coach Said

"These kids had a really good summer playing a tough schedule and I feel that we got better as the summer progressed. This team is young, but talented, and we potentially could start four sophomores which is unheard of. I really like this team, as I have coached mostly all of them since they were in sixth grade. I wasn’t here last year, but we are picking up right where we left off. This group was district champions when we were all together in junior high. If we can stay healthy, we look forward to making a run at being one of the last teams standing in March. Our community and players expect to be in the mix so I have no choice but to jump on board with them. This team has potential to be the most talented in England history and that’s saying a lot being that we have won three state championships since 2015."

- Trent Morgan 

MARIANNA LEE TROJANS

Head Coach: Vernon Wilson 

Conference: 2A-6

2022-23 Finish: 22-6

Notable Departures

Marktavious Roby | William Penn (Iowa) University signee 

Jordan Williams 

Players To Watch

G Davion Williams 6-0 SR

G Lamontrell Jones 6-5 JR | all-conference, all-state

G/F Jamarie Anthony 6-7 SO | all-conference 

P Nijhel Collins 6-4 SR

G Dekylon Arnold 6-0 SR

F Lemond Cunningham 6-3 SR

G Laquincy Allen 6-2 JR

Outlook

The Trojans missed out on the state tournament last season, but head coach Vernon Wilson is just two years removed from leading Osceola to a state championship and has a good looking group that should be one to keep an eye on. Notable returners include Anthony (17 PPG, 12 RPG, 4 BPG), who burst onto the scene as a freshman and filled out the stat sheet night in and out, while Williams, Jones (15 PPG), Arnold (20 PPG), Cunningham (10 PPG), Collins (8 PPG, 6 RPG) and Allen (7 PPG) all logged valuable minutes last year. 

Coach Said

"We will have everything we need to make a deep run to Hot Springs this season. Our length, speed, shooting and depth will allow us to force the tempo every night. We can also play slower with good guard and post play. We got a steal with adding Associate Head Coach Darius Williams. This will be an exciting year for the Trojans."

- Vernon Wilson

Marshall guard Payton DePriest (Photo by Tommy Land)

MARSHALL BOBCATS 

Head Coach: Donnie Smith

Conference: 2A-2

2022-23 Finish: 25-7, 2A state runner-up

Notable Departures

Al Govi | all-conference

Logan Ward 

Players To Watch

G Payton DePriest 6-2 SR | all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament 

G Bryce Griffin 6-0 SR | all-conference

F Jesse Ragland 6-2 SR | all-conference 

G Dylan Tyler 5-8 JR

Outlook

The Bobcats went toe-to-toe with Bigelow in the 2A finals and led by four points after three quarters, but came up short due to a shooting struggle in the fourth. While they will likely rely heavily on back court play, the bulk of the production is back and looks to make another run at the ultimate prize, led by DePriest who was the Bobcats' leading scorer. Griffin, who is also a solid player in the 8-Man football ranks, along with Ragland (12 points, 2-for-3 3FG in state finals) are great compliments to DePriest, while Smith mentioned Tyler as one who should expect his role to increase. 

Coach Said

"I look forward to a competitive season. I feel we will be able to compete with most teams our size, but will face some challenges when matched up to larger teams. Hoping to have the opportunity to compete at regionals and even state."

- Donnie Smith

RECTOR COUGARS 

Head Coach: Matt Mills 

Conference: 2A-3

2022-23 Finish: 26-7, 2A state semifinalist 

Notable Departures 

Kam Jones | all-conference, all-state

Brett Fair 

Sam Shipley 

Players To Watch

G Cooper Rabjohn 6-0 SR | all-conference, all-state 

F Cash Lindsey 6-1 JR

F Drew Henderson 5-9 SR

F Lane Hemphill 6-3 SO

G Hayden Vavak 5-9 JR

Outlook

An 11-0 start to last season eventually led to a 2A semifinal finish and while some think the Cougars may take a step back, that is not even considered in their mind. They return one of the state's most lethal shooters in Rabjohn (20 PPG, 101 made threes while shooting 41%), while alongside him will be guys who have playing experience, but will certainly have bigger roles. Mills mentioned Lindsey (9 PPG) has vastly improved, while Henderson - who also shines on the gridiron - is Rector's best defender. Vavak also received praise from Mills for making the most of his minutes and his ability to defend. 

Coach Said

"The 2023-2024 Cougars are out to prove that this is not a rebuilding season. We think that we will be right back in the mix of contenders in 2A. This team is much different from last year but still has some offensive punch. We will be much more perimeter oriented and should benefit from having more team speed. Our league will be incredibly challenging, but we feel that we will be in the conversation for a Top 4 finish."

- Matt Mills

OTHERS TO WATCH: Bay, Fordyce, Lavaca

--Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR