Arkansas high school boys basketball Class 4A preview

Eight teams to watch in Class 4A Arkansas prep boys basketball

With a new season already tipped off and going strong, SBLive is previewing Arkansas high school basketball. Today, we feature eight teams to watch from the boys ranks of Class 4A. Over the coming weeks, there will be features for each classification. 

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.

BROOKLAND BEARCATS

Head Coach: Bobby Gross

Conference: 4A-3

2022-23 Finish: 27-7, 4A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Matt Harrell | all-conference

Masen Woodall | all-conference, all-state

Players To Watch

G Cole Kirby 6-1 SR | all-conference, all-state

G Tyler Parham 6-4 SR | all-conference, all-state tournament 

F Briar Allred 6-5 SR

P Ben Jackson 6-4 SR

Outlook

One of the quieter success stories of 2022-23, Brookland held its own playing in a deep conference. The Bearcats gave eventual 4A state champion Little Rock Christian all it wanted in the 4A-East Regional semifinals and then finished the year as one of the last eight teams remaining. While their most efficient basketball may take some time, Coach Gross feels confident in his three returning starters that features Kirby and Parham in the backcourt, along with the lengthy Alred at forward, while fellow senior Jackson is another senior who will be relied down low. 

Coach Said

"We have some good experience coming back, and I think our depth will be a little bit better than we had last year. I think our best ball will be in January because here is still some inexperience within that depth that we have to work through, even with three returning starters." 

- Bobby Gross

Farmington guard Layne Taylor (Photo by Sadie Rucker)

FARMINGTON CARDINALS 

Head Coach: Johnny Taylor

Conference: 4A-1

2022-23 Finish: 36-1, 4A state semifinalist

Notable Departures

Caleb Blakely 

Josh Blakely

Maddox Mahan

Sam Wells

Players To Watch

G Layne Taylor 5-11 SR | University of North Texas signee, all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament, 2,500+ career points 

G/F Jaxon Berry 6-4 SR | all-conference, all-state

G/F Mason Simpson 6-6 SR

G Sam Kirkman 6-3 JR

G/F Maddox Teeter 6-6 JR

G Cameron Crisman 5-10 SR

F Ethan Kennedy 6-5 SO

F Zac Miller 6-4 JR

Outlook

The Cardinals have had an incredible run over the past two seasons, winning over 60 games with finishes in the quarterfinals, along with the semifinal run last year. Coach Taylor feels this year's squad could be the one to get over the hump and conclude the year in Hot Springs. Everything with this team starts with Layne Taylor (26 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.6 APG), who continues to make his case as arguably the state's top player every time he takes the floor. There is plenty of length surrounding Taylor in Berry (12.1 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG) and Teeter, plus returning experience in Kirkman, Crisman and Miller. Simpson also adds to that mix after transferring in from Fayetteville. 

Coach Said

"We will compete for conference, regional and state Championships this year. We have more length, shooting ability and depth than we have ever had."

- Johnny Taylor

FORREST CITY MUSTANGS 

Head Coach: Marcus Britt

Conference: 4A-3

2022-23 Finish: 20-10

Notable Departures

None. 

Players To Watch

G Marcus Britt Jr. 6-3 JR | all-conference

G Melvin Shaw 5-9 SR | all-conference 

G Antonio Jordan 5-9 SR

G Kylin Williams 5-9 SR

G Jamarian Morris 5-8 SO

Outlook

In mid-December of last season the Mustangs were sitting at 4-8, but the tide quickly turned as they reeled off victories in 14 of their final 20 games and barely missed the state tournament. Everyone is back from that squad headlined by the senior corps of Britt Jr., Jordan, Shaw and Williams, while Morris is an underclassmen to keep an eye on in 2023-24. Forrest City has already competed in the Rumble On The Ridge and while the 4A-3 league brings enough competition of its own, the Mustangs also have contests scheduled with Lake Hamilton, Greene County Tech and Magnolia, to name a few. 

Coach Said

"Our defense and speed will win us a lot of basketball games."

- Marcus Britt

Little Rock Christian guard Landren Blocker (Photo by Tommy Land)

LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN WARRIORS 

Head Coach: Kyle Pennington

Conference: 4A-5

2022-23 Finish: 27-8, 4A state champions

Notable Departures

Ben Fox | University of Central Arkansas signee, all-conference, all-state tournament 

Players To Watch

G JJ Andrews 6-6 SO | SBLive Arkansas Newcomer of the Year, all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament

G Landren Blocker 6-5 SR | Louisiana Tech University signee, all-conference, all-state, 4A state tournament MVP 

G Cooper Collins 6-1 SR 

G JoJo Holloway 6-3 SR

G Trey Howard 5-9 SR

G Jameel Wesley 6-1 SR | all-conference 

G Corliss Williamson Jr. 6-3 SR

F Mitchell Morris 6-3 JR

F Noah Butler 6-7 SO

G Kaiden Nelson 6-2 SO

G Tristian Watson 6-0 SO

G KD Hicks 6-1 FR

Outlook

They may not have been the favorite for the majority of the season, but the Warriors saved their best performance for the bright lights of the statewide stage as they thumped 2022-23 4A favorite Blytheville to claim the school's first state title in 18 years. Might as well get used to them, because they have another loaded roster ready to make a run. Andrews (16.6 PPG, 6 RPG, 2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 55.3% FG) and Blocker (15.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2 SPG, 51.5% FG) have deservedly received most of the headlines, but Wesley (12.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 35% FG) is also a double-digit scorer as well as college prospect. Williamson also adds more quality depth and experience to the backcourt. 

Coach Said

"We return four starters off of a defending 4A State Championship team and have players who will mesh well with those returners. We expect to compete to win the 4A State title this year. We have a great schedule and look forward to growing as a team, playing one game at a time." 

- Kyle Pennington 

MAGNOLIA PANTHERS

Head Coach: Ben Lindsey

Conference: 4A-7

2022-23 Finish: 24-2, 4A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Nevi Tell | Southern Arkansas University signee, all-conference, all-state, all-state tournament 

Jace Carter | all-conference 

Players To Watch

G Ahmad Davis 6-0 JR 

G Amare Roach 6-0 SR

G/F Roderick Williams 6-5 JR 

F Rodreous Young 6-1 SR

G Dreden Ford 6-3 SO

Outlook

The Panthers have been one of the more recent dominant programs in Arkansas and though they did not make the state finals a year ago, they are working towards prepping the new wave. Lindsey feels that after some of the positives displayed from his team throughout last season that once everything gels together another deep state tournament run could be on the horizon after falling to eventual 4A champion Little Rock Christian in the quarterfinals. Tell was the final major piece from the 2021-22 state championship squad and the Panthers will use a group effort to replace his multiple abilities.  

Coach Said

"I learned last year that with all of our kid's success, they expect to win and believe they can win. I think that mental toughness took us further last year than I had thought (we would go) in October and November. Hopefully we will keep moving in that direction."

- Ben Lindsey 

MILLS COMETS

Head Coach: Raymond Cooper

Conference: 4A-8

2022-23 Finish: 20-14, 4A state quarterfinalist

Notable Departures

Keaton Cross | all-conference, all-state

QJ King | all-conference, four-year starter

Players To Watch

Jaylon Ento (still undecided on whether or not he will play)

G/F Anthony Hester 6-5 SO

G Zaylin Rowland 6-1 JR

G Joseph Bell 6-4 JR 

G Maziyah Curry 5-10 SO

Outlook

The Comets are annually one you expect to be a contender and while this year is no different, it may require some patience as this young group gels and the gauntlet that is the non-conference schedule provides plenty of room for growth. Hester started as a freshman and is the only for sure player back with considerable experience, while Ento will be the tenured senior leader of the team if he does decide to play instead of focus fully on his football future. Cooper also expects big seasons from Rowland and Curry, while he added that Bell, a North Little Rock transfer, should also make an impact. 

Coach Said

"I am excited about this team because they are talented and really dedicated. What we are lacking is experience. They will compete and I do not know when it is going to happen, but they will figure it out. When they figure it out we are going to be scary."

- Raymond Cooper

MORRILTON DEVIL DOGS 

Head Coach: Keith Zackery

Conference: 4A-4 

2022-23 Finish: 24-9, 4A state quarterfinalist 

Notable Departures

Markel Swinton | all-conference

Players To Watch

G BJ Woodruff 6-1 SR

G Jacorey Mosley 6-3 SR

G Malik Pleasant 5-10 SR

G Ty Wright 6-0 SO

F Isaiah Templeton 6-4 SO

Outlook

If the start to this season is any sign, the Devil Dogs may be in for a special 2023-24 after a quarterfinal finish last year. From mid-January through mid-February Morrilton had its best stretch of the season winning eight consecutive games before dropping three of its final six. The talented senior trio of Woodruff (13 PPG, 6 RPG), Mosley (17 PPG, 5 RPG) and Pleasant (8 PPG) provide plenty of reliability on the floor as the Devil Dogs welcome in a sophomore class that Zackery is very excited about, but also understands there will be learning curves. Templeton (8 PPG for Jr. High team) and Wright (14 PPG for Jr. High team) expect to earn plenty of minutes and increased roles as the season goes along. 

Coach Said

"We're excited about this group. The older guys are beginning to trust the young guys and hopefully understanding that they are skilled and talented enough to really help us win in the league we're in. I feel like our defense is ahead of our offense right now, that's a good thing. I've seen glimpses of our potential offensively. I just hope I can figure it all out and get us connected and in sync with one another, to see just how good we can be."

- Keith Zackery

PEA RIDGE BLACKHAWKS 

Head Coach: Trent Loyd 

Conference: 4A-1

2022-23 Finish: 20-12 

Notable Departures

Bric Cates | all-conference 

Players To Watch

F Luke Baker 6-1 SR

F Ben Wheeler 6-6 SR | all-conference  

G JB Bledsoe 5-11 JR

G Zion Whitmore 6-0 JR | all-defensive team 

G Skye Davenport 6-2 SO

F Anthoni Ayala 6-3 SO

Outlook

While Farmington demands the attention in the 4A-1, these Blackhawks are another from that league to watch with nearly everyone back from a squad that had a sour ending to last season dropping three of their final five contests and failed to reach the state tournament. Pea Ridge relies on the production from its college prospects Wheeler (13 PPG, 6 RPG) and Davenport - who is really just getting started. Lockdown defender Whitmore, who was last year's team Defensive Most Valuable Player, returns along with Bledsoe and Baker, while Ayala is another standout sophomore to watch. 

Coach Said

" We are excited about this year's roster. We have a great mixture of upper and lower classmen who were all in the gym this off-season . They are starting to learn how to play together and how to compliment each other's games."

- Trent Loyd 

OTHERS TO WATCH: Blytheville, Dardanelle, Joe T. Robinson

-- Kyle Sutherland