SBLive Arkansas boys basketball Top 25 rankings: COVID-19 keeps some top teams from conference games

Here are the rankings for Jan. 10-17.

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Karen Schwartz

Cancellations due to COVID-19 kept two of the Top 25 teams from competing at all last week. Top-ranked North Little Rock and No. 16 Little Rock Christian are hoping to get back into action and begin their conference slates this week.

There were 21 moves this week, including Maumelle pushing into the Top 5, and some big games are on the schedule for this week as teams try to get off to strong starts in league play. Here are the rankings for Jan. 10-17:

1. North Little Rock (11-3)

Did not play.

2. Jonesboro (10-3)

The Hurricane throttled Batesville to open conference play and will travel to Paragould on Tuesday.

3. Magnolia (10-0)

As the only undefeated team remaining in 4A, Magnolia had no problem in conference opening games against Watson Chapel and Crossett.

4. LR Parkview (7-3)

The Patriots took one on the chin against Cardinal Hayes out of New York in the Hoop Hall South Classic, where head coach Scotty Thurman said his team was “definitely humbled.” They do not play again until Friday, when they welcome Beebe to Ripley Arena.

5. Maumelle (11-2) 

The Hornets move into the Top 5 after taking care of White Hall. Their game with Jacksonville previously scheduled for last Friday has been rescheduled to Jan. 24.

6. Har-Ber (12-2) 

The Wildcats got a big victory over previously sixth-ranked Bentonville and then defeated Rogers Heritage on Friday, moving them up four spots.

7. Farmington (16-1) 

Though the Cardinals are having to play without star sophomore Layne Taylor for the time being due to an ankle injury, they handled rival Prairie Grove and then snuck past Harrison to begin 2-0 in conference play.

8. Marion (12-3) 

The Patriots move up four spots after handling rival West Memphis and will play Nettleton at home Tuesday.

9. Lake Hamilton (11-3) 

The Wolves got a big conference-opening win over Sheridan to move up four spots and claim their spot in the Top 10.

10. Bentonville (10-4) 

The Tigers dropped the conference opener to Har-Ber but bounced back, escaping with a one-point victory over Bentonville West and also defeating New Orleans Carver. 

11. Nettleton (13-3) 

After winning 10 of their past 11, the Raiders hope to keep building on their resume and will play quality competition this week, against Marion and West Memphis.

12. Central (7-6) 

The Tigers drop out of the Top 10 after falling to Fort Smith Northside and Legacy High in the Hoop Hall Classic. They are hoping to be able to play this week with cancellations already affecting their season.

13. Fayetteville (10-4) 

After a big conference-opening week, the Purple Dogs bump up three spots into the Top 15.

14. Siloam Springs (9-4)

The Panthers defeated Mountain Home this past week and should take care of business over the next few games. They are currently riding a six-game win streak.

15. Springdale (11-3) 

The Bulldogs are winners of eight straight and are playing confident basketball and will square off against crosstown rival Har-Ber on Tuesday.

16. Little Rock Christian (8-2) 

Did not play.

17. Bentonville West (9-4) 

The Wolverines fall 10 spots after dropping three straight in five days. They hope to regroup against Rogers and Har-Ber this week.

18. Sheridan (10-4) 

After falling to Lake Hamilton in their only game last week, the Yellowjackets will go back to the drawing board and try to stay near the top of 5A-South.

19. Conway (11-3) 

The Wampus Cats defeated Little Rock Southwest and have moved up three spots into the Top 20.

20. Lakeside (9-3) 

Lakeside picked up a conference victory against El Dorado and has a tough week ahead — at Lake Hamilton before facing a gritty White Hall squad at home.

21. West Memphis (8-5) 

The Blue Devils fell to No. 8 Marion and look to bounce back against Searcy and No. 11 Nettleton this week.

22. Fountain Lake (16-1) 

The Cobras move up two spots after handling both Malvern and De Queen to open conference play.

23. Blytheville (14-3-1) 

The Chickasaws continue their winning streak into the conference season, now at eight straight.

24. Russellville (9-6) 

A rough 2-5 start to the season had the Cyclones scratching their heads, but they have won seven of their past eight to jump into the Top 25. 

25. Paragould (9-5) 

Coming off a loss to Searcy, the Rams are still hanging on to their Top 25 ranking but face No. 2 Jonesboro on Tuesday.