SBLive Arkansas boys basketball Top 25 rankings: Even with numerous cancellations, teams make moves

Here are the rankings for Jan. 18-24.
SBLive Arkansas boys basketball Top 25 rankings: Even with numerous cancellations, teams make moves
SBLive Arkansas boys basketball Top 25 rankings: Even with numerous cancellations, teams make moves /

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Sadie Rucker

Along with wins and losses, cancellations and postponements played a part in some of the 17 total movements we had in the rankings this week.

Several teams were either idle or only participated in one game, and we only hope that we can get close to a full slate of games completed this week.

With multiple Top 25 matchups ahead, here are the boys rankings for Jan. 18-24:

1. North Little Rock (12-3)

Razorbacks signee Nick Smith Jr. scored 29 points in the first half Friday against Catholic and finished with 36, then followed that performance by scoring 29 with nine assists and seven rebounds to lead the top-ranked Charging Wildcats past Little Rock Southwest. 

2. Jonesboro (12-3)

With the addition of Oklahoma State commit Quion Williams on the floor for the already super-deep Hurricane squad, Jonesboro is on a mission to throttle everyone in its path after winning the past three games by at least 31 points.

3. Magnolia (11-0)

The undefeated Panthers look to get back in action this week, hitting the road twice — heading to Camden Fairview on Tuesday and Hamburg on Friday.

4. LR Parkview (11-3)

The Patriots have established a new winning streak after defeating Hall and Little Rock Christian last week. 

5. Maumelle (12-2) 

The Hornets fell behind against Sylvan Hills on Friday night, but double-doubles from Colby Garland and Nico Davillier along with 24 points from Carl Daughtery Jr. helped them pull away with a 91-82 victory.

6. Farmington (18-1) 

Winners of nine in a row, the Cardinals are continuing to make a statement across Class 4A.

7. Marion (14-4) 

The Patriots have only lost twice to in-state teams by a total of five points. They should take care of business this week against Batesville and Greene County Tech before facing two Top 25 teams next week in Paragould and Jonesboro.

8. Lake Hamilton (12-3) 

The Wolves already have two big conference wins over No. 18 Sheridan and No. 22 Lakeside. They should feel confident about this week against Hot Springs and El Dorado.

9. Har-Ber (13-3) 

The Wildcats could not overcome a fantastic scoring performance from Bentonville West that snapped their four-game win streak. They have a great opportunity to bounce back Friday at Fort Smith Southside.

10.Bentonville (12-4) 

The Tigers pummeled Rogers Heritage last Tuesday 76-37 and head coach Dick Rippee earned his 350th career victory.

11.Fayetteville (11-4) 

With their 75-37 win over Fort Smith Southside, Brad Stamps and the Purple Dogs have won six in a row and will travel to No. 17 Springdale on Friday.

12.Nettleton (13-4) 

The Raiders took a loss at home to No. 16 West Memphis and hope to regroup with two road trips ahead — on Tuesday against No. 25 Paragould and Batesville on Friday.

13.Bentonville West (11-4) 

West played one of its best games this season led by Tucker Anderson’s 32 points (24 in the first half) on a night the school’s all-time leading scorer, Riley Buccino, was honored for eclipsing 1,000 career points.

14. Siloam Springs (9-4)

After having both games last week postponed, the Panthers hit the road to take on Greenwood to start the week and finish it at home against No. 21 Russellville.

15.Conway (12-3) 

The Wampus Cats have won five in a row, surviving Cabot last week, and look to keep adding to that when they host Central on Friday.

16.West Memphis (10-5) 

West Memphis is feeling good after winning two in a row, including a 43-37 victory against No. 12 Nettleton on the road. The tough tests continue this week against No. 2 Jonesboro and No. 25 Paragould.

17. Springdale (11-4)

The Bulldogs drop two spots after falling to No. 9 Har-Ber and have a great opportunity to move back up against No. 11 Fayetteville this week.

18.Sheridan (10-4) 

Sheridan was idle last week and they hang on to the No. 18 spot. No. 22 Lakeside comes to town on Tuesday before they hit the road Friday to face Pine Bluff.

19.Little Rock Christian (8-4) 

The Warriors are coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of Sylvan Hills and No. 4 Parkview and are needing to bounce back against No. 5 Maumelle on Tuesday to keep from losing too much ground.

20. Blytheville (16-3)

The Chickasaws have won 10 in a row and are awaiting a Tuesday trip to Valley View before coming home for a Friday date with Highland.

21.Russellville (10-6) 

Following a buzzer-beater from Donyae May that gave Russellville a 50-49 victory over Greenbrier last Tuesday, the Cyclones have won eight of their past nine. After a home game against Mountain Home on Tuesday, they head to play No. 14 Siloam Springs.

22.Lakeside (9-4)

After falling to No. 8 Lake Hamilton, the Rams have another big opportunity to keep pace in the 5A South with a matchup at Sheridan on Tuesday.

23.Fountain Lake (16-1) 

The Cobras are back on the court this week with a big road showdown at Arkadelphia.

24.Bryant (10-4) 

Bryant is not just a football school, as the Hornets make their debut in the Top 25.

25.Paragould (10-6) 

The Rams hang on to a spot in the Top 25 with a couple of chances this week to climb or fall — they face off against No. 12 Nettleton and No. 16 West Memphis.


Published
Nate Olson, SBLive Sports
NATE OLSON, SBLIVE SPORTS

Nate Olson is a Regional Editor for SBLive Sports, covering Arkansas, Iowa and Nebraska.