SBLive Arkansas Top 25 boys basketball rankings: Teams shuffling in this week’s list

This week's SBLive Arkansas Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jaison Sterling

There are 19 movements in this week’s rankings after many games that were initially scheduled anywhere from Wednesday-Friday were either postponed to Saturday or a later date. One team makes its Top 25 debut while one returns. With some of these squads beginning district tournaments within the next week or so, we are getting down to crunch time.

Here are the boys Top 25 rankings for February 7-14:

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1. North Little Rock (18-3)

Though they were given all they wanted against Central last Tuesday, the Charging Wildcats prevailed, winning 76-74 in overtime on a buzzer-beating shot by Nick Smith Jr., who had a triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals.

2. Jonesboro (18-3)

The Hurricane went to Batesville and allowed the Pioneers to score just eight points. Though Parkview, Lake Hamilton and Maumelle might have something to say about it, Jonesboro appears to be the favorite in Class-5A with hopes of winning back-to-back state titles.

3. Magnolia (19-0)

Razorbacks commit Derrian Ford eclipsed 2,000 career points against Monticello and now has a 92-6 career record with the Panthers heading into this week. Seniors Devonta Walker and Adrien Walker also had solid games against Crossett with 16 and 14 points each.

4. LR Parkview (16-3)

Before the game was called with 3:22 left in the third quarter due to an altercation, the Patriots came out to prove they deserve to be considered one of the state’s four best teams, defeating previously No. 5 Maumelle 52-32. They turned the Hornets over 12 times in the first half and were led by 11 points each from Nate Coley and UCA signee Cam Wallace. 

5. Farmington (23-1) 

If there is anyone in Class 4A that can give Magnolia a run for its money, Farmington is one of the first that comes to mind. With three regular-season games remaining, the Cardinals have already clinched the 4A-1 district title.

6. Lake Hamilton (18-3) 

The Wolves have taken advantage of a deep lineup this season and are unscathed in 5A-South play, sitting just outside the Top 5. They had another strong showing against Sheridan with three players hitting double-digits in points: Zac Pennington led with 20, followed by Demetrius Sharp with 17 and Ty Robinson added 11. 

7. Fayetteville (15-4) 

The Purple Dogs’ win streak is up to 11, and they are rolling in the 6A-West. Landon Glasper led Fayetteville with 25 points as the team won its only game of the week over Bentonville West with Mason Simpson adding 13.

8. Maumelle (18-3) 

Following an underwhelming performance against No. 4 Parkview, the Hornets came back strong on Saturday in an 83-71 victory over Jacksonville without key players Nico Davillier and Kaleb Thurman. UCA signee Carl Daughtery Jr. led all scorers with 34 and Colby Garland added another 29, pushing a short-handed Hornets team past the Titans, and they remain in the Top 10.

9. Marion (11-3) 

The Patriots did not play last week and remain at No. 9. They get back on the court this week with a road trip to Nettleton and then back home against a gritty Searcy team.

10.Blytheville (21-3) 

It has been a great week for the Chickasaws, who clinched their fourth conference championship in a row and cracked our Top 10. They will close the regular season at Brookland on Friday followed by a rescheduled senior night against Southside Batesville. 

11. Siloam Springs (15-5) 

The Panthers have won five of their past six games and are one of the frontrunners in the 5A West with favorable games coming up this week against Alma and Greenbrier.

12.Springdale (14-5) 

After suffering back-to-back losses, the Bulldogs are now on a four-game win streak following wins over Bentonville, Bentonville West, Rogers Heritage and a huge 60-58 double overtime victory over Har-Ber on Monday night. 

13.Bentonville (15-6) 

Bentonville evened the series with Har-Ber at 1-1 during conference play in its lone game last week. After what should be a quick contest with Rogers Heritage, they welcome Fayetteville to Tiger Arena for a Top 15 showdown.

14. Bryant (13-5) 

The Hornets squeaked past Fort Smith Northside following another big game from Khasen Robinson with 17 points and six rebounds along with a double-digit performance from Gabe George, who had 16 points. After a challenging Tuesday home game with Little Rock Central, Bryant heads to Little Rock Southwest for a Friday tilt. 

15. Har-Ber (15-6) 

The Wildcats have suffered losses in their past three games against Top 15 teams Fayetteville, Bentonville and a Monday overtime loss to Springdale, pushing them back in the conference race. With Fayetteville and Bentonville West still left on the regular-season schedule, they must get things going in the right direction quickly.

16. West Memphis (12-7) 

The Blue Devils were off last week after a January 28 victory over Batesville. With No. 9 Marion up to start the week, followed by a road trip against an improving Searcy team, they will need to get back in the game flow fast.

17. Arkadelphia (21-1) 

The Badgers have all week to focus on a massive Friday showdown at Fountain Lake that would secure them a 4A-7 regular-season title with a victory. They defeated Mena at home last Friday with Antione Palmer (17 points), Ryan Harris (12 points) and James Elgas (11 points, 10 assists) leading the way. Courtlon Crow added 17 rebounds and seven blocks.

18. Fountain Lake (22-2) 

The Cobras’ two losses this season have come by a total of six points and four of those were at the hands of 4A-7 rival Arkadelphia on January 20. They can avenge that loss on Friday when Arkadelphia comes to town and give themselves a chance to stay in contention for the regular-season conference crown. 

19. Russellville (15-7) 

Russellville enters the second half of the conference season as one of the top teams in the 5A West. The Cyclones should feel good about the next three games before finishing the regular season with Siloam Springs and Vilonia, their two biggest threats. 

20. Bentonville West (13-6) 

Bentonville West drops four spots following back-to-back losses with a big opportunity to bounce back against Rogers, but No. 15 Har-Ber awaits on Friday.

21.Nettleton (15-7) 

The Raiders had last week off, but things will pick back up in a hurry as they take on No. 25 Greene County Tech and No. 9 Marion in their next two games.

22.Lakeside (13-5) 

The Rams lost two of three and have followed with a three-game win streak. They still have a lot of work to do and will need some help to have a chance at a regular-season conference title, but they are not completely out.

23.Greene County Tech (10-7) 

The Golden Eagles are back in the Top 25 coming off two wins and had last week off to refresh. Nettleton will be a tough test on Tuesday but a trip to Batesville should not give them many problems.

24. Vilonia (13-8) 

After cracking the Top 25 for the first time this season last week, Vilonia moves up a spot and looks to go on another conference winning streak. They are off to a good start this week with Monday’s 38-33 win over Alma.

25. Pine Bluff (13-6) 

The Zebras make their debut in the Top 25 currently on a seven-game win streak and unbeaten in conference play. They still must play No. 6 Lake Hamilton twice but have really begun to find their identity at the right time.