High School basketball has been underway for a bit but now that the football seasons are over for the North of the River schools, teams are back at full strength, plus conference action starts in December as well.
Notable wins: Maumelle is on a three-game winning streak and in the Hornets last game, beat Conway.
2022-23 season: 19-12, lose to Greene County Tech in the 5A state tournament
Outlook: Maumelle is off to a strong start and the Hornets have a deep roster and experienced coach in Michael Shook, who has led the program from its start. Maumelle and Shook have yet to yet to win a state title though, despite coming close.
Player to watch: Sophomore guard Jacob Lanier is one of the country’s top prospects in the class of 2026.
The week ahead: The tour of the 7A-Central continues as the Hornets host Bryant on Thursday and travel to Little Rock Central on Friday. The following Tuesday, Dec. 12, the conference season gets started as Maumelle travels to Beebe.
Notable: Former Maumelle guard Carl Daughtery Jr. is sophomore guard at UCA and is the third-leading scorer for the Bears.
The week ahead: On Friday, it is conference and North of the River rival Central Arkansas Christian and the following Tuesday is another rivalry game in Mayflower.
Notable wins: All of them, as North Little Rock is undefeated.
2022-23 season: 17-10, lost to Fayetteville in the 6A state tournament.
Outlook: The ‘Cats are good again this year, as they are most years, and will be state tournament bound. The best three teams in 6A are, as usual, North Little Rock, Little Rock Central and Jonesboro, Those will be the top three seeds from the 6A-Central and some really good basketball will be had when they face each other as they’ll be state championship games.
Player to watch: Senior guard Ja-kory Withers is a college prospect.
The week ahead: When you have street cred as one of the state’s best programs, games can be a little hard to come by and such is the case at North Little Rock. Coach Nathan Calborn has only managed four games so far, all wins, and aren’t scheduled to play again until Friday, Dec. 15.
Notable: Former McDonald’s All-American Kel’el Ware is now at Indiana and lighting it up for the Hoosiers, averaging nearly 18 points a game while high school classmate and fellow McDonald’s All-American Nick Smith Jr. is a rookie guard for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
Notable wins: Beat conference rival Little Rock Central to claim the Great 8 tournament title in Rogers last week.
2022-23 season: 26-6, lost to Conway in the 6A state championship game, after winning the title the previous year.
Outlook: Just go ahead and pencil in Fimple’s bunch for the 6A state championship game in March, as usual.
Player(s) to watch: Senior forward Madison Hatley was the MVP in last week’s Great 8 and is a college prospect. Sophomore guard Katie Fimple, who plays like a young Mandy Smith, is another to keep an eye on.
The week ahead: The ‘Cats head to northwest Arkansas for a tournament and will face Fayetteville on Thursday, with more games to be determined on Friday and Saturday.
Notable wins: Beat Drew Central and McGehee in back-to-back tournament games last week.
2022-23 season: 25-9, lost to Dumas in the 3A state tournament.
Outlook: Now that football’s over, CAC is back to full strength
Player to watch: Junior Grayson Wilson, all-state last season, is back on the court after leading the Mustangs to the Class 4A quarterfinals in football.
The week ahead: CAC hosts Maumelle Charter this Friday and travels the following Friday, Dec. 15 to Dover.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 8 ... vs. Maumelle Charter ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Dec. 15 ... at Dover ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Dec. 21 ... vs. Valley Springs ... 2 p.m. ... (NC)
Notable wins: CAC beat Episcopal Collegiate for its lone win this season.
2022-23 season: 9-16
Outlook: There’s a trio of seniors for coach Steve Quattlebaum to call on in Cassidy Hughes, Jaydyn Smith and Jordan Dodd. All three play guard
The week ahead: Maumelle Charter is this Friday as the conference gets going,.
Notable: Former Mustangs playing in college this season are freshman Riley Bryant at Washington & Lee while Ava Knoedl transferred to Hendrix College after playing her freshman season at Mississippi College last year.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 8 ... vs. Maumelle Charter ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Basketball dribbles to the fore
Basketball dribbles to the fore
Basketball dribbles to the fore
High School basketball has been underway for a bit but now that the football seasons are over for the North of the River schools, teams are back at full strength, plus conference action starts in December as well.
So, hoops it is.
Maumelle
Coach: Michael Shook
Record so far: 5-4
Notable wins: Maumelle is on a three-game winning streak and in the Hornets last game, beat Conway.
2022-23 season: 19-12, lose to Greene County Tech in the 5A state tournament
Outlook: Maumelle is off to a strong start and the Hornets have a deep roster and experienced coach in Michael Shook, who has led the program from its start. Maumelle and Shook have yet to yet to win a state title though, despite coming close.
Player to watch: Sophomore guard Jacob Lanier is one of the country’s top prospects in the class of 2026.
The week ahead: The tour of the 7A-Central continues as the Hornets host Bryant on Thursday and travel to Little Rock Central on Friday. The following Tuesday, Dec. 12, the conference season gets started as Maumelle travels to Beebe.
Notable: Former Maumelle guard Carl Daughtery Jr. is sophomore guard at UCA and is the third-leading scorer for the Bears.
Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 7 ... vs. Bryant ... 4:30 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Dec. 8 ... at Little Rock Central ... ... 7 p.m. ... (NC)
Tuesday, Dec. 12 ... at Beebe ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Dec. 15 ... vs. Vilonia ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Saturday, Dec. 16 ... at Fayetteville ... 2 p.m.. ... (NC)
Tuesday, Jan. 2 ... at eStem ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 5 ... vs. Sylvan Hills ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... at Parkview ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... vs. Jacksonville ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 19 ... vs. Catholic ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... at Cabot ... 7 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... at Vilonia ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 ... vs. eStem ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 2 ... at Sylvan Hills ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Parkview ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 9 ... at Jacksonville ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 16 ... at Catholic ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 23 ... vs. Beebe ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
1 ... Kaiden Brooks ... So.
1 ... Elijah Newell ... ... G ... Sr. ... 6-0 ... 180
2 ... Jonathan Frost ... Jr. ... 5-11 ... 170
3 ... Darren Fleming ... Sr. ... 6-1 ... 170
5 ... Jonathan Williams ... So.
10 ... Deion Smith ... 6-0 ... 180 ...
11 ... Jordan Harris ... F ... So. ... 6-7 ... 208
12 ... Derrick Lewis II ... ... G ... Jr. ... 5-10 ... 135
13 ... Jacob Lanier ... ... G ... So. ... 6-6 ... 180
14 ... Jaiden Forte Thornton ... So. ... 5-10 ... 165
15 ... Justin Caldwell ... So. ... 6-3 ... 165
21 ... Branden Johnson ... ... G ... So. ... 5-10 ... 195
22 ... Malik McGuire ... 6-7 ... 200
23 ... Joseph Mason ... Jr. ... 6-4 ... 250
24 ... Markalon Rochell ... F ... Jr. ... 6-5 ... 175
30 ... Colin Norman ... Jr. ... 6-1 ... 130
Maumelle Girls
Coach: Grover Garrison
Record so far: 1-7
Notable wins: Beat Central Arkansas Christian
2022-23 season: 11-19
Outlook: Maumelle finished sixth in a stacked and loaded 5A-Central season as conference champ Vilonia lost in the 5A state championship game.
Player to watch: Monica Hardaway is the team’s lone senior as the Hornets have a young team
The week ahead: Travels to Magnolia this Friday and will be at Beebe the following Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 8 ... at Magnolia ... 6 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Dec. 15 ... vs. Vilonia ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Dec. 19 ... vs. . Pine Bluff ... 6 p.m. ... (NC)
Thursday, Dec. 28 ... at Harrison ... 6 p.m. ... (NC)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... at Parkview ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... vs. Jacksonville ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... vs. Little Rock Christian ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... at Vilonia ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Parkview ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 9 ... at Jacksonville ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 16 ... at Mount St. Mary ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tue, Feb 20 ... at Little Rock Christian ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 23 ... vs. Beebe ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
00 ... Ava Fowlkes ... Fr.
1 ... Jayla Thompson ... Jr.
2 ... Ashtyne Williams ... Jr.
5 ... Brianna Miller ... Sr.
11 ... Alana Hendrix ... So.
15 ... Monica Hardaway ... Sr.
20 ... Elaina Flakoll ... So.
21 ... Jaebreunna West ... Jr.
21 ... Kalaija Lee
22 ... Christanity Garland ... Jr.
30 ... Karleigh Blunt ... So.
32 ... Ja Mia Flowers ... Jr.
32 ... Molly Terry ... So.
Kaylen Robinson ... So.
Grover Garrison, Head Coach
Maumelle Charter boys
Record so far: 7-5
The week ahead: On Friday, it is conference and North of the River rival Central Arkansas Christian and the following Tuesday is another rivalry game in Mayflower.
Maumelle Charter girls
Record so far: 11-5
Boys and Girls schedule
Dec. 8.... Friday ... at CAC … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Dec. 12 … Tuesday … Mayflower … VG / VB ... … 5 p.m.
Dec. 14 ... Thursday ... Malvern … VG,VB … 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 15.... Friday ... Abundant Life (Homecoming) … VG / VB ... … 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 27-28 at Malvern Classic … VG… TBD
Dec. 27-29 at Episcopal Christmas Tournament … VB … TBD
Jan 2. … Tuesday … Danville … VG / VB ... … 4:30 p.m.
Jan 4. ... Thursday ... Lee Academy … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan. 5.... Friday ... at Perryville … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan. 9 … Tuesday … Lamar … VG / VB ... … 5 p.m.
Jan. 12.... Friday ... at Baptist Prep … VG / VB ... … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 … Tuesday … Atkins … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan. 19.... Friday ... at Dover … VG / VB ... … 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 … Tuesday … CAC … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Jan. 26.... Friday ... at Mayflower … VG / VB ... … 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 … Tuesday … Perryville (Senior Night) … VG / VB ... 4 p.m.
Feb. 2.... Friday ... at Lamar … VG / VB ... 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 … Tuesday … Baptist Prep … VG / VB ... … 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 ... Thursday ... at Atkins … VG / VB ... … 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 12-17 … Sr. High District Tournament … VG, VB
Feb. 21-24 … Regional Tournament
Feb. 27- March 2 … State Tournament
North Little Rock
Coach: Nathan Clayborn
Record so far: 4-0
Notable wins: All of them, as North Little Rock is undefeated.
2022-23 season: 17-10, lost to Fayetteville in the 6A state tournament.
Outlook: The ‘Cats are good again this year, as they are most years, and will be state tournament bound. The best three teams in 6A are, as usual, North Little Rock, Little Rock Central and Jonesboro, Those will be the top three seeds from the 6A-Central and some really good basketball will be had when they face each other as they’ll be state championship games.
Player to watch: Senior guard Ja-kory Withers is a college prospect.
The week ahead: When you have street cred as one of the state’s best programs, games can be a little hard to come by and such is the case at North Little Rock. Coach Nathan Calborn has only managed four games so far, all wins, and aren’t scheduled to play again until Friday, Dec. 15.
Notable: Former McDonald’s All-American Kel’el Ware is now at Indiana and lighting it up for the Hoosiers, averaging nearly 18 points a game while high school classmate and fellow McDonald’s All-American Nick Smith Jr. is a rookie guard for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 15 ... at Fayetteville ... 5:30 p.m. ... Tournament ... Fayetteville
Saturday, Dec. 16 ... vs. Little Rock Christian ... 3:30 p.m. ... (NC) ... John Stanton Conway Classic
Thursday, Dec. 28 ... vs Van Buren ... 2:30 p.m. ... Tournament ... Fort Smith Southside
Friday, Jan. 5 ... vs. Conway ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... at Little Rock Southwest ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... vs. Jonesboro ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 16 ... vs. Central ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... at Bryant ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... at Cabot ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 ... at Central ... 7:30 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 2 ... at Conway ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Little Rock Southwest ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 9 ... at Jonesboro ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 16 ... vs. Bryant ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Feb. 22 ... vs. Cabot ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
0 ... Blake Segars ... ... G ... Sr. ... 6-1 ... 175
1 ... Kevon Smith ... G ... 6-5
2 ... Andre Barnes ... G ... 5-11
3 ... Ja-kory Withers ... ... G ... Sr. ... 6-1 ... 175
4 ... Braylon Frazier ... ... G ... Sr. ... 6-0 ... 130
11 ... Braylon Maris ... G ... 5-10
12 ... Javen Ashford ... G ... 5-10
13 ... Daniel Woods ... F ... 6-4
15 ... Quincy Rice ... G ... 5-10
21 ... Kani Lee ... G ... 6-1
22 ... Robert Griffin ... C ... Sr. ... 6-7 ... 150
23 ... Drevian Dodson ... F ... 6-2 ... 195
24 ... Jayvian Johnson Jr ,,, F ... 6-0 ... 175
25 ... Dayvian Withers ... G ... 5-9
Nathan Clayborn, Head Coach
North Little Rock Girls
Coach: Daryl Fimple
Record so far: 8-0
Notable wins: Beat conference rival Little Rock Central to claim the Great 8 tournament title in Rogers last week.
2022-23 season: 26-6, lost to Conway in the 6A state championship game, after winning the title the previous year.
Outlook: Just go ahead and pencil in Fimple’s bunch for the 6A state championship game in March, as usual.
Player(s) to watch: Senior forward Madison Hatley was the MVP in last week’s Great 8 and is a college prospect. Sophomore guard Katie Fimple, who plays like a young Mandy Smith, is another to keep an eye on.
The week ahead: The ‘Cats head to northwest Arkansas for a tournament and will face Fayetteville on Thursday, with more games to be determined on Friday and Saturday.
Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 7 ... at Fayetteville ... 7 p.m. ... (NC) … Tournament
Friday, Dec. 8 … Tournament
Friday, Dec. 9 … Tournament
Tuesday, Dec. 19 ... vs. Nashville ... 6 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Dec. 22 ... vs. Greenwood ... 6 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Jan. 5 ... vs. Conway ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... at Little Rock Southwest ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... vs. Jonesboro ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 16 ... vs. Central ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... at Bryant ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... at Cabot ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 ... at Central ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 2 ... at Conway ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Little Rock Southwest ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 9 ... at Jonesboro ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Fri, Feb 16 ... vs. Bryant ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Feb. 22 ... vs. Cabot ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
00 ... Jaliyah White ... G ... So. ... 5-6
1 ... Elicia Shepherd ... G ... So. ... 5-8
2 ... Jordan Bowden ... G ... So. ... 5-2
3 ... Katie Fimple ... G ... So. ... 5-4
4 ... Jocelyn Tate ... F ... Sr. ... 5-10
5 ... Sanai Delgado ... F ... Sr. ... 5-9
10 ... Kinley Mears ... G ... Jr. ... 5-10
11 ... Lauren Brewster ... G ... So. ... 5-6
14 ... Drew Alise Willis ... F ... Jr. ... 5-9
23 ... Nia Edwards ... F ... So. ... 5-7 ... 158
24 ... Da-liah Batemon ... F ... So. ... 5-9
33 ... Ahmmiyah Caffey ... F ... Sr. ... 6-0
34 ... Madison Hatley ... F ... Sr. ... 6-0
44 ... Jayla Martin ... F ... So. ... 5-10
Daryl Fimple, Head Coach
Central Arkansas Christian
Coach: Matt Hall
Record so far: 5-3
Notable wins: Beat Drew Central and McGehee in back-to-back tournament games last week.
2022-23 season: 25-9, lost to Dumas in the 3A state tournament.
Outlook: Now that football’s over, CAC is back to full strength
Player to watch: Junior Grayson Wilson, all-state last season, is back on the court after leading the Mustangs to the Class 4A quarterfinals in football.
The week ahead: CAC hosts Maumelle Charter this Friday and travels the following Friday, Dec. 15 to Dover.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 8 ... vs. Maumelle Charter ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Dec. 15 ... at Dover ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Dec. 21 ... vs. Valley Springs ... 2 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Jan. 5 ... at Mayflower ... 7:15 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... vs. Perryville ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... at Lamar ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 16 ... vs. Baptist Prep ... 7:30 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... at Maumelle Charter ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... vs. Dover ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 ... vs. Mayflower ... 7:15 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 2 ... at Perryville ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Lamar ... 7 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Feb. 8 ... at Baptist Prep ... 7:30 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
0 ... Samuel Maddox ... ... Sr.
1 ... Josiah Benson ... ... So. ... 6-3 ... 165
2 ... Kevin Williams ... G ... So.
2 ... Kevin Williams II ... ... So. ... 5-10 ... 175
4 ... Vance Strange ... ... Sr.
10 ... Joseph Beranek ... ... Sr.
11 ... Jacob Henry ... ... So. ... 5-9 ... 179
14 ... Jack Vick ... ... Jr. ... 5-11 ... 130
15 ... Caleb Cook ... ... Sr.
20 ... Lane Baxter ... ... Sr.
21 ... Jackson Ashberry ... ... Jr.
22 ... Webb Watson ... ... Sr.
23 ... Jack Bingheimer ... ... Jr.
24 ... Jackson Hampton ... ... So. ... 6-2 ... 204
30 ... Grayson Wilson ... ... Jr. ... 6-2 ... 195
35 ... Jackson Hampton ... ... So.
35 ... Matthew New ... ... Jr.
Lucas Gorter ... ... Jr.
Chase Lillard ... ... So.
Matt Hall, Head Coach
Central Arkansas Christian Girls
Coach: Steve Quattlebaum
Record so far: 1-8
Notable wins: CAC beat Episcopal Collegiate for its lone win this season.
2022-23 season: 9-16
Outlook: There’s a trio of seniors for coach Steve Quattlebaum to call on in Cassidy Hughes, Jaydyn Smith and Jordan Dodd. All three play guard
The week ahead: Maumelle Charter is this Friday as the conference gets going,.
Notable: Former Mustangs playing in college this season are freshman Riley Bryant at Washington & Lee while Ava Knoedl transferred to Hendrix College after playing her freshman season at Mississippi College last year.
Schedule
Friday, Dec. 8 ... vs. Maumelle Charter ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Dec. 15 ... at Dover ... 6 p.m. ... (C) ... Dover
Thursday, Dec. 21 ... vs. Valley Springs ... 1 p.m. ... (NC)
Friday, Jan. 5 ... at Mayflower ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 9 ... vs. Perryville ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 12 ... at Lamar ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 16 ... vs. Baptist Prep ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 19 ... vs. Atkins ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 ... at Maumelle Charter ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Jan. 26 ... vs. Dover ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 ... vs. Mayflower ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Friday, Feb. 2 ... at Perryville ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Tuesday, Feb. 6 ... vs. Lamar ... 6:30 p.m. ... (C)
Thursday, Feb. 8 ... at Baptist Prep ... 6 p.m. ... (C)
Roster
2 ... Cassidy Hughes ... G ... Sr. ... 5-4
4 ... Jaydyn Smith ... G ... Sr. ... 5-6
5 ... Annalise Lackey ... G ... So. ... 5-5
10 ... Kaliyah Durden ... G ... So. ... 5-5
11 ... Kindle Walker ... SF ... Jr. ... 5-7
12 ... Lily Wooderson ... F ... So. ... 5-6
14 ... Kate Tuxhorn ... G ... So. ... 5-6
20 ... Callie Ashberry ... F ... So. ... 5-6
21 ... Mia Morse ... G ... So. ... 5-7
23 ... Stella Lasseigne ... G ... Fr. ... 5-6
25 ... Jordan Dodd ... G ... Sr. ... 5-6
32 ... Karli Roster ... C ... Fr. ... 5-9
Steve Quattlebaum, Head Coach