SBLive Arkansas Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings (Feb. 27)

This week's Top 25 Arkansas prep basketball rankings

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Scott Miller 

The 2022-23 season has come down to survive and advance mode across the board with state tournaments getting underway this week. There was a good bit of movement this week with many of the Top 25 teams falling to one another, while a 4A squad checks in at the 25th spot for the first time this season. 

1. Bentonville West (25-3)

Along with facing one of the state’s tougher schedules, the Wolverines claimed the top seed in the 6A-West and are far from finished as they look forward to facing the winner of North Little Rock/Fayetteville.

2. Blytheville (32-1)

It was by no means easy, but the Chickasaws finished the 4A-East regional as the champions and aim to finish the job in the state tournament after coming up just short in the finals last year.

3. Jonesboro (27-3)

No team is more prepared for the postseason than one coached by Wes Swift and the Hurricane are looking fierce on a twelve-game win streak now awaiting the winner of Bentonville/Bryant.

4. Central (24-6)

There is no shame in dropping a regular season finale to Jonesboro, the hottest team in the state right now, as the Tigers are still the 6A-Central’s No. 2 seed and will play the winner of Springdale/Conway.

5. Farmington (34-0)

At this point, to finish undefeated the Cardinals must win state as it is now a win-or-go-home scenario after they tore through the 4A-North regional.

6. Har-Ber (20-7)

A loss to top-ranked Bentonville West in the regular season-finale did nothing to hurt the Wildcats as they are the No. 2 seed in the 6A-West and await the winner of Cabot/Fort Smith Northside.

7. Marion (24-7)

A meaningless loss in terms of seeding in the final regular season game to Valley View will do nothing more than drive the Patriots to get back to the 5A state championship where things did not go well a year ago.

8. Pine Bluff (21-7)

Losing to Lakeside did not faze the Zebras whatsoever as they responded strongly to snap Hot Springs’ seven-game win streak and will take on Sylvan Hills to begin postseason.

9. Fayetteville (20-9)

It was a given there would be learning lessons coming into this year, but the Purple Dogs seem to have things clicking after winning five of their past six as they look to North Little Rock.

10. North Little Rock (17-9)

The defending 6A champions dropped two of their past three games to end the regular season and will need to turn things around quickly with a well-improved Fayetteville squad up next.

11. Springdale (22-8)

The regular season ended with a loss to Fort Smith Northside, but the bump in the road will give the Red Dogs extra motivation as they face Conway in the first round of the postseason.

12. Cabot (19-8)

A second-straight close victory over North Little Rock sent the Panthers into the postseason with a lot of confidence and they are ready to make some noise against Fort Smith Northside.

13. Bentonville (20-8)

Whatever happened to make the Tigers lose four of their final fives games needs to be addressed quickly with a stingy Bryant squad awaiting in the first round of state.

14. Lake Hamilton (25-4)

Closing out the regular season winning six straight and nine of the past 10 games was a nice boost at the perfect time. Scotty Pennington and Co. are built for this time of year as evidenced by a thrilling semifinal run last year and Parkview is up first, whom the Wolves defeated in five overtimes during last year’s quarterfinals.

15. Fort Smith Northside (18-12)

Two big victories over Bentonville and Springdale to finish conference play were a major boost for a Grizzlies’ squad who has shown some inconsistency at times and head into the postseason with plenty to keep building on.

16. Hot Springs (19-8)

A win over 5A-South top seed Pine Bluff would’ve been icing on the cake for a strong regular season finish, but winning seven of the final eight games is something to keep building on with Vilonia up next.

17. Bryant (20-10)

After dropping two consecutive contests, the Hornets got back in the win column against Conwayto finish the regular season. Defending champion Bentonville is up in the state tournament who has struggled as of late.

18. Nettleton (23-6)

Having only lost twice in 2023, both to 5A-East champion Marion, the Raiders come into the state tournament as one of the most dangerous teams.

19. Magnolia (24-1)

The defending 4A champions remain undefeated against Class 4A competition after winning the South Regional as they continue on the quest for back-to-back titles.

20. Conway (15-13)

Despite dropping their past five games, Conway was able to hold on to the final seed in the 6A-Central and will face Springdale in the state tournament.

21. Little Rock Christian (24-8)

A last-second shot to tie the game in the East Regional final against Class 4A favorite Blythville came up short, but all of the Warriors’ goals are still intact.

22. Vilonia (22-8)

A two-point loss to Parkview on February 21st hindered the Eagles from finishing the regular season on a four-game win streak and they get the postseason rolling against a salty Hot Springs squad.

23. Watson Chapel (26-8)

A loss to defending 4A champion Magnolia in the South Regional finals snapped a 17-game win streak, but the Wildcats rebounded to claim third place.

24. Maumelle (18-11)

On paper, Maumelle has a favorable draw in their bracket and the young Hornets are looking to earn a longer stay in the postseason following last year’s first round exit.

25. Brookland (25-7)

The Bearcats make their season debut in the Power 25 following a third place finish in the 4A-East Regional falling only to Little Rock Christian.