SBLive Arkansas Top 25 boys basketball rankings: Little change this week, but change inevitable next week

The boys Top 25 rankings for January 24-31

Most of the Top 25 teams took care of business this week as we had zero movement until you get to No 14. With plenty of good matchups, particularly in the 6A-West, we fully expect there to be more adjustments when we are done with this week.

Here are the boys Top 25 rankings for January 24-31:

1.North Little Rock (15-3)

The Charging Wildcats still won by 30 on Friday even without Nick Smith Jr. while he heals from turf toe. They were able to secure the dominating victory thanks in part to double-doubles from Kel’el Ware and Corey Washington, along with 23 points from Tyler Frederick. They face Bryant on Tuesday who is 4-0 in conference play.

2.Jonesboro (15-3)

Three games and three wins last week for the Hurricane, including another out-of-state win over talented Southaven (Miss.) High School. The addition of Oklahoma State signee Quion Williams has added even more depth to this immensely talented and productive roster. He led the team with 12 points and eight rebounds against Southaven.

3.Magnolia (14-0)

The Panthers showed no mercy winning their past two games by 40 and 50 and are rolling through 4A-8. Razorback commit Derrian Ford, who is now 247 Sports’ 70thplayer in the country for 2022, put up a 40 combined points and shot 80% from the field in those contests.

4.LR Parkview (13-3)

Since losing two in a row to No 3 Magnolia in the King Cotton Classic and then to Cardinal Hayes in the Hoop Hall Classic, the Patriots have won four-straight games. They have Sylvan Hills and Jacksonville this week before a huge road showdown against No 5 Maumelle on February 1st.

5.Maumelle (14-2) 

The Hornets closed out Little Rock Christian in a Top 20 matchup with clutch free throws and then nearly hung 100 on Hall a few nights later. The backcourt duo of Colby Garland and Carl Daughtery Jr. is proving to be one of the one of the best in the state.

6.Farmington (19-1) 

Farmington escaped Gravette in its only game last week. The target will continue to be on their back against Gentry and on the road against rival Prairie Grove Friday.

7.Marion (16-4) 

After falling to Memphis-based Overton High in the Memphis Hoopfest last week, Marion is back on a winning streak but face a tough week against Paragould at home and then hit the road to face No 2 Jonesboro.

8.Lake Hamilton (14-3) 

The Wolves stay at No 8 but are continuing to trend up as one of the state’s hottest teams after defeating a stout Hot Springs team by double digits and following that with a dominating victory over El Dorado. 

9.Har-Ber (14-3) 

The Wildcats made easy work of Southside and get Rogers at home to start the week before a Top 15 showdown with No 11 Fayetteville. 

10.Bentonville (13-4) 

The Tigers are rolling as winners of eight of the past nine games but will be challenged heavily twice this week with contests against Springdale and No. 11 Fayetteville in a makeup game Wedneday. 

11.Fayetteville (12-4) 

Brad Stamps got the better of his friend and former assistant Jeremy Price, how the Springdale Coach, for the fifth time in a row Friday night in a 67-35 lopsided win. The Purple Dogs have won seven in a row with Rogers Heritage and No 10 Bentonville next.

12.Nettleton (15-5) 

After losing two in row, the Raiders reversed that winning two in a row against Paragould and Batesville. They have two home games this week against No 2 Jonesboro and Searcy.

13.Bentonville West (12-4) 

The Wolverines had a humbling start to 2022 losing three-straight but are currently winners of three in a row looking to extend that against Fort Smith Southside and No 20 Springdale this week.

14. West Memphis (11-6) 

Like many teams have, the Blue Devils took a lump at the hands of Jonesboro but bounced back against previously No 25 Paragould to move into the Top 15.

15.Russellville (12-6) 

The Cyclones have been possibly the most improved team in the state, and they move up six spots into the Top 15 after defeating previously No 14 Siloam Springs led by Donyae May’s 26 points.

16.Blytheville (18-3) 

The Chickasaws have won their last twelve games with Highland as their most recent victim led by junior Tyree Jackson’s 19 points. 

17.Siloam Springs (10-5) 

Red-hot Russellville handed Siloam its first loss in seven games and the Panthers look to get back on track against Van Buren and sneaky Vilonia next week.

18.Lakeside (10-4) 

The Rams scored a big victory over 5A-South rival Sheridan and look to stay close to the top of the conference. 

19.Springdale (11-5) 

Springdale fell to its former coach in a frustrating 32-point loss to Fayetteville but have big opportunities to climb back up in the rankings against No 10 Bentonville and No 13 Bentonville West.

20.Bryant (11-4) 

After a 4-0 conference start, the Hornets are one of 6A’s hotter teams. The competition stiffens this week at home against top-ranked North Little Rock and on the road against No 22 Conway.

21.Arkadelphia (17-1) 

The Badgers move into the Top 25 after a massive 47-43 home victory over 4A-7 rival Fountain Lake led by Isaiah Salinas’ 16 points. 

22.Conway (11-6)

The Wampus Cats knew top-ranked North Little Rock on the road would be a tough game to win, but they were probably not expecting to lose at home to a struggling Central team which dropped them seven spots.

23.Dumas (16-1)

Dumas makes its Top-25 debut with only one loss at the hands of Stuttgart, whom the Bobcats defeated in early December the first time around. Brothers Mike and Tommy Reddick have been key for the Bobcats’ success this year.

24.Sylvan Hills (9-5)

The Bears are back in the Top 25 with a big opportunity to climb facing off against No 4 Parkview on Tuesday followed by Benton Friday.

25.Fountain Lake (16-2)

The Cobras hold on to a Top 25 spot following a heartbreaking four-point loss on the road at Arkadelphia. They get a rematch at home against the Badgers on February 8th.