SBLive Arkansas Top 25 girls basketball rankings: North Little Rock moves to top spot heading to state finals weekend
There is a new leader in the top spot for the first time all season after a monumental upset and we have multiple movements as every team from last week has a new spot. It is that time of year where anyone can surprise on any given day as we have reached the final week of the season and head into the state finals. You can look at dates and times for the championship games on scorebooklive.com.
Here are the girls Top 25 rankings for March 7-14:
1. North Little Rock (26-4)
The Lady Charging Wildcats move into the top spot following a great showing in the state tournament and Central defeating Conway. They look to win their first state title since 2018.
2. Greenwood (23-4)
The Lady Bulldogs had to rely on a clutch 3-pointer from Carley Sexton in the second round against West Memphis to continue their season but move up to the second spot heading into the title game with Jonesboro.
3. Melbourne (34-0)
The Lady Bearkatz have lived up to expectations all year and are playing for their fourth state title in a row this weekend currently on a 65-game win streak dating back almost a year and a half.
4. Jonesboro (22-6)
With Memphis signee Destiny Thomas in the paint and North Texas signee Ereauna Hardaway on the perimeter, this Lady Hurricane team is playing like they could very well repeat, but they must get past No 2 Greenwood first.
5. Northside (24-6)
Northside won four straight in the tournament to get to the championship game and are hoping to clinch Lady Bear head coach Rickey Smith’s ninth state title.
6. Conway (28-2)
The Lady Wampus Cats did not expect to be one-and-done in the state tournament, but their overall body of work keeps them in the Top 6.
7. Farmington (34-1)
The Lady Cardinals have been great all year and are one step away from completing the ultimate goal in Hot Springs.
8. Little Rock Central (21-9)
Little Rock Central claimed the upset of the year, for both boys and girls, defeating Conway in the second round. They fell in the semifinals to Northside but have a lot of momentum heading into next year.
9. Har-Ber (22-5)
The Lady Wildcats could not overcome newly top-ranked North Little Rock in the semifinals but had a great season winning the 6A-West.
10. Nashville (32-2)
It took two overtimes, but the Lady Scrappers got past Pulaski Academy and are probably not getting enough attention heading into the state finals.
11. Bergman (41-0)
The Lady Panthers were challenged by Clinton in the semifinals heading into the 4th quarter with just a four-point lead but pulled away and are just one win away from a perfect season.
12. Bentonville (19-8)
The Lady Tigers’ season ended in the second round at the hands of Fort Smith Northside.
13. Marion (21-11)
Marion had a great run in the state tournament highlighted by Jessica Robins’ layup in the final moments against Jacksonville in the second round, but their hopes ended in the semis against Greenwood.
14. Little Rock Christian (24-6)
The Lady Warriors put on a three-point clinic in Sheridan, but Jonesboro got out to a big lead that could not be overcome by LRC.
15. West Memphis (16-7)
West Memphis was right on the cusp of advancing to the semifinals, but Greenwood ended those hopes in the final seconds.
16. Vilonia (22-6)
Vilonia loses Ouachita Baptist signee Madeleine Tipton and fellow senior Addi Bonnema but with Sidni Middleton along with a host of other freshmen, this Lady Eagles team has plenty to look forward to.
17. Jacksonville (22-6)
The Lady Titans held off a rallying Russellville squad in the first round of state and then lost a heartbreaker to Marion ending their season.
18. Lake Hamilton (25-3)
The Lady Wolves were caught off guard by a sneaky good Paragould team that upset them in the first round. Their senior class, led by Arkansas Tech signee Hayleigh Wyrick, went 42-0 in three years of 5A South conference play.
19. Cabot (15-12)
The Lady Panthers earned a state tournament victory over Rogers Heritage before falling to North Little Rock, but with a young corps at the helm the future is very promising for Cabot head coach Jay Cook and Co.
20. Bryant (16-8)
Bryant had some memorable moments this year, including defeating state finalist Fort Smith Northside, and must replace UCA signee Parris Atkins but overall should feel confident about their returning players.
21. Paragould (16-6)
Paragould came into the state tournament confident notching a huge win over South top seed Lake Hamilton, but Little Rock Christian was too much for the Lady Rams in the second round.
22. Lamar (31-2)
The Lady Warriors have been overlooked due to Bergman and Booneville’s success but are now one of the last two teams standing in a very loaded Class 3A.
23. Rogers Heritage (18-10)
After a second-place finish in the 6A-West, Rogers Heritage fell to Cabot in the first round of the state tournament but clang to a spot in the Top 25.
24. Siloam Springs (17-10)
Siloam Springs fell victim to great long-range shooting in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament against Little Rock Christian, particularly by Ashton Elley and Mia Smith.
25. Bentonville West (16-11)
The Lady Wolverines did not finish like they would have hoped but stay in the Top 25 on the inside looking out.
