Arkansas High School Basketball Scheduled to Resume This Weekend
Due to inclement weather and the coronavirus pandemic, many teams in Arkansas had difficulty completing their schedules this season. The Arkansas Activities Association has made several adjustments throughout the school year with the latest concerning high school basketball.
In the deltaplex region of the state, the Pine Bluff high school Zebras led the 5A South with a perfect 10-0 record in conference play. Although many teams in the conference struggled to complete their schedules, the Z’s accomplished their conference dominance within 20 days despite not playing for over a month.
Pine Bluff (12-3/10-0) will play the White Hall Bulldogs (10-12/2-8) for a third time this season in the first round of the 5A South Conference tournament. The Z’s will welcome the Bulldogs to McFadden Gymnasium Tuesday Feb. 23rd at 6p.m.
On the girls side, Pine Bluff (1-9/1-7) will travel to Lake Hamilton to take on the Wolves, while White Hall (10-12/2-8) will battle Sheridan in the opening round of the playoffs on Monday Feb. 22nd at 6p.m.
The 8-4A district tournament brackets were all set prior to the inclement weather, but conference officials decided to adjust games for the playoffs. The decision was made to take the top two teams in the division from both girls and boys with play-in games for the 3rd and 4th seeds.
On the boys side, undefeated Magnolia (17-0/11-0) took the first seed, followed by the Monticello Billies (13-4/9-4). The Watson Chapel Wildcats(9-6/8-2) will host the Star City Bulldogs Saturday, while Crossett will face off against Camden Fairview with both games scheduled to tip-off at 2p.m.
In girls action, the Star City Lady Bulldogs (23-3, 14-0) and the Watson Chapel Lady Wildcats (11-10, 9-4) secured the top two seeds, respectively. Warren will play Crossett and Camden Fairview will take on Magnolia for the third and fourth seeds on Saturday. The Lady Cats will take on the third seed from the 7-4A on Thursday Feb. 25th at 10a.m.
In the 3A conference, officials decided a conference or district tournament was not needed to move forward with the playoffs.
The Dollarway Cardinals (11-7/10-4) defeated the Dewitt Dragons 52-29 in what turned out to be their final regular season, locking up the fourth and final seed in the division. The Cards will play in the 3A Region 3 tournament in Little Rock at Central Arkansas Christian. The game has been set for next Wednesday, Feb. 23rd, at 7:30 p.m. against the 5-3A champion.
All teams in the 1A-4A conferences who win the first round of regionals, will automatically qualify for the state tournament in their respective classes.
