As surprising as it may seem, the last week of January is upon us, signaling that postseason action is just around the corner.
Last week, the state witnessed multiple exciting Top 25 clashes, and more thrilling matchups are scheduled for this week.
No. 1 Conway maintained its dominance with victories over North Little Rock and Little Rock Central, while Farmington secured a decisive win against Mountain Home in a highly anticipated top-three showdown, among others from the top tier.
When compared to last week, there was minimal movement within the Top 25. The top 14 teams held their positions, with one 5A-West team making its return to the rankings.
Check out the complete Top 25 below.
Arkansas High School Girls Basketball Rankings: Jan. 27
1. Conway (22-1)
Last week: 1
Boasting wins over North Little Rock and Little Rock Central, the Wampus Cats secured sole ownership of first place in the 6A-Central while extending their winning streak to 16 games. They wrap up January with matches against Jonesboro and Bryant.
2. Farmington (17-1)
Last week: 2
While it didn’t surprise any dedicated followers, the Cardinals showcased their strength with a decisive road win against a strong Mountain Home team. They begin the week with a make-up game against Alma and finish January facing Van Buren.
3. Mountain Home (18-3)
Last week: 3
There’s no doubt the Bombers were pumped to host No. 2 and 5A favorite Farmington at The Hangar, yet the Cardinals proved too strong — a trend evident throughout the season. After bouncing back against Alma, Mountain Home will look for a win streak against Russellville and a steadily improving No. 19 Greenwood squad.
4. Springdale (17-2)
Last week: 4
Demonstrating an ability to prevail in tight contests, the Red Dogs continued this trend with a hard-fought victory over Fayetteville. They have a challenging three-game stretch ahead, starting with No. 17 Bentonville, followed by No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber, and concluding with No. 5 Fort Smith Northside to kick off February.
5. Fort Smith Northside (16-3)
Last week: 5
After suffering a defeat to Springdale in their 6A-West opener, the Bears have gone on to win six consecutive games. They will aim for redemption against the Red Dogs on Feb. 3, which could lead to them claiming the top position in the conference. But first, they need to remain focused on their Tuesday matchup against No. 8 Springdale Har-Ber.
6. Greene County Tech (19-2)
Last week: 6
The Eagles have extended their win streak to 12 after successfully conquering a critical week in their season. They currently share the top spot in the 5A-East standings with No. 14 Marion, and if both teams handle their respective matches on Tuesday, the winner of their Friday clash will start February in sole possession of first place.
7. Little Rock Central (14-5)
Last week: 7
After a week off, the Tigers had no trouble going head-to-head with top-ranked Conway, following closely until the Wampus Cats pulled ahead late in the third quarter. They’ll be competing against Little Rock Southwest on Tuesday before finishing the week back home against Jonesboro.
8. Springdale Har-Ber (17-3)
Last week: 8
Last week, the Wildcats played just one game, easily defeating Rogers Heritage. The break was much needed as they gear up for a significant week that includes a home game against No. 5 Fort Smith Northside and a town rivalry against No. 4 Springdale.
9. North Little Rock (13-8)
Last week: 9
North Little Rock faced similar challenges as Conway, finding themselves overwhelmed by the Wampus Cats early in the week. The team will return to action on Tuesday against Bryant and will cap off January with a matchup against Cabot.
10. Pulaski Academy (23-0)
Last week: 10
The Bruins showcased two strong performances with convincing wins over Clinton and Heber Springs. It’s fair to wonder if they’ll be pushed for the remainder of the regular season, given that only three weeks remain.
11. Vilonia (14-6)
Last week: 11
As expected, the Eagles have discovered their rhythm, extending their winning streak to six after restricting Jacksonville and Maumelle to a total of just 53 points last week. They face another 5A-Central match against Greenbrier on Tuesday, followed by an important nonconference clash at No. 13 Nashville on Friday.
12. Little Rock Christian (16-3)
Last week: 12
The Warriors have bounced back well since trailing Vilonia in the 5A-Central standings. With a three-game winning streak intact, they’ll seek to enhance it against Jacksonville and Sylvan Hills this week.
13. Nashville (16-6)
Last week: 13
The Scrapperettes have had a number of impressive outings in their recent games, and Karstyn…
Scrivner delivered an impressive performance, wrapping up with 40 points in Tuesday’s nonconference battle against Hot Springs Lakeside. After a strong finish against Arkadelphia to round out last week, the team now shifts its focus to Camden Fairview, followed by a home showdown against No. 11 Vilonia in yet another nonconference matchup.
14. Marion (15-6)
Last week: 14
The Patriots lived up to expectations with decisive victories over Paragould and Batesville. This week, they face two Top 25 contenders, kicking off with a road match against the 23rd-ranked Valley View team, which is looking for a bounce-back win, followed by a key home clash against No. 6 Greene County Tech that could determine first place in the 5A-East.
15. Dover (23-0)
Last week: 16
Dover’s schedule appeared straightforward with Baptist Prep as the only potential hurdle, and the Pirates cleared it with a solid 30-point victory before dispatching Jessieville. They now hold the top spot in the 3A-5 with upcoming matches against Perryville and Mayflower.
16. Fayetteville (10-7)
Last week: 17
They put up a strong fight against Springdale but fell short of claiming their second Top 10 victory within the same fortnight. The upcoming week poses significant challenges against Fort Smith Southside and No. 17 Bentonville, crucial to their standing in the 6A-West.
17. Bentonville (14-6)
Last week: 18
After experiencing back-to-back losses against Top 10 teams, the Tigers delivered with commanding wins over Rogers and Bentonville West, fulfilling expectations. This week will be pivotal as they go head-to-head with 6A-West leaders and ranked No. 4 Springdale, followed closely by No. 16 Fayetteville.
18. De Queen (22-1)
Last week: 20
After rebounding from a previous loss, the Leopards restricted Hope to just 14 points in a dominating win last Friday. They will again play only one game this week, as they prepare for a road contest against Magnolia.
19. Greenwood (10-9)
Last week: 24
One could make a strong case for the Bulldogs as the leading team in the 5A-West, just behind No. 2 Farmington, and they have the chance to solidify this claim this week. Following a Tuesday visit to Harrison, they will face off against No. 3 Mountain Home in what promises to be another thrilling match at The Hangar.
20. Quitman (22-0)
Last week: 21
The Bulldogs continued showcasing their defensive prowess, achieving victories over Bigelow and Mount-Vernon Enola. With a comfortable lead in the 2A-5 standings, they face a packed schedule this week, with three matches against Jacksonville Lighthouse, Central Arkansas Christian, and Conway Christian.
21. Beebe (16-4)
Last week: 22
Beginning the week on a high note, the Badgers secured their third consecutive victory, yet they stumbled against No. 12 Little Rock Christian. The next four games should offer them a favorable path to build momentum before a rematch at home against Vilonia on Valentine’s Day.
22. West Memphis (12-5)
Last week: 15
The Blue Devils have struggled in three of their last five games, currently mired in a two-game losing streak, but there’s still hope. They could regain their footing with an upcoming game against Searcy on Tuesday, and their rivalry match against 14th-ranked Marion could turn the tide.
23. Valley View (15-4)
Last week: 19
January has proven unpredictable for the Blazers, who haven’t secured consecutive wins since late December and faced difficulties in their recent loss to No. 6 Greene County Tech. A significant opportunity for redemption surfaces early this week against No. 14 Marion, followed by a clash with a streaky Nettleton squad to close out the month.
24. West Side (Greers Ferry) (27-3)
Last week: 25
Ashlyn Cossey achieved her 15th double-double of the season during West Side’s victory over Viola last Friday. This week, the Eagles travel to Concord, which happens to be head coach Keith Cornett’s alma mater and previous team, before concluding January with a significant match against Rural Special.
25. Van Buren (16-5)
Last week: NR
Following a brief absence, the Pointers are back in the Top 25 and eager to build momentum from victories in three of their last four games. They start the week with a favorable matchup against Siloam Springs, followed by a challenging encounter with the formidable No. 2 Farmington on Friday.
Dropped Out: Lake Hamilton
