Lady Patriots ready for tough 5A East schedule

Marion girls look to improve over last season in conference play

By Chuck Livingston

Marion School District

Consistency can be tough to accomplish in competitive areas, but in particular, the game of basketball.

Take the Marion girls hoops program, for example.

The Lady Patriots finished 95 in league play each of the

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past four seasons.

The first three of those years paid off with appearances in the state tournament, a prize that the Lady Pats paid off with trips to the 2021, 2022, and 2023 semifinals.

Marion again finished 9-5 last year, but this time was barred from the postseason after tying for the fourth and final playoff spot from the rugged 5A East and missing the cut on the point-differential tiebreaker.

“It's been a bad feeling for us ever since last season ended the way it did,” said veteran Marion coach Shunda Johnson. “But, it's a good lesson for us to make sure that we handle our business every night because if we slip up it could be the difference between making the state tournament and winning there or not going at all.”

Johnson, who has guided Marion to all five of the school's state semifinal appearances in program history, including the 2017 Class 6A state title, watched her team get off to an impressive 10-6 start to the 2024-2025 hoops season, highlighted by a second consecutive Hot Springs Trojan Invitational tournament title in December.

One year after graduating just three seniors, Marion rosters eight senior players and senior manager Joycelyn Smith, making this one of the more veteran girls teams in recent memory.

“We are excited about this senior group because they all know what we expect, they like to work, and they play compete hard,” said Johnson.

“We need them to continue setting the tone for us on and off the court.”

Senior all-conference performer Joniya “Red” Lewis enters her third season in the Marion rotation after ranking third a season ago in scoring and first in rebounds. Fellow senior guards Jalee Meeks, Amilyah Buchanan, and Ayanna Hayes will handle most of the reps along the perimeter.

“We will lean on them because we know what they can do for us,” said Johnson.

“They all play hard, we just need them to be consistent every game.”

Senior Nia Prude earned last season's Most Improved Player award and she will serve as a Team Captain for 2024-2025. Senior Kiyah Washington offers a defensive presence on the wing.

Seniors Taniyah Bradley and Mariyah Rucks have missed most of the early portion of this season with injuries but could return during conference action. Juniors Jada Cheers and Madison Glaspie earned starting roles during the off-season a year ago and earned all-conference honors with stellar sophomore seasons with excellent all-around play.

Classmate Jordyn Wilkerson missed most of last year with a knee injury but has emerged as arguably the team's top playmaker so far in '24-'25.

“Those three have really put in the time this off-season,” said Johnson. “We need them to keep getting better but they have given us a lift.”

Junior LaNiaya Crayton rotates at guard while classmate Brandy Lovell has been slowed by injury.

Sophomore guard Summer Morgan has started most of the games this season, providing a needed scoring punch.

Sophomores A'Laya Smith, Maliya Stallings, Zaryn Scofield, Adrianna Alexander, Abby Bolden, Trinity Smith, Rayah Hinton, and Mackenzie Brown developed after promising freshman years for the junior high team.

To return to the Class 5A state tournament, Marion must finish in the top four of the eight-team 5A East, which has consistently been one of the deeper, more competitive leagues in Arkansas high school girls basketball.

Marion split with league champion Greene County Tech and state-tournament outfits West Memphis and Nettleton a season ago and “we think we have to win 10 conference games to make

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sure we get in,” said Johnson. “There are no bad teams in this conference.”

5A EAST HOME OPENER EVENTS

Marion's 5A East home-opener on January 14 against Nettleton could set the tone for the conference season, and the gameday atmosphere will follow suit.

Marion's band will perform at home basketball games this season, beginning with Nettleton. Bright Futures Marion will be selling clear bags branded with the Marion logo will be on sale during the game.

Basketball games will be fun for students this winter with different themes for each opponent and full concession stands available.

Public address announcer Tyler Bennett enhances the in-game entertainment with music, player introductions, and energy.

2025 MARION GIRLS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

January 10 at West Memphis January 14 vs. Nettleton January 17 at Searcy January 21 at Paragould January 24 vs. Batesville January 28 at Valley View January 31 vs. Greene Co. Tech February 7 vs. West Memphis February 11 at Nettleton February 14 vs. Searcy February 18 vs. Paragould February 21 at Batesville February 25 vs. Valley View (Senior Night) February 28 at Greene County Tech

WATCH THE PATRIOTS

Every Marion conference basketball game will be broadcast on MarionPatriots. com, on the Marion Patriots Activities Network YouTube channel, and on the MPAN mobile app.