5 Arkansas Teams That Could Make a Deep Run This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year, girls basketball in Arkansas brings new contenders, exciting freshmen, breakout teams and unexpected runs. Some programs enter the new season with championship expectations, while others look to prove themselves and make a name for themselves. With talented rosters across every classification, there are several teams to keep an eye on as the 2026 season steadily approaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Little Rock</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Little Rock enters the 2026-27 season as the defending 6A State Champions and one of the top teams to watch. Throughout the years, the Wildcats have continued to establish themselves as an elite contender, building a foundation of strong talent, experience and a winning culture. North Little Rock has all the right pieces to make another postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have several key players on their roster, including [player_tooltip player_id='1180760' first='Mia' last='Hopkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1090334' first='Lauren' last='Brewster'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1260334' first='Marley' last='Adebayo']. Hopkins (UCA commit) and Adebayo both give North Little Rock a major advantage in the frontcourt with their size, physicality and ability to impact the game in the paint. Brewster provides a strong presence in the backcourt, using her quickness, shiftiness and scoring ability to create opportunities for herself and her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pulaski Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the defending 4A State Champions, Pulaski Academy will enter this next season with the same goal: making it back to Hot Springs. The Bruins return a majority of their roster from the previous year, giving them valuable experience and team chemistry. Their core group of [player_tooltip player_id='1093280' first='Randi' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='1093288' first='Greenlee' last='Elmore'], [player_tooltip player_id='1090320' first='Jermera' last='Streets'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1806228' first='Ellie' last='Robken'] will be key pieces to their success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elmore is one of the most productive players on this year's roster, as she's able to impact the game with her scoring, rebounding and defensive ability. Stewart is another major contributor, using her elite playmaking ability and basketball IQ to create opportunities for herself and her teammates. Robken adds versatility with her outstanding perimeter shooting and was a key player in the state championship game against Pea Ridge. Streets brings another level of athleticism to the Bruins, providing energy, defensive intensity and impactful scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Little Rock Central</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little Rock Central is another team to keep an eye on this upcoming season. The Tigers have a strong basketball tradition, as well as the talent and athleticism to compete with the top programs in the state. Their roster features an interesting mix of experienced returning players and younger players looking to make an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central will mainly look to its returning players for leadership. [player_tooltip player_id='1183222' first='Rosebella' last='Onyango'] is one of the top interior players in the state and provides Central with shot-blocking ability and strong finishing around the rim. Alongside Onyango, Little Rock Central will also rely on Kori-London Poole and [player_tooltip player_id='881232' first='Janae' last='Johnson'] to provide versatility and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poole, a younger guard, will be looking to step into a bigger role this upcoming season. She brings value through her playmaking, ball handling and elite defense. Johnson is a skilled all-around wing who possesses the ability to affect the game in multiple ways, including as both a shooter and a finisher. Another sophomore to watch is [player_tooltip player_id='1868723' first='Danica' last='Williams'], who is coming off a strong start to her high school career. Williams will look to build on that momentum and continue to affect the game as a scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Farmington</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmington is heading into the 2026-27 season as one of the most potentially dangerous teams in Arkansas girls basketball. While the Cardinals have built a strong program over the years, their biggest advantage comes from having one of the state's premier players leading the way. With a player capable of taking over games on the roster, Farmington has the star power necessary to compete with any team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1090920' first='Easton' last='McCollough'] is one of the top 2028s in the country. With her elite scoring ability, she is able to average over 30 points a game. While McCollough is the engine that drives the Cardinals, she is not the only contributor. Alongside her, [player_tooltip player_id='1268142' first='Sadie' last='Morrison'] adds another scoring option, averaging 9.1 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Robinson</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson is another 4A program that could make some noise during the 2026-27 season. The Senators showed they could compete with some of the best teams in the classification last season, including a regular-season win over Pulaski Academy. They also put together a strong postseason run, reaching the 4A state tournament and advancing to the semifinal round. With a competitive roster returning, Robinson has an opportunity to build on last season's success and make an even deeper run this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key players on the Senators' roster include [player_tooltip player_id='1260317' first='Aubrey' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='1260337' first='Natylie' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1255560' first='Lauren' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1563275' first='A'Sharia' last='Simmons']. The group features some of the top talent in the 2029 class, giving Robinson plenty of young talent to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four players bring a combination of athleticism, quickness, scoring ability, shooting and playmaking to the floor. Their versatility allows them to impact the game in multiple ways, while their ability to create offense and make plays for their teammates could make Robinson a difficult matchup throughout the season. If the Senators can continue to develop their young core, they could be a team to watch in 4A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->