Marion Athletics -

One of the first goals for virtually every team in the state of Arkansas is to qualify for the state basketball tournament, routinely held during the first week of March every year.

The 2025-2026 Marion Patriots set several goals at the beginning of the season, but the Patriots checked off the first last Friday night at Lion Arena.

Marion embarked on an early 8-0 run late in the first period, led 31-12 at halftime, and pulled away late for a 54-32 victory over Searcy that ensured that the Patriots will compete in the Class 5A state basketball tournament for the 22nd consecutive season.

The Patriots (22-4 overall, 10-0 5A East) remain very much alive for a second straight 5A East conference title, and a third in four years, and they will continue that quest this week with games at Paragould and home for Batesville.

Marion maintained its stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's weekly Class 5A SuperSix rankings this week for the sixth week in a row, while MHS took the No. 2 spot in the paper's overall Top 10 for the fifth straight week.

Eleven Patriots scored at Searcy, led by Chandler Randle's 12 points, while Dexter Higgins, Jr. finished with eight, and Karlyal “Duck” Hyland scored six. Jalen Neal and Korbin Littlejohn each scored five points, Zayden Walker and Jaylon Ford scored four apiece, while Eian Henderson and Jackson Black scored three each, and Leeman Brown and Day Day Bailey hit for two apiece.

Marion's balanced attack was on display early in the first period to start at Lion Arena as six Patriots scored in the game's first eight minutes, including seven points in the frame by Randle, allowing the Pats to tote a 17-10 lead to the second stanza.

The Pats took their first double-digit lead (21-10) of the night when Higgins fed Randle for a layup with 5:11 left in the second quarter, and when Randle beat the second-quarter buzzer with a three-pointer, Marion's lead at halftime was 31-12.

A Littlejohn triple gave Marion its first 20-point lead (34-12) with 6:13 left in the third, and the Pats pushed their lead to 45-22 by the end of the frame.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Marion travels to play Paragould on Tuesday evening to continue 5A East action. The girls contest will tip off around 6 p.m., followed by the guys game around 7:30. If you can't watch the game in person at Doc Paynter Court, you can watch the varsity contests for free on the MPAN YouTube channel.

RANKINGS RUNDOWN
Marion maintained its stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's weekly Class 5A SuperSix rankings this week for the sixth week in a row, while MHS took the No. 2 spot in the paper's overall Top 10 for the fifth straight week.
The Pats were also No. 1 in the Arkansas State Media Poll in Class 5A, and No. 2 Overall.

5A EAST RESULTS FROM 2/13
Marion 54, Searcy 32
Greene Co. Tech 81, Nettleton 59
W. Memphis 57, Valley View 24
Paragould 62, Batesville 43

5A EAST STANDINGS ON 2/16
SCHOOL CONF. RECORD
Marion 10-0*
Greene Co. Tech 9-1
W. Memphis 7-3
Nettleton 4-6
Valley View 4-6
Paragould 3-7
Batesville 2-8
Searcy 1-9
*clinched playoff berth
Top four teams qualify for state basketball tournament at Farmington.

5A EAST GAMES ON 2/17
Marion at Paragould
W. Memphis at Greene Co. Tech
Searcy at Valley View
Nettleton at Batesville