Basketball teams statewide will compete at Charging Wildcat Arena on the campus of North Little Rock High School for Big Miller Team Camp to get the week started.
Camp tips off Monday morning at 9 a.m. and will run through Tuesday evening. It will feature boys squads that include defending state champions Little Rock Central (6A), Pine Bluff (5A), Little Rock Christian (4A), plus defending runners-up Bryant (6A) and Farmington (4A), along with a host of additional teams who made the state tournament in their respective classifications.
The event is sponsored by Summerwood Sports and named in honor of the late Kevin Miller, widely known as ‘Big Miller’, who suddenly passed away in February at the age of 43. Miller was a well-known promoter of basketball across Arkansas and frequently seen highlighting athletes at games and camps year round.
Here is the complete schedule for both days.
Dusty Gardner named Mena girls coach
Fouke native Dusty Gardner was officially approved by the Mena School District as girls basketball head coach on Friday, June 7, taking over for Brad Lyle.
Gardner comes to Mena from Hughes Springs (Texas) where he led the boys team.
“We are looking forward to becoming Bearcats and representing the Mena School District to the best of our abilities,” Gardner said in a Facebook post. “Can’t wait to get to work with each of the girls and make our plans for an outstanding year both on and off the court…#GoBearCats.”
The move comes after the school previously hired Tanner Womack for the job, who left to take the same position at Cossatot River.
Mena finished 14-11 this past season, including 7-7 in 4A-4 play, and clinched a berth in the 4A-North Regional Tournament.
Northside’s Erikka Gooden commits to Nebraska-Omaha
Fort Smith Northside’s Erikka Gooden announced her commitment to the University of Nebraska – Omaha’s girls basketball program via X late Saturday evening.
The 5-foot-11 2025 wing helped the Lady Bears to a 23-4 record this past season while winning the 6A-West conference title.
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.