SPRINGDALE — Farmington carried the banner for the 4A-1 Conference at the Class 4A State Tournament last season, and the Cardinals are expected to contend for the top spot again this season.

Farmington, which lost to Osceola in the state quarterfinals last season, had a 23-9 record and shared the regular-season conference title with Huntsville. This season, the Cardinals return much of last season's lineup -- including top scorers Collin Woodward and Evan Abrecht, along the athletic Evan Yochum.

"Farmington has to be the favorite," said Huntsville coach Jim Stafford, whose Eagles also shared the conference title last season. "They've got all their kids back."

Huntsville, which finished last season 24-7, won the district tournament last season behind a balanced scoring attack and the emergence of then-sophomore point guard Bailey Counts. However, the Eagles lost in the first round of the regional tournament.

This season, Counts returns for Huntsville as a junior with an improved shooting touch and his usual defensive tenacity.

"(Counts) will be one of the better players in the conference," Stafford said. "He's a true point guard, and his shot has improved. He's going to do the things to win every night, and he's always done that.

"We have a chance to be a pretty good team, I think."

Pea Ridge is also expected to contend this season, led by senior Kip Kelly. And K.J. Phillips returns as the leading scorer for Berryville, which reached the state tournament last season before losing to Lonoke in the first round.

At A Glance

4A-1 Conference Boys

Berryville

Farmington

Gentry

Gravette

Huntsville

Pea Ridge

Prairie Grove

Shiloh Christian

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