Fresh off a runner-up finish in last year’s 5A state championship run, the Benton Panthers are focused and all business to start this season as the odds-on favorite to return to the title game.  Few teams in the country will return an uber-talented lineup of starters such as Pangos All-American Selection 6’3 Elem Shelby.  Shelby has unlimited range and an ultra-fast release from 3-point range.   Benton also returns D1 talent Harrison Prickett to the starting lineup.  The 6’2 combo guard taking his talents to UAPB next season gives Benton a guy who can score at all three levels and a player who can slide over and play the point guard spot when needed.  Of course, all eyes will be locked on the nation’s best, 4-star 6’9 Forward, Terrion Burgess.   Very few have accomplished as much in Arkansas basketball history as Terrion has: three-time Adidas 3SSB All-American Selection, 3 Time Wooten Top 150 Selection, and ESPN TOP 100 Selection.  In his senior season, Terrion’s numbers per game are up compared to a junior campaign where he averaged an eye-popping 24 Points and 14 rebounds.   All eyes will also be on the top ten national prospects in the 2028 class combo guard Anthony Spratt.  The 6’4 Spratt is a newcomer to the Benton lineup this season and brings big-time games to an already loaded lineup.  The freshman has freakish size and skill and a rarely seen physicality for a player of this age.  He can score at three levels and does it almost effortlessly.