No matter where you look around Fidelity Bank Arena, it's obvious how far the Marion girls basketball program has come under Shunda Johnson. Entering her 11th season, Johnson's Lady Patriots have advanced to the only four semifinals in the history of the program (all since 2017). Marion earned back-to-back league titles in 2017 and 2018, and Johnson's 2017 team earned the Class 6A state title when they topped Sheridan 50-40 in the final. “It's been a great run here the last few years,” said Johnson, who starred as a player at West Memphis and Murray State. “We are proud of the effort our girls have given here of late. We feel like we have a good group coming back this year, too.” Marion rode the roller coaster a season ago, looking like a state-title contender through January after beating eventual state runners-up Jonesboro at a holiday tournament, and downing conference rivals West Memphis and Nettleton in dramatic fashion at home. The season pivoted in early February when two-time all-state performer Daedrianna Cail left a 61-44 road victory at Nettleton with an injury and did not return to action for the rest of the season. Marion lost three of its final four regular-season games to settle for the No. 3 seed in the state tournament, where the Lady Pats mercy ruled Hot Springs Lakeside in the opening round before erasing an 11-point deficit for an exhilarating 42-41 quarterfinal victory over Jacksonville. Greenwood eliminated Marion in the semifinals en route to the state title. Marion's second consecutive semifinal run was “good, but now we have to turn the page,” said Johnson. “We can't get caught up in what happened last year because our team this year is new and we want to make our own mark.” A competitive non-conference schedule awaits this year's edition of Lady Patriot basketball. Marion hosts Class 6A power Little Rock Central on Thursday, November 17 before traveling to play Class 5A contender Russellville on Monday, November 21, followed by an interstate road game at Briarcrest Christian on November 29. The Lady Pats travel to Hot Springs the first three days of December to play in the Trojan Invitational before playing at Conway on December 6. Marion closes its non-conference schedule in the Bryant tournament in mid-December before going to Duncanville, Texas at the end of the month. Marion opens league action Friday, January 6 at rival West Memphis for the first of two games that could ultimately decide the 5A East conference title with Jonesboro moving up to Class 6A. Cail signed to play volleyball at Arkansas-Little Rock, where she's produced a stellar freshman season, and all-conference performer Jessica Robins also graduated, but eight Marion seniors highlight the 2022-2023 Lady Patriot hoops roster, including a number of contributors from a season ago. Seniors Falencia Selvy, Kiera Neal, Taylor Little, and Alyse Holliman started most of the games a season ago along with junior lead guard Ny'Asia Jackson, and Johnson's expectations are high. “They've all played a ton of basketball for us in their careers,” said the coach. “They know what we demand on and off the floor.” Neal, Holliman, and Jackson earned all-conference honors last year, after finishing as three of Marion's top five leading scorers. “So far this year, we've seen them all take big strides,” said Johnson. “But we want them to continue to take those strides. They're really competitive.” The six-foot Holliman anchors Marion in the post, where she led the Lady Pats last year in rebounding, and the senior is a deft passer from the high post. Neal led Marion in scoring in its first two state-tournament games last season, and Jackson topped Marion's assists charts last year and is a reliable three-point shooter. Selvy emerged last season as one of Marion's better perimeter defenders, and her outside shooting has improved over the off-season. Little is capable of playing every position on the floor. Seniors Jordan Johnson and Brianna Dyson were selected as co-captains of this year's team, and each will provide valuable minutes in the rotation. Senior Aaliyah Taylor enjoyed a huge AAU season, earning several junior college offers. Aya Johnson rounds out the seniors as a crucial swing player. Junior Kysia Montgomery produced one of the better off-seasons for Marion and “I believe she really wants to play now,” said Johnson. “She has developed a ton in a short amount of time. She has some height and skills.” Junior Survanna Clay offers depth on the wing, and sophomores Joniya Lewis and Mariyah Rucks impressed during the off-season for their AAU teams. Sophomores Ta Niyah Bailey, Amilyah Buchanan, Z'Kya Cheers, Ayanna Hayes, Jalee Meeks, Nia Prude, Lee Nyah Flowers, and Kiyah Washington promote to the varsity team after helping the junior high earn the regular-season conference title last year.