Veteran Marion girls basketball coach Shunda Johnson settles in at her desk located inside Marion's old basketball gym, affectionately known around campus as “The hot box.” She boots up her computer inside the small coaches' quarters to review film from her team's preseason benefit scrimmage the night before at Class 6A Cabot. When Johnson first took over the girls hoops team more than a decade ago, the Marion basketball program, as well as the building she's working in, both looked much different. The gym boasted a different floor that was revamped over the summer and recently added air conditioning units could help the building shake its playful moniker. Before Johnson's arrival, Marion's girls program had never advanced to a playoff semifinal, let alone win a state championship, as Johnson's 2017 team did. Johnson's impact has been on full display over the past three seasons, as Marion recorded regular-season records of some variance, but has advanced to the state semifinals in 2021, 2022, and 2023. “We have been fortunate here to have a bunch of girls who love the game, or have grown to love the game,” said Johnson. “I am proud of the impact that they've left on us here, even after graduating.” Marion entered the 2021 state tournament at Hot Springs as the No. 4 and final playoff seed from the 5A East, but the Lady Pats that year captivated the state by topping 5A Central champion Little Rock Christian in double overtime in the opening round of the tournament before dominating in the second half to eliminate Russellville before succumbing to eventual state champion Jonesboro in the state semifinals. Marion produced its finest regular season in five years in 2021-2022, winning 20 games and finishing as conference runners-up. The Lady Pats easily cruised past Hot Springs Lakeside in the opening round of the 2022 state tournament in Sheridan, but MHS trailed 5A Central champ Jacksonville by 11 points in the fourth quarter before rallying for a dramatic quarterfinal victory. The eventual state champs, this time Greenwood, topped Marion in the Final Four, again. Marion returned four starters and four other players who'd logged many minutes in 2022-2023, but a brutal non-conference schedule left Marion staring at a 3-14 overall record and an 0-3 conference mark in January following a shocking home loss to Searcy. Johnson and longtime assistant coach Renaldo Clay didn't lose faith, however. They leaned on eight seniors and rallied to again finish as 5A East runners-up with the No. 2 playoff seed for last spring's Class 5A state tournament at Pine Bluff. Facing a Russellville team that bested them early in the season, Marion's year came full circle as the Lady Pats rallied past the Lady Cyclones 46-44 in the opening round of the tournament to set up a quarterfinal contest with a Sylvan Hills team that saw three players score 20 points or more in the Lady Bears' first-round contest. That did not matter to Marion, however. Employing a swarming brand of team defense, the Lady Pats overwhelmed the Lady Bears in the quarters for a double-digit victory that got Marion into the semifinals again. In perhaps the most dramatic game of the season, Vilonia bested Marion in overtime in a game that featured 18 lead changes. Following the Vilonia game, those eight seniors walked the stage, leaving Marion with just one returning starter for 2023-2024, and a host of underclassmen who will be expected to play and produce earlier than ever. That must temper expectations around MHS..... right? “I think we can still compete night in and night out,” said Johnson. “What we have this year is an extremely talented group, you just may not know all their names yet. But they've been working hard, they've taken the off-season seriously. They seem to like playing together right now.” Many of the younger players prepared for the 2023-2024 season by developing their skills tirelessly during school and over the summer at JV League, an organization created with other regional schools, including some from Memphis. “I think that's definitely been beneficial to us getting young ladies ready to play,” said Johnson. “We take our own JV program seriously, but the more reps, the better, and our girls have gone above and beyond preparing themselves to play.” While this year's Lady Pats won't feature a ton of familiar names and faces, Marion's lead guard seems like she's been around for a decade at this point. Senior all-state point guard Ny'Asia Jackson enters her fourth varsity season at Marion, making her the longest-tenured basketball player in at least 15 seasons at the school. “We knew in seventh grade that she was one of the better players in the whole program,” said Johnson. “We may play her some at off guard this year because she shoots the three ball really well, better than your average for sure, but she'll be huge in everything we do this season.” Senior Survanna Clay offers length in the backcourt, and she showed improved rebounding ability during summer drills. Classmate Kysia Montgomery impressed coaches last spring and into summer tournaments before suffering a knee injury that could cost her her senior season. Junior Z'Kya Cheers and sophomore Jada Cheers, who are sisters, have started most of the games so far this season, and each has scored in double digits. “They play off each other really well,” said Johnson. “Their best basketball is in front of them.” Johnson describes junior Nia Prude as “probably our most improved player,” said the coach. “What she's done this year is doing all the things that nobody else has been doing. Playing good defense, sprinting up and down the court. So you can't help but be impressed by that attitude.” Juniors Kiyah Washington and Amilyah Buchanan “improved in every facet of their game,” said Johnson. “They were already doing some things well, and they've built onto it, so I couldn't be more proud of them for that.” Junior Jalee Meeks showed an aptitude for scoring over the summer “in a number of ways,” said Johnson. “Inside, mid-range, outside. She's got a bag. We just need her to put it all together.” Junior forwards Joniya “Red” Lewis and Mariyah Rucks offer toughness in the paint. Lewis earned critical minutes late last season, including in the state tournament. Rucks missed last season with a knee injury but bounced back during the preseason with inside scoring and rebounding ability. Junior Ayanna Hayes plays both guard spots with ball-handling and shooting ability. Junior Taniyah Bailey impressed coaches and emerged over the summer as one of the team's more vocal players. Junior Allison Johnson rotates at forward. Sophomore guards Madison Glaspie and Jordan Wilkerson anchored the junior high's regular season district champions tournament runners-up in the backcourt, and each produced eye-opening off-seasons. “They can both go,” said Johnson. “It's a different level of speed when we have them out there together. They can play either guard spot and help us a ton.” Sophomores Brandy Lovell, LaNiya Crayton, and Jazmyn Thomas had good off-seasons.