Marion Athletics -

Marion's boys basketball season is underway, and the Patriots have already claimed a couple of big-time non-conference victories over regional powers.
The Patriots opened their 2025-2026 regular season with a 61-58 loss at Class 6A contender Little Rock Central, but Marion circled the wagons from there and blasted Bentonville 75-52 last Saturday afternoon in Little Rock before running past Mississippi power DeSoto Central 79-52 in Monday night's home opener at Fidelity Bank Arena.
Jalen Neal scored 19 points and six rebounds at Little Rock Central, while Chandler Randle finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists, and Karlyal “Duck” Hyland added nine points.
Randle earned game MVP honors in the win over Bentonville at the DA Matchup after recording 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Dexter Higgins, Jr. finished with 16 points and three steals, while Neal added 13 points, five rebounds, and a pair of blocks. Korbin Littlejohn filled out the stat sheet with six points, four rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists. Jackson Black recorded six points and three rebounds, while Gary Hayes scored five points, Daevion Bailey scored four, Jamari Brown scored three points and three rebounds, and Hyland scored three.
Randle led all scorers on Monday night against DeSoto Central with 15 points, while Neal pumped in 13, Higgins scored 11, and Jamari Bruin and Bailey hit for 10 apiece.
Marion is back in action on Monday, November 15, in the Battle of the Borders Tournament against Starkville (MS) in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
The Patriots are back at home on December 2 against fellow Class 5A title contender Little Rock Christian.