Forrest City coach Dwight Lofton has seen many a promising high school basketball player come through the Rumble on the Ridge and expects to see a few more this year.
The 20th annual Rumble will begin Thursday when defending champ El Dorado and Arkansas center signee Daniel Gafford (6-11, 223 pounds) take on Blytheville in a 3:30 p.m. matchup.
A win there could lead to a second-round battle on Friday at 5 p.m. featuring Gafford and fellow Razorback 2017 signee Khalil Garland (6-6, 190) of Little Rock Parkview.
“I got a phone call yesterday from up there on the Hill and they (Arkansas coaches) are making every effort to be here Friday because you have that potential El Dorado-Parkview matchup if they both win,” Lofton said.
“You’ve also got Memphis Mitchell, who has won three consecutive state championships. They are coming in and going to be playing North Little Rock.”
Gafford, who had 35 points, 18 rebounds and 15 blocks in his season opener, is the 48th-best player in the country, according to ESPN, and Garland the 55th.
“So the Rumble is what it has always been,” Lofton said. “A great collection of talent on what is the 20-year anniversary.”
The other first-day matchups of the three-day event will have Little Rock Parkview vs. Conway at 5 p.m.; Forrest City vs. Memphis Raleigh Egypt at 6:30 p.m.; and North Little Rock vs. Memphis Mitchell.
Parkview also features Razorback 2018 commit Ethan Henderson (6-9, 190), one of the nation's best juniors.
It won’t be surprising if some of these players end up in the NBA, as have former Rumble participants Monta Ellis, Al Jefferson, Tyler Hansbrough, Greg Monroe, Thaddeus Young and others.
“I remember Monta Ellis when he came in here,” Lofton said. “We did a great job on him on Thursday and held him to 38. On Friday, he went for 55 and Saturday he went for 50 while heading out the door.
“I remember the day Al Jefferson went for 46 points and 24 rebounds. Tyler Hansborough did 35 or more each night he was here.
“Greg Monroe did tremendous job, Thaddeus Young. You can just go down the list.
“One thing I have been very proud of is that Arkansas teams have always represented themselves very well in the Rumble.”
Forrest City, where former Arkansas player Marcus Britt and current Razorbacks Trey Thompson and R.J. Glasper played, has also been a tough out in the Rumble.
“I can think back to a couple of years ago when North Little Rock came in here and we defeated them in the championship game,” Lofton said. “They went on that particular year to win the 7A state championship
“Our young kids grow up watching the Rumble from the time they are in elementary school and junior high and they grow up and dream about playing in it.
“Bill Baxter, who was one of the founders, his desire when it first came about was to see it have an effect on the success of our program.
“We have been blessed to have three Razorbacks, two state championships and it really has had a very positive effect on our program.
“We are going to be good in January and February, but right now we are just really young. We are just learning each other.”