By Ken McLemore

HOPE – Hope Public Schools Athletics Director Phillip Turner has announced protocols for HPS basketball in conjunction with a decision Nov. 15 by the Hope Public Schools Board of Education to continue face mask usage on all campuses.

Turner said definitive guidance from the Arkansas Activities Association regarding COVID-19 basketball game protocols have yet to be announced.

“We will continue to use face masks at all junior and senior home games and limit capacity in Jones Field House to 75 percent,” Turner said. “We will not require social distancing but we ask fans to be mindful of their activity during games.”

Basketball game tickets will be on sale at the door of the MAC annex at HHS for all home games, he said.

The Hope High School Bobcats and Ladycats open their season Nov. 16 at Jones Field House against Camden-Fairview and are set to play New Boston here Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.

All home games will start at 5 p.m. unless otherwise announced, according to the season schedule.

Announced rosters include:

BOBCATS – Seniors Ammorrion Dempsey, Davian Durden, Erik Haynie, Gregory Burton, Deangelo Palmer, Ka’Jamieon Love, and Ty’Zhan Jones; Juniors Triston Young, Kaelo Anderson, Joshua Smith, Jaqualin Watson, Draelon Williams, Chaddrick Noble, and Marvin Wheaton; Sophomores Issac Love, Jalen Staggers, Cameron Carrigan, Markevious Allen, Kamron Blanchett, Aaronston Phillips, Jordan Brooks, Jakobi Scott, Charles Ford, Keshaun King, Derrick Lenzy, Victor Serrano, and Lane Newsome.

LADYCATS – Janiyah Nash, Alexia Muldrew, Mariana Turcios, Ty’Asia Eason, Aniyah Trotter, Oumu Nabe, Alana Flenory, C’Airah King, Bethany White, Mariah Martin, Camron Robinson, Keasia McDonald (manager), and Quan Bradley (injured).

The schedule for the varsity Bobcat/Ladycat season is as follows:

Nov. 16 – Camden-Fairview, 5 p.m., Home.

Nov. 19 – New Boston, 5 p.m., Home.

Nov. 30 – Camden-Fairview, 5 p.m., Away.

Dec. 10 – Bauxite, 6 p.m., Away.

Dec. 17 – Arkadelphia, 5 p.m., Home.

Dec. 27-30 – Ladycats, Genoa Tournament, TBA, Away.

Dec. 28-30 – Bobcats, Paris Tournament, TBA, Away.

Jan. 4 – DeQueen, 5 p.m., Away.

Jan. 7 – Malvern, 5 p.m., Away.

Jan. 11 – Mena, 6 p.m., Home.

Jan. 14 – Fountain Lake, 6 p.m., Away.

Jan. 18 – Nashville, 5 p.m., Home.

Jan. 21 – Bauxite, 6 p.m., Home.

Jan. 25 – DeQueen, 5 p.m., Home.

Jan. 28 – Arkadelphia, 5 p.m., Away.

Feb. 1 – Mena, 6 p.m., Away.

Feb. 4 – Malvern, 5 p.m., Home.

Feb. 11 – Fountain Lake, 6 p.m., Home.

Feb. 14-19 – District Tournament, TBA.

Feb. 21-26 – Regional Tournament, TBA.

Feb. 28-March 5 – State Tournament, TBA.

A senior class pep rally for the Hope High School Bobcats/Ladycats basketball teams was held at Jones Field House at HHS on Monday in advance of the varsity boys and girls season opener against Camden-Fairview at 5 p.m. Tuesday. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools