The Arkansas Cardinals AAU Basketball Organization was established in 2007 by coaches Claude Parker, Marvin Hence, Randy Little, and Belinda Parker, the Administrator from  the Seabrook Y.M.C.A. (Young Men’s Christian Association), Festus Thompson and Kamra Mays, Administrators from the Y.B.A. (Youth Basketball Association) located In Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Before the merger had taken place, the Seabrook coaches put together a 3rd and 5th grade traveling team called the Pine Bluff Express. Some of its members were Caleb Parker(AR Baptist), Bralin and Blake Hence(UAPB), Brandon Little(UAPB), Jaxson Davis(Xavier Univ.), Braylon Griswold(SEARK), Tyriq Goodwin, Gabriel Paul, Kam’ron Hunt(A STATE), Kendrick Thorn Jr(AR Baptist), Ladrius Skelton(Southern Univ.), John Tate(Memphis Univ.), Marquise Smith, Carl Smith Jr.(AR Baptist) and David Beasley. The first Arkansas Cardinals Team were compiled of fifteen  4th and 5th graders Caleb Parker, Carl Turner Jr. Jaxson Davis, Kavon Mitchell, Kam’ron Hunt, Kendrick Thorn Jr., Cadarius Baggett(UALR), Jyrimee Thompson Jonathan Harris,(Ouachita Baptist) Braylon Griswold, Tyriq Goodwin, Brandon Little, Bralin and Blake Hence, and Gabriel Paul.

 

The Cardinals Organization is a Non-Profit organization that mentors children by way of being reverent, utilizing references, resources, A.C.T. preparation and testing, teamwork and on/off the court positive conduct. We emphasize academic accomplishment to prepare our kids for the collegian level for academics or athletics. In 2012, the Cardinals Organization expanded to two seventh grade boys’ teams and one eight grade team. In 2015, the Arkansas Lady Cardinals 9th/10th girls and in 2016, the 7th/8th grade girls’ teams were assembled. In 2017, the Cardinal organization assembled a 5th/6th grade boys team. In 2018, the Cardinal Organization assembled a 7th and 8th Grade boy’s team. This year, the Cardinals Organization assembled a 7th grade girl’s team.

 

Some of the organizations achievements are that 20 students from the class of 2017 boys and girls that played with the Cardinals have obtained scholarship offers to various universities and colleges throughout the state of Arkansas. There are 6 players with a 4.0 GPA or higher, 4 players that have a 3.5 or higher GPA, 4 with at least an 3.0 GPA and all others are 2.5 or higher which is required by the NCAA. There are currently 8 players on the Cardinals 7th/8th grade team that have all A’s on their Report Cards. The Arkansas Cardinals/Lady Cardinals are compiled of children from Pine Bluff, Whitehall, Watson Chapel, Dumas, Stuttgart and this year 2017 players from Bryant, Arkansas.

 

The Coaching and Administrative Staff are Claude Parker, Belinda Parker, Dr. Charles Colen, Yolanda Scott, Laquetta Thompson, Charles Ryland, Tracey Harris, Caleb Parker, Lamont Washington, Roosevelt Walker, Jay Fillion, Coach Kason . We would like to thank some of our former Coaches, Administrators and Players from Pine Bluff and surrounding areas: Star City- Debra and Charles Weatherspoon, Amber Weatherspoon, Sarah J Lindsey(Philander Smith), Kyamber(Air Force) and Kyaira Jackson(Philander Smith), England: Brandon Thompson II(Baylor U) Mrs. Louise: Stuttgart Mahogany(UAPB) and Markeem Cobbs (U.S. Army), Katiyiah Harrison, Zach Jeans: Dumas: Ramiah Jackson, Aneesa Hill Myisha,: Woodlawn- Amber Napier, Kevin Lassitier and Paeton Penland(A-State) Fordyce- Rex Chapman :Bryant-Allison Steen(AR Baptise), Kalia Walker(AR Baptise) Robin Gordon(SAU), Tenise Robinson (Air Force)   Junction City –Coach Demetrice Nelson:  Pine Bluff-David Thompson, Kelso Alexander, Ed Napier, Charles Woods, Reginald Moss, Corey Hanie, Brian Flennon, Granddad (Harkless) Lamar Irby, Jamar Johnson Mrs. Hatley, Mrs. Moka, Mrs Peoples, Mrs Jackson, Coach Bolden and Mr. Booker   

 

Some of the organizations achievements are mentioned below:

BOYS:

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2008 8/9 year old Hoop-play Memorial Day Championship Runner-Up SW, Little Rock, AR

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2010 5th Grade must Be the Magic Champions Little Rock, AR

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2011 6th Grade King of the Court Champions Pine Bluff, AR

2011 6th Grade Battle of the Mid-South Champions Little Rock, AR

2011 6th Grade A.S.A. National Championship Runner-Up Little Rock, AR

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2012 7th Grade Mothers Day Champions Bryant, AR

2012 8th Grade Arkansas Regional Championship Runner-Up Fayetteville, AR

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2013 8th Grade King of the Delta Champions Forrest City, AR

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2014 9th Grade Arkansas Division II State Champions Littlerock, AR

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2015 10th Grade King of the Delta Champions Forrest City, AR

2015 10th Grade Prime Time EYB Classic Champions Dallas, TX

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2016 SR. Boys Division Easter Tournament Champions Little Rock, AR

2016 SR. Boys Division Wide World of Sports Bronze Medal Bracket National Champions Orlando, FL

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2018 7th Grade Hoop Play State Tune-Up Champion Russellville,

2018 8th Grade High School JV Conway Tournament Champion Runner-Up

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GIRLS:

2015 9th/10th Grade Mothers Day Tournament Champions, Bryant, AR

2015 9th/10th Grade Hoop-Play Championship Runner-Up, Bryant, AR

2015 9th /10th Grade Hoop-Play National Champions Russellville, AR

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2016 SR. Girls Slamming Buckets Championship Runner-Up Russellville, AR

2016 SR Girls D.C. Sports Queen of the Court Championship Runner-Up Dallas, TX

2016 7/8th Grade Conway Nationals Tune-Up Championship Runner-Up Little Rock, AR

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2017 10th Grade Prime Time National Championship Elite 8 Dallas, TX

2017 SR. Girls Prime Time National Championship Sweet 16 Dallas, TX

2017 8th Grade Hoop-Play National Champions Conway, AR

2017 SR. Girls Hardwood Classic National Championship Runner-Up Fayetteville, AR

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2018 9/10th Grade Hoop-Play Select National Champions, Russellville, AR