AHS student body names 11 seniors to basketball homecoming court

Special to arkadelphian.com

Arkadelphia High School has announced its 2025 Basketball Homecoming court, featuring the 11 senior boys chosen by the student body for inclusion on the court. They will be presented during a pep rally held on February 12, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the AHS gymnasium.

The 11 boys include Reece Campbell, Jared Campbell, Caiden Dickerson, James Elgas, Huston Hooten, Jay Purifoy, Kyle Reed, O’Bryant Roberts, Brayden Wagner, Isaac Williams, and Nykkisson Wimberley. The members of the Lady Badger basketball team will serve as their escorts. At the conclusion of the ceremony, one of the senior boys will be announced as the 2025 King of Hearts.

Reese Campbell is the son of Matt Campbell and Faith Goza. He is being escorted by Zuri Jones. Zuri is the daughter of Kyle and LaQuita Jones. Reese is a member of the Badger Football Team and the Gifted and Talented program. He is a three-year Badger Scholar, an All-State Football Player, and a 2024 4A Football State Champion. After high school, Reese plans to attend Louisiana State University (LSU) and major in Psychology. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn’t make it… I guess we’ll never know.”

Jared Campbell is the son of Nathan and Karen Campbell. He is being escorted by Sasha Payne and Chloe Browning-Barton. Sasha is the daughter of Bessie Dixon and Rosevelt Payne. Chloe is the daughter of LaRoyce Browning. Jared is a member of the Badger Pride Marching Band and the Badger Baseball and Tennis Teams. He is an Outstanding Badger Scholar Athlete, a three-year Badger Scholar, and All-Region First Band First Chair Trumpet Player. After high school, Jared plans to attend Henderson State University to major in Business. Following that, he plans to attend seminary and pursue a career in ministry.  When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I am greatly honored to have been chosen for the 2025 King of Hearts court. But above all, as 1 Timothy 1:17 says, ‘All glory and honor to God forever and ever!’”

Caiden Dickerson is the son of Tamara Terry and Jarrod Dickerson. He is being escorted by Keonna Guinn and Taylen Smith. Keonna is the daughter of Keosha Henry and Darren Guinn. Taylen is the daughter of Mesha Leeper and Leon Smith. Caiden is the Videographer for the Arkadelphia Football Team, member of FBLA, an Artist/Producer/Songwriter, and the Organist at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He is the two-time first-place winner in Digital Video Production at both District and State FBLA competitions, a three-year Badger Scholar, and the 2023 NAACP Youth Leadership Award recipient. After graduation, Caiden plans to study TV Media and Film Production with the goal of entering film festivals and distributing movies to streaming services like Netflix. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “Grateful for every vote, every bit of support, and every person rocking with me. The love I’ve received means a lot, and I promise to give it back tenfold.”

James Elgas is the son of Jimmy and Tamara Elgas. He is being escorted by Mya Green. Mya is the daughter of Andrea Garland. James is a member of the Badger Basketball Team and the Gifted and Talented program. He is a three-year Badger Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, a two-time All-State Basketball Player, and a three-time All-Conference honoree. After high school, James plans to continue his basketball career while majoring in Sports Management. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I appreciate everyone who voted for me onto the King of Hearts Court.”

Huston Hooten is the son of Cody and Chanda Hooten. He is being escorted by Janiah McKillion. Janiah is the daughter of Victoria Stewart Jones. Huston is a member of the Badger Baseball Team, the Gifted and Talented program, and the Badger Tennis Team. He is a three-year letterman for Badger Baseball, a two-year letterman for Badger Tennis, and the 2024 Tennis Doubles 4A-7 Conference Champion. After high school, Huston plans to attend Henderson State University to major in Sports Management while continuing his baseball career. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I’m very honored to be one of the guys who represents the class of 2025 on the King of Hearts court.”

Jay Purifoy is the son of Brittany Smith. He is being escorted by Xe’Nai Harper. Xe is the daughter of Roshunda and Terral Harper. Jay is an A and B Honor Roll Student, the 4A Offensive Player of the Year, and a 2024 4A Football State Champion. After high school, Jay plans to play college football and pursue a career as a Real Estate Agent. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I am grateful to be voted onto the KOH court, and I appreciate everyone taking time out of their school day to vote for me.”

Kyle Reed is the son of David and Caroline Reed. He is being escorted by Raygan Harris. Raygan is the daughter of Temetria and Terrell Harris. Kyle is a member of the Varsity Badger Football Team and Gifted and Talented program. He is a two-time All-Conference player, a 4A All-State honoree, and a 2024 4A Football State Champion. After high school, Kyle plans to attend college and double major in Finance and Marketing, with the goal of pursuing a career in real estate. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I’m honored and thankful that the student body chose me.”

OB Roberts is the son of April Horton and Deunte Gentry. He is being escorted by Tyriauna Tate. Tete is the daughter of Ronika Horton. OB is a member of the Badger Basketball and Track Teams. He was named Offensive MVP and received the title of Player of the Week three times during his high school career. After high school, OB plans to continue his basketball journey at the collegiate level. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I am very happy that I have a good support group.”

Brayden Wagner is the son of Andrea Wagner and Will Wagner. He is being escorted by Taylor Aultman. Taylor is the daughter of Latoya Browning. Brayden is a member of the Badger Football Team, FBLA, and a Badger Scholar. He was named to the AAA All-State Football team, MVP of the 4A State Championship Game, and is a 4A Football State Champion. After high school, Brayden plans to attend Henderson State University, where he will pursue a degree in Natural Sciences while continuing his football career as a Reddie. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “Words cannot express how I feel.”

Isaac Williams is the son of Tywanna Allen.  He is being escorted by Z’Layiah Jackson. Z’Layiah is the daughter of Dekeida and Regniald Jackson. Isaac is a member of the Badger Basketball Team. He is a 2022 Conference Champion in Basketball and was named Second Team All-Conference as a junior. After high school, Isaac plans to attend Henderson State University. His future degree is still undecided, but he is excited about the opportunities ahead. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “I feel honored to have been chosen to be part of such a great group of guys. It truly is a blessing to be able to represent my school.”

Nykkisson Wimberly is the son of Debra Childs and Shammirah Childs. He is being escorted by Kayde Gentry. Kayde is the daughter of Shaquealakia Haygood and Jonathan Gentry. Nykkisson is a member of the Badger Football team, senior class president, the St. Paul AME Church Spiritual Warriors Praise Dance Team, and the HSU Talent Search program. He is a AAA All-State Football player, a Second-Team All-Arkansas Football honoree, a First Selection in the 2024-2025 West vs. East All-Star Football Game, and a 2024 4A Football State Champion. After high school, Nykkisson plans to attend Henderson State University, major in Marketing Business, play college football, and work toward bringing another championship to the city of Arkadelphia. When asked how he felt when his name was announced he replied, “It’s an honor to be selected by the students of AHS. I love every last person that attends this school with me, from the freshmen to the seniors. Thank you all so much—GO BADGERS!!”

Basketball Homecoming is an activity presented by the Arkadelphia High School Student Council, Xe’Nai Harper, president.