Varsity Vibe: Arkansas

When Daryl Fimple took over the girl's basketball program at North Little Rock in 2005, he had no idea what was in store for him in the future. He had a vision. He knew the program was a sleeping giant, but now, looking back, it's amazing to see the level of success the program has been able to sustain.  In addition to five state championships, he's been able to coach both of his da...

The Arkansas State Tournaments are in the books and now 24 teams are heading to Hot Springs with the hopes of bringing home at State Title. We saw upsets, thrillers, drama and excitement over the last week, and Alyssa Orange and Alex Hall break down how they see the action unfolding in the Spa City. 

I forgot I made this earlier this week hahaVarsity Vibe: In this week’s Courtside Chats, Alyssa Orange sits down with Little Rock Christian Academy’s Whitley Rogers. The 2025 Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year details her decision to sign with the Razorbacks, what it’s been like growing up in a basketball family, and how she is soaking up the rest of her senior season

The Bentonville West girls soccer team started off the 2026 season with a statement win over Heritage, and now look to keep it going against Rogers. Head Coach Kerry Castillo and Alyssa Orange break down the action and what's still to come.  Plus junior goalkeeper Brooklyn Williams joins the show!

After 13 seasons at Pea Ridge, eleven as the Boys Basketball head coach, Trent Loyd made the short move to Bentonville West in 2024. The son of a high school coach, he’s been able to put his own stamp on his program with everything he’s learned over the years and knowledge shared with him.  He's excited about what the are building at West and the potential the program has. 

Bentonville Boys Basketball head coach Kyle Pennington took over the Tigers program in 2024 after stops at Little Rock Christian and Russellville. He's no stranger to building success, and has guided the Tigers in the same direction.  He joins Alyssa Orange to share his journey and where he believes the Bentonville program is heading. 

It's time for some state basketball!  Alyssa Orange and Alex Hall go through the state tournament brackets for all the classifications in Arkansas to see who they believe will be heading to Hot Springs to play for a state championship. 

Syniah Coachman Joined the Har-Ber Girls basketball team this season, but it didn’t take long for her to become a part of the close knit locker room and play a role in the success the lady wildcats are seeing this season.  She’s not only one of the best players in the 6A-West, but one of the best players in Arkansas and across the country. Continuing to move up the recruiting boards for the class...

Welcome to Kickin' it With The Wolverines, a weekly podcast with the Bentonville West Girls Soccer Team following the entire 2026 season. In the first episode, host Alyssa Orange sits down with head coach Kerry Castillo to preview the season, what the off-season has looked like for him and his team, and what we can expect from this 2026 roster.  Plus, sophomore forward Makayla Sullivan joins...

Throughout his high school career, Jack Hooe has never ended a season that didn't end in an individual state title. His final win came in February. Four straight state championships to cap off years of dedication, hard work and self-discipline. But wrestling didn't only give him trophies and titles, it set him up for success for life after the mat.  He joined our Alyssa Orange to talk ab...

Farmington's Johnny Taylor was hired to take over the boys basketball program in June of 2020. He's won a State Championship in 1A with Weiner and 3A with Rose Bud, and has laid the foundation with the Cardinals to help them get their first State Championship.  He sat down with Alyssa Orange detailing his coaching career, outlining the "Notebook System" and being able to coach...

In this week’s Courtside Chats, Alyssa Orange sits down with Fayetteville senior Kinyun Johnson on being a dual-sport athlete and how Fayetteville boys basketball is finding success this season. 

After their win Friday night against Fayetteville, the Rogers boys basketball team had won 4 games in a row and starting to find their groove as the post season draws closer. Alyssa Orange caught up with seniors Chris Hill and Gus Krout about the team, their roles as leaders and much more.  Plus, soccer season is right around the corner, and the Bentonville West Wolverines are excited to get it go...

After playing high school basketball at Springdale and coaching at AAO, DaShaun Stark was hired as an assistant coach and then promoted to Athletics Director and Head Coach of the Cougars at The New School. His vision is to make it the first prep school opportunity in Arkansas, helping continue to develop and grow the basketball talent in the state. He sat down with Alyssa Orange to share that vis...

Bentonville’s Jensen Thrasher has already made a name for herself  in the girls basketball world, despite being a little over halfway through her sophomore season. She was one of the Democrat-Gazette’s Newcomers of the Year and a team captain as a freshman, and since her return from injury has played a big role in the Tigers’ success. 

Northside Girls Basketball coach Rickey Smith hit the 800 career wins mark with the Lady Bears on Friday, February 6th. It's another milestone in a career marked with accomplish and success, including 9 State Championships.  He sat down with Alyssa Orange to talk about his career to this point, what he's learned and what's still ahead. 

Little Rock Central Boys Basketball Head Coach Shelby Lewis was promoted in May of 2024 after being an assistant for prior three seasons and helping the Tigers to a state championship in 2024. Since taking over, he's continued to grow and set a standard and culture indicative of a winning program, while also giving his players experiences that challenge them on and off the court

In this week’s Courtside Chats, Alyssa Orange sits down with Bentonville senior Quinn Hosley about his dedication to this year’s team, what it would mean for him to be a part of the team that gives the Tigers their first State Title, and how much work he put in to get to where he is. 

The annual ArFCA Coaches Clinic is happening this upcoming week in Hot Springs. Jeff Williams, former coach and host of the Coaches and The Mouth Podcast joins Alyssa Orange to preview the event, this year's speakers, how it's grown over the years and even the retirement of Gus Malzahn. 

As we've reached the end of the 1st half of conference play around the state, a handful of teams remain undefeated in their respective leagues. We recap some of the action from over the weekend. 

Paisley Hogan is just starting her high school career at Fort Smith Northside, but her presence on the basketball scene in Arkansas is well known.  A member of the Arkansas Banshees and one of the top ranked players in the state for the 2029 class, Hogan joins Alyssa Orange on this week’s Courtside Chats 

The Fayetteville Bulldogs boys basketball team remains at the top of the 6A West standings and undefeated in conference play. Head Coach Brad Stamps joins the show to talk about his team's growth since the non-conference schedule and battling all the winter weather with a big game coming up against Bentonville.  Plus, Northside's Camryn Schmidt is our Lindsey Girls Athlete of the Week. 

A season ago, the Conway Lady Cats were ranked in the top 15 nationally in girls basketball. This year, they’re a young team with a lot of potential but still looking to put all the pieces together as conference play continues. Currently 2-2 in conference play, Alyssa Orange is joined by head coach Ashley Hutchcraft and sophomore Kylie Johnson. 

After leading the Fayetteville Bulldogs Volleyball program for 22 years and 8 state championships, head coach Jessica Phelan is stepping down. Her impact on the program goes way beyond the banners and titles. She made a lasting impression on the players she coached on and off the court. Phelan joins Alyssa Orange to look back on her career, and what’s next for her and the Fayetteville Volleyball P...

History made in a rivalry game, and an incredible performance in central Arkansas, In Monday's Varsity Vibe Today we look back at Bentonville West's wins over Bentonville on Friday night and Jacob Lanier's 30 pint performance for Little Rock Parkview.