🎙️ Daryl Fimple on NLR’s program and what it means to him
📈 Recapping and previewing state title games
👀 Our One to Watch
🏀 Game of the Week

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Special Connection. 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 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 daughters in his program. As they head into the 2026 state title game, it’s the final time he will be able to share the court with his daughter.

👀 Rematch. Farmington and Mountain Home will face off in the finals, with one team coming away a state champion. The Lady Cardinals have yet to lose in conference play, holding a 14-0 record. Mountain Home’s most recent loss was to Farmington, where they fell 56-68. Read more about this weekend’s championship games below!

🏆 Winners Crowned. The first day of championship games have concluded, and we have new state champs! Earle (1A) girls took down Westside, 73-54, to earn a state title, while Earle (1A) boys claimed a 70-58 win over Clarendon. Meanwhile, Barton took down Mt. Vernon-Enola to win the boys 2A title, and Quitman beat Sloan-Hendrix in the girls 2A final! Congrats to the new champions!

🥇 Title Tilts. Four teams have already been crowned state champions — who’s going to join that list? The 3A finals today see Manila take on McGehee and Newport battle Osceola. In 4A action, Pea Ridge takes on Pulaski Academy, while Little Rock Hall goes up against Mills University Studies. In addition to the Farmington-Mountain Home 5A girls final, Marion and Little Rock Parkview will play for the boys’ title. To cap things off, the Har-Ber girls play North Little Rock and Bryant battles Little Rock Central for the 6A boys title.

🏀 Central and Bryant basketball are set to go head-to-head tomorrow in the 6A state finals game. The Hornets just took down Fayetteville, 50-38, to advance. In the win, senior Camarion Bead scored 18 points, followed behind senior RJ Young with 14. Little Rock Central just defeated North Little Rock with a 70-63 win. Tipoff is set for 7:45 pm and the game can be watched here.

⛹️‍♀️ Sophomore Easton McCollough has been an offensive force all season, and nothing has changed in the postseason. In Farmington’s win over Little Rock Christian, McCollough racked up 29 points and 12 assists. She’s already broken records this season and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon — making her our one to watch.

March 13:
⚾️ 6A Cabot @ Bentonville, 4:00 pm | Watch Here
⚾️ 6A Conway @ Fayetteville, 5:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 4A Mills University Studies vs. Little Rock Hall, 7:45 pm | Watch Here
🏀 3A Newport vs. Osceola, 1:45 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 4A Pea Ridge vs. Pulaski Academy, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 3A Manila vs. McGehee, 12:00 pm | Watch Here

March 14:
🏀 6A Central vs. Bryant, 7:45 pm | Watch Here
🏀 5A Marion vs. Parkview, 1:45 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Har-Ber vs. North Little Rock, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 5A Farmington vs. Mountain Home, 12:00 pm | Watch Here

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