Happy New Year! The first Varsity Vibe Bulletin of 2026 is officially here! We can’t wait for another year of big games, impressive performances, and memorable moments.

So what’s on tap as we step into 2026?

🎙️ Previewing tonight’s games
📈 What’s trending around the state
👀 One to Watch

Let’s dive right in!

🎙️ Courtside Chats. We’re talking hoops with Fayetteville Bulldog basketball standouts DJ Hudson and Charley Rawlins. Watch or listen as we break down the season so far, talk about team chemistry, and preview what’s ahead as the season progresses.

✅ In the Win Column. Bentonville snapped a four-game losing streak after defeating Raleigh-Egypt (TN). The Tigers led 38-25 at halftime and put the game away with a 27-10 fourth-quarter run. Junior DeMarion Lee led the offensive effort with 26 points, while junior LeShaun Gochett recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Lucas Worth added 11 points.

🐾 Cat Scratch. Siloam Springs girls basketball used a big 14-0 third-quarter run to rally past Dardanelle 56-50 in the Gravette Christmas Tournament. After trailing for much of the first half, the Lady Panthers flipped the momentum. A six-point run from senior Keelyn Seagraves helped give Siloam the lead and the Panthers maintained the lead the rest of the game. Seagraves and junior Juleeann Dunn led the Lady Panthers with 15 points apiece, while sophomore Harper Williams scored 14 for Dardanelle.

🔒 Defensive Lock. Despite a slow start, Har-Ber used a dominant second-half performance to take down Columbia Central (TN), 77-62. The Wildcats’ defense held strong, forcing 24 turnovers and 16 steals. Senior Sammie Hinsey led the defensive effort with four steals, while senior Jabarih Washington recorded 16 points. Hinsey added 14 of his own and junior Uno Branch put 10 on the board.

🏀 Bentonville junior forward LeShaun Goshett has been a defensive force and offensive threat all season, and the Tigers’ 79-50 win over Raleigh-Egypt was no exception. Goshett grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds while adding 17 points, playing a huge role in Bentonville’s victory, which snapped a four-game losing streak.

⛹️‍♀️ Sport Recovery and Development (SRD) provides individualized programming for each student athlete they train. The SRD team consists of a collaborative group of physical therapists, athletic trainers, and personal trainers, and they begin each program with an initial assessment where they establish baseline metrics and set specific, measurable, time-bound goals that are relevant to the athlete’s sport(s) performance.

The SRD programs are proven to improve speed, explosive power, agility, strength, and endurance while correcting imbalances that contribute to poor movement patterns that are sometimes associated with injuries. To learn more about the program, visit srdathlete.com.

⛹️‍♀️ The Farmington girls basketball team is off to a hot start this season, recording a 6-1 record. In their six wins this season, the Lady Cardinals have put up 60 points or more. Despite most recently suffering a loss to Upperman (TN), 54-51, Farmington has put together an impressive effort in preparation for conference play. Most recently, Sophomore standout Easton McCollough put up a staggering 43 points in the Lady Cardinals’ 69-67 win over Knoxville Webb (TN).

🏀 Things are heating up in Central Arkansas as we get deeper into basketball season! Tonight, Pulaski Academy travels to Bauxite, while Little Rock Central girls’ head to Nashville. The Lady Bruins host White Hall as well. Tomorrow, Pulaski Academy girls host Taylor (TX).

Jan. 2:
🏀 4A Pulaski Academy @ Bauxite, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 4A Pea Ridge vs Greenland, 7:30 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Little Rock Central @ Nashville, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 4A Pulaski Academy vs White Hall, 6:00 pm | Watch Here

Jan. 3:
🏀 6A Bentonville @ Southside, 3:30 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A Springdale @ Northside, 7:00 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A Rogers Heritage @ Fayetteville, 7:30 pm | Watch Here
🏀 6A Har-Ber @ Rogers, 7:30 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Springdale @ Northside, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Har-Ber @ Rogers, 6:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Rogers Heritage @ Fayetteville, 1:00 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 6A Bentonville @ Southside, 2:30 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 4A Pulaski Academy vs Taylor (TX), 2:30 pm | Watch Here
⛹️‍♀️ 3A Elkins vs Lamar, 2:00 pm | Watch Here

👋 Hello There!

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