Author: Tara Hughes
KAYLA SHORTT STANDS TALL AS THE WEST WOLVERINES HOOPS ASSISTANT BY DON LOWE | PHOTOS BY MARK STRICKAND PHOTOS While Bentonville West Wolverines Senior Boys Basketball first-year assistant coach Kayla Shortt will be in uncharted territory during 2022–23 as she helps hone the hoops skills of young men, it’s not such a tall order for her. Despite having never previously worked with a boys’ team, in considering why she chose to do so now, Coach Shortt confidently suggested, “Why not? It is a career opportunity along with a personal goal to shape as many young players as possible in…
SUPER SOPHOMORES MULDREW AND SEALY FILL STARRING ROLES FOR SPRINGDALE HOOPS BY DON LOWE | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Following break-out performances as ‘fab’ freshmen last winter for the Springdale Bulldogs senior high boys basketball team, super sophomores Courtland Muldrew (6’3”, 160-lb. combo point guard/shooting guard) and Isaiah Sealy (6’6”, 185-lb. combo shooting guard/small forward) will be counted on heavily for big things throughout the 2022–23 campaign. It didn’t seem that either of these young men had difficulty transitioning from junior high to senior high a season ago. Muldrew netted 18 points per game in 2021–22, while…
GAME CHANGER WITH BRAD JOHNSON BY DON LOWE | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Farmington Lady Cardinals Senior High Girls Basketball Head Coach Brad Johnson is in his 14th year at the helm here. Coach Johnson’s family is important to him with his wife of 24 years, Amber, being what he describes as “the greatest coach’s wife. She’s been my sounding board, biggest fan, trusted critic, and team mom for my entire career. She is what has allowed me to chase my passion in coaching and made sure it was never a job. It has always been our life.” The…
OVERTIME WITH BROOKE ROSS BY DON LOWE | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Siloam Springs Lady Panthers Senior Basketball Star Brooke Ross hopes for a terrific finish to her career, while following up a solid junior campaign when she averaged nearly 13 points per game and grabbed 7.7 rebounds each outing along the way to being an All-State and All-Conference honoree. Ross isn’t quite sure what she’ll do after graduating from high school but is pondering the possibility of a career in the military. Either way, Ross is focused on helping the Lady Panthers put together a memorable 2022–23 season…
ELDRIDGE LEADS HIGH-FLYING CARDINALS FOOTBALL PROGRAM BY DON LOWE | PHOTOS BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS In 2020, then North Little Rock Charging Wildcats 1st year Football Head Coach J.R. Eldridge sure seemed to be in an ideal spot as he put together a terrific debut campaign that culminated at 12-2 overall, while finishing as Class 7A runner-up to the Bryant Hornets. Despite having just gotten settled at one of this state’s largest and most successful pigskin programs, Coach Eldridge was given an opportunity that simply couldn’t be passed up and so he accepted the job as Farmington Cardinals…
Munoz brings experience and energy as new Head Coach at Heritage BY DON LOWE | PHOTOS BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Considering how familiar he is with 7A-West football, it’s not so surprising that Rogers Heritage War Eagles 1st year Head Coach Eric Munoz seems quite confident he’ll be able to get this program turned around and competing at a high level. “Growing up here I know what football means,” assures Coach Munoz, a Springdale High School graduate who played for former Bulldogs Head Coach Gus Malzahn in the early 2000s. “I know what a winning culture looks like. I…
10 TEXTS WITH BRYAN PRATT BY BRADLEY LINAM Where were you born and raised? I was born in DeQueen, Arkansas but I grew up in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. What sports did you play in high school? I played football & track. When did you know you wanted to be a football coach? When I was in high school I knew how much influence my coaches had on me and I wanted to have the same impact on others. Who has been your biggest influence in education and coaching? Several of my coaches/teachers were big influences in my life but Tom Condict…
GAME CHANGER WITH CHAD HARBISON BY BRADLEY LINAM | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS Rogers Mountaineers Football Head Coach Chad Harbison is in his second season at the helm here. Harbison has more than 20 years of coaching experience and was named offensive coordinator for Rogers in 2019 before taking over the head coaching job in 2021. Q&A You’ve been coaching in the Rogers football program now for several years. What makes the school and community so special? We have great young people to work with, unlimited community support, an administration that cares about what we do and a staff that…
Mom and Daughter Duo Working Hard To Bring Success To Fayetteville Volleyball BY DON LOWE | PHOTO BY MARK STRICKLAND PHOTOS There’s no doubt that Fayetteville Lady Bulldogs 19th year Volleyball Head Coach Jessica Phelan and senior FHS star player Kennedy Phelan have a special relationship on and off the court. As mother/daughter and head coach/player, the Phelan’s obviously have a bond that provides such a close connection and picture-perfect partnership, both at home and when they’re competing fiercely together in a volleyball match. “It is definitely a special and unique experience for us,” Kennedy suggests as to how she and her mom…
OVERTIME WITH LAUREN PLEIMAN BY BRADLEY LINAM Bentonville senior Lauren Pleiman enters her final golf season for the Lady Tigers this year. Pleiman has garnered All-Conference and All-State honors for the previous two years at Bentonville. Last year, she recorded a 78 on day one and 74 on day two to finish fifth in the state golf tournament. She hopes to improve on that performance this year and help lead the Lady Tigers to a potential state championship. Q&A What is your first memory on the golf course? I started playing golf when I was 5 years old, but my first meaningful memory…