We’re back with a post basketball season edition of Prep Rally. Join us as we recap the state finals in Hot Springs and local state tournaments

We’re into the final week and a half of regular season prep basketball in NWA and the River Valley. A lot of exciting conference races coming down to the finish line. We’ll talk about it next on Prep Rally. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports editor Graham Thomas, reporters Rick Fires and Leland Barclay cover some of the best games from this past week. Rick returns after time on the disabled list. Something about a mule we hear. Leland witnessed the battle of Crawford County part two. Alma vs. Van Buren where the Pointers handed Alma their first loss and earned a trip to the postseason. Rick watched Rogers Heritage come in Springdale Har-Ber's Wildcat stadium get decimated by Courtland Muldrew and the rest of the Wildcats.  Bentonville and Fayetteville, was a fight for most of the game. Other teams include Bentonville West, a dangerous Springdale team and upcoming district tournaments.  We figured it would all come down to the final weeks of the year and that's ringing true.

Graham Thomas and Leland Barclay take a look back at the best games from Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The crew talk about the stellar atmosphere as the Springdale boys down Fayetteville, the New School sweeps Ozark Catholic to win their conference, Bentonville sets track records are over the weekend, Fayetteville girls win over Springdale and the latest wrestling victories for NWA schools.  In the River Valley, Van Buren wins another championship. In what? Better listen to find out. Also, several River Valley athletes found success in track, Northside Lady Bears continue to excel and Alma starts 9-0. The first since the 1940's.

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sports reporters Graham Thomas and Rick Fires join River Valley reporter Leland Barclay to discuss the latest high school basketball action, including Van Buren’s visit to Alma, along with the best games in the 6A-West Conference including Bentonville's win against Springdale, and the split series between Rogers and Heritage.  They also preview upcoming games and mention standout performances from players like Annabelle Perry, Alyson Edwards of Mansfield, Marco Smith of Fort Smith Northside, Erianna Gooden of Fort Smith Northside, Israel Towns-Robinson of Alma, and other high school athletes.

The 6A-West Conference is starting to take shape on both the boys and girls sides. Who’s out front? Who’s in the mix? And How bout that 5A-West? All this and more on this week’s Prep Rally.

Winter weather all over Arkansas has put a halt over everything for the time being, but hopefully warmer days and basketball are ahead. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and River Valley Democrat-Gazette reports Rick Fires, Walter Woodie, Leland Barclay and Graham Thomas stay warm and recap the pre-snow games and look ahead to a restart of the season for 6A teams.

Basketball season is in full swing in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, if the weather cooperates. So far so good. Graham Thomas, Rick Fires and Leleand Barclay dive into it and much more on this week’s Prep Rally.

It's Purple Perfection in 7A football as the Fayetteville Bulldogs finish 13-0. Greenwood also finishes 13-0 and brings the state title back. We take a look at the state championship games from last weekend on this week's Prep Rally.

Graham, Rick and Leland take a look back at last week’s playoff games, including Fayetteville’s victory over Conway, Bentonville defeating Bryant and wins from Greenwood and Shiloh Christian. Then the guys look ahead to this week’s Class 5A, 6A and 7A championship games.

After Week 2 of the Arkansas High School playoffs, we're down to just a few teams here in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. Who will survive Week 3? We take a look this week on a special Thanksgiving edition of Prep Rally. Sign up for our free Prep Sports newsletter at: nwaonline.com/sportsemail/ Support you local news, subscribe at: https://www.nwaonline.com/podcast23/