Hopefully, each of you have had an enjoyable time with family and friends during the holiday season.
It seems like the decorations were only going up yesterday. However, the Christmas music has been played, presents exchanged and even the ball has been dropped at Times Square.
Here is hoping that each of you have a memorable 2017. Thanks for reading.
Now a look ahead with some wishes for the New Year:
For Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, a chance to make Nick Fitzgerald a special player and another elite quarterback.
For MSU’s Aeris Williams, more carries.
For MSU’s Ben Howland, unlimited timeouts.
For MSU’s Quinndary Weatherspoon, a 30-point night at Ole Miss.
For MSU’s Tyson Carter, gift cards for some of Starkville’s finest restaurants.
For MSU’s Lamar Peters, lots of success on 2K.
For MSU’s Vic Schaefer, a trip to the Final Four.
For MSU’s Victoria Vivians, Southeastern Conference player of year honors.
For MSU’s Anthony Cannizaro, a 17-game win streak to start the season.
For MSU’s Jake Mangum, a game with three triples.
For MSU’s Vann Stuedeman, a 10-2 conference home record.
For MSU’s John Cohen, extra frequent-flier miles so he can catch all the action.
For Columbus coach Randal Montgomery, fall practice days with no rain.
For Columbus’ Kylin Hill, success at Mississippi State.
For Columbus’ C.J. Gholar, a new keyboard.
For Columbus’ Patrick Jackson, a 2,000-yard rushing season in 2017.
For Columbus basketball coach Gary Griffin, a 10-game winning streak.
For Columbus’ Robert Woodard II, patience to continue to lead and direct a young team.
For Columbus’ Kaderius Williams, more game-winning shots.
For Columbus’ Zaria Jenkins, a trip to the Mississippi Coliseum.
For West Point coach Chris Chambless, a repeat state championship.
For West Point’s Marcus Murphy, coaches who recruit aggressively but don’t go overboard.
For West Point’s Chris Calvert, a senior season of good health.
For West Point basketball coach Brad Cox, lots of patience.
For West Point’s Austin Crowley, lots of recruiting interest.
For New Hope coach Kris Pickle, a return to the playoffs.
For New Hope’s Tyran Reed, multiple 100-yard games.
For New Hope basketball coach Drew McBrayer, a 10-game winning streak as well
For New Hope’s Terryonte Thomas, plenty of people able to take pictures on signing day (he likes pictures).
For New Hope’s JaQuante Bell, a fun prom night.
For New Hope’s Alaysha Jennings, a 30-point night in the district tournament.
For Starkville High School, a good football coach.
For Starkville’s Willie Gay, the best fit for college.
For Starkville’s Andreus Swanigan, a 2,000-yard rushing season in 2017.
For Starkville’s Cameron Gardner, a 55-yard touchdown pass in the season opener.
For West Lowndes’ Casey Smith, a school year full of touchdown passes and made 3-pointers.
For West Lowndes’ Quinshawn Lucious, a national record for views of a Hudl page.
For Starkville Academy football coach Chase Nicholson, a huge offensive line.
For Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison, several films that grade perfectly.
For EMCC football coach Buddy Stephens, a national championship (it’s been a while).
For EMCC men’s basketball coach Billy Begley, a game with 10 made 3-point baskets.
For EMCC women’s basketball coach Sharon Thompson, an undefeated January in North Division play.
For EMCC baseball coach Chris Rose, lots and lots and lots of pitching.
For Adam Minichino, a trip to the Final Four – with Vic Schaefer.
For Ben Wait, a chance to caddy for the professional golfer of his choice.
For Cam Akers, a chance to play in a New Year’s Six bowl.
For Dak Prescott, getting the start in the Super Bowl.
For Washington Redskins fans, either Kirk Cousins or Jay Gruden not returning (can we put it to a vote)?
For Jim Ellis, more broadcast promotions to read (because there are no where near enough now).
For Jason Crowder, more interactions with Netflix people (like at his house).
For Matt Wyatt, total dominance on Twitter (he’s already close).
For citizens of Starkville, an IHOP.
For Bill Martin, a happy Dan Mullen for at minimum 100 days this year.
For Gregg Ellis, staying on the good side of Diane Keith.
For Brock Turnipseed, a trip to the Final Four — along with Vic Schaefer and Adam Minichino (sense a theme)?
For Andrew Piper, properly loading CAP files.
For Robby Donoho, all games being final before 10:20 p.m. the entire fall.
For Logan Lowery, more space.
For Ole Miss football, closure from the NCAA.
For Alabama football, a national championship.
For Georgia football, Kirby Smart working out.
For South Alabama football, a bowl game on a real television network next season.
For Ole Miss men’s basketball, a healthy Sebastian Saiz.
For Ole Miss women’s basketball, good home crowds (the team is deserving).
For Alabama men’s basketball, Avery Johnson working out.
For Tennessee baseball, better than 11th in the SEC.
For the high school soccer playoffs, warm weather.
For Southern Mississippi baseball, a regional berth.
For ESPN, a way to make bowl games last longer.
For FS1, a new place to send Skip Bayless.
For Lebron James, another championship.
For Antonio Brown, three touchdowns in a playoff game.
For the Chicago Cubs, another championship (last year was fun).
For the SEC, better use of the SEC Network Alternate Channel.
For scoreboard operators nationwide, loud and clear horns.
Again for citizens of Starkville, quicker-changing red lights.
Well, maybe we should just save that wish for 2018.
Scott Walters is a sports reporter for the Commercial Dispatch. He may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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