LOCAL COLUMNS
Watching Columbus Nationals celebrate was refreshing
The victory lap just might be the precursor to the dogpile. That thought popped into my head Wednesday night as members of the Columbus Nationals 10-year-old Dizzy Dean baseball team followed each other on a run around the bases at Patterson Field at Propst Park. The team had just received their medals following a 13-3 victory against Clinton that helped it clinch the South Half state title. The scene made me smile.
Ridgeland Titans definitely a team to remember
Remember the Titans? It’s hard to forget the Ridgeland High School version. For the second consecutive year, the Ridgeland Titans won the Dizzy Dean High School World Series. The Titans defeated Kosciusko 6-1 on Monday at New Hope High School’s Trojan Field to repeat as champions. The thing that seems to make Ridgeland click more than anything else is teamwork.
Words were appropriate at Foster's memorial service
There wasn’t much more one could add to what was expressed Tuesday at a memorial service for Don Foster at the Starkville Sportsplex. Foster, the former sports editor of The Starkville Daily News, was a friend to many people, and I’m fortunate to be one of them. Don died June 8 at his West Point home. Starkville Academy girls basketball coach Glenn Schmidt, Starkville High School baseball coach Danny Carlisle, and former Mississippi State Athletic Director Larry Templeton were the main speakers and couldn’t have done a better job in recalling memories of Don. Their words were heartfelt and sincere.
Hester doesn't seem to get a fair shake
Politics and coaching don’t mix. Stacy Hester followed that credo in his dealings with parents, administrators, and players. Sometimes it got him into trouble. Players left his program because they didn’t like playing for him. Parents thought Hester to be arrogant or unyielding in how he dealt with them or with their children. But through it all Hester established a standard of excellence. His teams won 551 games and three state titles his 18 years as New Hope High School’s baseball coach.
Southeastern Conference may look into baseball tournament format
The Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament has been known to be one of the best college tournaments in the country. Sometimes the fans are put in tough situations to see it all. The SEC attempts to play four games per day the first, second and fourth rounds of the tournament and sometimes the final game lasts well into the next morning. Take Wednesday for example.
Varnado advised to remain at Mississippi State
Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado may not be able to get much bigger, but he can get better. That’s why another season at Mississippi State would benefit the two-time Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Varnado announced Monday that he was making himself eligible for early entry into the NBA Draft. He has until June 15 to decide if it is in his best interest.
Sportsplex will bring downtown together
Sports play a lot of roles in our society. Whether it’s basketball or soccer or baseball or football, to name just a few, sports bring communities together. They unite people of different backgrounds and ages behind a school or a team. Sports also bring people together at one location.
MSU's McPhee impressive in practice
Defensive lineman Pernell McPhee has looked like a man among boys the first three days of Mississippi State spring football practice. McPhee’s 6-4, 270-pound frame was impressive enough without pads, but when the Bulldogs put them on for the first time Saturday, he really had the appearance of a giant. The former Itawamba Community College player, from Pahokee, Fla., could probably play in the National Football League right now. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is glad to have him on his side, even if it’s only for two seasons.
Lady Bulldogs set bar higher for next season
The bar has been set higher. The Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s mission for the 2009-10 season is to live up to those standards. “It will be up to them,” MSU coach Sharon Fanning said Thursday. The Lady Bulldogs will begin individual workouts next week that they hope will help set the tone for next season. That season has the potential to be the best in the program’s history, not just in victories but in the deepest move into the NCAA tournament.
MSU looks to respond to another challenge
Sharon Fanning has talked all season about responding to challenges. The Mississippi State women’s basketball team discovered Saturday there was no better time than tied at 59 with less than two minutes remaining in its first NCAA tournament game in six years to punch back. The Lady Bulldogs delivered a knockout blow many have been waiting for all season.
MSU to learn destination
The destination is ... The Mississippi State women’s basketball team hasn’t faced much drama the past five years in March, This year is different. The only drama the Lady Bulldogs will face tonight is discovering where they will play their first-round opponent in the NCAA tournament. The Lady Bulldogs will gather at 6 tonight at the Templeton Athletic Academic Center to watch the NCAA women’s basketball tournament selection show on ESPN. At 22-9, MSU has its most victories since the 2002-03 season, the last time it advanced to the NCAA tournament.
First woman competes in Bassmaster Classic
Rivalry will add to Madness
Madness doesn’t officially begin for another month, but it is never too early to start crunching the numbers. By nearly every indicator, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team has done enough to put itself squarely on the bubble for NCAA tournament consideration.
Johnson hopes to get attention for his driving
Monikers like “The Sultan of Swat,” “The Rocket,” and “The Human Highlight Film” captured the grandiosity and the explosiveness of each of their owners.
Most Viewed Sports Stories
1. New Hope goes small to beat Hernando in game one HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
2. MSU ready for big series vs. South Carolina COLLEGE SPORTS
3. Dual threats Norris, Bradford lead MSU baseball COLLEGE SPORTS
4. New Hope wants to close out Hernando at home HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
5. Heritage Academy's McElrath celebrates decision to go to Delta State HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
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