Stricklin believes in Roberts as new MSU men’s tennis coach

STARKVILLE — Scott Stricklin has to be a believer.

As Mississippi State Director of Athletics, Stricklin has a core set of principles he wants every coach at the school to possess. When it’s time to hire a new coach, Stricklin analyzes the numbers and talks to peers, coaches, and players to make sure he has the best information about a candidate. After that, he has to trust his instincts and make a final choice.

Stricklin believes he made the right call in naming Matt Roberts the new men’s tennis coach at MSU.

Tutor will get chance to play softball again

Haley Tutor thought the University of Alabama was the place for her.

As right as it felt for Tutor to continue her education in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the former New Hope High School and East Mississippi Community College standout realized it was difficult to stop playing softball, a sport she excelled in for many years.

Merchant expected to be named assistant coach at West Lowndes

Daniel Merchant made believers out of the football players at Oak Hill Academy.

Part of Merchant’s next job could be to help instill that same kind of confidence in the football players at West Lowndes High School.

MSU women’s basketball adds Lovato to staff

Vic Schaefer likes to talk about working with the best coaching staff in America to build the Mississippi State women’s basketball program into a contender for championships.

Cook resigns as baseball coach at Columbus High

Jeffrey Cook arrived in Columbus hoping to build a family atmosphere that would help him establish a winning tradition with the school’s baseball program.

Nearly eight years later, the Columbus High School baseball team is looking for a new patriarch.

Allsup back in coaching at Starkville Academy

You only need to call Bruce Allsup to tell he is back doing what he feels is in “his blood.”

A quick listen to the voice mail greeting that begins with, “Coach Allsup” indicates the former Heritage Academy and Brookhaven Academy basketball coach will be back on the sidelines later this year.

Execution worthy of CWS, but bring back home run

Hunter Renfroe has to be smiling.

Nearly one year ago, Renfroe hit the last home run in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park to lead the Mississippi State baseball team to a victory against Oregon State. It will be interesting to see how long Renfroe remains the answer to a trivia question as another power-starved CWS approaches its second week of action in Omaha, Nebraska.

MSU’s McDonald ready for U.S. Open

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s golf team — care of Ally McDonald — has taken the best season in program on the road.

MSU’s ‘Fab Five’ adjusting to college life

STARKVILLE — If you didn’t know any better, it would be easy to think the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s five incoming freshmen were enjoying a day at the beach.

EMCC’s Reeves gives verbal pledge to Southern Miss

Chase Reeves wanted to play baseball somewhere after his sophomore season at East Mississippi Community College.

But injuries created plenty of uncertainty for the former All-State pitcher/outfielder from Hamilton High School.

Cohen discusses MSU’s future

STARKVILLE — It’s natural to ask the coach of the national runner-up from the previous season his thoughts about the field of teams for this year’s championship.

Belief helps MSU women’s golf have season to remember

STARKVILLE — Belief sounds like such a simple concept.

Ginger Brown-Lemm had that mentality when she arrived in Starkville with the goal to transform the Mississippi State women’s golf team into a Southeastern Conference power and a national contender.

Ally McDonald had that confidence in Brown-Lemm and in herself that she could play a role in elevating the Bulldogs to those levels.

Laster will start for MSU, while Lindgren waits in bullpen

LAFAYETTE, La. — The No. 1 and top-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette baseball team knows it will face one of the nation’s best relief pitchers tonight.

The Ragin’ Cajuns just don’t know when Jacob Lindgren will come in.

Hudson finds new path at Ole Miss

Brittany Hudson’s goal is to become a head women’s basketball coach.

When Hudson looks at Matt Insell, she sees someone who has followed a path similar to the one she is and has realized his dream of becoming a head coach.

West Point’s Wofford finishes 19th at CrossFit Regionals

Justin Wofford had an inkling of how he stacked up against the fittest athletes in the nation.

Now that the West Point native has experienced his first CrossFit South Central Regionals, Wofford knows it is only a matter of time before he makes even bigger gains.

City, soccer complex get rave reviews

“Brilliant.” “Beautiful.” “Proud.”

Those were just some of the words used to describe the performance of the city of Columbus this past weekend in its first time as host of the state of Mississippi’s blockbuster soccer event.

Minichino Column: Successful President’s Cup shows growth of soccer in Columbus

On Friday, Tom Velek couldn’t help look back 10 years ago on the eve of the most important weekend in youth sports history in the city of Columbus.

New Hope takes care of business to force finale

PEARL — Let the waiting game begin.

It’s never easy to relax, especially one day after you surrender a 4-0 lead in what seems like a manner of minutes. But the New Hope High School baseball team played Friday afternoon like it was on a business trip. J.C. Redden and the Trojans didn’t do anything too flashy and relied on a workmanlike effort to earn a 3-0 victory against West Jones in Game 2 of the best-of-three Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state championship series at Trustmark Park.

Soccer crowd having ‘great experience’ in Columbus

Azad Hossain and his family aren’t new to Columbus.

Whether it is science, music or sports, Hossain has found many reasons to travel from Oxford to Columbus to spend the day in “The Friendly City.”

This weekend, though, Hossain and his family are staying a little longer because his son is a member of the Under-14 Oxford Soccer Club participating in the Mississippi Soccer Association’s Presidents Cup.

Mustangs’ surge jolts Trojans

PEARL — Forty-three minutes is an eternity in baseball.

Whether its pickoff attempts, foul balls, or trips to the mound, there are myriad ways to slow the pace of a game. But the West Jones High School baseball team showed Thursday how quickly and how difficult it can be to turn momentum once it gets going.