Articles by Adam Minichino
New Hope’s Beard isn’t going to make excuses
Tabitha Beard isn’t going to make excuses.
For years, defense has been the foundation for the New Hope High School softball program. Whether it has been slow- or fast-pitch, the Lady Trojans have relied on their defensive execution to give them an advantage against opponents.
MSU women defeat Auburn, reach WNIT quarterfinal round
STARKVILLE — As shooters go, Kendra Grant knows the mantra: The only way to get out of a slump is to keep shooting.
Advancing in WNIT helps illustrate growth of Bulldog program
STARKVILLE — The signs of growth are everywhere.
MSU women keep growing in WNIT
STARKVILLE — “Who’d a thunk it?”
After 50 minutes of draining, back-and-forth basketball and another 20 minutes of questions from the media, Vic Schaefer spoke the truest words of the evening.
New Hope’s Mattix sets sights on new number
A little more than two weeks ago, Mercedes Mattix still had basketball on her brain.
MSU women ready for challenge of Faulkner, USM
STARKVILLE — Savannah Carter is eager for a second chance.
Carter develops into comfortable contributor for MSU
STARKVILLE — Savannah Carter arrived in Starkville as an apparent ideal fit for Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer’s system.
Starkville’s MacGown finds right fit in Georgia
STARKVILLE — Patrick Reagan always looks for the perfect fit.
As coach of the cross country team at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Reagan knows the recruits he might attract to the NAIA school in Savannah, Ga., are a specialized group of talented athletes and artists.
New Hope’s Spann sells himself to NEMCC
A career in marketing or business appears to be perfectly suited for Brandon Spann.
MSU shows it can counter punch in WNIT
STARKVILLE — Throwing the first punch isn’t easy, but you can catch an opponent off guard if you come out with an attacking mind-set.
Landing a second punch can be just as simple, especially if it comes immediately after the first and follows with equal authority.
MSU women’s basketball hosts Tulane in WNIT
STARKVILLE — Katia May pursed her lips as if to let out a whistle.
WNIT chance for MSU women to shine
This is the first step.
As much as Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer would like to point to a victory against No. 11 Georgia last season or a win against Vanderbilt at home this season, the announcement late Monday night that MSU (19-13) had received a bid to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament was the first tangible sign of progress for Schaefer in his second season as the head coach of the program.
MSU women accept WNIT bid, earn home game with Tulane
The Mississippi State women’s basketball team will return to the postseason to face a familiar opponent.
Players of Week: Quiet no-hitters help keep Columbus unbeaten
It’s best for no one to say anything if their team’s pitcher is throwing a no-hitter or a perfect game.
MSU women’s basketball hopeful for WNIT opportunity
The end of the Southeastern Conference tournament was just the beginning for Vic Schaefer and the women’s basketball team.
Vivians’ next challenge will come at MSU
Vic Schaefer has next.
That should be a welcoming thought for Victoria Vivians. As much as the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach has earned his reputation as “Secretary of Defense,” he likely won’t sick multiple defenders on Vivians when she arrives in Starkville later this year to begin her career as a Bulldog.
Pieces coming together for New Hope baseball
Wells Davis and Josh Stillman want to be themselves.
If that means being two more pieces to the puzzle for the New Hope High School baseball team, that’s fine with them.
Lady Trojans fall a little short
JACKSON — The little things.
Anyone who has watched the New Hope High School girls basketball team this season knows coach Laura Lee Holman has preached about the importance of the details that define victories. On most nights, the Lady Trojans paid attention to the finer points and boxed out, rotated on defense, hit free throws, executed on offense, and hummed like a finely tuned machine. On nights when things didn’t go so smoothly, New Hope relied on its pressure defense to create offense that helped it snap it out of its funk.
Pickens Academy’s Noland, Shirley complement each other
CARROLLTON, Ala. — Josh Caudle couldn’t have asked for a better battery than Kacy Noland and Lizzie Shirley.
The Pickens Academy fast-pitch softball pitcher and catcher even came with their own nicknames — the “silent killer” and the “singing sophomore” — to help Caudle make a smooth transition in his first year as the school’s coach.
