MSU women’s basketball working its way through tough stretch

STARKVILLE — The “monster” has been as scary and as imposing as Vic Schaefer thought it would.

Montgomery could be Columbus High’s next football coach

Disciplined. Fiery. Organized. Detail-oriented.

Those are some of the qualities Randal Montgomery could bring to Columbus High School as its new football coach.

McDavid’s poise leads Columbus

JaVontae McDavid was the picture of calm amidst the craziness.

Jay Jay Swanigan had fallen hard on his head in the lane after a foul with 1.8 seconds left and the Columbus and New Hope high school boys basketball teams tied at 58.

Columbus edges New Hope in overtime thriller

On a night when hitting free throws proved to be a chore, the Columbus High School boys basketball team hit those same shots when it counted the most.

Auburn’s pressure provides lesson for MSU

STARKVILLE — On paper, Katia May is listed as a senior.

In Vic Schaefer years, though, the Mississippi State point guard is only in her second season. When it comes to grasping all of the lessons of “Secretary of Defense” and playing up to that standard and the one set by assistant coach Aqua Franklin, a former point guard, learning can be difficult, especially in the Southeastern Conference.

MSU women’s basketball returns home to host Auburn

STARKVILLE — Today is the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s next opportunity to throw the first punch.

All-Area Softball: Sanders leads on, off field

Softball has been a part of D.J. Sanders’ life ever since she can remember.

All-Area Volleyball: Sartori fits right in with New Hope volleyball team

Coming to a new country and trying to fit in is one thing.

MSU opens league play in women’s basketball

STARKVILLE — It’s difficult to declare the conference opener a “statement game.”

Williams keeps it simple in MSU’s victory

STARKVILLE — Keep it simple.

Sherise Williams’ strategy to maximize her contributions to the Mississippi State women’s basketball team easily could be the title of a guide to help people get through the holidays and how to prepare for a new year.

Simon shows leadership skills on both sides of football

REFORM, Ala. — It doesn’t matter to Devonte Simon whether he has success on offense or defense.

As a go-to player on both sides of the football, the Pickens County High School senior knows the team’s record is the most important barometer of his leadership skills.

Brown pulls all talents together to be top running back

REFORM, Ala. — Jermarcus Brown only needs a few seconds to rattle off the things needed to make a good running back.

It’s not surprising to hear the Pickens County High School senior mention vision, power, and ability to be coached as the first three items on his list because Brown showcased all of them in a record-breaking season.

Plott builds family atmosphere at Pickens County

REFORM, Ala. — The word “family” often becomes a cliche in the sports world.

Coaches and players talk repeatedly about chemistry and how their bonds off the field help performance on the field or on the court.

The Dispatch’s West Alabama All-Area football team

The Dispatch’s West Alabama All-Area football team

Numbers reflect progress for MSU women

STARKVILLE — The numbers reflect the progress.

In five key statistical categories — scoring, scoring defense, shooting percentage, rebounding margin, and assist-to-turnover ratio — the Mississippi State women’s basketball team is significantly better than it was through 13 games last season.

Cunningham pushes Immanuel Christian past East Webster

STEENS — Old-school basketball aficionados would appreciate KC Cunningham.

Wallace, Columbus survive against East Webster

STEENS — Rokila Wallace thought she could fit through the sliver of space.

New Hope finds a way to beat Starkville

STARKVILLE — “Find a way.”

Laura Lee Holman’s words served as a reminder this wasn’t an ordinary day for the New Hope High School girls basketball team.

Not only was leading scorer D.J. Sanders finding it difficult to make a shot, but the Lady Trojans also were battling foul trouble and the pesky tandem of Starkville High’s Blair Schaefer and Imane Montgomery.

Lausanne begins building chemistry in win vs. New Hope

STARKVILLE — One coach hopes to help his team find an ingredient that will propel it to greater heights in 2014.

Another coach plans to use his team’s three-game stint against Mississippi teams as a bonding exercise that will help his squad come together for the stretch run.

Sanders playing big role for New Hope girls

First-time watchers of the New Hope High School girls basketball team, don’t be alarmed. There is nothing wrong with D.J. Sanders.