Offensive line drives Pickens County’s success

REFORM, Ala. — Tempo doesn’t bother Zev Finch.

Typically, shouts like the ones heard from the Pickens County High School football coach Patrick Plott — “Get on the ball. Get on the ball.” — would drive an offensive lineman to exhaustion.

Player of Week: Moore provides leadership for MSMS

Knowing what to say is only part of being a leader.

Pickens County rolls past Hubbertville into title game

REFORM, Ala. — Devonte Simon’s demeanor Friday night fit well with the cold temperatures.

MSU’s May eager to prove point

STARKVILLE — The twinkle in Katia May’s eye gave away her answer before the question was finished.

The Mississippi State senior guard’s raised left eyebrow only magnified her eagerness to prove she and junior Jerica James are up to the task.

Dillingham has big night in MSU’s victory

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer has enough confidence for all of his shooters.

That’s why the second-year Mississippi State women’s basketball coach wasn’t fazed when he scanned the boxscore during his postgame circle-and-square exercise last week against Tennessee Tech and saw the following line: Dominique Dillingham 3-14 0-4 3-6.

MSU women hope to strengthen family ties

STARKVILLE — Thanksgiving will be an extended home-and-away affair for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

The front end of the holiday week will kick off at 6 tonight when MSU (4-0) plays host to Savannah State (3-2) at Humphrey Coliseum.

Hamilton drops heart-breaker to St. Aloysius

HAMILTON — Somewhere very early in the coaching handbook is a phrase that says, “Never take points off the scoreboard.”

MSU brings energy, rolls past Tennessee Tech

STARKVILLE — Jim Davis knew his Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team was going to face pressure Thursday night.

As prepared as the veteran coach and the Golden Eagles were, Mississippi State’s energy on both ends of the floor was too much to derail.

Hamilton wants to build playoff winning streak

HAMILTON — Ray Weeks admits he was curious.

A disheartening loss can take the starch out of any team, let alone one that denies your team a chance to win a division title. To compound matters, the Hamilton High School football team’s 34-0 loss to Coffeeville dropped it to a No. 3 seed in Class 1A, Region 1 and forced it to go on the road to play at Mound Bayou JFK in the first round of the Class 1A North State playoffs.

Confident Williams adds punch off MSU bench

STARKVILLE — The look is an attempt to disguise the emotions that are whirling around inside her head.

Last season, Sherise Williams had that expression about as often as you would expect a freshman battling through the ups and downs of her first season to wear it.

Noxubee Co. gearing up for defensive battle with Lafayette Co.

MACON — These are the matchups that excite Tyrone Shorter.

MSU women’s frontcourt remains unsettled

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team is a step closer to adding what could be a key piece to the puzzle.

On the other hand, the Bulldogs still aren’t sure when one of their top players from the 2012-13 season will return.

New Hope soccer sweeps Caledonia

Effie Morrison didn’t hesitate.

As soon as she heard the official’s whistle signaling a hand ball, Morrison looked to the sideline.

Veteran coach Davis will bring Tennessee Tech to MSU

Jim Davis has experienced the extreme ends of the spectrum in more than 40 years as a basketball coach.

Players of Week: Hunt, Brandon lead Noxubee County in Class 4A playoffs

MACON — If it’s playoff time, it must be time to eat for the Noxubee High School football team.

Grant’s hot shooting fuels MSU women

STARKVILLE — Abner’s may have to reconsider its chicken giveaway agreement with Mississippi State if Kendra Grant continues to shoot like she did Sunday afternoon.

Heritage Academy shows fight in loss to Lamar School

MERIDIAN — Barrett Donahoe uses the words “maximum effort” to describe what he expects from the Heritage Academy football team every day.

Heritage Academy, Noxubee County hope schedule helps them

The Heritage Academy football team has survived a murderer’s row end of the regular season to play another day.

The Noxubee County High School football team hopes a murderer’s row non-conference schedule has primed it to play all the way into December.

Starkville High’s Schaefer signs with MSU

STARKVILLE — Logan Schafer knows what makes his twin sister, Blair, tick.

Vivians will write legacy at MSU

FOREST — Victoria Vivians made it official Wednesday. She will write the next chapter in her legacy at Mississippi State.

In front of a packed gymnasium filled with family members, teammates, classmates, and teachers, the Scott Central High School senior signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Vic Schaefer and the Bulldogs next season.