Ole Miss introduces Insell as its new women’s basketball coach

OXFORD — Rick Insell has seen his son, Matt, develop relationships from California to New York.

As a longtime high school and college basketball coach, Rick Insell also has watched Matt break down videotape as a teenager, win championships as a young adult coaching Amateur Athletic Union basketball, and help build the University of Kentucky into a national power.

Starkville High’s Howard honed touch at early age

STARKVILLE — Dylan Howard had no idea how much he would grow to love the cones and what they represented.

Littered throughout the Starkville recreation field, the cones were defenders or obstacles Howard and his Select teammates had to work their way through with the ball to develop the deft touch needed to move with pace and vision.

Mordecai’s addition bolsters Patriots

Bruce Branch feels blessed.

There’s no other way for the Heritage Academy baseball coach to describe his feeling when he learned his program would acquire the services of Cody Mordecai. It’s one thing to welcome a player back to the team from injury, but Branch had no idea to expect his program would benefit from the transfer of Mordecai, a junior pitcher/infielder, from Clover, S.C.

Moore energizes Columbus soccer with positivity

Encouragement and unity are core components of Ben Moore’s philosophy.

Those two aspects explain why the Columbus High School soccer coach believes so much in teamwork.

Hern, McClain lead All-Area team in girls soccer

STARKVILLE — Reagan Hern and Cailee Helen McClain are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Amory’s Forbus leaves mark on prep soccer ranks

Now its time for college coaches to find a way to stop Addie Forbus.

Gordon excited about building MSU into winner

STARKVILLE — Aaron Gordon has a vision of what the final product will look like.

All the new Mississippi State University women’s soccer coach has to do is look back on his time with head coach Tom Stone and see what the fruits of his labors can produce. In six seasons at Texas Tech University, Gordon played an integral role in transforming a program that won more games overall (60) and in the Big 12 Conference (23) than it had in the previous nine years.

Spears excited about decision to go to MSU

The Mississippi State University women’s basketball team’s victory against then-No. 11 University of Georgia on Feb. 28 served notice at the national level that Vic Schaefer’s team was capable of big things.

Jazmine Spears was one of the 1,350 at Humphrey Coliseum to watch MSU’s 50-38 victory on Feb. 28, its first against a ranked team since the 2010 season.

SA starters share unique honor

STARKVILLE — There weren’t too many teams that tested the chemistry and the togetherness that binded Starkville Academy girls basketball team this season.

Schmidt helps SA girls get most out of TEAM

STARKVILLE — Together Everyone Achieves More.

Glenn Schmidt has used countless phrases, sayings, and motivational tactics in 30-plus years of coaching basketball. But none of the words Schmidt has used sums up the 2012-13 Starkville Academy girls basketball team better than the acronym T.E.A.M. It may be cliché, but the Lady Volunteers epitomized team play in every facet of the game.

Delta State’s Aldridge keeps focus after father’s shooting

Focus is an essential part of athletics.

Whether it’s staring down a pass rush, eyeing a soccer players movements while setting up for a penalty kick, or trying to read a pitcher’s hands to determine what pitch is coming, Tyler Aldridge has faced all of those situations and has learned to tune out the distractions that prevent other athletes from being successful.

Schaefer, MSU women optimistic about 2013-14

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer joked Wednesday night that the honeymoon is over for his tenure as the Mississippi State University women’s basketball coach.

Martha Alwal and Kendra Grant learned enough in their first seasons with Schaefer to know that things aren’t going to change any as they and MSU move forward.

Caledonia’s Humber signs with EMCC

CALEDONIA — Trent Humber knows his strengths.

The Caledonia High School senior acknowledges his drives off the tee might not be as far as other players. That’s OK, though, because Humber knows he can make up for what he lacks in driving distance with his putting and chipping.

Hicks, Thompson sign soccer scholarship offers

Katelyn Hicks and Jessica Thompson proved Tuesday that experience and geography are only impediments to potential if they are allowed to be.

Sturdivant, Mullis help Falcons soar

Stay within yourself.

Renth signs with Northwest Mississippi CC

CALEDONIA — Taylor Renth has learned from watching others get or miss opportunities.

New Hope’s Mattix starts season with three victories

Just imagine what Mercedes Mattix will be able to accomplish when she has more time to practice.

With only two days of practice and coming off a long basketball season, the New Hope High School junior kicked off her outdoor track and field season in style Saturday, winning the 100, 200, and 400 meters at the Mississippi State University High School Invitational at Maddox Track.

Brown, Kendrick power Caledonia attack

CALEDONIA — Confidence is contagious.

Minichino Column: Bulldogs have questions to get answered

Is a team better off not having any flashes of brilliance or staying in the same gear for an entire season?

Eager Schaefer wants more

The bad taste has lingered in Vic Schaefer’s mouth.