Columbus High star Hackler signs with Itawamba C.C.

Ricky Hackler knew his day was coming. The Columbus High School senior just didn’t know it would be here so soon.

MSU women’s basketball remains home for Florida

Amanda Butler isn’t into style points.

Caledonia sweeps MSMS in prep soccer action

Finishing is the final piece for the Caledonia High School boys soccer team.

McCain has big scoring day for Heritage Academy

Graham McCain has had his share of “those days.”

In soccer, the “unlucky” moments that don’t lead to goals often mirror the number of times players in other sports fall short of their objective.

Gamecocks provide primer for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Dawn Staley sees the similarities.

The former All-America guard earned a reputation for her gritty play at the University of Virginia. She went on to become one of women’s basketball’s best professionals, earning seven All-Star honors in two leagues.

Hard work helps Holifield dominate for New Hope

Forever.

It takes only a few moments for Lauren Holifield to find a suitable answer when she is asked how long she has been playing softball.

When you’ve been brought up on fields and you have a sister and a mother who have played for as long as they can remember, forever seems like an appropriate response.

Schaefer will keep pushing Bulldogs

Vic Schaefer isn’t going to back away from a challenge.

So don’t think the first-year Mississippi State University women’s basketball coach is going to demand any less from his players after one of the program’s worst losses, a 92-41 setback to Vanderbilt University on Thursday in Nashville, Tenn. The loss was the worst in a Southeastern Conference opener for MSU (8-6). It also was MSU’s worst loss to Vanderbilt (11-3) in the series since a 108-44 defeat on Jan. 17, 1993, in Nashville. It marked the most points Vanderbilt has scored in a regulation game in the series since a 99-60 victory on Feb. 2, 1997.

MSU women’s basketball opens conference play

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University women’s basketball team is eager to see just how much more it has to give.

Bradley steps down as New Hope High football coach

Michael Bradley isn’t sure of everything that will happen in the future.

But Bradley knows he won’t take his next step as football coach at New Hope High School.

The veteran coach announced this week he will step down after seven seasons as the football coach. Bradley informed his coaches of the news Wednesday and told his players Thursday.

Local radio stations move from ESPN to CBS Sports Radio

Don’t let your radio fool you, the voices you’re hearing on your local sports radio station have changed.

Even though some commuters might be fooled by the familiar digital call letters ESPN that show up on their radio or dashboard, three local radio stations in Columbus and in Starkville have switched to CBS Sports Radio. In Columbus, 103.1 FM The Team is now North Mississippi’s CBS Sports Radio station. On the AM dial, WJWS 1400 in Columbus and WSSO 1230 AM in Starkville also have made the change.

Starkville Academy’s Barber earns Player of Year honors

STARKVILLE — Mary Austin Barber is used to controlling a game.

Bulldogs complete perfect homestand with rout of Troy

STARKVILLE — Martha Alwal and Darriel Gaynor made sure Vic Schaefer didn’t have to make a spirited halftime speech Saturday night.

MSU women’s basketball searches for consistency

STARKVILLE — Martha Alwal and Jessy Ward have heard Vic Schaefer’s pleas.

MSU women rally in second half for victory

STARKVILLE — The holiday doldrums lasted nearly 20 minutes longer than Vic Schaefer wanted.

Returning from a five-day break for Christmas, the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team used the first half Friday night to work back up to speed before finding its stride in the second half for a 65-49 victory against Northwestern State before a a crowd of 1,315 at Humphrey Coliseum.

Lampkin became Timberwolves’ workhorse

The stickers tell the story.

Tiberias Lampkin doesn’t know how many of the dime-sized Timberwolves logos cover his helmet. If pressed, he can remember why he received each of the stickers the West Oktibbeha County High School football coaches handed out to reward stellar performances.

Lowrey, Merchant build winners

In five years as coach at West Oktibbeha County High School, Adam Lowrey has built relationships, trust, and a program. God has been his pillar.

Changes coming for CLRA youth leagues

Roger Short and members of the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority staff have been busy preparing for the upcoming youth baseball and softball seasons, and plenty of changes are in store for coaches and players.

Starkville Academy’s Huddleston earns player of year honors

Tiffany Huddleston doesn’t think one is enough.

Bulldogs closing in on start of league play

The ticking is getting louder.

Smith closes book on Joe Horne event, prepares for next year

Sammy Smith’s cell phone can rest for a little while.

After a year’s worth of hard work and arranging all of the details for the 16th annual Joe Horne Christmas Invitational, the Columbus High School boys basketball coach took a respite from planning for his program’s signature event to enjoy the holiday with his family.