Heritage Academy changes mind-set on the way to state championship game

In August, Barrett Donahoe talked about changing a mind-set.

Noxubee County faces playoff challenge from Lafayette County

MACON — The focus is there.

Harris, Williams lead West Lowndes to playoffs

There’s nothing like getting scoring on offense and defense to provide a spark.

Eric Harris and Jevontrae Williams were only too happy to deliver that lift Friday for the West Lowndes High School football team.

Dunaway’s diving catches help Heritage Academy reach title game

PELAHATCHIE — A little trickeration and some guts.

The mixture isn’t a secret concoction Barrett Donahoe has cooked up in the dark passages of the Heritage Academy field house.

Punitive measures aren’t answer for Oktibbeha schools

Apparently punitive remedies are the only ones that work for the Mississippi Department of Education.

Columbus needs one more victory

A victory is all Tony Stanford has on his mind.

If the Columbus High School football team (6-4, 3-3 Class 6A, Region 1) can go on the road at 7 tonight and beat Grenada (4-6, 2-4), Stanford won’t have to worry about tiebreakers and point differentials.

Former MSU coach talks about challenges for soccer program

Neil McGuire has nothing but great things to say about his time at Mississippi State University.

MSU women will start to develop habits

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer has said several times in the preseason that it would take at least 21 straight days for his Mississippi State University women’s basketball team to develop habits.

Grant moves into leadership role for MSU women’s basketball team

STARKVILLE — The opportunity is there to take for Kendra Grant.

Bulldogs will need to make financial commitment to women’s soccer

STARKVILLE — Earlier this season, Neil Macdonald had an artist’s rendering of upgrades to the Mississippi State University Soccer Field on the wall in his office in Humphrey Coliseum. When asked about the picture, Macdonald smiled and said something to the effect that he hoped the rendering would come true because it was something the program needed to compete.

Heritage Academy begins playoff push Friday night

The Heritage Academy football team is eight quarters away from winning a state title.

Let that thought sink in for a moment.

Tigers ready to start drive for five

MACON — The motivations have swirled around the Noxubee County High School football team all season.

Now it’s time for the talk to end and for the Tigers to deliver.

Lady Vols ready for challenge of defending state titles

STARKVILLE — Forget about the bull’s-eye. The 2012-13 Starkville Academy girls basketball won’t allow the expectations of others to serve as motivation for another championship run.

Starkville Academy’s Proffitt commits to Central Arkansas

STARKVILLE — Maggie Proffitt didn’t want the distraction.

Sophomore back Bolton shines for Victory Christian

Cody Bolton only thought he knew what challenge he faced.

Heritage Academy going back to playoffs

GREENWOOD — The names haven’t changed. The uniforms remain the same, as do the coaches.

But the transformation that has occurred in the past three weeks has allowed a Heritage Academy football team teetering on the edge of an early end to the season to become a playoff team.

MSU point guards try to make impression in scrimmage

STARKVILLE — One line on the final stat sheet is pleasing.

In 20 minutes for the Maroon team, Katia May went 4 of 5 from the field, grabbed five rebounds, had four assists, and made two steals. We can set aside the four turnovers, even though Vic Schaefer and the rest of the Mississippi State University women’s basketball coaches likely will highlight that number.

Heritage Academy secures playoff berth

GREENWOOD — Cade Lott rushed for 122 yards and scored on a 50-yard run Friday night to lead the Heritage Academy football team to a 35-7 victory against Pillow Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, District 1 game at Bill Davis Field.

Alabama’s Hudson caught off guard by preseason ranking

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Don’t call Wendell Hudson surprised.

Incredulous would be a better term. The University of Alabama women’s basketball coach couldn’t think of any other way to react earlier this week when he learned his team had been picked to finish 14th in the expanded Southeastern Conference.

Frank begins damage control at Ole Miss

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A year ago, a phalanx of reporters and television cameras surrounded University of Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt and associate head coach Holly Warlick for their appearance at the Southeastern Conference Basketball Media Day.