Former New Hope coach Hester named at Brandon

Stacy Hester had faith another coaching opportunity was going to come.

The former New Hope High School baseball coach just didn’t expect the call to happen when it did.

After speaking with Brandon High School Athletic Director and football coach Brad Peterson, Hester was confident he had found a great fit to continue his career as baseball coach.

Mississippi College’s Brooks surprised by honors

J’Marcus Brooks knew he had a chance.

To make the most of that opportunity, the former Columbus High School standout realized he needed to make a commitment. As soon as the Mississippi College baseball team’s 2011 season ended, Brooks laid out a plan. He would run, he would lift weights, he would practice his fundamentals — and he would do it all as often as possible.

Pitching, defense go together for New Hope baseball

Pitching and defense go together better than anything in baseball.

But pitchers have to throw strikes to help their team maximize its potential on defense. The thinking is simple: If pitchers pitch to contact, their defense will be alive and on its toes to make more plays than it would if pitchers go deep in counts and have problems throwing strikes.

Holifield, Sanders strong in circle for New Hope

There are plenty of words — matured, improved, developed — to select to try to describe what has happened to Lauren Holifield and D.J. Sanders this season.

No matter which word you use, though, all of them point to one thing: Holifield and Sanders have gotten better.

Victory Christian softball advances to state tournament

Chris Hamm likes his Victory Christian fast-pitch softball team to make things happen.

Whether it is stealing bases or putting balls in play, Hamm knows good things are bound to occur when his team puts pressure on a defense.

Victory Christian baseball aiming for state tournament berth

Coaches at small schools often have little time to prepare for the change in sports seasons.

Things were no different this year for Brent Harris at Victory Christian. By the time the Eagles’ boys basketball season ended, baseball season was ready to start days later. As Harris transitioned from zone defenses to bunt defenses, one word entered his mind about the upcoming baseball season: Pitching.

Heritage Academy, New Hope golf teams will try to defend titles

The Heritage Academy golf team is the defending Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA champion, but coach Ed Lott feels his team will be the hunter instead of the hunted when it defends its title Tuesday at Old Waverly.

New Hope girls golf team tees off a state tournament

Laura Lee Holman had plenty of memorable moments as a standout softball and basketball player at New Hope High School.

Holman also has worked hard as the school’s girls basketball coach to build that program into a contender.

New Hope’s Harvey to play at ICC

Brian Meggs has fond memories of Joe Harvey.

Like most coaches who lose seniors, Meggs hates he won’t have Harvey for another season as a member of the New Hope High School boys soccer team. Not only was Harvey a steady leader in the back, but he also was a versatile and talented leader who encouraged the Trojans always to be at their best.

New Hope softball reaches North State title series

It only takes one mistake.

The state championship signs on the outfield wall at Lady Trojan Field attest to the New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team’s ability to capitalize when given another chance.

Central Academy softball wins state title

Focused.

When you have to wait three and a half to four hours in between games, there is no other way to describe the mentality that a team needs to win a championship.

South Lamar’s Wilson signs with EMCC

MILLPORT, Ala. — Kendra Wilson has heard the story plenty of times.

Five years later, Wilson sighs and smiles when she hears her coach has told it again. As much as the South Lamar High School senior would like to forget it, she can’t help but admit it goes a long way in describing how far she has come as a pitcher.

Alexander, Baldwyn blank Hamilton in game one

HAMILTON — First team to one wins.

Fortunately for the Hamilton High School fast-pitch softball team, two is the only number that matters.

King leads Bruce past Hamilton in game one

HAMILTON — A sweat-stained Jay King flipped the game ball to coach Josh Dowdy as he moved toward the field.

Dowdy looked at it and didn’t hesitate to toss it back to King.

Deservedly so.

Track teams will compete at North State meets

Jim Hamilton is curious.

The Columbus High School boys track and field coach had expectations last week entering the Class 6A, Region 1 meet last week at Tupelo High School.

Central Academy will go for state title this weekend

Ten months is an eternity in athletics.

Repetitions in practice and execution in games can help even the youngest player lose the butterflies and learn things she never imagined.

It has been 10 months since Central Academy softball coach Sammy Lindsey took the field with a fast-pitch team that featured 11 underclassmen.

Heritage, Starkville ready for game two

Bruce Branch and Neal Henry admit they were wrong.

The Heritage Academy and Starkville Academy baseball coaches thought they would see pitching and defense emerge as leading storylines for their Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, Division II playoff series.

Atkins, seniors lead Hamilton baseball

HAMILTON — Clay Atkins never imagined he would follow in the footsteps of pitchers like Dylan Earnest and Chase Reeves.

Sophomores play key role for Hamilton softball

HAMILTON — Alison Atkins and Taylor Hyland are wise beyond their years.

The Hamilton High School sophomores have played together long enough and in enough games to think pressure is just another word.

New Hope High baseball continues postseason march

When you have been a member of the New Hope High School baseball program for as long as Joe Harvey and Thomas Woodruff, you know inexperience is a relative term.