Articles by Adam Minichino
Local players earn all-state honors
The Starkville Academy girls basketball team used a group approach all the way through a historic season.
Columbus’ Thomas growing in strength, confidence
At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Jake Thomas is a quarterback’s best friend anywhere on the offensive line.
But Thomas figures to become an even more imposing presence in a number of areas for the Columbus High School Falcons as he continues to mature into his body.
West Point’s Davis signs with EMCC
WEST POINT — Wilma Davis watched, learned, and waited as a junior.
With a point guard like Kelsei Ewings, sometimes you only need to make sure you were running to get open looks at the basket.
No-hitter helps Hamilton’s Earnest build confidence
HAMILTON — Ethan Earnest was looking forward to big things at the beginning of the season.
After working through shoulder surgery and back spasms that kept him from throwing a lot of innings in the past two seasons, Earnest wanted to make a mark in his senior season with the Hamilton High School baseball team.
But sometimes bad luck follows you.
Caledonia’s Langford signs with Mississippi Delta
CALEDONIA — Ashley Langford understood what her father, Michael, meant when he told her years ago someone always would be watching when she was on the softball field.
But the Caledonia High School senior catcher didn’t fully appreciate those words of advice until earlier this year when she kept receiving emails from Mississippi Delta Community College softball coach Vanessa Farrell.
Columbus’ Verner will go for two golds
The power of performance is a big motivator for Justin Verner.
Family connections help bring racing Sudduths together
Racing has proven to be a stabilizer for Bill Sudduth.
Years ago, Sudduth used to fish and hunt. He also admits he liked to party. But things — and hobbies — changed when Bill met Brenda Langford. Racing replaced fishing and hunting as an activity Sudduth did in his spare time. That “hobby” quickly turned into a “passion” that Bill and Brenda have embraced.
Checking perceptions will be key for Ray
Even though Rick Stansbury hadn’t been a head coach when he was hired to replace Richard Williams as head men’s basketball coach at Mississippi State University, the perception was he was ready to take the next step.
Lee, Dale do their part with defense to fuel Falcons
Trace Lee and Christian Dale are going to do everything in their power to help get the Columbus High School baseball team back to the postseason.
While both players make solid contributions in the field and at the plate, Lee and Dale likely will make their presence felt the most on the mound. Combined with left-hander Hunter Mullis, Columbus (11-6, 2-2 Class 6A, Region) has three starting pitchers who can stop a team’s momentum.
Schaefer has first meeting with new team
STARKVILLE — One picture says a lot about Vic Schaefer.
Perched on the top shelf of a corner organizer, the only picture in his new office at Mississippi State University captures Schaefer, his wife, Holly, and their 16-year-old twins, Blair Nicole and Charles Logan, standing on a ladder to the side of a nearly cut down net waving to fans after the Texas A&M women’s basketball team won the 2011 national championship.
New Hope’s Brown signs with Belhaven
You have to look good for your big day.
After waiting this long, Lawrence Brown was going to make sure he had everything right.
Still, as of Monday the New Hope High School senior didn’t know what colors he was going to wear to celebrate the next step in his football career.
Wind can’t push Lott from first
It takes a lot to get Cade Lott flustered.
Whether it’s football, basketball, or golf, Lott typically plays with a positive attitude and always has a smile ready to go.
But Mother Nature put the Heritage Academy junior’s attitude to the test Tuesday.
Patience paying off for Oak Hill’s Shempert
WEST POINT — Jacob Shempert knows the importance of patience.
As a member of The Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen, which recognizes the state’s top baseball players in the state of Mississippi, Shempert knows his reputation precedes him. The senior pitcher/catcher/infielder also understands pitchers and coaches read newspapers and the Internet to keep up with who is hot.
COLUMN: Stansbury goes out to applause
STARKVILLE — Applause greeted Rick Stansbury at 1:12 p.m. Thursday as he turned the corner into the lobby of the Bryan Building.
The longtime Mississippi State men’s basketball coach scanned the room and chided the supporters gathered for the announcement of his retirement for having long faces.
“Cheer up. Smile. This is a happy day,” Stansbury said.
Shaw adjusts to Crate Lake Model racing
Don’t discount the power of the classifieds.
Jeremy Shaw hadn’t considered selling his Open Wheel Modified vehicle. But it didn’t hurt to look at the online classifieds. After all, you never know what you’re going to find. Besides, the number of Open Wheel Modified opportunities in the Columbus area were diminishing, so why not.
Fanning-Otis feels Schaefer has what it takes to push MSU to next level
STARKVILLE — Consider Sharon Fanning-Otis impressed.
Mississippi State University’s recently retired women’s basketball coach was in attendance Tuesday to welcome Vic Schaefer to Starkville to be the seventh coach in the program’s history.
‘Secreatary of Defense’ Schaefer introduced as MSU’s new women’s basketball coach
STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer felt the spark the first time he met Scott Stricklin.
Once Schaefer had an opportunity to visit Starkville and tour Mississippi State University’s campus and athletic facilities, it didn’t take him long to know he could bring the same spark to the school’s women’s basketball program.
Helpful advice from future wife plays key role in Schaefer’s approach
STARKVILLE — Coaches have been known for years to borrow or to tweak an aspect of one coaching style or strategy into their way of doing things.
Sometimes, though, a coach needs a little more assistance in grasping the importance of a concept and incorporating it into their philosophy.
Holly Davis was only too happy to provide that assistance to a friend who looked like he could use some help.
COLUMN: Stricklin pins high hopes on Schaefer
Scott Stricklin has more than 11 million reasons to hope Vic Schaefer is the right man.
