Articles by Adam Minichino
MSU women will try to protect home court
The next two games will go a long way in determining the fate of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
While MSU (12-6, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) may have lost an opportunity to earn a key victory in a home loss to LSU on Jan. 5, it can take a big step toward redemption at 2 p.m. today against Auburn (10-9, 2-4).
Starkville boys, girls wrap up district titles with sweep of New Hope
STARKVILLE — “Thirty-two forever.” Those words proved to be the rallying cry the Starkville High School girls soccer team needed Friday night to earn its biggest victory of the season.
Donahoe takes over at Heritage Academy
Load up the pistol because the Heritage Academy football team is about to learn a new system.
Barrett Donahoe, the architect of that system at Copiah Academy and Marshall Academy, was in Columbus on Friday to take the first step in building the Heritage Academy football program into a state title contender.
Johnson, Porter spark MSU past Ole Miss
OXFORD — Porsha Porter, Diamber Johnson, and the rest of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team picked the right time Thursday night to play through mistakes quickly.
With their lead being tested in the final five minutes, Porter delivered a five-point spurt that provided a cushion and Johnson added the dagger to lead MSU to a 51-46 victory against the University of Mississippi before a crowd of 1,294 at Tad Smith Coliseum.
Ole Miss’ Ladner needed better showing
OXFORD — The plan didn’t include an effort like this, especially in a rivalry game.
But University of Mississippi coach Renee Ladner found herself in the awkward position of trying to energize her team Thursday night in its home game against arch-rival Mississippi State.
Ladner and Ole Miss never found that spark.
Porter will try to help MSU find its stride
Porsha Porsha has been one of the most consistent performers for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team this season.
Whether it has been darting to the basket, draining 3-pointers, or ballhawking opponents, the senior guard has helped anchor the backcourt with classmate Diamber Johnson.
But MSU may need Porter to do more if it is going to realize a goal she still believes is attainable.
‘Done deal’: Marshall Academy football coach plans to take job at Heritage
“It’s pretty much a done deal.” Those were Barrett Donahoe’s words this morning when he was asked if he had officially become the new football coach at Heritage Academy.
‘Done deal’: Marshall Academy football coach plans to take job at Heritage
“It’s pretty much a done deal.” Those were Barrett Donahoe’s words this morning when he was asked if he had officially become the new football coach at Heritage Academy.
Columbus girls, Tupelo boys win
Eleven days isn’t a lot of time to make progress.
But Columbus High School boys basketball coach Sammy Smith liked what he saw from his team Tuesday night in a 49-41 loss to Tupelo in a Class 6A, Region 1 game at Columbus High School.
In the girls game, Kiandria Patterson had 25 points and Maggie Proffitt had 19 to lead the Columbus girls to a 69-41 victory.
Ladner, Ole Miss women sticking with plan
Renee Ladner is sticking with the plan.
Last week, the University of Mississippi women’s basketball coach preached that her team was a “work in progress” and that it was developing confidence and a better understanding of what it needs to do even after a 0-3 start in the Southeastern Conference.
Ladner’s message hadn’t changed Tuesday after the Rebels (12-6, 2-3 SEC) had won their second-straight league game, a 69-55 victory Sunday at the University of Alabama.
Turnovers really hurting cause for MSU women’s basketball team
STARKVILLE — For much of the 2010-11 season, a familiar refrain prevented the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team from finding its rhythm.
Stuck between a lack of execution and experience and an inability to care for the basketball, MSU suffered its first losing season since the 2005-06 campaign and took a step back after making the program’s first trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in 2009-10.
Dale, Falcons aim for soccer playoff berth
There’s no denying baseball is Christian Dale’s first love.
Recent years have seen the Columbus High School junior spend most of his off time playing with travel baseball teams throughout the region in hopes of honing his skills and taking his game to the next level.
Robinson growing into contributor for MSU women
STARKVILLE — When you’re part of a bench effort that gets outscored 32-4, you would think there isn’t a lot of positives to come from that effort.
But Shamia Robinson is trying to make the most of every minute she is on the floor for the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team.
No. 19 Georgia uses tough defense to beat MSU
STARKVILLE — Diamber Johnson knows what it’s like to be targeted.
As the leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference entering the weekend, the Mississippi State University senior guard has seen her share of defensive attention this season.
On Sunday, the No. 19 University of Georgia women’s basketball team’s game plan was to take Johnson out of the equation and to make everything she attempted difficult.
New Hope basketball squads sweep Hamilton
The most successful New Hope High School boys basketball teams of recent memory have thrived on a swarming work ethic that suffocates opponents.
That mentality has been passed from team to team — like a prized possession — that is to be nurtured and respected because it can lift a squad out of the deepest doldrums.
Grant’s trey helps MSU women rally past Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s all about eye contact.
Diamber Johnson has been playing with Kendra Grant for only 16 games, but point guards have a knack for finding shooters.
Sometimes, though, you need a second chance.
Kendra Grant was more than happy to oblige on two occasions Thursday night.
MSU women’s basketball team travels to Alabama
STARKVILLE — Embarrassing.
Catina Bett knows no other word than that one to describe the feeling she and her teammates felt Sunday during and after an 88-40 loss to the No. 11 University of Kentucky at Memorial Gymnasium.
The senior center acknowledges MSU (10-5, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) was in a tough spot without senior Porsha Porter, the team’s second-leading scorer, who didn’t make the trip due to an illness. But Bett admitted the Lady Bulldogs should have delivered a better showing, especially in a regionally-televised game.
Alabama women’s basketball working through injuries, absences
Conference play is a difficult time to try to battle through injuries.
In a league that is as unforgiving as the Southeastern Conference, University of Alabama women’s basketball coach Wendell Hudson knows his team isn’t going to get any breaks.
Carlisle returns as baseball coach at Starkville High
STARKVILLE — A familiar face was back at Starkville High School on Wednesday.
In three weeks, that same face will be back in a dugout as the leader of the school’s baseball program.
On Tuesday night, the Starkville School Board approved the recommendation of Starkville High School Athletic Director Dr. Stan Miller that Danny Carlisle be brought back as the school’s baseball coach.
