Starkville closer to naming new baseball coach

STARKVILLE — The Starkville School Board is expected to make a decision tonight about who will coach Starkville High School’s baseball team this season.

Starkville High School Athletic Director Stan Miller said Monday he has a “couple of proposals” regarding the job of the school’s baseball coach, which came open Sept. 30, 2011, when longtime coach Danny Carlisle retired as a teacher at the school. Miller said he will submit the proposals to board for it to examine tonight, and that he hopes the board will give the OK which direction it wants to go and that it will make a decision about who will coach the program no later than tonight.

Kentucky’s pressure will test MSU women

STARKVILLE — Prior to the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s Southeastern Conference opener against LSU, Diamber Johnson stressed the Lady Bulldogs needed to befriend pressure.

The senior point guard said the Lady Bulldogs had to welcome pressure defense from opponents so much that it was second nature for them to attack it and score against it.

Three days after kicking off SEC play with a disappointing loss to LSU, MSU will get a chance to see just how well it reacts to pressure when it takes on the No. 11 University of Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. today in Lexington, Ky.

New Hope girls blank Caledonia; boys tie

CALEDONIA — A new year has brought a new start and a new attitude to the New Hope High School girls soccer team. Morgan Franks, Farris Bradley, and Effie Morrison scored goals Friday night to lead a reinvigorated New Hope to a 3-0 victory against Caledonia in a non-district matchup.

Mims signs with Northwest CC

CALEDONIA — You never know when someone is looking. You also can’t tell when one off those people standing on the sidelines or sitting in the stands is a college soccer coach in need of a versatile, experienced player who can contribute to his program.

MSU women feel pain of regret in loss to LSU

STARKVILLE — The little things will wear you out.

Those details are even more important in conference play, when opponents know your tendencies better than some of your teammates.

They’re magnified even finer when teams have a chance to make a statement and can’t hold a seven-point lead with more than six minutes to play.

Butler out as football coach at Heritage Academy

Brad Butler has been around football long enough to understand the importance of wins and losses.

He just didn’t think the hunger for wins that drives coaching carousels in college and in the NFL had become so pervasive that it had woven its way into high school athletics.

But Butler learned Dec. 20 that his inability to lead the Heritage Academy football team to more victories cost him and offensive coordinator/junior high football coach Steve Morgan their jobs.

MSU women open SEC play against LSU

STARKVILLE — It’s time to get tougher.

It’s also time for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team to slow down and to take better care of the basketball.

MSU’s ability to put all of those elements into action will be put to the test at 7 tonight when it plays host to LSU at Humphrey Coliseum in its Southeastern Conference opener.

Former Columbus High standout Gunter playing pro ball in Portugal

Jarvis Gunter dreams of playing professional basketball.

He just never thought the sport would allow him to see the world.

But the former Columbus High School standout isn’t complaining about his current job as a member of the CAB Madeira team in Portugal. In fact, he has grown quite fond of Europe and the different cuisine — and the number of meals per day — he has had the opportunity to sample.

Pickens Academy girls, Heritage Academy boys earn wins

Yandell Harris sees the potential.

Now the Heritage Academy boys basketball coach wants to see the effort.

If both of those things are present at the same time, the veteran coach believes the Patriots can come together and have a chance to make a postseason run.

After receiving a pick-me-up halftime speech from Harris, Heritage Academy took its coach’s encouragement to the court and pulled away for a 52-22 victory against Pickens Academy.

In the girls game, Elisabeth Hankins had 17 points and Corey Dawkins added 16 to lead Pickens Academy to a 45-37 win.

Lady Bulldogs face challenge in Reno play

STARKVILLE — Tick, tick, tick.

The Mississippi State women’s basketball team has seven days before it plays host to LSU in its Southeastern Conference opener.

Immanuel Christian set for second basketball tournament

Billy Thomas and Immanuel Christian did such a good job organizing the school’s first Christmas basketball tournament that this year’s event came together quickly.

Victory Christian senior injured in auto accident returns to the court

The smile lights up the gym. Marcus Sims dribbles the basketball to the corner of the court and launches a 3-pointer. He moves to greet a visitor before returning to the court to join Anthony Sharp in an impromptu game of one-on-one.

Victory Christian senior injured in auto accident returns to the court

The smile lights up the gym. Marcus Sims dribbles the basketball to the corner of the court and launches a 3-pointer. He moves to greet a visitor before returning to the court to join Anthony Sharp in an impromptu game of one-on-one.

Moultrie, MSU win again in Jackson

JACKSON — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team proved Thursday night in the state capital that size matters.

Against a scrappy opponent in its annual trip to the Mississippi Coliseum, No. 18 MSU used its significant height and physical advantage to cruise to a 82-67 victory against Northwestern State.

Aberdeen’s Duncan preaches, follows the word

ABERDEEN — Chris Duncan has fully served his year — and then some.

What began as a one-year commitment to coach the Aberdeen High School football team has turned into a five-year gig. In that time, Duncan has helped re-build a program that won one game in the two previous seasons and has elevated it into a perennial state title contender.

Smith matures as quarterback for West Oktibbeha

MABEN — Von Smith thought he could handle playing quarterback.

It was just a matter of proving to others he could to the job.

So after starting his youth football career as a wide receiver, Smith graduated to quarterback when he moved up to middle school ball.

It didn’t take him long to find his niche.

Ward plays variety of roles for Aberdeen

ABERDEEN — Channing Ward is used to the attention.

Ever since Ward arrived at Aberdeen High School, he attracted the interest of numerous colleges that fell in love with his potential at a variety of positions.

This season, Ward played expanded roles on offense and defense in an attempt to help the Bulldogs make a run at a third-straight trip to Jackson, the site of the state title games.

Richardson juggles roles for Starkville

STARKVILLE — A year ago, Wheeler Richardson found her voice as a leader of the Starkville High School volleyball team.

Richardson also continued her do-everything role for the Lady Yellow Jackets, moving from setting to digging to hitting without missing a beat.

But what Richardson did last season was easy compared to the responsibilities she had to juggle this season.

NCAA explains ruling in Zeidaks’ case

STARKVILLE — Despite strong objections by Mississippi State, the NCAA released the rationale for its suspension of forward Kristers Zeidaks for this season and 11 games next season.

NCAA Eligibility Center ruled Nov. 3, Zeidaks, who is from Latvia, will be suspended for this season and 11 games next season for participating in a league that saw him play with and against professional players in his home country.

Brown, MSU women earn easy victory

STARKVILLE — Ashley Brown has earned a reputation as a rebounder.

In her second year with the program, the 5-foot-11 transfer from Jefferson College (Mo.) has shown a nose for the ball and a willingness to mix it up in the paint like no other member of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

When given a chance, Brown also can make an impact in the scoring column.