Hebron Christian’s Tapley player of year

It’s one thing to be poised when you have an experienced group of teammates behind you.

A pitcher can relax a little be more and trust her teammates are going to make the plays behind her and get the team out of sticky situations.

It’s another thing to maintain a even keel when your team has lost three All-Area players.

Patterson, Proffitt lead Columbus girls

Kiandria Patterson and Maggie Proffitt don’t care how the Columbus High School girls basketball team beats you.

The Lady Falcons can go outside-inside, or they can attack you inside and then kick the basketball back outside.

The strategies may change game to game, but the Columbus High juniors likely will be the ones leading the charge. Patterson and Proffitt showed last weekend at the 15th annual Joe Horne Christmas Classic they and the Lady Falcons may have all of the pieces they will need to make a run at a state title.

New Hope’s Holifield slow-pitch player of year

Softball has been a part of Lauren Holifield’s life ever since she can remember.

She watched her mother, Connie Sharpe, coach at Caledonia High School and play the sport. She also grew up seeing her sister, Tori Harris, play for New Hope High and imagined the day she would wear the black and gold and help the program build on its tradition.

New Hope’s Beard slow-pitch coach of year

Tabitha Beard has found the perfect phrase: As long as you’re doing something you love, it never will get old.

She smiles when asked if being coach of the New Hope High School softball program gets old, especially on the heels of the slow-pitch team’s fifth consecutive state title in October. The title pushed the program’s number of championships to 14.

Grant hopes to become consistent scorer for MSU women

STARKVILLE — Kendra Grant hopes she can keep the feeling.

As shooters go, the Mississippi State freshman looks the part. She steps into her shots and has solid form and follow through to hit nothing but the bottom of the net from 3-point range.

Despite several bumps, Lady Bulldogs post 71-57 win

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team had just about everything working for the first 5 minutes, 38 seconds Friday night against Southern Mississippi.

Rivalry game on tap for MSU women

STARKVILLE — “Somebody step up.” Those words rang out in Humphrey Coliseum with 7 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in period one of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s practice Wednesday afternoon.

Ready to help when called: Former New Hope High standout finds niche at USM

Jonathan Guerry didn’t have time to be nervous.

Starting center Austin Quattrochi had just suffered a stinger in his right shoulder and there was no time to waste.

CHS players earn all-state honors

The Columbus High School football team celebrated one its best seasons in recent memory Friday with the announcement that three players were named to the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 6A All-State team.

Players of Week: Talented duo helping spark New Hope turnaround

Kaitlin Bradley and D.J. Sanders have experienced frustration and then some.

Thomas, 49ers will play for national title

HOOVER, Ala. — Freshmen don’t often get to play key roles on the biggest stages.

But Robby Thomas’ experience playing soccer at high levels is helping him change that.

The freshman forward from Columbus was in the starting lineup Friday night and played a key role in helping the Charlotte men’s soccer team beat Creighton University in penalty kicks in the NCAA College Cup at Regions Park.

Starkville girls soccer beats Caledonia

CALEDONIA — Anna Albritton admits she is like most coaches in that she always is looking for a little more.

Whether it’s additional combination play or more one- and two-touch teamwork in possession, Albritton may never get the “perfect” game.

Moore left Heritage Academy to complete Ph.D.

Yolanda Moore resigned from her job as girls basketball coach at Heritage Academy to concentrate on completing the course work necessary for her to obtain a Ph.D, according to a statement released Thursday by the school.

Caledonia soccer teams want to continue fast starts

The Caledonia High School varsity soccer teams have only two remaining play dates this year.

Girls coach Jason Forrester and boys coach Kevin Kugel hope the work each team has put in will pave the way for even more success in 2012.

Moore out as Heritage Academy coach

Yolanda Moore is no longer girls basketball coach at Heritage Academy.

School Headmaster Tommy Gunn confirmed to The Dispatch on Thursday morning that Moore no longer was coach of the team after a decision was made Wednesday about her status. He declined to comment on the reasons why Moore, a former basketball standout at the University of Mississippi and a former player in the WNBA who was hired in May, was no longer at the school.

Oak Hill Academy, Immanuel Christian split varsity action

STEENS — Don’t sleep on the 3-pointer.

But be careful not to come out too fast or members of the Oak Hill Academy long-distance squad — better known as the girls basketball team — will prove they’re more than snipers.

Alabama women will try to extend streak

There are plenty of newcomers and older faces in different or bigger roles, but the numbers show the University of Alabama women’s basketball team has made strides.

All you have to do is ask sophomore guard Jasmine Robinson, who scored a career-high 24 points Sunday in an 80-76 victory against the University of Kansas at Foster Auditorium.

Johnson, Brown lead MSU past Tulane

STARKVILLE — The look in Diamber Johnson’s eyes said payback.

Little did the Tulane University women’s basketball team know that that gaze could get more intense even after Johnson hit her first four shots from the field and scored Mississippi State’s first 10 points.

No. 21 MSU beats West Virginia

STARKVILLE — The first month of the 2011-12 season included a pair of marquee victories for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

Wins against nationally ranked Texas A&M and Arizona on consecutive nights in the 2K Sports Classic in New York City catapulted MSU into The Associated Press top 25.

Bett hopes to build on solid effort

STARKVILLE — Catina Bett knows one game isn’t reason to celebrate.

But the senior center realizes a single step can help her regain the confidence she needs to be a significant contributor for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.