Articles by Adam Minichino
Hard work could pay off for Starkville
JACKSON — Starkville High School coach Jamie Mitchell doesn’t like to lose. When Mitchell left Itawamba Agricultural High in 2010 to become the new head football coach at Starkville High, Mitchell put everyone on notice that there weren’t going to be any pats on the back for finishing second. His goal in coming to Oktibbeha County was to teach his players how to win and to help Starkville regain its championship swagger.
Bulldogs welcome first Big East foe to the Hump
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team made a statement last month last month in New York City.
Pieces coming together for MSU men
STARKVILLE — Rick Stansbury likes the 2011-12 Mississippi State men’s basketball team.
Through all of the ins and out and outs and ins the Bulldogs have experienced in nearly one month of basketball, MSU’s 14th-year coach sees a team with depth at key positions, a squad that has plenty of ballhandlers and creators, and a group that can present a host of matchup challenges.
Picayune expects tough challenge in Class 5A title game
JACKSON — Dodd Lee admits expectations weren’t particularly high for the Picayune High School football team prior to the start of the 2011 season.
That doesn’t mean the veteran coach didn’t think the Maroon Tide couldn’t put something together. But coaches are a notoriously cautious bunch, and Lee knew replacing 17 starters from the 2010 squad would be something that couldn’t be done with a snap of the finger.
Starkville Academy, Heritage Academy players set for All-Star game
The Mississippi Association of Independent Schools’ All-Star game will have a hint of local flavor.
Buoyed by a championship run, Starkville Academy’s Ryan Mann and Angus Catchot will join Heritage Academy’s Brandon Bell and Blake Sharp in the annual senior showcase game at 4 p.m. today at Mississippi College.
Johnson helps Fanning-Otis get No. 600
STARKVILLE — No. 600 for Sharon Fanning-Otis proved Wednesday to be another step in the right direction for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
Led by the attacking nature of senior Diamber Johnson (game-high 22 points), MSU defeated the University of South Alabama 63-47 for its third straight win before a crowd of 688 at Humphrey Coliseum.
Smith remembers championship tradition at Starkville High
JACKSON — It’s all about the attitude for Milton Smith.
Coming from a storied football program like Starkville High School, Milton Smith knows what it takes to win championships. In 1984, Smith was a member of the first Starkville High football team to win a state title. The former Yellow Jacket went on to a football career at Mississippi State before becoming a coach.
Fanning-Otis one win away from milestone
STARKVILLE — Discipline. Structure. Fundamentals.
Jemmye Ann Helms remembers those elements being cornerstones Sharon Fanning-Otis established in 1995 at Mississippi State when she took over as the school’s new women’s basketball coach.
Mitchell has waited long time to get back to title stage
JACKSON — Nineteen years can pass in the blink of an eye.
But time slowed for a moment Monday to allow 12 head coaches to reflect on a season’s work.
Lewis provides spark for MSU vs. UTM
STARKVILLE — Dee Bost, Brian Bryant, Rodney Hood, and Jalen Steele.
Even without Arnett Moultrie and Renardo Sidney in the starting lineup for the second game in a row, Wendell Lewis probably wouldn’t be any higher in the pecking order when it comes to options on offense.
Bett wants to become more consistent for MSU
STARKVILLE — “Horrible.”
Catina Bett doesn’t mince words when asked to describe her performance in the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s first five games.
Porter provides spark for MSU women
STARKVILLE — Porsha Porter has earned a reputation for being a spark plug for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
Whether it’s with her thievery on defense or with her lightning-quick first step or her 3-point shooting prowess, Porter has carved a niche in her second season with the Lady Bulldogs.
MSU needed all of the dimensions of Porter’s game Wednesday to enter the holiday on a positive note.
Fanning-Otis wants Lady Bulldogs to get tougher
Sharon Fanning-Otis routinely lists battles she wants her Mississippi State women’s basketball team to win every game.
Rebounding, defense, turnovers, and deflections are staples on Fanning-Otis’ rundown. Toughness is the drive force behind winning each of those statistical tallies.
Blair has transformed Texas A&M into champion
When you have been coaching as long as Gary Blair, it’s easy to forget some of the players who have helped you and all of the places you have won games.
But Blair never will forget April 5, 2011.
MSU women sluggish in win vs. Alcorn State
STARKVILLE — The spark never materialized.
As a result, the Mississippi State senior with the most game experience was left to give her team a near-failing grade.
Diamber Johnson had a team-high 14 points and six assists, but she was one of few bright spots in MSU’s 66-48 victory against Alcorn State on Thursday night before a crowd of 580 at Humphrey Coliseum.
Buoyed by fast start, Alwal wants to continue to develop game
STARKVILLE — Martha Alwal grew accustomed to being the “big girl.”
As a standout at Worthington High School in Minnesota, the 6-foot-4 center often was the tallest player on the basketball court. Typically, Alwal towered over opponents, and rarely did she face another post player who was tall enough to look her in the eyes.
Now a freshman on the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, Alwal remains one of the tallest players on her team. No longer, though, does Alwal go stretches without seeing playing against someone her height — or taller — or an opponent who wants to play physically in the paint.
Caledonia-New Hope soccer renew rivalry
Rivalry games often bring out the best in teams.
That certainly was the case Tuesday night as the Caledonia and New Hope High School girls soccer teams exchanged goals and then battled through a back-and-forth second half before settling for a 1-1 tie.
Stansbury likes MSU’s energy in win against South Alabama
STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball responded Saturday from an early season wake-up call with an effort coach Rick Stansbury was more than happy to discuss.
New coach Waugh wants to continue Xavier’s tradition
Amy Waugh has been witness to history.
As a player, the former Xavier University standout was part of the 2000-01 team that upset the University of Tennessee in the NCAA tournament en route to advancing to the Elite Eight.
