Aberdeen hopes to shine at right time

ABERDEEN — The Aberdeen High School football team received the lift it needed last week.

Now coach Chris Duncan hopes his Bulldogs are ready to shine in a time of the year that they have come to own.

Alabama soccer shoots for another upset

Todd Bramble has watched his University of Alabama women’s soccer team come a long way in the past two months.

Alabama soccer will try to pull upset

Todd Bramble wasn’t about to complain.

Armed with all of the amenities anyone could want to occupy their time on a four-hour bus ride, the University of Alabama women’s soccer coach did what a lot of people would do: He took a nap.

MSU women want to carve new identity

STARKVILLE — Eleven won’t be a number that defines the 2011-12 Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Instead, the Lady Bulldogs will use that number, which corresponds to where media members picked them in the Southeastern Conference preseason poll released Tuesday.

Johnson ready to lead MSU women

STARKVILLE — Leader.

It’s a simple term that conveys a lot of responsibility.

Whether it is orchestrating body bumps or leading a team onto the court or making sure the basketball gets into the hands of the right player, Diamber Johnson enters her final season at Mississippi State confident she can handle all of those roles and more.

Ward provides spark at running back for Aberdeen

ABERDEEN — The cradle action looks natural to Channing Ward.

The Aberdeen High School senior defensive lineman sits on the couch in Chris Duncan’s office and practices his grip. He clutches the football to chest and he lowers it to his waist as the conversation about him continues.

It’s almost as if Ward is picturing a run he will make in the coming weeks to lead the Aberdeen High football team back to Jackson and a shot at the Class 3A state title.

Promising pieces propel Bulldogs to exhibition win

STARKVILLE — Rick Stansbury should have plenty of fun playing with an assortment of puzzle pieces this season.

From the savvy penetration skills of point guard Dee Bost to the energy and enthusiasm of Arnett Moultrie and Wendell Lewis to the high-stepping versatility of Brian Bryant to the potential of Rodney Hood, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team showed all the parts Saturday that could make for a promising season.

Hollivay will have difficult decision

Rachel Hollivay doesn’t have the date highlighted on her calendar.

The Heritage Academy girls basketball standout also hasn’t raided the local sporting goods stores for T-shirts, baseball caps, or other paraphernalia to make sure she’s ready for next month.

Franklin Academy ends Central Academy’s season

MACON — There was life to the magic.

All season, the Central Academy football team found ways to win games. Four times by two points and two more by eight points, the Vikings snatched victory from defeat by the slimmest margins.

MSU-Ole Miss game could determine tournament berth

STARKVILLE — Different approaches, one objective.

Whether it is “control the controllables” or “stay in the moment,” the Mississippi State and University of Mississippi women’s soccer teams know their game at 7 p.m. Friday (SportSouth) in Oxford will be doubly significant.

Baker provides spark for Falcons

Damian Baker doesn’t know any other way.

Regardless of whether the Columbus High School football team is playing New Hope, Horn Lake, or South Panola, Baker is going to come at you at full speed and dare you to stop him.

Team concept carries Victory Christian into playoffs

Together the Eagles Achieve More.

That variation on a popular sports adage reflects how the Victory Christian football team has been able to overcome the adversity it has faced this season.

Diligence pays off: Baker 70-yard touchdown run ignites Columbus win against Horn Lake

Play until you hear the whistle. It sounds simple, but sometimes observant players get rewarded for capitalizing when unusual things happen. Damian Baker’s diligence proved to be just the spark the Columbus High School football team needed Friday night.

Lights go out on Tigers

MACON — Tyrone Shorter felt it coming all night.

Spurred on by an attacking defense that brought pressure for the final 24 minutes, Shorter was confident his offense was going to explode.

Roberts, Bates do damage for Wildcats

MACON — Defenses know what’s coming.

Sometimes, though, the execution is just too good to stop.

Anyone who watched the Louisville High School football team beat West Point in the Fall High School Jamboree in August at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium could tell the Wildcats have a special tandem in quarterback Wyatt Roberts and wide receiver C.J. Bates.

Columbus shooting for magic number four

The first challenge has been met.

The next three figure to be a little tougher for the Columbus High School football team.

Local football players will represent area in senior All-Star game

The Greater Golden Triangle area will be well represented next month for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic.

Aberdeen High School’s Channing Ward, Caledonia offensive lineman Cole Carter, Columbus running back Damian Baker, Noxubee County wide receiver Terrance Barron, and West Point offensive lineman Romia Wilson and linebacker Brandon Edwards will play in the annual event that features some of the state’s top seniors Dec. 10 in Montgomery, Ala.

Louisville, Noxubee County to decide bragging rights tonight

CLINTON — The “main event” will kick off at 7 tonight with a bang.

Instead of downplaying the importance of their C Spire Wireless “Bright Lights Football” matchup, Louisville and Noxubee County head coaches M.C. Miller and Tyrone Shorter admit what everyone has been thinking for nearly the past year: It is a big game.

Shorter learns from coaching legend Miller

CLINTON — Legend isn’t a word that is used casually.

It carries a history with it that evokes exceptional moments and years spent toiling to build something memorable.

It also earns anyone lucky enough to earn that distinction special favors, like rides to news conferences to talk about football.

At first glance Monday, it might have been unusual to see Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter and Louisville High coach M.C. Miller riding in the same car to a gathering at the Mississippi High School Activities Association office to discuss their C Spire Wireless “Bright Lights Football” game at 7 p.m. Thursday in Macon.

It’s true: Bright Lights Football to hit Macon on Thursday

CLINTON — Maybe now people in Noxubee County will believe Deloria Stewart.

If not, the Noxubee County High School athletic director might have to sprinkle some pixie dust through Macon, Brooksville, and Shuqualak to convince them their small town is about to be invaded.