Sharp transitions to QB to lead Victory Christian

Anthony Sharp wasn’t convinced.

After all, Bryer Bolton scored a touchdown so he had to be OK.

Right?

MSU soccer upsets No. 11 Florida

STARKVILLE — Goalkeepers remember crooked numbers.

Charged with keeping as clean a sheet as possible, goalkeepers take it a little more personally when an opponent scores more than one or two goals in a match.

Champs again: New Hope beats Picayune for Class 5A title

JACKSON — Mackenzie Harvey couldn’t escape the butterflies.

As an eighth-grader, she had imagined what it would be like to start for the New Hope High School varsity slow-pitch softball team in a state title series, but she didn’t realize it would feel like this when she finally earned her chance.

She also didn’t know her nerves would make even the simplest things — like catching an underhanded toss from pitcher Anna McCrary — so difficult.

But Harvey and the rest of the Lady Trojans showed Saturday they were up for the challenge and then some.

Beard helps build new championship memories

JACKSON — Anna McCrary and Kasey Stanfield operate well in stealth mode.

It didn’t matter they were lugging a blue cooler filled with ice that rustled as they tried to crouch down and avoid being seen by their coach.

New Hope softball wants to finish with title

The New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team will take the final step today.

Thirteen times previously, the Lady Trojans have celebrated that last step with a championship.

At 11 a.m. today, New Hope (23-7) will take on Picayune in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A best-of-three state title series for a chance to win the 14th state championship, and fifth in a row, in program history. The past two championships have come in Class 5A.

West Oktibbeha scores late to beat West Lowndes

At 6-foot-3, Michael Graise is an imposing sight at defensive end.

Graise is even more dominating on the basketball court. His leaping ability gives him the ups to touch the top of the box on the backboard.

Fortunately, Graise knows when to jump for the sky and when to hold a little something back.

Noxubee County nearly done with injuries

MACON — Brandon Johnson’s list is finally dwindling to nothing.

As the certified athletic trainer who works with the Noxubee County High School football team, Johnson has been busy with myriad injuries that have kept the Tigers from being at full strength for nearly the entire season.

Hamilton wants to avoid letdown after beating Eupora

HAMILTON — The statement has been made.

Now the harder part might be on the horizon for the Hamilton High School football team.

Holifield’s walk-off blast lifts New Hope

PHILADELPHIA — Champions adjust.

It didn’t matter whether the pitch was outside or low, inside or high, Lauren Holifield was going to do damage.

It also didn’t matter if the fence in left-center field was an imposing 235 feet away. Holifield had hit a home run to the same spot in the regular season, and she knew she could do it again.

Local prep seniors will play in All-Star games

It’s all coming to an end for Logan Waggoner.

But as the Central Academy senior contemplated what could be the end of her softball career, she took comfort in the fact it could end today in the Mississippi Association of Independent School Class A Senior All-Star game at 2:30 p.m. today at Mississippi College.

Defense never rests for New Hope

The stars that dot the scorebook reflect the New Hope High School softball team’s prowess on defense.

Whether it is third baseman Kasey Stanfield picking a hard-hit short hop, shortstop D.J. Sanders gunning out a runner from the edge of the outfield grass, or Lauren Holifield diving in left-center field to snare a sinking line drive, the Lady Trojans take pride in their defense like no other team in the state.

Myles’ leadership ability comes through in Starkville rally

STARKVILLE — Adversity doesn’t faze leaders.

Instead of panicking and losing focus when bad things or mistakes are happening around them, leaders maintain a calm and a poise that makes their peers feel they can do anything if they stick to the plan.

New Hope takes first step on journey to Jackson

Unstoppable.

On a day two former softball standouts returned to their stomping ground, the 2011 New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team showed Saturday it has the potential to create some tradition of its own.

South Panola extends streak vs. Columbus

The challenge has been set.

Judging from the bad feeling in the stomach of Damian Baker, there is a good chance the Columbus High School football team will respond.

Melton has Columbus softball going in right direction

How do you measure 250 percent?

Coaches in every sport can often be heard encouraging their players to give 100 percent — even 110 — to produce the desired result.

Smith, Collins blend talents for Caledonia

CALEDONIA — Morgan Smith wasn’t sure she could do it.

Elisha Collins wasn’t convinced someone could step into the role.

Bradley provides spark at top for New Hope

Kaitlin Bradley has shown this season she is a lot more than “muscles.”

The New Hope High School sophomore earned that nickname earlier this season after she slugged two home runs in a game against Saltillo.

Starkville volleyball blends ‘old, new’

STARKVILLE — Wheeler Richardson was worried.

Entering her senior season, she realized a lot of the faces she saw on the Starkville High School volleyball team weren’t experienced. She recognized classmates Grace Drumheller and Margaret Allison and knew what they could do, but as for the others, well … let’s just say Richardson wasn’t sold.

South Panola will visit Columbus

Championships.

That word immediately comes to Tony Stanford’s mind when asked about the South Panola High School football team.

The Tigers, who entered the season as the state’s top-ranked team in The Clarion-Ledger’s Super 10 preseason poll, have won a state record nine championships in football. Their run of success has earned the school the nickname the “University of South Panola.”

New Hope wants to write different ending

It’s natural for Michael Bradley to enjoy history.

As an American government and economics teacher at New Hope High School, Bradley gives his students valuable lessons on how they can learn from history.

Bradley does the same with the players on the New Hope High football team.