MSU women’s basketball will play host to top recruits

The next three days will play a part in the future of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Today through Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs will play host to Heritage Academy senior Rachel Hollivay, Hattiesburg High School senior Tiaria Griffin, and two other players. Hollivay and Griffin are ranked No. 12 and No. 93, respectively, in the Class of 2012 by Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls Report. ESPN’s HoopGurlz has Hollivay ranked No. 8 nationally and Griffin No. 46 at her position, shooting guard.

Heritage Academy striving for consistency

The message is simple: It’s time to be consistent.

While it’s never easy to come off a loss, coach Brad Butler feels the timing is ideal for the Heritage Academy football team to hit its stride.

Not only will the Patriots have the motivation to get back on the winning track, he feels the team also will be geared up for the start of Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, Division II, District 1 play at 7 p.m. Friday when it takes on Lee Academy.

Newman, Pearson leaders on both sides of ball for Central Academy

MACON — Leaders set the example, even when they’re a little dinged up.

Through four games, Cole Newman and Drew Pearson haven’t had much time off to heal the assortment of nagging ailments and bumps and bruises they have acquired in a series of nail-biting victories.

Noxubee County finding its stride on defense

MACON — Not counting the injuries to his team, Tyrone Shorter is feeling a lot better.

The longtime assistant now in his second season as head coach of the Noxubee County High School football team can talk a little more confidently about his defense now that he is beginning to see more effort like the stingy Tigers of old.

Robinson, Jones step up for Tigers

MACON — It’s one thing to step forward when you have a week to prepare knowing you’ll be without your starting quarterback.

It’s an entirely different proposition to lose a starting running back a day before a game and have to scrap your game plan, especially against an athletic and experienced defense.

But champions emerge when their teammates need them.

Fifth annual Dixie Road Race will be Sunday in Columbus

Five years ago, Clint Hanson wondered if people would remember.

There was a time in Columbus when go-kart racing used to be a popular, family event that attracted big crowds.

For some reason, though, the popularity waned and the annual event eventually disappeared.

Today, the excitement is back and just might be bigger and better then ever.

Columbus wants to continue ‘new beginning’

This is the time for the Columbus High School football team to continue its season of new beginnings.

Coming off an overtime victory against two-time defending Class 5A champion West Point, Columbus will see how it fares in the role as “favorite” at 7:30 tonight when it plays host to New Hope.

Heritage Academy to face pass-happy MRA

Heritage Academy football coach Brad Butler wants to see something different.

He and the Patriots already have felt the emotion from a huge victory and expected it to carry over to the next week only to see the energy evaporate at gametime.

Inaugural Streetcar 5-K on Saturday in Columbus

On a weekend when the city of Columbus will celebrate its history, local runners also will have a chance to get some exercise.

Eupora runs down West Oktibbeha

MABEN — Adam Lowrey and the West Oktibbeha County High School football can wonder what if as they watch the tape of their 36-16 loss to Eupora on Thursday night.

Weeks wants Hamilton to build off loss

Ray Weeks knows close isn’t going to cut it.

But in week three against an opponent in a higher classification, the Hamilton High School football coach can live with a hard-fought 34-20 loss to Class 3A Kossuth.

Starkville-West Point will face off in another heavyweight battle

The murderer’s row scheduling for the Starkville and West Point high school football teams won’t let up anytime soon.

If possible, the Starkville-West Point rivalry will ratchet up the strength of schedule for both squads when they meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday in West Point.

Noxubee County will be without Ballard for 4-6 weeks

MACON — The Noxubee County High School football team is going to have to go to plan B.

Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter said Tuesday that junior quarterback Deangelo Ballard will miss four to six weeks after fracturing his leg Friday in a 45-29 victory against New Hope.

Noxubee County starts fast in victory against New Hope

Terrence Barron and the Noxubee County High School football team listened all week as coach Tyrone Shorter preached about finishing.

Victory Christian returns to action; ICCE shoots for fast start

Chris Hamm would have loved last week to have built some momentum.

Caledonia, Heritage Academy will meet in public-private tilt

CALEDONIA — It just makes sense.

Ricky Kendrick and Brad Butler don’t see any reason why their teams should travel several hours or drive hundreds of miles when there is a capable opponent right in their backyard.

Heritage Academy’s Sharp named to All-Madden team

Blake Sharp left Florida with a good feeling.

The Heritage Academy senior tried not to think too much about his performance at the IMG All-Madden Camp in Bradenton, Fla., in July. After all, he has had classes and football to occupy a lot of his time.

Speedy forwards lead Immanuel Christian past Heritage Academy

The waiting is the hardest part.

When you’re a forward charged with scoring goals and you know you have the speed to beat a defender, it is so easy to jump the gun on a through ball and be whistled f

Central Academy’s Sciple doesn’t want gray feeling

MACON — The 2011 season is only two weeks old, but Central Academy football coach Ronnie Sciple already has enough gray hair.

Sciple doesn’t want any more, so he hopes the Vikings can shake their penchant for late-game heroics at 7 tonight when they take on Delta Academy.

New Hope will face tough test vs. Noxubee County

MACON — A week off wasn’t long enough for the New Hope High School football team.

Despite having an open week following a 17-12 victory against Louisville in its season opener Aug. 19, New Hope still will be battered and bruised at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it plays host to Noxubee County in its home opener.