MSU soccer opens today vs. Arkansas State

STARKVILLE — Neil Macdonald is counting on his Mississippi State women’s soccer team’s fitness level being an advantage.

If the Bulldogs’ first test was any indication, Macdonald will enter the season opener at 2 p.m. today against Arkansas State with a little more confidence.

Plott happy to be back at Pickens County

REFORM, Ala. — Patrick Plott is happy to be back closer to home.

If he had his choice, he never would have left Pickens County High School and his job as the school’s football coach. But a certification issue and the lack of a certified teaching position at the school resulted in Plott leaving the school after only one season leading the football program.

New Hope’s Bryan will get shot at Mississippi Delta

Kameron Bryan thought it was over.

He attended tryout after tryout and trained and trained to keep the hope alive that someone would give him a chance to play baseball in college.

Winona Christian blanks Immanuel Christian

STEENS — Success for the Winona Christian football team this season will start with the offensive line.

That may sound like a simple statement applicable to any team, but when you have seven seniors on your roster capable of playing on the offensive or defensive lines, you’re going to win a lot of battles up front.

Allen’s hat trick sparks Starkville Academy

A little communication goes a long way.

Robert Gardner only wishes it hadn’t taken a disappointing loss to Presbyterian Christian to affect that kind of change.

Columbus High football faces stern test in Aberdeen

Now that the word is out, the Columbus High School football team will have to be even better.

Columbus delivered a mild surprise Saturday, breaking out to a 21-0 lead en route to a 27-12 victory against Noxubee County in the second annual Fall High School Jamboree at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.

Pitching, defense leads Hamilton slow-pitch softball

CALEDONIA — Pitching and defense don’t discriminate.

Although the combination typically may be associated more often with fast-pitch softball, the Hamilton High School slow-pitch team showed Thursday how far that timely tandem can take a team.

Bramble hopes mental approach lifts Alabama

Todd Bramble is ready to take it to the next level.

The former Clemson University women’s soccer coach has spent the past three years rebuilding the University of Alabama’s women’s soccer program.

Pickens Academy hopes to show physical side

CARROLLTON, Ala. — John Gartman isn’t going to change the identity of the Pickens Academy football team because one player graduated.

West Point gearing up for South Panola game

WEST POINT — The bleachers are ready.

The grass has been sprayed and cut.

The bleachers are on campus and set to be arranged.

The field will be painted Friday.

MSU women’s basketball excited to get started

Sharon Fanning-Otis raring to go.

It’s less than two months before the start of practice before the 2011-12 season, but the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach already is geared up for bigger and better things.

First month and a half has been whirlwind for Stuedeman

STARKVILLE — Vann Stuedeman is accustomed to whirlwinds.

When you’re a coach who prefers hugs over handshakes and you can energize a room when you walk in, it’s easy to see why Stuedeman has felt comfortable in her new job as Mississippi State softball coach.

Heritage Academy volleyball earns first victory

Liz Fields and Liz Byrne never could have imagined their construction project would go like this.

As volleyball veterans who played the sport in college, Fields and Byrne brought enthusiasm and a love for the game to their initial practices with Heritage Academy’s first-year volleyball program.

Ole Miss volleyball ready to go higher

OXFORD — Joe Getzin knows the perils of involved in reaching the pinnacle of his profession.

He also realizes it sometimes is even tougher to remain at that elite level.

Stanfield has power surge in first two games

Kasey Stanfield isn’t going to let a power surge go to her head.

The third baseman also doesn’t feel any added pressure to deliver the long ball hitting in the cleanup spot in the batting order.

Marchant brings up-tempo approach to Sulligent

SULLIGENT, Ala. — Scott Marchant looks good in blue.

After spending the past nine years wearing the cardinal, black, and white of Pickens County High School, Marchant now patrols the sidelines at Sulligent High wearing royal blue.

Fair, Myles lead Starkville past McComb

STARKVILLE — The template is set, and David Fair doesn’t care if it means he has to be everywhere to execute it.

On Saturday, Fair showed he and his teammates on the Starkville High School defense are up to the challenge.

Louisville passing attack grounds West Point

STARKVILLE — The difference in the huddles was noticeable.

On one side, a coach told his players they are a “four-quarter team” and encouraged the silent bunch to keep its head up.

Down the left sideline, a giddy group of Wildcats couldn’t contain themselves as they celebrated.

Aberdeen blanks Morton at MSU

STARKVILLE — Josh Williams hasn’t taken a lot of snaps with the Aberdeen High School varsity football team.

But Williams doesn’t need to spend a lot off time under center to know size when he sees — and feels — it.

Six area football teams set for jamboree at MSU

It’s finally here, and it just so happens it will be played on an even bigger stage.

Six area teams will participate today in the second annual New Hope Jamboree at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.