Comer working back into form for Class 4A State meet

CALEDONIA — Aches and pains are part of a runner’s life.

Sometimes a good stretch or a long run can ease that discomfort and make everything right.

Noxubee County track and field wants to build on success

MACON — Depending on the season, sports talk in Noxubee County typically veers toward high school football or basketball.

But the Noxubee County High School boys and girls track and field teams are doing their best to get people talking about their success.

Central Academy slow-pitch softball wants to finish with crown

MACON — Seniors have a keen eye for detail.

So even though Kendall Taylor is standing down the left-field line, more than a few hundred feet away from a billboard that displays the years and titles won by previous Central Academy teams, she knows the sign is incomplete.

Heritage Academy will introduce Moore as new girls basketball coach

Yolanda Moore knew this day would come.

She just didn’t know when it would be.

At 3:30 p.m. today, the words of former University of Mississippi women’s basketball coach Van Chancellor likely will reverberate in Moore’s head when she is announced as the new girls basketball coach at Heritage Academy.

EMCC baseball rebounds after slow start to make postseason

Chris Rose knew he was in for a challenge when he became baseball coach at East Mississippi Community College.

Holifield, Sanders contribute in plenty of ways for NHHS softball

Pitchers often are put on a pedestal.

Right-handers can be referred to a left-handers, and lefties have a special way of doing things that makes them unique.

Those qualities are magnified in fast-pitch softball, especially at the elite levels of Division I, where pitchers usually are asked to do one thing: Pitch.

Lauren Holifield and D.J. Sanders are breaking that mold.

Heritage Academy’s Farnham signs with EMCC

Every team needs glue.

Squads also need leaders who pick teammates up and help keep spirits elevated in trying times.

Tyler Farnham is all of that in one player.

Nason III set to take over Hebron Christian football

Football always has fascinated Gerald “Tri” Nason III.

Hester will coach CSBL’s GT Jets

Being away from baseball hasn’t diminished Stacy Hester’s love for the sport.

Now he hopes his latest opportunity will help him get a chance to return to the game he loves.

Ridgeland ends West Point’s season

WEST POINT — Ben Boykin wasn’t comfortable.

Between fidgets and an inability to get his breaking ball over consistently, the Ridgeland High School starting pitcher was searching for his groove.

It’s comforting how a bunch of runs can help someone settle in.

Family ties, tradition help motivate New Hope baseball

Landon Boyd grew up at Trojan Field.

Not only did the future New Hope High School baseball player learn the ins and outs of the sport watching his brothers Lee and Russ at the park, he also enjoyed countless rides on the “gator,” or the mower coaches used to drag the infield before and after games.

Peyton Lee gleaned the same tradition-rich habits watching former Trojans, including his brother, Davis, who was a senior on the 2010 New Hope High baseball team.

New Hope seniors will make one final run

Brandi Brantley and Anna Holley have spent their high school careers immersed in tradition.

Their senior softball season started the same way: with another state title. The New Hope High School slow-pitch team won its fourth championship in a row, and second in a row in Class 5A, in October, closing an illustrious chapter in their career.

Columbus baseball will try to build on finish

Jeffrey Cook didn’t think the idea was crazy.

After all, Hunter Mullis had just delivered a performance beyond his wildest expectations to help keep the Columbus High School baseball team’s season alive.

Stafford, Bryan, Hawkins power New Hope past Lanier

Now the real fun begins.

Judging from its performance Monday, the New Hope High School baseball team appears ready to make some noise.

Taylor Stafford and Kameron Bryan hit home runs to back the pitching of Dillon Hawkins in a 16-1 victory against Jackson Lanier in game two of the opening-round Class 5A North State playoff series at Trojan Field.

Davidson has special day for Pickens Academy

CARROLLTON, Ala. — Chase Davidson is used to the silent treatment.

The Pickens Academy senior typically likes to be to himself in the dugout when he pitches, and his teammates usually oblige by giving him a wide berth.

Last week, the Pirates went out of their way to make Davidson feel alone. Davidson didn’t notice, though, just like he didn’t realize he was throwing a no-hitter against Southern Academy.

New Hope will revamp attack, look for new identity

Michael Bradley has been coaching long enough to know the terms.

Rebuilding. Reloading. Both words mean essentially the same thing, just with a different slant.

NEMCC makes it official, hires Alexander

Brian Alexander has coached all over the state of Mississippi, so it was easy for the teacher/coach to find his way home.

Northeast Mississippi Community College made it official Wednesday when it named the former Columbus High School and former NEMCC student assistant/manager the school’s new women’s basketball coach.

NEMCC set to name former Columbus assistant women’s basketball coach

Sammy Smith knows a great hire when he hears about one.

When he learned Tuesday night that Northeast Mississippi Community College planned today to name Brian Alexander its new women’s basketball coach, Smith couldn’t help but smile.

Heritage Academy’s Westmoreland stays poised in windy conditions

There was a time when Caleb Westmoreland’s game would have blown away in conditions like the ones players faced Tuesday at Columbus Country Club.

A double bogey on No. 8 and another on No. 9 had the Heritage Academy senior golfer at 5-over and reeling as he searched for ways to regroup on the back nine.

Wind gusts of 20-25 mph didn’t help settle Westmoreland’s mind.

Heritage Academy golf team will try for fifth win in a row

It’s all about the competition for the Heritage Academy golf team.

In a sport where the success of multiple players helps the team accomplish more, the Patriots have relied on contributions from each of the top players in their lineup as well as the improved play of individuals outside the top four.