Columbus girls fall to Northwest Rankin

HORN LAKE — The clapping will echo into the offseason.

Columbus High School’s Brelana Coleman stood just inside halfcourt and pounded her hands together after teammate KeKe Patterson was fouled. Patterson was about to hit two free throws to cut a 24-point second-quarter deficit in half midway through the third quarter.

Surely Columbus couldn’t come all the way back and upset Northwest Rankin to earn a berth in the state tournament.

‘Special K’ has played big for Columbus High girls

Post play isn’t suited for those with weak dispositions.

But Kameron Corrothers and Kierra Erby are proving you don’t have to be the biggest players on the court to hold your own.

Defense helps Vanderbilt women rally past MSU

STARKVILLE — Nearly all of the avenues were closed for Diamber Johnson.

Wherever the Mississippi State junior point guard turned, a defender was waiting for her. In the first half, Vanderbilt’s Jence Rhoads, Angela Puleo, Christina Foggie, Jasmine Lister, and Elan Brown all took turns shadowing Johnson and doing their best to limit her good looks at the basket.

But the Commodores turned to Rhoads at crunch time.

Patterson’s free throw lifts Columbus past Southaven

Don’t underestimate the bounce.

After missing the first of two free throws with four seconds remaining, KeKe Patterson wasn’t about to buy into the hype.

MSU women still looking to get tougher

Sharon Fanning-Otis is sticking with the plan.

Hearing her talk about toughness, focus, rebounding, turnovers, and togetherness might be getting old, but the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach knows good things will happen for her team the more it embraces each of those concepts.

Hollivay’s personality has come through at Heritage Academy

Rachel Hollivay is getting better every day. Even though the Heritage Academy junior admits she isn’t 100 percent, her ability to affect a game still remains high.

South Carolina women rally past MSU

STARKVILLE — The focus and toughness to win in the Southeastern Conference was on display Sunday at Humphrey Coliseum.

Unfortunately, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team had to watch as South Carolina played with the poise and tenacity it takes to contend in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.

MSU will try to avoid lapses

OXFORD — The building blocks are coming more regularly and for longer stretches of time for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

The nagging problem, though, remains how to shake the scoring lulls from the team’s system.

Ewings, Walker help West Point girls win title

WEST POINT — A nine-point halftime deficit is an anthill to the Oxford High School girls basketball team.

After losing twice to Oxford in the regular season, Kelsei Ewings knew the Chargers were going to ratchet up their full-court pressure defense a few notches, so she challenged teammate NeKeisha Walker.

Oxford boys outlast West Point

WEST POINT — If you’re going to play fast, it’s crucial to play smart.

Each mistake — forced or unforced — gets magnified when you’re up against an equally talented opponent that can match your athleticism.

Layups help West Lowndes rally past East Webster

Don’t underestimate the power of a layup.

There probably is some statistical analysis that will prove a team can score more points if it shoots more 3-pointers at a certain percentage than two-point field goals in a game.

Govero gives MSU women lift in win vs. Ole Miss

OXFORD — There’s vertical and then there’s the veer.

Mary Kathryn Govero doesn’t mind which one she uses because both are just as deadly.

Bett hopes to double her efforts

Catina Bett is getting close.

As much as playing in 41 games at the University of Kentucky gave her a taste for life in the Southeastern Conference, the 2010-11 season has been one of adjustments.

Ward’s play has been infectious for Aberdeen boys

ABERDEEN — Everything Fred Ward does this school year is infectious.

On the football field, the standout defensive linemen emerged as a valuable team leader who helped guide Aberdeen High School to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A title game for the second season in a row.

Robertson’s free throws help West Point beat New Hope

WEST POINT — There was no doubt in the mind of Laquintis Robertson.

Yes, there was a foul. Yes, the official’s whistle caught it with time left on the clock. And yes, Robertson was going to do his part.

Unfazed by a timeout called to ice him, Robertson drained the first two of three free throws and then walked calmly to the sideline after another timeout.

Davis shows all-around game for West Point

WEST POINT — Wilma Davis can shoot the basketball.

Wilma Davis can shoot the ball so well that she sometimes camps out in either corner and settles for a shot on the first pass that comes her way.

For all of you who thought Davis was only a shooter, think again.

Sanders healthy, ready for second season at EMCC

The rough part is history.

Now DeShuni Sanders can concentrate on playing softball.

A little more than four months after having surgery on her right knee, the former New Hope High School softball standout is ready to start her sophomore season at East Mississippi Community College. EMCC will kick off the 2011 campaign at 2 p.m. today with a doubleheader against No. 12 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in Perkinston.

Jackson Academy ends Heritage Academy’s season

Matt Sykes looks like a goalkeeper

With a red bandana, fluorescent lime green jersey — stained through from plenty of dives on the sopping turf, and a hyperactive ability to move from post to post, the sophomore maneuvers unlike someone who has started only seven varsity matches.

MSU women try to end losing skid

STARKVILLE — Sharon Fanning-Otis knows her team is improving.

But the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s rate of improvement hasn’t been able to match the pace of the rest of the teams in the Southeastern Conference.

MSU women fall short of first SEC win

STARKVILLE — Close doesn’t mean anything to Diamber Johnson.

It didn’t after the second Southeastern Conference loss to Arkansas, and it meant even less Thursday night after yet another frustrating performance.