Articles by Adam Minichino
Ewings leads West Point girls past New Hope
Kelsei Ewings is a hard to contain.
The West Point High School senior has a smooth handle with either handle and shooting range that extends beyond the 3-point arc.
The 5-foot-4 guard also isn’t afraid to throw her body into the fray for rebounds against bigger bodies.
Trojans deliver fight McBrayer knows they will need
The New Hope High School boys basketball team hasn’t had the biggest or the fastest or the most talented array of players the past two seasons.
But the Trojans have made up for what they have lacked in those areas with a gritty, never-say-die mentality that has fueled their success.
On Tuesday, New Hope coach Drew McBrayer saw signs that his latest team might have found that same mentality.
EMCC’s Tate striving for consistency
When shooters are “on” their “stroke” makes them feel like they can hit any shot from any spot on the floor.
To get to that point where a shot becomes second nature, players often have to shoot hundreds — if not thousands — of shots before and/or after practice to become a sniper.
Natalie Tate is working toward that goal, but she admits she has to develop the consistency she and her coach desire.
Starkville boys, Columbus girls win
Right or left?
Steve Brand didn’t have a lot of time to analyze which direction would work best, so he went with the flow.
Veering right, Brand rubbed a defender off a screen at the top of the 3-point arc with the game in his hand.
Chambers sisters provide leadership for MSMS
The voice is distinctive.
Even if they have tracked back into the defensive third and are lost in a sea of bodies, Megan and Cayla Chambers can pick out a call from their sister.
MSU players will participate in Soccer Across America event in Columbus
STARKVILLE — Tarah Henderson and Jasmine Simmons are excited about the opportunity to celebrate the game of soccer and to introduce it to children who might no know a lot about it.
The Mississippi State soccer players will serve as guest instructors in a Soccer Across America program that will hold four soccer clinics at Stokes-Beard Technology and Communication Magnet School. All four of the sessions will run from 1-2 p.m. at the school. They will be Tuesday, Thursday, Feb. 1 and Feb. 3.
MSU women still trying to find identity
STARKVILLE — Nell Fortner knows what it’s like to reload.
Two seasons ago, the Auburn University women’s basketball team was at the top of the Southeastern Conference. Buoyed by the efforts of four seniors, including eventual SEC Player of the Year DeWanna Bonner, the Tigers went 12-2 in the league, advanced to the title game of the SEC tournament, and won 30 games before falling in the second round of NCAA tournament.
Auburn women rallies past MSU
STARKVILLE — Teams typically can shake off one mistake.
A second will test a squad’s resolve, but it, too, can be erased with execution, focus, and togetherness.
The Mississippi State women’s basketball team is still trying to find a consistent way to deliver those three ingredients for 40 minutes.
New Hope’s Shelton signs with Wallace State
Jared Shelton isn’t the player he used to be.
Growing up, Shelton wasn’t the biggest player on his teams, which made him realize he needed to do more than just work hard in practice.
MSU’s JUCO players still making transition
STARKVILLE — Porsha Porter has heard the talk.
“She can’t make a layup,” or “she can’t shoot the ball.”
The Mississippi State guard acknowledges she has encountered a few bumps in the road in her first season in Starkville. But the transfer from Jefferson College (Mo.) is trying to find her shooting touch and to grow more comfortable as a Division I basketball player.
New Hope’s Hawkins signs with EMCC
Nothing was going to prevent Josh Snider from being where he wanted to be Tuesday afternoon.
After more than three years of recruiting New Hope High School pitcher Dillon Hawkins, Snider finally realized his goal and watched with excitement as Hawkins signed a scholarship to play baseball at East Mississippi Community College.
MSMS soccer sweeps Aberdeen
The Mississippi School for Math and Science soccer teams are making Morri Mims and Dr. Bill Odom look like coaching geniuses.
Taylor Potter had three goals Tuesday night to lead the MSMS boys to a 9-0 victory against Aberdeen in a Class 1A-2A-3A Division 2, District 4 match at the Joe Cook Soccer Complex in Columbus.
Erica McCoy and Carlee Odom scored for the MSMS girls in their 2-0 victory.
EMCC’s Gunter returns to court after second ACL injury
Jamie Gunter doesn’t want to waste any more time.
That thought has stuck in her mind since August. It has pulsed through her veins in every session in the training room. It has helped quiet any doubt or apprehension she felt about attempting to come back from another anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Kentucky to test women’s scoring
The Mississippi State women’s basketball team has to change its identity.
LSU runs past Lady Bulldogs
Catina Bett forgot life in the Southeastern Conference was this much fun.
MSU women still looking for toughness
Mary Kathryn Govero doesn’t have all of the answers.
But the senior guard has played in enough games to know what is ailing the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
MSU women can’t come all way back
STARKVILLE — Lessons usually come easier when student-athletes have complete focus.
But attention to detail typically isn’t a strength of teams packed with inexperienced pieces trying to find their chemistry.
The Mississippi State women’s basketball team learned that lesson again Sunday afternoon.
Gaynor working herself back into form for MSU women
The time for sitting is over.
It’s time for “speed on speed.”
Darriel Gaynor admits she isn’t there yet, but the Mississippi State sophomore is going to do everything in her power to get back to that point this season and for the rest of her career as a Lady Bulldog.
Adam Minichino: MSU men left lacking in loss
Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury warned everyone Dee Bost wasn’t going to be the panacea for what ails his team this season.
