Articles by Adam Minichino
EMCC to induct eight into Hall
Dedication, determination, and perseverance have been trademarks of athletes for generations. More than 50 years ago, those intangibles were even more important because football wasn’t as gentlemanly a game as it is today.
Area coaches say players ready tonight
The playoff push continues in earnest tonight for five Lowndes County football teams. Some need a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive, while others will look to improve their playoff standing in hopes of earning a chance to play host to one of those matchups.
New Hope’s Holifield adjusts to slower pitch
Lauren Holifield already is an accomplished softball player.
New Hope sweeps Pearl, moves on to state finals
D.J. Sanders and Jessica Moore each had three hits in game one, and Lauren Holifield had four hits in game two to lead New Hope to 12-2 and 11-4 victories against Pearl in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half title series.
UAB’s Shed helps besides rushing
Pat Shed would love to be the one who always is the last player shown on that footage. But the University of Alabama at Birmingham running back has learned there is much more to being a productive football player than scoring touchdowns.
Sanders key performer for New Hope softball
D.J. Sanders has been playing softball for so long it she seems like she is a seasoned veteran.
If you didn’t know better, you wouldn’t believe Sanders is only a freshman on the New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team.
East Oktibbeha’s Hunter learns to read, react on field
CRAWFORD — Chris Hunter is seeing a clearer picture of what will work on the football field.
Even though he has only a year of experience playing quarterback at the varsity level, Hunter showed Friday he is learning how to play the position and that he is maturing as a leader.
Atkins, Imel lead Lady Lions
HAMILTON — The Hamilton High School slow-pitch softball is right on schedule.
Challenged earlier in the year not to be the first team in 17 years to fail to advance to the playoffs, the Lady Lions are now one step away from playing for another state title.
Holeman returns to beat MSU
Steve Holeman’s return to the state he called home for 15 years wasn’t a scoreless endeavor.
Caledonia has playoffs on its mind
One win can work wonders.
A week ago, the Caledonia High School football team was mired in a losing streak that spanned two coaches and dated to 2008.
This week, the community, school, and Confederates are buzzing about the team’s chance to do something that hasn’t happened since 2005: reaching the playoffs.
New Hope softball seniors have grown into leaders
Maturation is a key component of championship formulas.
As the years change, coaches hope younger players notice the habits and tendencies of the older ones and come to make them their own.
MSU women’s basketball searching for toughness
STARKVILLE — The players have changed, but the message is the same.
As much as Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Sharon Fannning-Otis might not want to be redundant, the things that were keys to a special 2009-10 season will determine if the 2010-11 squad will be able to match that success.
Woodard solid leader on, off court for MSU volleyball
STARKVILLE — Kayla Woodard’s path to Starkville wasn’t conventional.
It’s not often volleyball players from small schools in the state of Alabama go largely unrecruited, accept an offer to walk on at a Division I school, earn a scholarship, and become one of their team’s most valuable players on and off the court.
Immanuel Christian wants to add playoffs to its vocabulary
STEENS — Something is brewing on the football field at Immanuel Christian.
Fueled by a new-found “tough” mind-set and confidence, Immanuel Christian defeated Houlka 14-13 last week for the first 11-man victory in school history.
Doubters only motivate West Alabama’s Poe
Gabe Poe doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional linebacker.
Listed at 5-foot-8, 205 pounds, you might think Poe’s size would be best utilized in the secondary.
But every position is fair game when you have a motor like Poe’s.
Columbus dedicates land for new indoor facility
Finally.
That was the sentiment shared by everyone in attendance Monday for the dedication of land that will soon be home to a new indoor facility for the Columbus High School baseball and softball programs.
Typical labels don’t apply to WLHS’ Wilson
On paper, Antonio Wilson is just another name on a page.
At 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, the West Lowndes High School junior running back would be considered small by all standards.
But size tells only part of the story for a running back.
Oak Hill Academy, Hebron Christian fall short of titles
Monday marked the end of the line for two local fast-pitch softball programs, but the coaches couldn’t have been prouder of the how their teams fared.
Oak Hill Academy lost to Bowling Green, La., 4-2 in a losers’ bracket game Monday at the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AA State Tournament, while Hebron Christian defeated Franklin Academy (La.) 15-7 and lost to Sylva Bay Academy 8-1.
Lafayette does what it takes in playoffs
Teams have to be willing to do anything and everything at playoff time.
