New Hope will play host to jamboree at MSU

There is something to be said for a high school football team playing host to a 10-team jamboree at its school.

It’s another thing when that team gets a chance to play host to the event at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.

Consistency is game for Caledonia’s Dolan

CALEDONIA — Marlana Dolan has to be ready for anything.

As a setter, she would love to receive perfect passes so she has time to set up and to pick her hitters to help them deliver kills for the Caledonia High School volleyball team.

But any setter knows that is a dream that is rarely realized.

Immanuel Christian will try to build

STEENS — The prospect of not having any seniors would scare some coaches and players.

But Ray Campbell and his Immanuel Christian girls soccer team are looking forward to the challenge of building with youth.

Hollivay makes impression at Nike Nationals

Rachel Hollivay already is one of the best girls basketball players in the Class of 2012.

Ranked in the top 10 by nearly every national recruiting service, the Heritage Academy junior has attracted interest from coaches from all over the country.

But Hollivay did something last week that made all of the scouts and coaches take notice.

Caledonia volleyball team optimistic pieces still in place

CALEDONIA — Samantha Brooks loves to build.

Three seasons ago, Brooks took over as head coach of the Caledonia High School volleyball program with a stable of sophomores.

She realized at the time those players had the potential to help establish the foundation for a program.

The best thing about sophomores is they become juniors and then seniors.

Boren hopes Heritage Academy continue to progress

Krisi Boren saw the progress last season.

After making it to the Division II state title game in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools in 2008, Boren watched as her team adjusted to playing against Division I competition in ’09.

The Lady Patriots experienced their share of growing pains, going 6-7 and finishing fourth in their district.

Rice earned honor of being ‘The Greatest’

Imagine having to toil in obscurity.

It wouldn’t matter if you had the fastest feet, the stickiest hands, or the steadiest demeanor. The only ones your talents would delight would be family and friends and, possibly, a lucky fan who happened by the stadium where you played.

Finding a way to beat the heat

Michael Bradley isn’t alone.

Like most of his peers, the New Hope High School football coach was elated to start another season. Bradley has an extra bounce in his step because the Trojans are coming off an 11-win season in 2009 and have a team that has the potential to be even more successful this year.

But as eager as Bradley is to get this season started, he wasn’t very happy about when his team had to begin its preseason workouts.

Tapley will lead Hebron Christian in circle, at plate

Chloe Tapley is used to taking the initiative.

As a pitcher, Tapley is one of the area’s most proficient strikeout artists.

At the plate, where she admits she doesn’t feel she is as productive, Tapley has learned to slap or to get on base to help her team any way she can.

SA’s Jackson throws gem

WEST POINT — Sometimes it is as easy as sling it or chunk it.

Julianne Jackson admits she doesn’t have an array of pitches, but Monday she showed a simple approach is extremely effective.

Hebron falls short in bid to win title

What a way to kick off the season.

Coming off a victory Friday against Starkville Academy, the Hebron Christian fast-pitch softball team knew Saturday could be a long day at the Winona Christian tournament.

The team’s stay nearly lasted as long as it expected.

After losing their first game in their second game at the double-elimination tournament, the Lady Eagles battled back to win their next three games before eing eliminated with a 5-1 loss to Canton Academy.

Fans should be positve supporting their teams

Expectations can be difficult for student-athletes and parents to handle.

As another high school sports scene begins its first official full week today, all teams still have an optimistic glow about them. Most Mississippi Association of Independent Schools fast-pitch softball teams began their seasons Friday and Saturday, while some MAIS football teams — including Starkville Academy — will scrimmages later this week.

Work pays off for Starkville Academy

Jessica Dickens hopes the work the Starkville Academy fast-pitch softball team put in in the offseason will pay dividends this season.

If Saturday is any indication, the Lady Volunteers should be just fine.

Coming off a loss to Hebron Christian on Friday, Starkville Academy defeated Heritage Academy 19-2 in five innings and Central Academy 16-13 before losing 8-3 to Oak Hill Academy in its third and final game at the Heritage Academy tournament at Propst Park.

Oak Hill Academy goes unbeaten

Mamie Allen was ready.

The Oak Hill Academy pitcher had talked with coach Marion Bratton, so she knew she likely would start in the circle Saturday for the team’s first two games of the Heritage Academy tournament at Propst Park.

The sophomore right-hander didn’t mind she would have to shoulder such a load in 90-plus degree heat.

Oah Hill Academy softball team has depth

WEST POINT — Depth was a problem for Oak Hill Academy fast-pitch softball coach Marion Bratton in 2009.

Season-ending injuries to Paige Dawkins and Mary Helon Hays left the Lady Raiders without two starters and created openings for younger players.

Without two key contributors on offense, Bratton’s team had little margin for error and was forced to live with the growing pains associated with an inexperienced squad.

Hebron Christian counting on experience

Cass Tapley hopes experience equals urgency this season.

A year ago, the Hebron Christian fast-pitch softball coach could only scratch his head and wonder about his team.

The Lady Eagles sputtered through the first part of the season and seldom resembled the team Tapley knew it could be.

Youth movement in place for Heritage Academy fast-pitch softball

Bud Lowe will play a numbers game this season.

The hope for Lowe, who is in his first season as Heritage Academy fast-pitch softball coach, is that those numbers — how many players he has on his team and how many victories the squad gets — will only get bigger.

Simmons, Dill chosen to GSC All-Decade Team

Walt Simmons has plenty of stories to tell.

Whether it has been at Oak Hill Academy in West Point or at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Ala., Simmons has left his mark as a standout athlete. He also has learned more than his share of valuable lessons from peers who were more talented and more experienced.

Now working as a career coach at Gadsden State Community College, Simmons’ job is to help high school and college students figure out what direction they want to take their lives and the best way to realize their goals.

Malone, Farmer JC bound

Two former West Lowndes High School student-athletes will depart next month for new college homes.

On Tuesday, recent West Lowndes graduate Demetrius Malone signed a scholarship to play baseball and basketball at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale.

Malone won’t be the Panthers’ only former multi-sport athlete to take his skills to junior college in August.

Davis joins Immanuel staff

Bubba Davis and Aaron Lee are excited to be part of the Immanuel Center for Christian Education’s growth.

For Davis, it’s only natural he will work in his role on the football field.

The former football coach at West Point and Columbus high schools recently finalized plans to work as an assistant coach to Shawn Gates on the ICCE football team. Davis already has begun work with Gates and assistant coach Daniel Merchant and Lee, who also will work as an assistant football coach, girls track and field coach, and a Spanish teacher at the school.