Columbus’ Newman signs to play soccer at Meridian CC

Cameron Newman isn’t all about soccer.

The Columbus High School senior loves the game, but he also knows the importance of getting a quality education.

Newman has his sights set on majoring in psychology, and he knows Meridian Community College’s reputation as one of the state’s top junior colleges would help him take his first step toward realizing that goal.

It doesn’t hurt that Newman also will get a chance to play soccer at MCC.

MSU women will try to get back on track

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team can be thankful it is a member of the Southeastern Conference.

But the parity in the league that its coaches have praised so much this season just might prove to the undoing of the Lady Bulldogs.

MSU women show energy in victory

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — One big hop is all Mary Kathryn Govero needs.

When Govero is in rhythm and “feeling it,” she typically steps into her outside shot with a jump that gives her balance and allows her to get maximum lift.

Thursday was one of those nights.

Victory Christian girls capture ACEAA championship

Sports never follow a plan.

If they did, Chris Hamm’s speech Saturday following the title game of the Alabama Christian Education Athletic Association Division I State Tournament would have praised the players for their effort and convinced them that the 2010-11 season was theirs to win a championship.

Less practice time creates concern as baseball season starts

Brandon Johnson didn’t have a busy Saturday at the Columbus High School baseball jamboree.

He’d like to hope the rest of the season will be as uneventful, but he knows better.

The start of another baseball season has Johnson concerned he might be right.

Auburn holds MSU to lowest scoring output of season

STARKVILLE — Senioritis came on the wrong day for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

With a chance to solidify its chances to earn a first-round bye to the Southeastern Conference Tournament next month in Duluth, Ga., the Lady Bulldogs played their most uninspired and unfocused game of the season.

Alli Smalley and Auburn were only too happy to take advantage.

New Hope provides special moment

Time doesn’t stop in life or in sports.

As soon as one task or game ends, another is ready on the to-do list or a click away via the remote.

But sometimes special moments force you to pause for a moment of reflection.

EMCC men face uncertainties

Mark White isn’t sure what he’ll get today.

His East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team is still dealing with sickness that affected the Lions on Thursday in a loss to Northeast Mississippi C.C. in the regular-season finale.

Heritage Academy baseball sweeps doubleheader

The beauty of having young, inexperienced players is coaches never know what they’re going to get.

After falling behind 3-0 in the season opener to Winston Academy, Heritage Academy baseball coach Steve Hancock wasn’t sure how his team would respond.

Pickens Academy girls savor title

CARROLLTON, Ala. — The trophy fits nicely in the hands of Tate Fuller, Catherine Johnson, and Callie Minor.

With one of the nets from the team’s victory Friday against Lakeside Christian draped on the trophy’s basketball, the players’ reflections blurred together as Johnson held the trophy Monday for a picture.

Rack finds sport she loves on the hardwood

STARKVILLE — Pearl Rack had dreams for her daughter.

As someone who enjoys dancing and as a past sponsor of the Franklin High School (La.) dance team, Pearl imagined a day when her youngest child, Alexis, would take the stage for a performance and delight audiences with her moves.

Pearl decided to assist Alexis with her steps by enrolling her in a dance class.

But Alexis wouldn’t move.

New Hope nipped in double overtime

In the end, their hearts couldn’t be questioned.

That was little solace Friday night to coach Drew McBrayer and the members of the New Hope High School boys basketball team, who were left shaking their heads at what could have been.

Four and seven tenths, or was it 6.9 seconds?

Did Johnathan Brandon foul Callaway High’s Deville Smith on the last-second 3-pointer?

Those questions will haunt a game New Hope team for a long time because the Trojans weren’t satisfied with the answers they received on their home floor.

Swindoll offers Mississippi Hardball.com on web

Baseball fans in the state of Mississippi should have a new gold mine of information available to them very soon.

Gene Swindoll, whose Web site, Gene’s Page, has been covering Mississippi State athletics, including recruiting, since 1996, hopes to bring Mississippi Hardball on line at the end of this week.

The site, www.MississippiHardball.com, will focus on junior college, high school, and travel teams and players in and from the state of Mississippi. Swindoll said there will be some carryover of coverage of senior colleges, particularly when it comes to MSU baseball recruiting news, but he said the site will concentrate its efforts on recruiting.

Columbus powerlifting team second in region

The Columbus High School powerlifting team is making progress.

A year ago, the Falcons advanced four athletes to the North Half State meet. The number was a start for a program that was beginning to understand the benefits of weight training.

This year, Columbus nearly doubled that number at the Region 1-6A meet on Feb. 12 at Calhoun City High.

The Falcons placed seven competitors in the top three spots and finished with 43 points, just behind champion Tupelo (44 points).

Columbus baseball jamboree greeted by nice weather

The six teams that participated Saturday in the jamboree at Columbus High School couldn’t have asked for better weather to open their seasons.

The spring-like temperatures only 13 days into the official start of Mississippi High School Activities Association baseball season provided a welcome setting for teams eager to get their seasons started later this week.

And while some teams were ahead of others, the consensus is that everyone will get better with more time on the field.

Softball pitching rubber moved back

The distance — three feet — is negligible.

At one or two steps, most players travel that distance countless times in the blink of an eye during a game.

But that three feet could turn out to play a big difference in Mississippi High School Activities Association fast-pitch softball this season.

MHSAA teams will play on fields with pitching rubbers at 43 feet. Last year, the pitching rubbers were at 40 feet. It might take a blink of eye to cover the added three feet, but any added time players get to see pitches could help give them an advantage at the plate.

Taylor displays improved speed sprinting to win

Pulling tires up and down a mile-long road might sound like a training tactic used for a Strongman competition.

Zach Taylor isn’t there yet, but he used the specialized form of exercise to open his track and field season with a bang.

Competing last week at the South Zone Indoor Championship in Baton Rouge, La., the Heritage Academy freshman finished first in the 60-meter dash (7.24 seconds) and fourth in the 200 (24.59) in the intermediate boys division.

Canton girls end New Hope’s season

Melissa Word wants the ball in the hands of LaPrecious Thompson at the end of the game.

Not only does the Canton High School junior guard have a smooth handle, but she also has a sweet touch from the free-throw line.

Defense does trick for New Hope

The New Hope High School boys basketball team didn’t bowl anyone over Tuesday night with its offensive effort.

But the Trojans threw all strikes on the defensive end.

Noxubee County’s Mallard more than just a shooter

MACON — Daquarius Mallard smiles when he hears the description of his game: “Drop-dead shooter.”

The words are those of Noxubee County High School boys basketball coach T.J. Billups, and Mallard doesn’t quibble with the moniker.