Johnson’s role changes on MSU women’s basketball team

STARKVILLE — Diamber Johnson was ready for a different role this season.

After playing a larger than expected role as a freshman last season, Johnson knew the return of senior guard Marneshia Richard was going to change things.

Johnson realized she probably was going to see fewer minutes, but Richard’s return also was going to give her a chance to earn some valuable on-the-job training in practice against an experienced guard.

But point guards always have to be ready because circumstances can change in an instant.

ESPN begins women’s basketball coverage with Tennessee game

Women’s basketball fans can rejoice.

ESPN and its family of networks will kick off a schedule of 250 women’s basketball games at 4 p.m. today (ESPN2) when Baylor plays at Tennessee in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic.

The game will be the first of a season filled with women’s basketball on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com and ESPN Full Court.

The schedule will be the biggest ever by the family of networks.

MSU’s Kalonda seeks good start to season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Sharon Fanning-Otis hopes to see a lot of smiles from Rima Kalonda this season.

If that’s the case, Fanning-Otis and the Lady Bulldogs will know the senior is feeling fine and is doing her best to contribute.

The 6-foot-3 senior center got off to a good start Sunday when she had 15 points, seven rebounds, and six blocked shots in a 106-34 victory against Division II Arkansas-Monticello in an exhibition game at Humphrey Coliseum.

West Point focuses on winning state championship

Ever since the start of practice in August, the Green Wave have been focused on winning a state title.

The championship would be the program’s first since 2005, and it would give seniors like Xavier Hogan and Jeremy Cannon a chance to leave a permanent mark — not one left in magic marker — on the program.

Hogan, Cannon, and the rest of the Green Wave will begin that journey at 7 tonight when they play host to Canton (4-7) in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North Half State playoffs.

Hodges out to help Aberdeen extend winning streak

ABERDEEN — A 100-plus yard effort last week wasn’t what Victor Hodges expected.

It’s not that the Aberdeen High School junior is hard on himself, it’s just that he knows an “OK” effort isn’t going to help get the job done at playoff time.

“I could have had two touchdowns, but I tripped on one,” Hodges said.

Hodges will try to help Aberdeen (10-2) push its winning streak to 10 at 7 tonight when it plays at Ripley (6-5) in the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A North Half State playoffs.

Williams becomes player for New Hope

Ahmad Williams might not want to admit it, but his journey from a football novice to starter on the New Hope High School football team makes for a good story.

Williams, though, isn’t one to boast about his accomplishments, and he is currently writing a book about a battle in a fantasy world, so it will be a while before he takes the time to tell his story in his words.

Team concept pushes Noxubee County closer to title

MACON — Patrick Patterson and Vincent Sanders have attracted a lot of attention the past two seasons.

A lot of publicity about the Noxubee County High School football team has accompanied the attention the standout wide receivers have generated.

Victory Christian overcomes obstacles to win CFA title

The wait was worth it for the Victory Christian football team.

In a season that even on its final day nothing seemed to go according to plan, the Eagles took care of business like they thought they would.

Jones returns to Golden Triangle as coach at Callaway

Daryl Jones likes basketball.

As a coach at Callaway High School in Jackson, Jones is in a perfect spot.

Last year, Callaway beat Forest Hill for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state title. The Chargers then went on to beat Hinds AHS for the MHSAA/EnviroTurf Grand Slam Championship.

The title added the Jackson area’s reputation as the hotbed for basketball talent.

Jones’ job is to duplicate that success — as the school’s football coach.

Aberdeen girls basketball team manages without Hoskins

Jameika Hoskins liked the view from the bench Tuesday night.

Opponents of the Aberdeen High School girls basketball team shouldn’t be comforted, though, because Hoskins doesn’t figure to spend much time there this season.

The senior forward had a seat on the sidelines because she was recovering from flu-like symptoms and first-year coach Latorrence Bivens wanted to give her time to recover.

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t miss a beat without Hoskins and starters Michelle Stewart and Dayana McGee thanks to the play of Janee Hodges and Regina Barker

CLRA youth soccer options continue to grow

The soccer options offered by the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority continue to grow.

The success of the CLRA’s Columbus United, a competitive Division II soccer club, has motivated the authority to introduce an Under-8 Developmental Program that will help prepare players for the transition to U-10 play.

The primary goal of the program is to offer players enhanced skill training and challenging conditioning to help prepare them for the move to the next level.

Offensive line helps EMCC pave way to victory

SCOOBA — The helmet is far from pristine.

The red outline of a Lion on the side is intact, but the gouges on the top of the white helmet cry out for a paint job — or a break from the action.

But there aren’t any breaks when it comes to protecting a quarterback like Randall Mackey.

Wild Rebel could have star of future in Mackey

SCOOBA — The Wild Rebel has its next star.

Randall Mackey is still a few months away from officially finding his way to the University of Mississippi, but when he does, coach Houston Nutt could have a quarterback with the potential to shift the Rebels’ offense to a sixth gear.

MSU women’s cruise to exhibition victory

STARKVILLE –– Attack mode is the right way to go for Mary Kathryn Govero, Tysheka Grimes, and the rest of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Caledonia soccer sweeps New Hope

CALEDONIA — It’s only one game, but Brandon Webber showed Monday night he just might have what it takes to challenge Taylor Chisolm’s scoring record.

Webber kicked off the 2009-10 season in style by scoring three goals to lead the Caledonia High School boys soccer team to a 3-1 victory against New Hope in the season opener for both teams.

Plant delivers for Lamar County

VERNON, Ala. — The playoffs are a chance to shine.

Lamar County’s Marcquis Plant was the latest Bulldog to have his night in the spotlight, and it came at the right time.

Starkville football team rallies to edge Columbus

There’s something magical about the fourth quarter for Jaquez Johnson and Chuck Tillery when the Starkville High School football team plays Columbus.

A year ago, Johnson connected with Tillery for two touchdown passes to help the Yellow Jackets score 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter in a come-from-behind victory.

On Friday, there was more riding on the outcome, which made the fourth-quarter heroics even sweeter.

EMCC football team wins first state title

SCOOBA — One more drive, one more stop.

The East Mississippi Community delivered on both counts Saturday to make history.

Randall Mackey connected with Lance Lewis on his seventh touchdown pass of the game, and Anthony Hines’ interception with less than a minute to play sealed EMCC’s 75-71 victory against Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges title game at Sullivan-Windham Field.

Power forward added to Grimes’ repertoire

STARKVILLE — The 2009-10 season will be all about change for Tysheka Grimes.

One minute, you likely will see Grimes in the backcourt. The next, she could be at the small forward position, draining 3-pointers from the wing.

The added wrinkle this season will be the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s desire to use Grimes as a power forward.

At 6-foot, Grimes doesn’t fit the traditional definition of a player who usually is a low-post presence.

EMCC’s Hines eager to play in title game

Anthony Hines can’t wait to play in his first championship game.

The former Starkville High School product is thankful he will have full use of both of his hands to make the most of the opportunity.

The sophomore defensive back will lead the No. 7 East Mississippi Community College football team against two-time defending state champion and No. 3 Mississippi Gulf Coast (9-1) in the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges (MACJC) state championship at 2 p.m. Saturday at EMCC’s Sullivan-Windham Field.