Oak Hill softball team loses to be No. 2 seed in district

WEST POINT — Memrie Corley didn’t waver.

Clinging to a one-run lead, the Carroll Academy sophomore pitcher had just allowed a double to Maegen Ellis in the top of the sixth inning.

She then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Ellis to move to third base with only one out.

The jam was right where Corley wanted to be.

Central Academy, Hebron Christian softball teams in North State tournament

The Central Academy fast-pitch softball team has accomplished one of its goals.

Now it’s time for the Lady Vikings to take the next step.

Fresh off an undefeated district run, Central Academy will travel Saturday to Cleveland to play in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools North Half A tournament at Bayou Academy.

Hebron Christian, which earned the No. 2 seed out of District 3A, will join Central Academy (17-4) at the tournament, which kicks off with games at 10:30 a.m.

Caledonia’s Boykin deals with having an under-manned staff

CALEDONIA — David Boykin is a positive person who loves football.

One of the things he enjoys most about coaching is the camaraderie members of a staff develop breaking down film, working at practice, or developing new schemes and strategies.

While there are formations and plays sketched out on the dry erase board to his left, Boykin often finds himself alone in the coaches office in the Caledonia High School field house.

Loss causes Noxubee County football team to make changes

The time to be disappointed at Noxubee County High School has ended.

A week ago, West Point defeated Noxubee County 20-12 to end the Tigers’ 18-game winning streak.

The rain-soaked loss featured an inconsistent performance by the offense that left coach M.C. Miller open to changes for his team’s game against Memphis (Tenn.) Sheffield.

Heritage football team looks to bounce back from MRA loss

Sometimes the results don’t show on the scoreboard.

Brad Butler and the Heritage Academy football team felt that way last week after a 28-10 loss to Madison Ridgeland Academy.

Heritage Academy held MRA to negative yards in the first quarter and had several scoring chances on short fields, but it couldn’t convert.

The loss left Butler and his players wondering what could have been.

Columbus football team hosts Tupelo in district opener

It’s time for the Columbus High School football team to prove their coach right.

Bubba Davis has said repeatedly through the first five weeks of the season that the Falcons are improving and that it is a matter of time before they put things together.

No time could be better than at 7:30 tonight when Columbus kicks off its Class 6A, Region 1, District 2 schedule against Tupelo.

Columbus (1-3) has lost three in a row since a season-opening home victory against Aberdeen.

Baldner, Tyler lead MSU soccer team into SEC play

Leanna Baldner knows Hannah Tyler doesn’t have a problem being vocal.

In fact, if a poll was taken of the Mississippi State soccer team, Tyler would likely be named the most outgoing player on the squad.

On the other hand, Baldner is a quiet, lead-by-example player or, as she likes to put it, “more relaxed.”

Despite their differences in style, Baldner and Tyler have teamed to play integral roles in MSU’s success this season.

New Hope will travel to Oxford for district opener

Michael Bradley can’t wait for Friday night.

Through the offseason and the preseason, Bradley developed more and more confidence that the New Hope High School football team could have a special season in 2009.

Starkville Academy softball beats Heritage Academy

STARKVILLE — The softball field at Starkville Academy has been a second home for Lyndsey Haynes.

Ever since she arrived at the school as a seventh-grader, Haynes has been a fixture in the circle.

Trojans’ Dentry working back to ’08 form

Terrance Dentry is trying to find himself.

The New Hope High School junior running back isn’t experiencing an identity crisis.

Instead, he is attempting to return to the form that helped him rush for more than 1,000 yards and nearly score 20 touchdowns.

Aberdeen will name gym for Hazzle

Roy Hazzle is synonymous with Aberdeen High School.

He graduated from the school in 1971 and returned there six years later to work as a teacher.

Hazzle has impacted the lives of thousands of teenagers in his more than 30 years at Aberdeen High.

West Point ends Noxubee County’s streak

MACON — Michael Carr couldn’t look up.

With teammate Curtis Virges pensively looking on by his side, standing guard to prevent anyone from entering their space, Carr stared at the turf at Shannon High School.

Around him, members of the West Point High School football team tried to digest a 27-20 loss in their season opener Aug. 21.

Heritage, West Lowndes look to atone for bad games

Bobby Berry and Brad Butler had nights they would like to forget last Friday.

The Philadelphia High School football team broke out to a 48-0 halftime lead en route to a 48-16 victory against West Lowndes, while the Lamar School used its passing attack to torch Heritage Academy 49-12.

Both coaches will try to get their programs back on track tonight.

The West Lowndes Panthers (3-1) will play host to Wheeler at 7:30, while the Heritage Academy Patriots travels to Madison Ridgeland Academy (7).

New Hope puts win streak against rival Caledonia on the line

The New Hope High School football team will get back to work tonight against an opponent that is sure to get it primed for the start of district play.

The Trojans (2-0) return from a bye week at 7:30 tonight looking to extend a winning streak when they take on county rival Caledonia (0-3).

New Hope has won the past four meetings in the series.

Caledonia’s 14-10 victory in 2004 is the program’s only victory in the series, dating back to 1995.

Lann helps Lamar County prevail against Sulligent

SULLIGENT, Ala. — Jimmy Lann delivered his best effort on one of the best nights to be a Lamar County Bulldog.

The senior had a sack that led to a touchdown and two more key defensive plays in the final five minutes Friday night to help Lamar County defeat Sulligent 21-20 in a Class 2A, Region 7 matchup at Brown Stadium.

The victory was the first for the Bulldogs (4-0) against the Blue Devils (2-2) since a 45-20 victory in 2005.

It also marks the program’s best start in more than 15 years.

Walsh helps MSU soccer team to best start ever

Kat Walsh is used to succeeding in soccer.

Her ability as a scorer helped her earn Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2004 and 2005 at Spain Park High School in Hoover, Ala.

As a result, Walsh was a sought-after recruit who decided to take her skills to LSU.

That’s when Walsh discovered the first choice might not always be the best choice.

CHS returns to field to take on Louisville

The “preseason” is nearly over.

That’s why Columbus High School football coach Bubba Davis is excited about his team’s matchup at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Class 4A Louisville High.

MSU women’s basketball has high expecations for season

Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Sharon Fanning-Otis believes her program has the potential to make history this season.

At least one national basketball publication believes in the Lady Bulldogs, too.

Lindy’s College Basketball magazine has Mississippi State ranked No. 25 in its poll of the nation’s best teams.

Golden Triangle players have key role in secondary for EMCC

An abundance of playmakers has helped the East Mississippi Community College football team climb to No. 2 in the nation.

The contributions are coming from the usual places — like All-America sophomore quarterback Randall Mackey — and plenty of unlikely sources, particularly a player with a broken hand.

Aberdeen, Amory clash again for the A-Trophy

ABERDEEN — Fernando Davis has a good memory when it comes to football scores.

Davis recalls plenty of results from his playing days at the University of Alabama.

But Davis can go back even before that and show off an impressive ability to recall the smallest details from his career as a linebacker at Aberdeen High School.