Hamilton softball team looks to keep run going

HAMILTON — One bad game was all the Hamilton High School fast-pitch softball team needed.

A missed opportunity, an error, or a pitch in the wrong spot could have have ended the Lady Lions’ season too soon.

But faced with the prospect of turning in their jerseys for the final time, Hamilton responded and appears to have rediscovered its rhythm.

Hamilton (13-10) will try to keep its run going Thursday when it travels to Hatley for game one in the best-of-three series that will determine the Class 2A North Half state champion.

East Webster’s Hollenhead apt to get uniform dirty

MABEN — A clean uniform just doesn’t feel right to Swayze Hollenhead.

The East Webster High School fast-pitch softball standout considers it a badge of honor if she can soil her school colors with a dive to knock down a line drive or a slide into second base to beat a throw.

If you have seen the sophomore third baseman play, you know she’s apt to have several layers of the infield on her uniform by the end of a game.

Each day, though, Hollenhead washes that dirt from her clothes and returns to practice and games to do it all over again.

Immanuel Rams have new football coaches

STEENS — A new football season has brought a new sense of excitement at Immanuel Christian School.

The Immanuel players have two more reasons to look forward to the 2009 season: Shawn Gates and Daniel Merchant.

Gates and Merchant took the field Tuesday looking to bring a new energy to the football program on its first day of spring workouts.

Gates, 24, takes over for Billy Thomas as the football team’s new coach, while Merchant, who was an assistant football coach at the school last season, will work as defensive coordinator and special teams coach.

East Webster’s Halterman plays with poise in circle, on court

MABEN — Don’t expect a reaction from Jessica Halterman.

Whether she allows a hit or a walk or if a batter strikes out or reaches on an error, Halterman’s countenance won’t change.

New Hope’s Hollivay receives national invitation

Rachel Hollivay’s spring recently got a little busier.

The New Hope High School freshman was invited last week on behalf of USA Basketball and the Women’s Developmental National Team Committee to participate in the 2009 Under-16 National Team Trials.

Magic ends for New Hope softball

Small ball helped the Cleveland High School fast-pitch softball team earn the right Monday night to keep its season alive.

Lindsey Mullins’ bases-loaded walk tied the game in the top of the seventh inning, and Cleveland used three fielder’s choices to tack on three insurance runs to rally for a 5-2 victory against New Hope in game three of the Class 4A third-round playoffs at Lady Trojan Field.

Cotton States Baseball League will expand by four teams

Clark Richey won’t realize his goal until June.

But he will take another step toward it tonight when the Cotton States Baseball League unveils its four-team North Division at 4:45 p.m. today at the Magnolia Civic Center in New Albany.

Lucious hurls no-hitter for West Lowndes baseball team

Tyquan Lucious has made clutch and game-winning shots for the West Lowndes High School boys basketball team.

But nothing Lucious has done on the basketball court compares to what he did Saturday night on the diamond.

The sophomore right-hander pitched his first career no-hitter to lead West Lowndes to an 11-0 victory against Mount Olive in the deciding game of the best-of-three first-round Class 1A state playoff series.

McCartney helps Hamilton baseball team sweep O’Bannon

HAMILTON — Kevin McCartney doesn’t do always do things according to plan.

But the Hamilton High School right fielder showed Saturday afternoon that as much as he likes to take his hacks at the plate he can show a little restraint.

McCartney’s leadoff walk in the bottom of the first inning set the tone for another productive day and helped Hamilton beat O’Bannon 12-2 in five innings to help it sweep the first-round Class 2A state playoff series.

East Webster baseball team claims playoff victory

MABEN — The little things make a big difference for teams that have the talent to win a state title.

So even with his team leading by six runs in the third inning Friday afternoon, East Webster High School baseball coach Wes Johnson was concerned.

After cruising through the first two innings, starting pitcher Blake Love suddenly lost his command, surrendering a double, walk, single, and walk that helped Puckett cut its deficit to four runs.

East Webster’s loss of emotion and energy was equally troubling.

But things didn’t stay that way for long, which is why the Wolverines have the potential to win their second consecutive Class 1A state title.

Starkville basketball player signs with EMCC

STARKVILLE — Mark White has come to expect certain qualities from boys basketball players at Starkville High School.

In only two seasons as men’s basketball coach at East Mississippi Community College, White has marveled at the contributions former Yellow Jackets have made to his program.

Whether it has been Woodie Howard, John Harris, or Coco Ware, the former Starkville High players have brought high skill levels and even better work ethics to Scooba.

White feels Jeff Jernagin can do the same.

Stringer takes opener from East Webster

MABEN — Aaron Herrington isn’t the hardest thrower in the state of Mississippi.

But the junior right-hander has learned to make up for what she doesn’t have by enticing hitters to swing at her pitches.

New Hope, Hamilton baseball hope for fast start

Stacy Hester knows his New Hope High School baseball team has plenty of confidence.

Comments from senior outfielder/catcher Will McReynolds last week highlighted how much the Trojans believe in themselves.

Starkville Academy soccer players sign with MGCCC

STARKVILLE — Nick Klaskala and Josh Senter wanted to keep their options open.

Klaskala considered a number of schools and debated which one was the best fit for him academically.

East Webster, Hamilton softball play today in third round

MABEN — Bill Brand isn’t feeling any pressure.

The East Webster High School fast-pitch softball coach has earned a degree of confidence after helping lead the program to Class 1A state titles the past two seasons.

Stratton pitches Tupelo to victory against Columbus

Chris Stratton used a little help from Uncle Charlie on Tuesday night to make things look easy.

The Mississippi State signee struck out 10 in five innings to lead the Tupelo High School baseball team to a 15-0 victory against Columbus in a Class 5A, Division 2, District 4 game at Sammy Fletcher Field.

The victory coupled with South Panola’s 15-5 victory against Starkville on Tuesday helped put Tupelo (19-5, 6-2 division) in the driver’s seat for the district title. A victory at South Panola at 7 p.m. Thursday would give the Golden Wave the district championship.

Lady Trojans’ Petty excels on two fields

Kelli Petty doesn’t want any debate.

As much success as she and the New Hope High School softball program have on the diamond, the junior standout says track and field is her No. 1 sport.

McReynolds propels New Hope past Columbus

Will McReynolds doesn’t want his senior season to end with a whimper.

On Thursday, he had two doubles and scored two runs against Donnie Tabb and did everything he could to get his teammates pumped up.

Unfortunately, the New Hope High School baseball team lost to Neshoba Central and dropped to third place in Class 4A, Region 4, District 4.

On Saturday, McReynolds added two hits in the first three innings to help propel New Hope to an 11-5 victory against Columbus on Senior Day at Trojan Field.

Moore sparks playoff win for New Hope softball team

Jessica Moore admits she had butterflies.

The sophomore outfielder arrived Saturday morning at Lady Trojan Field to discover teammate and starting right fielder Haley Tutor was suffering from an ulcer in her right eye and wouldn’t be able to play against Hernando.

Moore accepted the news with concern for her teammate and excitement that she would get a chance to play.

Henry leaving Columbus for New Site

Paul Henry is going home to realize a dream.

The Columbus High School athletic director and assistant principal was hired Monday night to be the principal at New Site High School in Prentiss County.

Henry will start June 1 at the Class 2A school that has a little less than 300 students.