Heritage Academy’s Fisackerly will play soccer at The W

Haley Marie Fisackerly knew the change was coming.

When starting goalkeeper Haven Tuggle suffered a foot injury before the first match of the season, Fisackerly figured Heritage Academy coach Tom Velek was going to move her from defense to goalkeeper. After all, she had trained at goalkeeper throughout the summer and was familiar with the position, so it was a natural decision to make to help stabilize the Lady Patriots’ defense.

CCA’s Studdard becoming more confident all-around player

STEENS — Lawson Studdard doesn’t mind the quiet.

Like most schools, Columbus Christian Academy’s gym empties after a long day of school and following the practices of the boys and girls basketball teams.

Mitchell happy for success at alma mater

STARKVILLE — Matthew Mitchell knows Mississippi State better than most coaches.

Johnson’s strong start, balanced attack power No. 2 MSU

STARKVILLE — The power of five has been a key all season for the Mississippi State basketball team.

Instead of relying on one or two players to carry the offensive load, the Bulldogs have shared the wealth with a motion offense and a healthy dose of half-court sets to get all five players involved.

Pieces come together for Matthews, Owls

With a new artificial turf surface at the Don Usher Softball Field, Mississippi University for Women softball coach Tatjana Matthews doesn’t need the rain to go away to ensure her team plays its season opener at noon today against Millsaps College.

However, Matthews does need her players to understand her, which is why she is thankful they have come to understand “coach,” a language that men’s and women’s coaches speak in every sport.

Heritage Academy boys win district title

Nothing Russ Whiteside did worked.

The Heritage Academy boys basketball coach paced the sideline and looked to his right. The clock didn’t go any faster.

Whiteside sat on the bench. He didn’t want to look at the clock on the left wall, but he couldn’t help it. That one wasn’t going any faster than the other one.

William hopes to build on strong offensive outing

STARKVILLE — Morgan William’s tenure as point guard for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team has been marked by a poised resolve that has helped her overcome any obstacle.

Caledonia pushes on through changes

CALEDONIA — The shock has worn off for Blair Ward and Savannah Andrewsen.

These days, changing positions or moving from varsity to junior varsity and back don’t faze Ward, Andrewsen, and the rest of their Caledonia High School girls soccer teammates because they have come to trust each other and coach Louis Alexander’s plan.

Rose, Braddock help push New Hope to second round

Redemption came at just the right time for Connor Rose and Bryce Braddock.

A year after losing in a penalty kick shootout to Center Hill in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State tournament, Rose and Braddock learned from the disappointment and ensured they will play at least one more match in their high school careers.

New Hope sends three to next level

Injuries prevented Kyree Fields, Jeremiah Hodges, and Tyran Reed from having the senior seasons they would have imagined with the New Hope High School football team.

But the disappointment all three players felt during the season when they weren’t able to be on the field was nowhere to be found Wednesday morning.

Columbus High has five players sign to play in college

Winning over family members is part of the recruiting game.

It also helps when coaches can convince the players their school is the right fit for them.

West Lowndes’ Lucious signs with Coahoma C.C.

Quinshawn Lucious had the goal for as long as Anthony King could remember.

But while some student-athletes hope to play a sport in college, King always saw Lucious work to realize his objective.

Caledonia’s Canerdy signs with Jones County J.C.

CALEDONIA — Logan Canerdy had a feeling July 29 that Jones County Junior College was the place for him.

The Caledonia High School senior lineman said something felt right about the unofficial visit he took that day to the school in Ellisville.

The W nears first pitch for first baseball team

The butterflies are back.

For Matt Wolfenbarger, that means the start of another season.

This year, though, the anticipation of the start of a new campaign likely carries an added significance because Wolfenbarger and his students-athletes will make history when they kick off the Mississippi University for Women’s baseball team’s inaugural season.

SEC play tests No. 2 MSU’s offense

If you’ve watched Southeastern Conference sporting events, you’re probably familiar with the ad campaign “It Just Means More.”

The initiative is designed to highlight there is so much more to the SEC than the success of its sports teams.

Espinoza-Hunter finds right fit at Mississippi State

Andra Espinoza-Hunter’s first time in Mississippi made a big impression.

Even though the 5-foot-11 guard spent only one full day and parts of two more in Starkville, it was enough to prove to her Southern hospitality isn’t a myth.

Minichino column: Things falling into place for No. 2 Bulldogs

Echoes reverberate after games like this.

MSU women’s basketball team picks up commit from UConn transfer

Vic Schaefer’s ability to land big-time transfers continued Tuesday when former Connecticut guard Andra Espinoza-Hunter tweeted she will transfer to Mississippi State.

Starkville Academy celebrates state championship with rings

STARKVILLE — Brady Richardson couldn’t take his eyes off it.

Toughness tells tale for Bulldogs’ redemption

Vic Schaefer reared back and raised his leg for added emphasis. The fist pump that followed exorcised five years of frustration.