Sold-out crowd awaits No. 2 MSU, No. 7 South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer often uses the phrase he’s “coaching against the ghost” to explain his work ethic and drive to make the Mississippi State women’s basketball program the best in the nation.

Holmes sparks second-quarter rally as No. 2 MSU gets past No. 7 South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Jazzmun Holmes found her voice Monday night.

Bibby makes impact in MSU’s victory over South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer believed in the preseason Chloe Bibby could bring a unique dimension to the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Notebook: MSU women play before record crowd of 10,794

STARKVILLE — The “White Out” at Humphrey Coliseum turned out to be white hot.

Chemistry fuels MSMS girls soccer team’s success

Chuck Yarborough realized five years ago that developing chemistry on the girls soccer team was going to be his biggest challenge at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.

Schaefer proves labels don’t apply

STARKVILLE — Too small. Too slow. Too short.

Blair Schaefer has heard those words plenty of times in her career. But the 5-foot-7 guard didn’t grow into an integral piece of the No. 2 Mississippi State women’s basketball team because she listened to what other people thought about her.

Caledonia girls soccer team shows growth from start of season

CALEDONIA — Shelbi Box and AC Parish cringed prior to the start of the season when their friends asked them about the prospects for the 2017-18 Caledonia High School girls soccer team.

With new coach Louis Alexander and plenty of youth, Box didn’t have high hopes.

Caledonia’s Harbin signs with ICC

CALEDONIA — The bug bit Hope Harbin early.

Harbin doesn’t remember exactly when it happened, but she recalls something about softball clicking with her when she was as young as 7 years old playing T-ball.

MSU seniors go for record win tonight at Missouri

STARKVILLE — Numbers don’t faze Morgan William.

Throughout her career, the 5-foot-5 Mississippi State senior has gone against bigger guards and found ways to excel. Whether she uses her speed, her ballhandling, or her often overlooked shooting, William has played an integral part in helping MSU become one of the nation’s best basketball programs.

Heritage Academy beats rival Starkville Academy in boys’ soccer action

STARKVILLE — Lex Rogers is sticking to his story.

Player of Week: Woodard II gives new-look Falcons leadership

You name it. Robert Woodard II can do it.

Minichino column: No. 2 MSU controls destiny as it hits home stretch of schedule

There are going to be a lot of numbers thrown around in the next two months as the regular season winds down and teams prepare for conference tournaments and the Big Dance.

Senior class moves to 8-0 in rivalry game for No. 2 Bulldogs

OXFORD — Conference play can create moments of hyperbole and disappointment.

MSU Notebook: Defense paves the way as MSU beats Ole Miss

OXFORD — The game Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer has said was coming reared its head Sunday.

No. 2 MSU improving on defense as seniors go for No. 111

STARKVILLE — Cameron Newbauer had to know Vic Schaefer wasn’t going to like something he saw Thursday night.

It’s just that the first-year Florida women’s basketball was wrong when he guessed Schaefer probably wasn’t going to be happy with his team’s defense in a 90-53 victory at Humphrey Coliseum.

McCowan eclipses 1,000 career points in victory against Florida

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer has talked about Teaira McCowan’s potential ever since she arrived at Mississippi State.

The veteran coach recognized early on that the 6-foot-7 junior from Brenham, Texas, was a great athlete with a desire to get better. Early in her career, the only things Schaefer wanted to see more of from McCowan was better focus, a desire to be the best, and greater consistency.

No. 2 MSU turns up defense to set record for best start

STARKVILLE — Cameron Newbauer thinks Vic Schaefer has one of the nation’s best defensive teams.

For most of the 2017-18 season, Schaefer hasn’t agreed with that assessment. In fact, he often has bristled when he discusses the Bulldogs’ performance on defense because he takes so much pride in his players honoring the game with their effort and intensity.

But Schaefer is beginning to see signs of the kind of defense he wants from his team.

MSU women look to build momentum after win at Tennessee

STARKVILLE — The gauntlet continues.

The only relief the Mississippi State women’s basketball team has received following its victory against Tennessee on Sunday in Knoxville, Tennessee, is that it will play its next game at home.

Challenge for MSU fans is to pack the Hump

It’s down to five.

Through 20 games, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team has displayed all of the qualities to make another run at a national title. The Bulldogs have done it in front of hostile crowds on the road, small crowds in Mexico and in Las Vegas, and before packed houses at Humphrey Coliseum.

Player of Week: Earhart helps lead New Hope soccer team

Andrew Olsen has confidence in the voice.