Schaefer has defense to fix

STARKVILLE — There were plenty of statistics for Vic Schaefer to circle Thursday night.

But as much as the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach loved to see his team put five players in double figures in a 111-69 victory against Arkansas, there were other numbers he couldn’t ignore.

No. 5 MSU sets record in SEC home win

STARKVILLE — Roshunda Johnson can score in a variety of ways.

Whether it is draining 3-pointers with a confident stroke or driving to the basket with poised control, Johnson has provided a dangerous third option to Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team. But the beauty of coach Vic Schaefer’s 2017-18 squad is the Bulldogs have four experienced and versatile senior guards who complement each other to fuel the Bulldogs.

Columbus kicks off district play vs. South Panola

The Columbus High School boys basketball team is nearly done with all of its traveling.

Anthony Carlyle hopes the Falcons will see the fruits of all of those hours away from home tonight prior to the team’s final big trip of the season.

Gates, Miller bring boxing back to Columbus

Shawn Gates has wanted to do something for Columbus for a long time.

No. 5 MSU will play host to Arkansas in SEC home opener

STARKVILLE — Like many coaches, Vic Schaefer always wants more.

In his first five seasons as Mississippi State women’s basketball coach, Schaefer talked about the fear of being unprepared and how that motivates him to study and to push his players so they are ready for every situation imaginable.

Minichino column: MSU women stay true to formula in road win

Each day brings another source of pride for Vic Schaefer.

No. 5 MSU women sharing wealth on offense

ATHENS, Ga. — Caliya Robinson admits life will be hard for post players who have to go up against Teaira McCowan and the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

No. 5 MSU women’s basketball opens SEC play with win at Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team is forcing opponents to pick their poison.

No. 5 MSU women open SEC play at Georgia

STARKVILLE — Roshunda Johnson wasn’t satisfied.

Year in Review: Women’s basketball run to national title game highlights MSU year

STARKVILLE — There’s a “newbie” on the block.

Small Schools All-Area: Nicholson leads Starkville Academy to state title

STARKVILLE — Real is better.

Small Schools All-Area: Starkville Academy’s Faver earns player of year honors

STARKVILLE — Responsibility comes with age.

McCowan continues to deliver for No. 5 MSU

STARKVILLE — Teaira McCowan made sure to give the Mississippi State women’s basketball fans their money’s worth.

It started with a bright smile that illuminated the darkness in Humphrey Coliseum during the pre-game introductions. McCowan raised her arms over her head to wave to the crowd as she jogged out of the tunnel as the first MSU player to be introduced prior to the team’s game against Mississippi Valley State.

McCowan didn’t waste any time getting down to business after the opening tip.

McCowan poured in a career-high 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead No. 5 MSU to a 112-36 victory against MVSU before a season-high crowd of 8,535 at the Hump.

MUW enjoys strong start in return to athletics

A “complete buy-in” from the coaches, community, and region made the first part of the 2017-18 school year a rousing success for Jason Trufant.

Vivians has raised her level to help push No. 5 MSU to 13-0

Victoria Vivians has accepted the mission.

On April 4, two days after the Mississippi State women’s basketball team lost to South Carolina in the national title game, The Dispatch ran a story with the headline “MSU’s next challenge is to raise bar higher.” In the column, a number of areas were highlighted as keys for coach Vic Schaefer’s team to build on the momentum from its program-record 34-win season, its first trip to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, and its victory against four-time reigning national champion Connecticut in the national semifinals.

Shorter caps most challenging season with title

MACON — Tyrone Shorter was searching for answers.

Five games into the 2017 season, Shorter didn’t know if the Noxubee County High School football team was going to realize its potential. Through the first five games, Noxubee County allowed 152 points, which was the most points it surrendered in that span since it gave up 174 in 1995. In the last 14 years, the Tigers have allowed more than 96 points in their first five games only twice (133, 2016).

New Hope’s Tate Jr. signs with Memphis

Jeremy Tate Jr. looked the part.

With the help of his father, Jeremy Tate Sr., the New Hope High School senior was color-coordinated Wednesday morning with a tie with blue and gray stripes and a blue flower on the left lapel of his suit jacket. All of the colors worked well with the blue, gray, and white of the University of Memphis.

Player of Week: Versatile Williams leads Victory Christian basketball team

Facilitator. Defender. Shooter. High-flyer.

Minichino column: Bulldogs face critical week in Las Vegas

Vic Schaefer knows what he is doing.

Smith, DeLoach settling in for Columbus boys

Casey Smith and RJ DeLoach are feeling more comfortable every day for the Columbus High School boys basketball team.

That could spell bad news for opponents of the Falcons the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

Smith had 15 points and DeLoach added nine Saturday night in a balanced effort to lead Columbus to a 64-37 victory against New Hope in the final game of the 21st-annual Joe Horne Christmas Classic at Columbus High.