Articles by Adam Minichino
Noxubee County seniors pave way to victory
MACON — L.C. Clemmons has changed a lot since middle school.
In seventh grade, Clemmons weighed about 190 pounds and earned the nickname “bowling ball” from his coaches and teammates.
No. 6 Patriots go on road to face No. 3 Rebels
The Heritage Academy football team has found ways to keep Sean Harrison loose this season.
Just when Harrison feels his players might not be tuned in to the task at hand, the Patriots have regrouped to deliver an effort that has made their coach proud. One of those performances came last week in a 29-12 victory against Central Private (La.) School in the first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA playoffs at C.L. Mitchell Field.
Schaefer will try to make it work again in 2017-18
STARKVILLE
Eight is the magic number for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team in 2017-18.
Sure, coach Vic Schaefer’s team is going to feel the effects of the graduation losses of Ketara Chapel, Dominique Dillingham, Chinwe Okorie, and Breanna Richardson. Those players were responsible for creating an identity that has packed Humphrey Coliseum the last four seasons and has helped raise MSU from an also-ran in the Southeastern Conference to one of the nation’s top programs.
New Hope’s Braddock, Sims will play baseball at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.
Friends tend to see things the same way.
Through all of the discussions about colleges, Bryce Braddock and Nick Sims relied on their friendship to help them determine the best school to continue their baseball careers. It just so happened they both decided on the same destination.
‘Relentless’ wave drives West Point defense
WEST POINT — Roger Burton doesn’t use the word easily.
After all, West Point High School football hasn’t been built on hyperbole. Its foundation has been laid through hard work and repetition. Some teams would call it boring. Others wouldn’t answer the challenge of putting themselves up to the highest expectations every day in practice.
Shorter feels Noxubee County clicking at right time
MACON — The wry smile on Tyrone Shorter’s face means one thing: It is playoff time.
Starkville Academy continues to dominate in MAIS Class AAA playoffs
STARKVILLE — There are no secrets to the success of the Starkville Academy football program.
New Hope faces huge challenge in Class 4A playoff opener
Under normal circumstances, Kris Pickle would know what to expect from his New Hope High School football team.
Meek, Misiak help push Columbus Christian into playoffs
STEENS — It took only a few hours for one of the worst nights of Glenn Misiak’s life to turn into one of the best.
Thanks to a 40-yard field goal by Misiak in the first quarter, the Columbus Christian Academy football team started quickly Friday night against Strider Academy. The regular-season finale for both teams had a bigger sense of finality to it because a loss likely meant the end to one squad’s season.
CCA cross country team wins third state title, sets record
STEENS — Chris Webber has earned a reputation for being almost like an assistant coach to Billy Thomas and Greg Watkins.
In that role, Webber has researched past Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) cross country results and crunched the numbers to figure out the best lineup for Columbus Christian Academy’s boys track and field team at meets.
Acker’s interception helps seal Heritage Academy victory
At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, Eli Acker is an imposing target.
Acker, a sophomore, worked in the summer with Heritage Academy quarterback Carter Putt in hopes of utilizing his size and skills at tight end to build a connection that could help drive the Patriots’ offense.
Putt’s poise helps lead Patriots in first round
It’s hard not to get frustrated when your team doesn’t see any results from your hard work.
The ability to manage that frustration usually comes with time as players learn to channel their emotions and go on to the next play.
Heritage Academy expects unexpected in playoff opener
Expect the unexpected.
That’s the approach Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison is taking tonight for his team’s Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA first-round playoff game against Central Private School at 7 tonight at C.L. Mitchell Field.
Part of Harrison’s caution is anything can happen at playoff time. Harrison is confident that the sixth-seeded Patriots (8-3) have been tested coming out of District 2.
Oak Hill Academy isn’t satisfied to be back in playoffs
WEST POINT — Chris Craven is excited to be back in the playoffs.
But the Oak Hill Academy football coach isn’t satisfied with returning to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) playoffs after a one-year absence. He also doesn’t want the Raiders to settle for a six-win season when there are bigger opportunities out there.
Starkville Academy set for playoff opener at home
STARKVILLE — The cooler weather feels fine to Chase Nicholson.
The Starkville Academy football coach and the Volunteers should be right at home in the fall temperatures because senior Kyle Faver has had Nov. 18 on the group’s mind ever since the beginning of the season.
West Point staying on title course
WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team is on course.
Chris Chambless was an ideal example of the Green Wave’s timeliness Thursday afternoon as he gathered cleaning supplies in his office for the monthly cleaning of the field house.
Williams makes statement in MSU women’s basketball scrimmage
STARKVILLE — Ameshya Williams is still getting used to being in the post-game spotlight.
Secondary comes up big for Volunteers
STARKVILLE — Ben Guest put his hands on his hips and searched the ground for answers.
To Guest’s left, Keric Estep celebrated a 21-yard touchdown pass from Will Lawson Harkins that gave the Leake Academy football team an early lead.
Hamilton celebrates softball slow-pitch state championship
HAMILTON — Bryan Loague figured the 2017 season was going to be a little different for the Hamilton High School slow-pitch softball team.
