McKee’s goal lifts MSU women’s soccer team past Missouri State

STARKVILLE — Brooke McKee didn’t have time to signal to the sideline for direction.

The Mississippi State junior forward also wasn’t able to communicate with teammate Mallory Eubanks before she moved to the far flag to take a corner kick.

Reality of first win sinking in for Atkins

The last week has been a whirlwind for Justin Atkins.

Between being surprised at home by friends and doing a handful of radio and newspaper interviews, Atkins finally is getting time to savor the reality that he is a champion.

Victory Christian shows it has potential to have dominating D line

Brent Harris has seen some of the best athletes Victory Christian Academy has had to offer in the last decade.

From Landon Ellis, Tyler Jones, Marcus Sims, Anthony Sharp, or any others, Harris has had a unique vantage point as a supporter of the school, its boys basketball and baseball coach, and as a football official.

On Friday, Harris experienced a first at a Victory Christian sporting event.

Waldner’s goal lifts MSU women’s soccer to season-opening win

STARKVILLE — MaKayla Waldner received an early birthday present Friday night.

Well, the sophomore forward actually had a little work to do after receiving a pass from freshman forward A.K. Ward, but she didn’t waste any time delivering the game-winning goal to lift the Mississippi State women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory against Stephen F. Austin in the season opener for both teams.

New Hope putting pieces together on offense

Kris Pickle has a picture in his head that is going to take time to develop.

The New Hope High School football coach doesn’t have all of the pieces to the puzzle to complete that picture, but he believes it has the potential to be a powerful vision once it is finished.

Kendrick, Caledonia set for county showdown vs. West Lowndes

Ricky Kendrick is ready for round two.

Kendrick will kick off his second stint as Caledonia High School football coach at 7 tonight when his team takes on West Lowndes in a battle of Lowndes County programs.

LeBrun eager for challenge of another Possum Town Triathlon

Chris LeBrun loves competition.

When LeBrun started running 10 years ago, he immediately found something he loved. He soon found himself competing in longer and longer events, like the Boston Marathon and ultra marathons, which refer to any footrace longer than 26.2 miles.

West Point begins quest for another ring

WEST POINT — Antrayvious Brownlee dreamed of the feeling ever since seventh grade.

Shorter likes Noxubee County’s offense prior to opener

MACON — Tyrone Shorter loves defenses.

But the Noxubee County High School football coach can’t help but smile when asked about the state of his team’s offense prior to its season opener against Starkville at 7 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium in Macon.

Fast starts help prepare Heritage Academy for opener

Sean Harrison can rest a little easier.

Harrison was concerned with how the Heritage Academy football team started its first preseason scrimmage against Benton Academy earlier this month. The Patriots came out on top in the end, but Harrison would have loved to have seen his players come out flying and set the tone for the 2017 season.

Eubanks will try to take on ‘alpha’ role for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — It all starts with Mallory Eubanks.

That might be putting too much pressure on one player when 11 or more are counted on each match, but that’s the kind of attitude Mississippi State women’s soccer coach Tom Anagnost wants Eubanks to take entering her senior season.

Caledonia volleyball players excel at Ridgeland tournament

CALEDONIA — If given the final vote, Samantha Brooks would have to go with Ansley Brown.

Experienced Starkville Academy squad set for season opener

STARKVILLE — Some things aren’t meant to be.

Starkville Academy soccer pair earn player of week honors

STARKVILLE — Relentless confidence.

McFatrich plans to keep building MSU volleyball

STARKVILLE — David McFatrich isn’t going to make any bold statements about the 2017 season.

It’s not that Mississippi State’s third-year volleyball head coach isn’t optimistic about the campaign, which officially begins Monday with the start of practice. It’s just that McFatrich has been coaching long enough to know there are a lot of pieces that go into a program reaching the NCAA tournament.

Functioning at higher level: Heritage Academy works out at Fitness Factor

Sean Harrison was looking for an edge.

With concerns about injuries affecting the Heritage Academy football team’s depth this season, Harrison wanted something to help his players get in the best shape possible for the 2017 campaign.

Beth Jeffers was more than willing to help him.

Heritage Academy volleyball ready for season opener

Bring on the season.

New Hope volleyball continues to build

Makayla Sanders sees the progress.

Heritage Academy’s Gray earns preseason honors

Dontae Gray has had success with a simple, straight-forward mind-set, so he sees no point in changing now.

Jukes off to strong start in circle for Oak Hill Academy

WEST POINT — Kenzie Jukes looks quite stylish in her hot pink Crocs.

Adorned with a button of a yellow smiley face with sunglasses and another of Piglet, the best friend of Winnie the Pooh, Jukes is feeling more comfortable every day she wears the synthetic fiber clogs with a strap around the ankle and holes in the front.