McCowan’s big day sparks No. 4 MSU’s victory against Ole Miss

OXFORD — The numbers continue to pile up at a dizzying pace for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

On Sunday, Teaira McCowan made sure to add an exclamation point to the

latest additions to the Bulldogs’ best regular season to date.

McCowan made her impact felt in every facet, scoring 17 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and blocking three shots to propel No. 4 MSU to a 66-44 victory against Ole Miss before a crowd of 4,634 at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. The 44 points is the second-lowest total MSU has allowed in the 93-game series.

NCAA status marks ‘milestone’ for MUW sports

Jason Trufant takes pride in being a process-oriented individual.

No. 4 MSU women want to build off latest rout

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer won’t mind surprises if they continue to happen like they did Thursday night.

Led by 21 first-half points by Victoria Vivians and 17 second-half points by Roshunda Johnson, No. 4 MSU rolled to an 86-41 victory against Vanderbilt. The victory marked the fourth time this season MSU (24-1, 10-1 Southeastern Conference) has recorded the program’s biggest margin of victory against a SEC opponent. It also was the second-largest SEC win for the program.

Broadcasting helps Hughes fill void

Dan Hughes misses coaching.

When you enjoy something as much as Hughes loves basketball and you have had success doing it, it often is hard to find something to fill the void.

Hughes didn’t fully understand how much he would miss coaching on April 19, 2016, when the WNBA’s San Antonio Stars announced he would step down as general manager and head coach following the season.

New Hope High’s Bell signs with Northeast Mississippi C.C.

JaQuante Bell is excited about the next step.

It doesn’t bother the New Hope High School senior that he likely is going to have to change a few things, but that is part of the excitement because Bell is confident he can be even more of an all-around player. Bell will get a chance to prove that next season when he suits up for the Northeast Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team. Bell made his decision official Thursday in a signing ceremony in the school’s library.

Vivians, Johnson spark No. 4 MSU’s rout

STARKVILLE — Stephanie White didn’t look frustrated, agitated, or disappointed.

The Vanderbilt women’s basketball coach very well could have been all of those things and more after No. 4 Mississippi State rolled to an 86-41 victory before a crowd of 5,052 at Humphrey Coliseum and a national television audience on the SEC Network. Instead, White was clinical in breaking down the worst beatdown MSU (24-1, 10-1 Southeastern Conference) has given Vanderbilt (11-13, 1-10).

No. 4 MSU women want to lead way in SEC

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer has talked about the difficulties of not falling prey to the Kool-Aid.

In many of those instances, the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach has expressed confidence his players won’t buy into the hype or allow the sweetness of the drink to affect their performance. So far, the Bulldogs have rewarded Schaefer’s confidence by playing like the nation’s No. 4 team in so many ways.

MSU women positioned for late-season push

STARKVILLE — Consider the lesson learned.

For the last two seasons, Vic Schaefer had to listen to all of the pundits talk about the strength of his team’s non-conference schedule. The Mississippi State women’s basketball coach didn’t care for much of the talk. He made his case to dispute the fact the Bulldogs had played weak non-conference schedules with too many games against opponents in the lower regions of Division I.

Pickens Academy girls basketball team wins Class AA State title

CARROLLTON, Ala. — The Pickens Academy girls basketball team has impeccable timing.

The only thing Wade Goodman could have wished for was a few more made free throws to make the final minutes of the 2016-17 season a little easier to handle. But Pickens Academy used a 16-point, 12-rebound effort from junior Olivia Lewis to beat South Choctaw Academy 39-36 on Saturday in the championship game of the Alabama Independent School Association Class AA State tournament in Montgomery, Alabama.

MSU women growing into role as hunted

STARKVILLE

The Mississippi State women’s basketball has been almost beyond reproach this season.

In the process, the Bulldogs have matured from a hunter into the hunted. At No. 4 in the nation and preparing for a stretch run of six more regular-season games, MSU is at a point only a few imagined would be attainable when Vic Schaefer arrived prior to the 2012-13 season. The Bulldogs are 23-1 and in second place in the Southeastern Conference with a 9-1 record. They have won 20-plus games four years in a row. They are on pace to improve their win total for the fourth-straight season and to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament for a third-straight season.

No. 5 MSU wins third straight by beating Missouri at home

STARKVILLE — Dominique Dillingham didn’t need any ice for her elbow or shoulders in the post-game media room.

MSU Notebook: Richardson enters attack mode to help in Bulldogs’ victory

STARKVILLE — Breanna Richardson was in attack mode Sunday afternoon.

No. 5 MSU wants to keep fine tuning attack

STARKVILLE — Thirty-point wins don’t happen very often in the Southeastern Conference.

Vic Schaefer is more accustomed to playing the knock-down, drag-out affairs that test teams’ hearts and their willingness to dig deep.

Heritage Academy’s Jones signs with MUW for baseball

Things couldn’t have worked out any better for Brandon Jones.

MSU women beat Auburn for 10th road win of season

AUBURN, Ala. — A lot can happen in 4 minutes, 17 seconds.

Hill, Sykes lead class of seven Columbus High signees

The growth in the Columbus High School football team continues.

Buoyed by the signing of Kylin Hill (Mississippi State) and Tahj Sykes (Southern Mississippi) to Division I scholarship offers, coach Randal Montgomery’s Falcons sent seven players to college as part of a National Signing Day ceremony in the school’s library Wednesday morning.

New Hope High’s Reed picks Ole Miss over MSU

Tae-Kion Reed didn’t give the bystanders any warning.

If the New Hope High School senior had, those people sitting across from the signing table would have known to sit back and wait for him to throw the Mississippi State hat.

West Lowndes’ High’s Wells picks Mississippi Delta

Potential is perfect word to use for someone like Tyrese Wells.

At 6-foot-1 1/2, 260 pounds, Wells has room to grow into his frame. Considering Wells is only 17 years old, the explosiveness he showcased as a senior with the West Lowndes High School football team made college coaches notice.

Four of Caledonia High’s six signees going to ICC

CALEDONIA — The Itawamba Community College football program found Caledonia High School to be an ideal one-stop recruiting destination.

As a result, four of the 29 seniors on the Caledonia High football team will get a chance to continue their careers at the next level.

On Wednesday, quarterback Spencer Unruh, running back Zion Ford, wide receiver Jamel Thomas, and kicker Caleb Comer joiner linebacker Kody White (Lyon College) and tight end/H-back/linebacker Russ Smither (Delta State) in signing National Letters of Intent as part of National Signing Day.

NHHS’s Woolbright second to sign with The W

Team leaders bring people together.

Meredith Woolbright doesn’t know exactly how she does it, but she acknowledges she has a knack for making friends and relating to teammates. Whether it is with a smile or with a little constructive criticism or motivation, Woolbright can find the right way to deliver a message that helps an individual or her team.