MSU notebook: Chapel has impact on Bulldogs’ victory

STARKVILLE — Ketara Chapel was back in her comfort zone.

MSU women open conference play at home with LSU

STARKVILLE — It’s a familiar refrain, but it’s one Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer will say a lot In January and February.

Women’s basketball analysis from around the Southeastern Conference

The Dispatch asked members of the media who voted in the Southeastern Conference women’s basketball preseason poll to give their thoughts about how the league’s 14 teams fared in non-conference play and how they think those teams will fare in conference play, which begins today. The Dispatch thanks all of the media members for their participation in a busy holiday and bowl season. The media member’s name and affiliation is listed above the questions and answers.

Small Schools All-Area: Gray, Anderson team up to lead Heritage Academy to banner season

Talented players make life easier for their coaches.

Small Schools All-Area: Harrison pushes Heritage Academy to higher levels

Having fun sometimes gets lost in the daily marathon that is a high school football season.

Minichino column: Crowds building for Top 5 MSU women’s basketball squad

The cheer rained down from the stands with 2 minutes, 22 seconds to go in the game.

MSU women hammer Northwestern State to move to 14-0

STARKVILLE — Control has been an elusive intangible for Breanna Richardson in her time in Starkville.

Dillingham embraces return to MSU lineup

STARKVILLE — Dominique Dillingham could sense the anticipation in the crowd at Humphrey Coliseum.

No. 5 MSU women look to keep momentum rolling

STARKVILLE — The differences really aren’t that big.

A year ago, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team was ranked No. 8 as it prepared to play South Florida in its final non-conference game before the start of Southeastern Conference action. Sophomore Victoria Vivians was leading the Bulldogs in scoring at 17.8 points per game and shooting 41.6 percent from the field. MSU was flying high at 12-1 thanks to an offense that was averaging 82.8 ppg. and a defense that was holding opponents to 50.8 pg.

Olive Branch’s Taylor shows she has handle

STARKVILLE — Myah Taylor doesn’t need any encouragement to “push and look.”

Olive Branch High School girls basketball coach Jason Thompson uses those words to stress the importance of pushing the basketball to keep pressure on the opponents. Those words rang out Monday afternoon in Humphrey Coliseum as Thompson implored Taylor and the rest of the Lady Conquistadors to get the ball as quickly as possible to try to beat Raleigh Egypt (Tenn.) down the court.

Covington plays bigger role for Starkville girls

STARKVILLE — Distractions don’t faze Jariyah Covington.

Whether it is running the point or sniping from the wing, the Starkville High School junior guard has become adept at blocking out the talk and focusing on her job.

Greg Carter put Covington’s focus to the test Tuesday afternoon.

Balanced attack pushes MSU women to 13-0 start

STARKVILLE — Life is good for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Coach Vic Schaefer’s team is one of eight in Division I — and the only one in the Southeastern Conference — that is undefeated as the schedule prepares to turn to 2017 and the beginning of league play.

No. 5 MSU women finally return home, rout Alabama State

STARKVILLE — Ameshya Williams leaned in and listened.

Wolfenbarger chosen to lead MUW baseball program

Larry Mims knew what to expect from Matt Wolfenbarger.

No. 5 MSU women play first game at home in a month

You’ll have to excuse Vic Schaefer and the Mississippi State women’s basketball team if it takes them a while to re-adjust to Humphrey Coliseum.

After traveling 17,190 miles and playing 11 games away from home, No. 5 MSU will play its first home game in a month at 7 tonight when it takes on Alabama State (1-7) at Humphrey Coliseum.

Griffin excited about honoring Joe Horne

Gary Griffin laughs when asked what he remembers about Joe Horne.

It’s a fitting reaction because Griffin recalls Horne, who was his industrial arts teacher at Lee High School in Columbus, having a great sense of humor and an ability to keep students interested in his classroom.

No. 5 MSU’s travels continue in Los Angeles

The wins and the frequent flier miles are piling up for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Following a 58-44 victory against Little Rock on Tuesday in Little Rock, Arkansas, MSU got up at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday and flew out of Little Rock at 7 a.m. to fly to Atlanta, where it turned around and hopped on another plane for a four-hour flight to California.

Anagnost will follow process to transform MSU women’s soccer

STARKVILLE — Tom Anagnost loves the process.

A self-described “day-to-day person,” Anagnost enjoys evaluating student-athletes every day to test their competitive and tactical skills as soccer players. The veteran assistant coach and head coach has used that process to have success motivating players and pushing his teams to the NCAA tournament.

Ole Miss women earn big win vs. No. 25 Oregon

OXFORD — Matt Insell said the Ole Miss women’s basketball team wasn’t in a “must-win” situation against No. 25 Oregon

But the Rebels played with the defensive intensity and the scoring balance of a team that didn’t resemble a team picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference preseason poll Wednesday night.

Bulldogs knock off Trojans to start season 10-0

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Blair Schaefer is doing her best to impersonate Dominique Dillingham.