Schaefer poised to win 100th game at MSU

STARKVILLE — “It’s a real special time here in Starkville.”

Vic Schaefer knows the depth of that statement better than most. But the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach doesn’t hoard the attention or glory for spearheading one of the biggest transformations in recent memory in the sport. Instead, Schaefer often will credit associate head coach Johnnie Harris and assistant coaches Dionnah Jackson-Durrett and Carly Thibault, director of operations Maryann Baker, and director of scouting/video coordinator Skylar Collins, calling that group “the best staff in the country.”

Scarbrough senior scoring sensation for Eagles

Brady Scarbrough always gravitated toward baseball.

Growing up, baseball is the first sport Scarbrough loved, so it was natural for him to want to play it as long as possible.

But something clicked in the seventh grade and Scarbrough found a new love: basketball.

“I played Upward Basketball one year and then I came (to Victory Christian Academy in Columbus) and they asked me to play,” Scarbrough said. “It was just fun. I enjoyed it. I wasn’t really good at it back then, but was fun.”

Richardson epitomizes consistency for MSU

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer has plans for 7 tonight.

The Mississippi State women’s basketball coach won’t be preparing a pre-game speech for his team. Instead, he will be on hand to watch senior Breanna Richardson take part in graduation ceremonies at Humphrey Coliseum.

Heritage Academy excited about chance to play in Memphis

Russ Whiteside has known a lot of peers who have had a chance to coach in professional arenas.

The Heritage Academy boys basketball coach will get his first opportunity to work in a NBA arena next week when his team takes on Tishomingo County at approximately 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game is part of a doubleheader with the Heritage Academy girls basketball team and Tishomingo County High School. That game will start at 1 p.m.

Griffin announces lineup for Joe Horne Christmas Classic

Gary Griffin has been at Columbus High School long enough to know what it takes to put on an event like the annual Joe Horne Christmas Classic.

Trufant has been busy in first six months at The W

The last six months have been a whirlwind for Jason Trufant.

Whether it has been hiring coaches, doing paperwork, unveiling a new athletic logo, compiling manuals, or traveling throughout the Golden Triangle, the new director of athletics at Mississippi University for Women has had plenty to do to increase awareness about the school’s plan to bring back women’s intercollegiate athletics and to introduce men’s sports for the 2017-18 school year.

It’s all in attitude for West Point

WEST POINT — Continuity is the life blood of most championship programs.

While coaches are fond of talking about how great teams have great players, they often don’t discuss the importance of having leaders who understand what it take to make a program special. It doesn’t matter if you call it a mind-set or an identity. Championship programs need leaders who can establish a foundation, get their players to buy into that concept, and attack it every day with a relentlessness that dares someone — anyone — to stop them.

MSU women climb to program-best No. 5 in AP poll

Coaches savor every win.

That’s why it’s difficult for Vic Schaefer to pick one he would call the best, even if his Mississippi State women’s basketball team has played only eight games.

The dilemma Schaefer faces is understandable considering MSU (8-0) has played seven games away from the comfortable confines of Humphrey Coliseum. The game MSU did play at home — a 79-68 victory against then-No. 8 Texas — ranks with a victory against Oregon in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu.

Pickens Academy’s Colvin will play softball at ICC

CARROLLTON, Ala. — Abigail Colvin might be a little hard on herself.

But the Pickens Academy senior has a knack for picking out the right memory to illustrate how much she has matured as a softball player since she was a sixth-grader.

Alabama women rally to beat Kansas in OT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Hannah Cook didn’t know how to describe her fancy footwork.

Was it a juke step? Did she know how much time she had to get the shot off?

The junior guard knew she had only seconds remaining in regulation to launch a 3-pointer from the top of the key, so she calmly executed a step back move to free herself from Kansas’ Kylee Kopatich.

Caledonia’s Cross named to All-Star game

CALEDONIA — “Guess what happened?”

Bailie Cross didn’t have any idea what her mother, Beth, was talking about when she arrived home from school last month.

Cross said she and her mother usually talk about their days when she gets home from Caledonia High School, but she had a feeling something was different this time.

Iowa State next road challenge for No. 6 MSU

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer assembled the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s 2016-17 schedule knowing full well his team was going to learn how to handle being the hunted.

Trips to Maine and Hawaii as well as a game against Tulane in Biloxi and a lone home game against then-No. 8 Texas have provided plenty of evidence No. 6 MSU has accepted the growing bull’s eye on its back and is prepared to travel to any destination to prove it is worthy.

West Point finally ready to play for state title

WEST POINT — It’s nearly time.

Everitt Cunningham can hardly contain himself. After waiting ever since his freshman season, the West Point senior finally will get to play for a state championship at 7 p.m. Saturday when West Point (13-1) takes on Laurel (13-1) in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State title game at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.

Okorie’s improved play provides spark for MSU women

STARKVILLE — You’ll have to excuse Chinwe Okorie’s confusion.

Even though she is a senior, the Mississippi State center has been playing basketball for only four years, so she is still getting used to all of the festivities that follow games and tournaments.

MSU women receives commitment from Australian Bibby

Keil Moore saw the potential in Chloe Bibby the first time he saw her play.

As international director of scouting for Prospectsnation.com, a website that covers women’s college basketball recruiting, Moore was in the Czech Republic for the 2014 International Basketball federation (FIBA) Under-17 World Championships. One of the standout players Moore saw at the event was Bibby, a 6-foot-1 forward who was playing for Australia. Moore was struck by Bibby’s “blue-collar feel” as well as her toughness and strength.

Heritage Academy’s Anderson and Sneed ready for all-star chance

Tyler Anderson and Logan Sneed will be on opposite sides of the field Friday afternoon.

Dill provided leadership for Oak Hill Academy football team

WEST POINT — Gunslinger. Playmaker. Leader.

Player of Week: Cunningham leads defensive effort for West Point

WEST POINT — Everitt Cunningham has heard it for years.

MSU women come home with highest-ever national ranking

STARKVILLE — “Live it” has become a new mantra for Vic Schaefer’s Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

West Point comes together to secure title date

Brothers find a way to get the job done.

Chris Chambless likely will admit the West Point High School football team played a first half to forget Friday night in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A North State title game at McCallister Field at Hamblin Stadium.

There usually is a false sense of security when you have defeated a team in the regular season. That confidence gets even bigger when the margin is as large as the 39-17 cushion West Point enjoyed in its victory against Region 1 rival Lake Cormorant on Oct. 14.