Heritage Academy hopes to continue high-scoring ways

Sean Harrison isn’t counting on another 28-point first quarter or a 77-point outburst.

But the Heritage Academy football coach is confident his senior-laden team isn’t going to relax after a 30-point win in the first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA playoffs.

MSU women begin to put pieces together

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team will attempt its first chemistry experiment tonight.

Coach Vic Schaefer isn’t sure what he is going to see at 6 tonight when No. 10 takes on Arkansas-Fort Smith in an exhibition game at Humphrey Coliseum, but he intends to mix and match pieces to get a sense if this year’s team is ready to start living up to all of its preseason accolades.

The W unveils new athletic logo

Dr. Jim Borsig would have preferred temperatures to have been in the 50s Wednesday morning.

That way the president of The Mississippi University for Women would have been a little cooler as he used his navy blazer to disguise the shirt he was wearing.

The shirt Borsig selected for the gathering at Cochran Hall wasn’t an ordinary one, either. In fact, it had a unique color — Welty Blue — and something even more special he didn’t want to reveal to anyone on campus before 10 a.m.

New Hope’s Vogel II signs with Itawamba C.C. in soccer

Bryan Vogel II spent a lot of his youth soccer days playing in older age divisions.

Caledonia’s Parish signs soccer offer with Itawamba C.C.

CALEDONIA — Showcase events are norm for high school student-athletes looking to play at the next level.

Caledonia’s Darling signs with Itawamba C.C. in golf

CALEDONIA — Dylan Darling doesn’t recall everything that happened when he was a middle schooler.

Columbus Christian Academy boys win Class AA cross country title

Billy Thomas felt confident Monday.

The Columbus Christian Academy cross country coach used meets against Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) members Tupelo Christian, Itawamba Agricultural High School, and South Pontotoc to help his reigning Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AA State champion boys team prepare for a chance to win another title.

Noxubee County closing in on playing full game

MACON — Kyziah Pruitt knows what it is like to be close.

A deep pass down the middle from Maliek Stallings in the second quarter nearly led Pruitt all the way to pay dirt. Unfortunately, Pruitt couldn’t break free from a defender and had to settle for a 47-yard gain that moved the Noxubee County High School football team 4 yards from another score.

Nicholson confident Starkville Academy will be ready

STARKVILLE — Chase Nicholson hopes for a better performance this week.

Given everything the Starkville Academy football coach has seen from his team this week, he feels confident that the Volunteers are building to a good performance.

Holmes finding louder voice for MSU women

STARKVILLE — Jazzmun Holmes doesn’t make it a habit to spout bad words at practice.

But it is illuminating to hear Holmes used several “bad words” last week to chastise a teammate for not being in the right position or for not knowing who she was supposed to be guarding because a year ago she admitted she cried during the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s first practice. Holmes said later in the first month of her freshman season that she “got over it, put on my big-girl pants and went with it.”

Schaefer isn’t surprised by what he sees at scrimmage

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer wasn’t surprised.

The Mississippi State women’s basketball coach didn’t expect a work of art in his team’s Maroon and White scrimmage on Wednesday night at Humphrey Coliseum. Schaefer knew there were going to be turnovers, missed defensive assignments, and a lack of execution during the five quarters of action.

Playoffs arrive a week early for Caledonia

CALEDONIA — The playoffs have arrived.

Don’t worry, you’re not early, so don’t double check your calendar to make sure you missed something.

It’s just that the Caledonia High School football team has reached the knockout stage of the season one week prior to the official start of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs.

Shorter knows it’s time for Tigers to finish

MACON — It’s time to finish.

Tyrone Shorter feels Friday night would be the ideal time for the Noxubee County High School football team to put it all together and build momentum for another run at a state title.

If Shorter has his way, Noxubee County will do that at 7 p.m. Friday against Houston in its regular-season finale. The game also will serve as Senior Night for the Tigers.

Junior Schaefer brings leadership to MSU women’s program

STARKVILLE — Blair Schaefer understands the importance of leadership.

Heritage Academy will be back at home for playoffs

Coaches love experience.

Players who have been in tight games and know how to handle the excitement associated with decisions that go down to the final minute help coaches manage their teams.

Veterans also give coaches a handy fall-back answer when they’re momentarily stumped by a question.

Columbus basketball teams showcase Purple Madness

Robert Woodard II doesn’t mind a few extra sets of eyes looking down on him.

In fact, the Columbus High School junior won’t hesitate to look up to the far wall by the scoreboard for a reminder that the Falcons can realize championship dreams if they work together.

Brownlee has career-best night for Green Wave

WEST POINT — Friday night was time for Jason Brownlee to show out.

Instead of talking about his exploits in a 48-6 victory against Saltillo, the West Point High School junior wide receiver prefers to talk about how well the Green Wave offensive line blocked and the efforts of senior quarterback Clayton Knight.

But Brownlee can’t help smile when asked about his performance.

Heritage Academy knocks off Leake Academy to win district title

A resolute stare can wear down even the most steadfast coach.

Seniors Richardson, Chapel poised to play key roles

STARKVILLE — Young. Established. Re-focused.

Timid. Maturing. Changed.

A game of word association can be limiting and revealing at the same time. When Mississippi State seniors Breanna Richardson and Ketara Chapel are asked for one word to describe each of their first three seasons, it’s illuminating to see how their choices reflect the ups and downs of their individual careers.

Patriots primed to secure district title

Sean Harrison has talked all season about how important it is for the Heritage Academy Patriots to play physical football.

It says something about the Patriots’ progress that Harrison can proclaim his players delivered the most physical week 10 of practice he has been a part of as a coach.

Heritage Academy’s ability to continue to play that brand of football will be crucial at 7 tonight when it plays host to Leake Academy in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 regular-season finale at C.L. Mitchell Field.