Curry wants more energy from Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Life lessons are going to be constant teaching points for Kristy Curry this season.

With 10 freshmen and sophomores on the Alabama women’s basketball team’s roster, the third-year head coach knows from experience she will have to remind her players about focus.

Despite the presence of thousands of screaming fifth-graders, Curry had to remind her players about energy and effort several times Monday in a matinee against North Florida.

The redemption of Damian Baker

When Damian Baker arrived on the Carson-Newman University campus in the summer of 2014, Andy Hibbett did not think much of him.

Sessom leads way in Ole Miss’ run

Editor’s Note: Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino will catch up with Southeastern Conference coaches every week to keep you updated on what’s going on in the league.

Matt Insell knows the Ole Miss women’s basketball team remains a work in progress.

The third-year head coach just likes how much progress his team has made since he made that comment a month ago.

Coming off a three-game losing streak, Ole Miss (5-3) has won four-straight games prior to its scheduled game against Southern Mississippi on Saturday in Hattiesburg.

Caledonia’s Blakney signs with Northwest Mississippi

CALEDONIA — The term pest should be a coveted moniker for defenders.

After all, the term typically is associated with forwards because the offense usually creates the buzz that generates the headlines.

But Caledonia High School boys soccer coach Mark Box wants to turn that notion on its ear. Box has just the player to do do it, too: Andy Blakney.

MSU women want to see results from hard work

STARKVILLE — “You become what you repeatedly do.”

That was Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer’s thought for the day Thursday as he and his players tried to get back into the swing of things following final exams.

As much as Schaefer likes what he sees from the Bulldogs on defense, the fourth-year MSU head coach knows his team has to get better on offense. That’s why he and the Bulldogs have been working hard this week to tweak their sets and spacing so the points can come a little more easily.

Noxubee County’s Conner proves them wrong again

MACON — Timorrius Conner enjoys proving people wrong.

The Noxubee County High School quarterback also is adept at erasing bad memories. A little more than two months ago, Noxubee County was coming off a 29-28 loss in overtime to Kemper County. The fourth-straight loss dropped the Tigers to 2-4 and left many doubting they would be able to regroup in a competitive Region 4 and make another run at a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A State title.

Schaefer disappointed with MSU’s performance against Tennessee State

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer’s body language said it all.

His comments following the No. 9 Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s 82-54 victory against Tennessee State only verified that the MSU coach wasn’t pleased with what he saw Sunday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.

Monster night by Conner helps Noxubee County to repeat as state champions

OXFORD — Timorrius Conner knew from the first possession it was going to be his night.

Noxubee County rolls over St. Stanislaus for second straight title

OXFORD — Don’t disrespect the defense.

SEC women’s basketball: Texas A&M off to strong start

Gary Blair keeps finding a way to win basketball games.

MSU women return home for Tennessee State

STARKVILLE — For 30 minutes Wednesday, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team showed it can play with one of the nation’s top teams on the road.

New Hope’s Thrasher signs with Northwest Mississippi C.C.

Madison Thrasher couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.

New Hope’s Richardson signs with Itawamba C.C.

Sometimes things just fall into place.

Bradley, Southern Miss will try to claim Conference USA title

The losing was going to stop.

After being a part of one- and three-win teams in his first two

seasons at Southern Mississippi, Dylan Bradley promised himself he was going to do everything in his power to help the Golden Eagles fly again.

Shorter believed Noxubee County could return to title game

MACON — Tyrone Shorter knew what kind of team he had.

For every dropped interception, fumble, busted coverage, or miscommunication he witnessed by his players, the Noxubee County High School football coach had to temper his frustration and realize he had a team capable of getting to Oxford and winning back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state titles.

A lot of Shorter’s frustration came to a head during a four-game losing streak — the program’s first since 2006 — that tested his patience and saw four players quit the team.

ICC’s Bradley signs with Blue Mountain College

Kaitlin Bradley didn’t want the weight of her senior college decision to mess with her sophomore season at Itawamba Community College.

Bradley also didn’t want to settle for a school because the balance between academics and athletics was too important to her.

When she visited Blue Mountain College two weeks ago, Bradley knew pretty quickly she had found the right mix.

Familiar script as Noxubee County prepares for St. Stanislaus

MACON — The script seems awfully familiar to Tyrone Shorter.

A year ago, a lot of the talk surrounding the matchup between the St. Stanislaus and the Noxubee County high school football teams for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state title centered around how the Tigers were going to stop quarterback Myles Brennan and the Rock-a-Chaws’ prolific passing game.

Starkville Academy trio invited to all-star play

STARKVILLE — Houston Clark, Colt Chrestman, and Carter Wood recognized early on they were part of something special.

New Hope’s Brocksmith signs with Jones Junior College

There was a time when Sydney Brocksmith didn’t believe in herself on the soccer field.

No. 9 MSU women face Top 10 test at No. 6 Texas

STARKVILLE — Playing in your home state is always fun.