Articles by Adam Minichino
Salter ready to take bigger role for MSU women’s program
STARKVILLE — LaKaris Salter wants to go longer this season.
Woodard II, Riley eager to start hoops season at Columbus
Robert Woodard II has been waiting since last year to be part of the excitement of another season.
Maturing Barker leads Heritage Academy at QB
A quick change wasn’t a shock to the system for Dylan Barker.
After all, Barker shared the quarterback duties with Tyler Anderson and learned the Heritage Academy football team’s offense last season. Barker had to digest an added wrinkle in the offseason when he moved from quarterback to tight end and figured to be a big part of the Patriots’ passing attack as a blocker and receiver.
Freshman Bruffett making physical presence for MSU
STARKVILLE — Lauryn “Red” Bruffett enjoys wreaking havoc as a forward.
But there is a difference in the amount of damage you can do when you are 5-foot-4 compared to someone who is 5-9.
Bruffett knows that all too well because four years ago she hadn’t hit the growth spurt that has helped her to mature to her current height as a freshman on the Mississippi State women’s soccer team.
Pickle looking for commitment from Trojans
Kris Pickle is looking for commitment.
Whether it’s in the weight room, in practice, or in a game, the second-year head coach of the New Hope High School football team wants to see which members of his team can look past all of the ups and downs and the Trojans’ record and keep fighting. Pickle believes that attitude is more important that New Hope’s 1-6 (0-3 in Class 5A, Region 1) record because it is going to help determine who will be around to help the team reverse its fortunes this season and in the future.
Oak Hill Academy will face big test from Class AAA Leake Academy
WEST POINT — Chris Craven always has preferred to look at execution before he examines the numbers.
The Oak Hill Academy football coach’s philosophy has revolved around the fact that it doesn’t matter how many players you have on your sideline because only 11 can play at the same time. That’s why the Raiders have prided themselves on their ability to work together despite not having the depth of nearly all of their opponents.
You only will need to look at both sidelines at 7 tonight to see how important that point will be when Oak Hill Academy (6-2) plays host to Leake Academy (5-3) in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools matchup.
Olive Branch’s Taylor commits to MSU
Myah Taylor has felt like a member of the Mississippi State women’s basketball family for the better part of the last three years.
When you’re an up-and-coming basketball standout who has attracted national attention, it’s no wonder that MSU coach Vic Schaefer and members of his coaching staff would stay hot on your trail and work hard at building a relationship with you, your family, and your coaches.
Noxubee County, Louisville set for key Class 4A, Region 4 game
MACON — Tyrone Shorter knows a lot about “rivalry” games.
With a schedule packed with games against Starkville, Columbus, Meridian, West Point, and Kemper County, the Noxubee County High School football team has gone in nearly every direction to play some of the area’s best teams. Shorter even took the Tigers to the state of Texas earlier this season to face state power Aledo High.
Victory Christian has playoff hopes on line vs. Tuscaloosa Christian
Chase Austin wouldn’t go as far to call it a “fresh start.”
But when you have had as many injuries as the Victory Christian Academy football team, getting everyone back except two players is a reason to be excited. The timing couldn’t be better, either, after Victory Christian used the past two off weeks to get healthy in time for its annual regular-season rivalry game against Tuscaloosa Christian.
West Lowndes will try to build confidence vs. Vardaman
Belief.
Anthony King feels self-confidence is the primary obstacle the West Lowndes High School football team has to hurdle to realize its potential. King believes the Panthers have all of the other necessary elements — speed, weapons in the running and passing games, and playmakers on defense — to make noise in the postseason.
New Hope softball opens playoffs with sweep of Ridgeland
Hope Williams doesn’t know how to explain the “miracle” that helped transform the New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team’s season.
Columbus Christian’s Shaw learning how to slow it down
STEENS — Slow it down.
Dawson Shaw doesn’t know how many times he has heard Columbus Christian Academy football coach Greg Watkins say those words to him.
Most times, the junior is going 100 mph, whether at quarterback or in the secondary, so it sometimes takes him a moment to process what Watkins is trying to tell him.
But Watkins’ patience has found a way to satiate Shaw’s need for speed. As a result, Shaw is learning how to slow down just a little bit to read the situation and to use his athleticism to make plays.
Noxubee County getting healthy, finding its stride
MACON — Normalcy is returning to the Noxubee County High School football team.
Ordinarily, a 34-point victory wouldn’t be cause for celebration for the reigning Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state champions. But when your coach says you’re not playing “Noxubee County football” and you’re mired in an atypical four-game losing streak, even the smallest sign of program can be hailed as an achievement.
City has decision to make about soccer complex
What do you see when you drive past the Columbus Soccer Complex?
Do you see an opportunity, or do you wonder why the city and county spent so much time and energy — and all of that money — for something only a fraction of the area residents can enjoy?
Your answer to those questions will be important to how this next piece of news is received: Tom Velek has resigned as director of coaching for soccer in Columbus and as director of competitive soccer for Columbus United, the competitive soccer club of the Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority.
Holmes learning how to fit in at MSU
STARKVILLE — The intake and exhale says a lot about Jazzmun Holmes’ first week of practice with the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.
Even though it only takes a few seconds, Holmes’ deep breath sounds like it is trying to push something out of the way.
“Intense. Very intense. Fast. A lot of learning, learning new things, learning new people,” Holmes said of her first week as a Bulldog.
Signs of growth there for Caledonia in loss to Louisville
CALEDONIA — The signs of growth are there.
That’s why a crud-stricken Andy Crotwell could stand near midfield in the driving rain and tell his Caledonia High School football players they are “so close.”
Two scoring drives that ended in field goals, not touchdowns. Missed opportunities to seal a gap or to fill a gap to prevent a long gain. A field goal that clanked off the left upright and deflected the wrong way.
Caledonia faces Louisville in another region challenge
CALEDONIA — Turn the page.
Coaches often talk about getting their players to put mistakes behind them so one miscue doesn’t become two and two don’t become four.
That adage is even more important for teams facing challenging schedules. Caledonia High School football coach Andy Crotwell’s team falls into that category as a member of the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 4A, region 4. With perennial state champions like Noxubee County and Louisville and a playoff regular like Kosciusko, there isn’t much wiggle room for a team like Caledonia that is trying to secure one of four playoff spots in the six-team region.
Heritage Academy wants to get back to .500
Toughness. Resiliency. Perseverance.
Regardless which word you select, there are a number of ways to describe the way the Heritage Academy football team rallied in the second half to beat West Lowndes 30-20 last week. After committing a turnover that helped the Panthers take a 14-9 lead, the Patriots answered with two scores that helped them re-take the lead and take a step closer to evening their record at 4-4.
Heritage Academy will try to build on that strong finish at 7 tonight when it plays host to Winston Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, District 2 game in Columbus.
Holiday Handcrafts Bazaar accepting vendor applications
July 12, 2025
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