Focus will be crucial for softball teams at North State tournaments

All Gary Harris wants is an opportunity.

It concerned him Thursday that he wasn’t able to get much of a scouting report for the Heritage Academy fast-pitch softball team’s opponent in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA North State tournament. Harris also had to dismiss the complications that his team would have to face the host team on its home field if it won its first game.

To make matters worse, Harris couldn’t help worry that senior catcher Macy Walters’ sprained ankle was going to bother her this weekend and affect her ability to handle senior pitcher Kaitlyn Oswalt.

Thweatt Jr. will be inducted into EMCC Sports Hall of Fame

Nick Clark can’t help use the word “great” when describing the baseball exploits of Syd. L. Thweatt Jr.

But as talented a hitter and infielder as Thweatt Jr. was at Stephen D. Lee High School in Columbus and East Mississippi Junior College in Scooba, Clark said there is another quality about his longtime friend that has left a bigger impression on him.

Work of a high school football coach never ends

The cycle of high school football never stops.

Carbin, MSU showing signs of growth

STARKVILLE — Make no mistake, Kennadi Carbin didn’t play basketball in high school.

But don’t let the Mississippi State 5-foot-11 freshman fool you because she knows a little something about posting people up.

In soccer, though, the technique of positioning your body in front of a defender and keeping possession usually is called holding the ball. The skill is designed to give an individual on the attacking team time to scan the field and spot an open teammate. Judging from Carbin’s performance late in MSU’s match against Arkansas on Sunday, she has been listening to coach Aaron Gordon’s words of encouragement.

No egos for Nicholson, Starkville Academy coaches

STARKVILLE — Ego isn’t part of the equation for Chase Nicholson.

The Starkville Academy first-year football coach admits he doesn’t have all of the answers. He also knows he isn’t the most experienced member of the team’s coaching staff.

Noxubee County needs lift

MACON — The notion of a “must-win” game in September is a foreign concept to Noxubee County High School.

Britt plays variety of roles to lead Pirates

CARROLLTON, Ala. — Josh Thacker isn’t sure if jack of all trades is an accurate way to categorize Chance Britt.

As one of four senior leaders on the 2015 Pickens Academy football team, Thacker counts on Britt to play a variety of roles and to work with classmates Landon Hattaway, Ryan Harcrow, and Daniel Powell to set the tone for a young squad.

But Thacker is sure of one thing when it comes to Britt: You can’t question the 5-foot-8, 165-pounder’s heart or work ethic.

After first win, New Hope turns focus to region

Kris Pickle admits young teams have the most trouble figuring out how to put things behind them and keep playing.

If you’re a member of the New Hope High School football team, multiply that sentiment three times and you get a sense of how the players felt after losing to Louisville, Aberdeen, and Columbus to open the season.

Williams could be part of MSU’s equation at forward

STARKVILLE — Depth equals competition.

Sherise Williams knows Vic Schaefer and his coaching staff have been working hard to make that mantra a reality for the Mississippi State women’s basketball team.

Reality has arrived in a big way in Starkville as the Bulldogs continue preparations for the 2015-16 season, which is why Williams can contain her enthusiasm about her chances to see playing time at a new position.

Game of Week: Caledonia, New Hope renew rivalry Friday

CALEDONIA — This is where Andy Crotwell hopes the Caledonia High School football team would be entering the fifth week of the season.

Heritage Academy looks to bounce back from loss

A slow start and five turnovers aren’t essential ingredients to a successful evening.

Noxubee County will try to beat West Point to end skid

MACON — The talk isn’t going to bother Tyrone Shorter.

In 18 years as a coach at Noxubee County High School, Shorter has heard plenty of whispers, comments, and shouts from fans the stands about the play of the Tigers. That’s to be expected when a program becomes as successful as Noxubee County and wins three state championships in seven seasons and develops a reputation as one of the state of Mississippi’s powers.

Shorter believed the 2015 squad had the experience and returning leadership to be handle the expectations the program faced this season after winning a state title in 2014. In the preseason, Noxubee County was open about its goal to make history and become the school’s first football team to win back-to-back state titles.

Davis ready to build Columbus baseball up again

Lee Davis knows the players who helped the Columbus High School baseball program have the best run in its history.

Davis also has coached and has worked in the area long enough to know what it takes to be successful at Columbus High.

That’s part of the reason the veteran coach wanted to take on the challenge of becoming Columbus High’s new baseball coach. On Monday, the Columbus Municipal School Board approved Davis to be the program’s new coach. Davis replaces Jeffrey Bryan Dean, who was approved as coach in June.

Riley plays big role in Raiders’ bounce-back victory

WEST POINT — “Devastated.”

That’s how Drew Riley said the Oak Hill Academy football team felt two weeks ago after starting quarterback Ken Dill had to leave the game against Heritage Academy with an injury. In addition to losing to the Patriots 10-0, the Raiders learned shortly after the setback that Dill could be lost for the season with a foot injury. They also had to deal with an assortment of other bumps and bruises, including Riley, who used ice to tend to an aching side as he listened to coach Chris Craven’s post-game talk.

Fulgham’s work lifts Victory Christian

Reed Fulgham did work Friday night.

It shouldn’t have been surprising, though, because the Victory Christian Academy senior was a key part of a Christian Football Association championship last season. While Anthony Sharp amassed more than 2,500 yards rushing and receiving and had 49 touchdowns, Fulgham directed the offense to the tune of 1,612 yards passing and a 65.1-percent completion percentage.

But things change when you lose players like Sharp and Cody Bolton, another key offensive performer who was part of a senior group that pushed the Eagles to a 10-1 finish.

Hill, Eagles hope offense keeps rolling

PHEBA — Spent. Gassed. Pooped.

Landon Hill was all three of those and more last week in the third quarter against Delta Academy.

The Hebron Christian senior had just scored and was laid out in the end zone trying to catch a breather. As Hill stared up at the sky and wondered how he must going to muster the energy to play the final 10 minutes, teammates Payton Griffin and Brian Eaddy encouraged him to get up because there was more work that needed to be done.

Gordon likes where MSU is entering SEC opener

STARKVILLE — Aaron Gordon believes in his players.

A four-goal performance against Nicholls State last week and an effort Monday that generated a lot of scoring chances but resulted in a scoreless tie against Southern Mississippi left the Mississippi State women’s soccer coach feeling good about where his team is as it enters its Southeastern Conference opener against Vanderbilt (3-3) at 7 tonight in Nashville, Tennessee. The match will be available online via SEC Network + and for those with WatchESPN access.

Morgan learning to find voice as MSU’s captain

STARKVILLE — Morgan William is learning the enormity of what the word “captain” encompasses.

Last week, the Mississippi State sophomore learned that women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer had named her captain of the 2015-16 team. After not having a captain for his first three seasons at MSU, Schaefer felt the time was right to show his 5-foot-5 point guard how highly he thinks of her by giving her the responsibility of being an even bigger team leader.

Craven won’t allow injuries to ruin Oak Hill Academy’s season

WEST POINT — Chris Craven isn’t going to allow a few injuries to ruin a season.

Granted, the injuries the Oak Hill Academy football team suffered prior to and during its game last week against Heritage Academy have left it with even fewer numbers entering its game at 7 tonight against West Memphis Christian.

Merchant’s plan starting to take hold at Sulligent

Daniel Merchant has a plan.

If you need any reassurance that Merchant’s strategy works, take a look at the success Merchant had in revitalizing the Oak Hill Academy football program and energizing the West Lowndes High School defense.