Oak Hill baseball continues on comeback kick

WEST POINT — Frozen between second and third base, Ken Dill knew he better make a decision quickly.

If you have seen the Oak Hill Academy baseball team play this season, it shouldn’t be difficult to figure out which way Dill decided to go.

True to the Raiders’ aggressive style of play, Dill went to his right to third base, even though Prairie View catcher Nolan Wharton had scooped the pitch in the dirt and was holding the baseball with Dill in his sights.

Weeks steps down after 11 seasons as Hamilton coach

HAMILTON — Ray Weeks never forgot the words.

After more than 20 years as a coach, Weeks always kept the advice of Jerry Crowe, his first coaching boss at Bayou Academy in Cleveland, somewhere in the back of his mind to help him stay grounded.

“You will know when it is the right time” to step aside,” Crowe said, undoubtedly in one of those teaching moments veteran coaches have with young coaches.

Hamilton baseball season ends with loss to Ingomar

HAMILTON — The Hamilton High School baseball team had its chances Thursday night.

Caledonia High’s Obman earns region player of year honors

CALEDONIA — The video says all you need to know about Cassie Obman.

Oak Hill promotes Craven to head football coach

Stability.

The Oak Hill Academy football program hasn’t has a lot of it in the past seven seasons.

Vivians invited to USA Basketball trials

The calendar might suggest it is the offseason, but the Mississippi State women’s basketball team continues to make news.

Oak Forest (La.) takes Game 1 from Starkville Academy

STARKVILLE — Crooked numbers on a scoreboard don’t faze “bulldogs.”

That’s why it didn’t take long for Jeb Malley to regroup after he surrendered the lead and allowed three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

“I just thought, ‘Come out, throw strikes, and see how far they can hit it,’ ” Malley said. “I wanted to see if they could put the ball in play and let my defense do the work.”

Crappie anglers back in Columbus for event

Mike Vallentine has been fishing a long time.

From Florida to Iowa, Vallentine probably knows where to find a fishery that will land a sizable haul.

For the past three years, though, Vallentine has been focused on another search: locating new sites for Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters Tournament Trail. As president of the organization, Vallentine is excited that Illinois and Louisiana have joined the 2015 schedule for the first time. The addition of those states is another step in his effort to help bring more fishing opportunities to local and professional anglers.

Price leads West Lowndes girls to Class 1A State meet

Zabasjia Price knew she had it in her.

Thanks to more repetitions and a heavier load in practice, Price had a feeling she was going to deliver a faster time in the hurdles this season. The only problem was the West Lowndes High School sophomore didn’t know when it was going to come.

Price showed last weekend she has a great sense of timing.

Wilson goes extra for Oak Hill Academy baseball

WEST POINT — Rookie is a perfect baseball nickname.

But Chance Wilson could need a new one if he continues to perform like he did Friday night.

Loss ends season for Caledonia softball team

Whether the Caledonia High School fast-pitch softball team was “tearing the roof off” or the Lady Confederates were picking each other, there were plenty of memorable moments to the 20015 season.

Stillman’s gem helps New Hope sweep Pearl

Josh Stillman knows his teammates have confidence in him.

But every pitcher likes a little reassurance, especially in a tight situation. That’s the dilemma Stillman and the New Hope High School baseball team faced Thursday night with a three-run lead against Pearl in the top of the sixth inning. Dalton Sullivan and Jeremy Johnson had singled to force New Hope coach Lee Boyd to call time to visit the mound for a chat with his senior right-hander.

Ribbons reflect how Caledonia softball has come together

CALEDONIA — Talented is the first word that comes to Nicole Kifer’s mind when she is asked about the Caledonia High School fast-pitch softball team.

The senior outfielder isn’t being cocky. Instead, her answer is an honest assessment of a team that has won two playoff series and is playing some of its best ball of the season.

MSMS wants to continue history-making season

Cullen McDonough knows tennis isn’t at the top of the list when people think about things associated with the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science.

MSMS, the state of Mississippi’s only public, residential high school designed to meet the needs of the Mississippi’s most academically gifted students, prefers to keep academic pursuits as the main focus for all of its students.

But McDonough, Eliza Barrow, and the rest of the MSMS tennis team are doing their best to raise the sport’s profile at the school. Today, MSMS will take on Alcorn Central in the third round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A State tournament. This is the first time MSMS has advanced to the third round of the state tournament. Victories against North Pontotoc and Kossuth have helped the Blue Waves make history.

New Hope’s Bardley signs with East Central C.C.

Jaylon Bardley waited … and then waited some more.

After receiving recruiting interest from East Central Community College in Decatur in December 2014 and then in January of this year, Bardley didn’t talk to many coaches for what seemed to be the longest time. For a senior who wanted to play basketball at the next level, the wait was difficult.

Beard strong in circle for New Hope softball

Brittni Beard was back in the zone.

Usually, the New Hope High School right-hander refrains from showing emotion when she is in the circle. Even though she is an freshman, Beard has been pitching for years and knows how important it is not to get frustrated and not to let the other team know when she is.

That’s why Monday was so difficult for Beard. Not only did she walk seven, Beard also hit two but persevered in a complete-game effort to lead New Hope past Vicksburg in Game 1 of their best-of-three Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A first-round playoff series.

Caledonia has big answer in victory

CALEDONIA — Alex Burns wasn’t going to lower her head after the Caledonia High School fast-pitch softball team made one mistake.

Hope Burton shared the sentiment and knew she had to forget the error and do her job if Caledonia was going to recapture the momentum.

The Lady Confederates accomplished that goal is rousing fashion.

MSU’s Alwal signs contract with WNBA’s Atlanta Dream

Martha Alwal is discovering life as a prospective professional athlete can make you feel like you’re in a whirlwind.

In a five-day span in the past two weeks, the Mississippi State senior center went from anxious to disappointed to excited — without hearing her name called in the WNBA draft.

MACJC softball playoffs will have local flavor

The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges and Junior Colleges (MACJC) softball playoffs will have plenty of spice from the Golden Triangle to liven things up.

Woodard Jr. adds pair of national honors

Don’t expect a busy week in the news to change Robert Woodard Jr.