Starkville High’s Bush signs with Itawamba C.C.

STARKVILLE — You name it, D’Antae Bush can do it.

Plenty riding on MSU’s game tonight at Kentucky

Oh, the possibilities.

It’s easy to get lost in the numbers when you consider the ramifications of the No. 13 Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s game at 6 tonight (SEC Network) against No. 10 Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

New Hope’s Vogel, Morrison will play in All-Star game

New Hope High School no longer is a name associated only with baseball, softball, basketball, football, and girls golf.

In the past six years, the New Hope High girls soccer team has made a steady climb up the ladder of respectability. In 2010, the program made its first playoff appearance. New Hope earned what coach Mary Nagy believes was its first playoff victory a year later (against Oxford). The team won first-round playoff matches the next two seasons as it matured, but it couldn’t get past Ridgeland in the second round. Last season, New Hope beat Oxford to clear that hurdle against Oxford and then defeated Lewisburg to advance to its first state title match, where it lost to West Jones 2-0.

Don’t stop believin’ MSU women will play host to NCAA tournament games

South Detroit is a long way from Starkville.

But the cell phones that lit up Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday afternoon showed that all it takes is one classic song to bridge more than 800 miles.

Carter makes impact for MSU women; William honored

STARKVILLE — First things first, Savannah Carter tried to call timeout with the Mississippi State women’s basketball team nursing a one-point lead against Texas A&M in overtime Sunday.

But you never know when you’re going to have an equipment malfunction, or when your mouthpiece is going to get stuck in your mouth and render it impossible for you to say the word — TIMEOUT — everyone wants you to deliver before you commit a turnover with the game on the line.

Vivians’ 3-pointer sends No. 17 MSU past No. 14 Texas A&M

STARKVILLE — Welcome to the NCAA tournament, Mississippi State.

Gary Blair isn’t on the NCAA tournament selection committee, but the Texas A&M women’s basketball coach took the liberty Sunday to dispel any notion MSU will suffer any drama as March Madness approaches.

No. 17 MSU can thank Victoria Vivians for helping it punch its proverbial ticket because it was her 3-pointer from the left corner with 55 seconds remaining that propelled it to a 63-61 overtime victory against No. 14 Texas A&M before a crowd of 4,651 at Humphrey Coliseum.

East Central’s Sykes will play soccer at William Carey

Matt Sykes admits baseball was one of the first things he thought of when he received an email from one of the William Carey University men’s soccer coaches.

Sykes, who played baseball at Heritage Academy in Columbus, knew William Carey was strong in the sport, but he didn’t know very much about its men’s soccer program or about the school, which is in Hattiesburg.

MSU women feel more confident this time for Texas A&M

STARKVILLE — Jerica James laughs when she is asked about what she remembers about recent games against Texas A&M.

As one of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s three four-year seniors, James doesn’t want to have anything to do with MSU’s 81-33 loss to Texas A&M on Jan. 24, 2013. She also winces at the thought of the Bulldogs’ 73-35 loss to the Aggies on Jan. 19, 2014.

The feeling is different this time.

Cliett, Sykes overcome injuries to realize dreams

Cody Cliett and Stephen Sykes don’t regard injuries as obstacles that knock them off course.

Instead, the Caledonia High School senior linemen have used setbacks they have suffered in their careers as motivation to help them arrive at their destinations of choice.

Lipscomb, Hibbler set pace for Columbus

Alex Lipscomb thought it was over.

Sitting in the back seat of the car while his mother, Rosalind Boaz, drove, Lipscomb cried as he contemplated the injury he suffered to his left knee and believed he might have played his final football game.

“That was the longest ride of my life,” Lipscomb said.

Five New Hope players set college plans

Inez Temple better get ready.

If word gets out about her pork chops, rice, biscuits and the rest of her culinary delights, Darron Temple might have to fight for a spot at his grandmother’s dinner table.

As it is, the New Hope High School senior said he is going to rely on his grandmother to help him gain weight for the next step in his life: college football.

Rogers will take love of hitting to Coahoma C.C.

“Go hard and be humble”

Tyshon Rogers initially thought that mantra was going to serve him well as he pursued an opportunity to play baseball in college.

But something came over Rogers once he started hitting people on the football field. While he still loves baseball and likely will play third base for the Panthers this season, Rogers’ approach has earned him a chance to play football in college.

Germantown girls end New Hope’s season in Class 5A North state title match

Two losses to Germantown High School in the regular season prepared the New Hope High girls soccer team for everything it was going to face Tuesday night.

The Mavericks didn’t disappoint, either.

Let’s remember Shepherd in special way

Every city or town has them.

The season or sport don’t matter.

Whether it is an umpire, a coach, an administrator, a scorekeeper, a manager, every city or town — big and small — has individuals who give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Defense has stayed steady for New Hope

Amidst all of the injuries, sickness, ice baths, lineup changes, roster shuffles, and ordinary ups and downs, the New Hope High School girls soccer team has found it can rely on an old standby.

New Hope coach Mary Nagy and the Lady Trojans actually have three experienced hands — Kayla Smith, Abby Wilson, and Bethany Vaughan — they can turn to when they need to protect a lead or to lock down the defense in front of goalkeeper Mackenzie Harvey. Smith, Wilson, and Vaughan played key roles last week in helping New Hope beat Saltillo in a shootout and Center Hill 4-2 in the first two rounds of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State playoffs.

New Hope rallies behind a lady that believed in them

Ame Robertson played softball under former New Hope High School coach Cary Shepherd for six years.

She remembers that when she was a freshman, her old coach once called her into a meeting, and Robertson expected the worst.

Ole Miss women face No. 1 South Carolina

The Ole Miss women’s basketball team has no choice but to bounce back.

MSU women looking for more from Chapel

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team needs Ketara Chapel.

MSU women move to 22-2 by routing Vanderbilt

STARKVILLE — Forty-one points.

Alwal showing form that made her first-team All-SEC player

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer knows how to accentuate a point.

Sitting in a chair behind a table on a podium in the media room at Humphrey Coliseum, the Mississippi State women’s basketball coach will listen to a question and take a moment to consider it. Once Schaefer begins his answer, he will turn and look at the person who is the subject of the query and try to make eye contact to emphasize what he is saying.

Schaefer had more than one of those instances Wednesday afternoon as he discussed his team’s preparations for its game at 7 tonight against Vanderbilt (12-8, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) at the Hump. He also made sure senior center Martha Alwal understood what he was saying and how important it will be for her to back up his words.