Articles by Adam Minichino
New Hope’s Smith commits to play soccer at Meridian C.C.
Kayla Smith has been playing defense for so long she didn’t remember Wednesday she spent one season as a midfielder for the New Hope High School girls soccer team.
“I guess it was a forgettable experience because I didn’t really enjoy being a midfielder,” Smith said. “I didn’t feel that was my place, but I was just trying to do what was best for my team.”
Vogel commits to play soccer at Jones County J.C.
Sam Vogel wanted to shake her phone.
She wasn’t having relationship issues or reacting to a frustrating phone call. The New Hope High School senior wanted her phone to ring or to buzz to let her know Jones County Junior College women’s soccer coach Dolores Deasley was calling so she could renew a dialogue that first started in June at the Mike Harbin Soccer Camp at William Carey in Hattiesburg.
New Hope readies for huge region battle with West Point
Kris Pickle knew his new players were hungry to win the day he met them.
Grant looks for strong finish to MSU career
STARKVILLE — Technically, Kendra Grant’s shooting form ranks with the best players in the Southeastern Conference.
Cunningham helps lead Columbus Christian to 11-man district title
STEENS — When you have been at a school for as long as KC Cunningham, it’s natural to have left a trail of accomplishments.
Ole Miss will look to freshmen to replace McFarland at point
OXFORD — Coaches cringe when they lose players with “franchise” labels.
That’s how Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Matt Insell refers to Valencia McFarland, a do-it-all point guard who paced the Rebels for the past four seasons. McFarland, a second-team All-Southeastern Conference performer and honorable mention All-American, finished her career as the program’s sixth all-time leading scorer with more than 1,600 points. She also led the team in steals for four seasons, and was one of four players in program history to score more than 1,000 points and hand out more than 400 assists.
Wilson’s ‘go-getter’ attitude pays off in college opportunity
Abby Wilson had never considered the notion, so it wasn’t surprising that she laughed.
A go-getter? The New Hope High School senior couldn’t help but smile at the thought. The more she contemplated it, Wilson liked the idea and credited her parents, especially her father, David, for encouraging her to work hard, to be the best she can be, and not to quit at anything she does.
Morrison realizes dream with commitment to Meridian C.C.
Soccer has been a part of Effie Morrison’s life ever since she was 3 years old.
At the time, Derrick Parnell, who would later become Effie’s step father, wanted Morrison to play soccer. Parnell played soccer and his son had played soccer, and he saw something in Morrison that convinced him the sport would be perfect for a little girl who already had overcome so much.
Ellis showcases moves in New Hope’s win vs. Lewisburg
Bryson Ellis doesn’t think he can dance.
“Not at all,” the New Hope High School senior said when asked about his ability to move to the music.
When it comes to the football field, though, Ellis can juke, jitter, and glide with the best of them.
Columbus Christian will shoot for first 11-man district title
STEENS — B.J. Shirley remembers how close the Columbus Christian football team was last season.
One more play. That’s all the Rams needed to secure the program’s first district title in 11-man football. Unfortunately, Deer Creek Academy prevented that play from happening and held on for a 28-26 victory.
Odds are Shirley and his teammates will think about that play on the three-hour bus ride to Arcola today prior to Columbus Christian’s game against Deer Creek Academy at 7 tonight. The play will be fresh on the minds of the Rams because a victory tonight will help them gain revenge and earn that first district title nearly one year to the day later.
Columbus will play host to Madison Central in key region game
Randal Montgomery’s message has remained positive throughout the ups and downs of his first season as football coach at Columbus High School.
Montgomery has had to work to change the mind-set of a program that never has had consistent success amidst the expectations that his success at Class 3A Hazlehurst High — where he led the program to three consecutive state title games, winning one — led some to believe he would be able to have similar success immediately at Class 6A Columbus.
New Hope looks to bounce back from first loss
Kris Pickle and the New Hope High School football team have turned the page.
Heritage Academy wants enthusiasm to carry over to rivalry game
The smiles were back at Heritage Academy after a week’s hiatus.
New Hope’s Taylor excited about chance to play at Gulf Coast C.C.
At 5-foot-9, 140 pounds, Sam Taylor’s name on a roster won’t catch your eye if you’re looking for a physical specimen.
Neshoba Central uses HRs to power past New Hope
“Don’t be in a rush.”
Kayla McKinion didn’t hear the advice offered to her by one of the fans of the Neshoba Central slow-pitch softball team on Tuesday night. You couldn’t blame the junior outfielder for being locked in. After all, the bases were loaded and a short right-field porch at Lady Trojan Field beckoned. The only thing McKinion had to do was be patient, pick out her pitch, and let the hours of practice and training help her do the rest.
MSU’s Alwal hopes new habits will pay dividends
STARKVILLE — Martha Alwal doesn’t like to talk about herself.
That’s why you won’t hear the 6-foot-4 center discussing how she earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the league coaches and The Associated Press last season after leading the team in scoring (14.9 points per game).
You also won’t hear Alwal bragging about how she was named to the SEC’s All-Defensive team for the second-straight year or how she shared its defensive player of the year award after finishing third in the league in rebounding (8.8 per game) and first in blocked shots (2.7).
Maturing New Hope softball team will play for North State title
Chelsey Ray knows how deadly quicksand can be.
An error can lead to another mistake and all of a sudden every member of the New Hope High School slow-pitch softball team has her head down. From there, look out because the dominoes start to fall in all of the wrong ways and, before they know it, the Lady Trojans are wondering what hit them.
Raiders’ Riley proves to be unstoppable force
WEST POINT — Drew Riley is persistent.
The Oak Hill Academy junior running back understands the notion you stick with something until a team adjusts or stops you. But nearly three days after one of his best rushing efforts of his career, even Riley admits he would have liked coach Tony Stanford to have called a different running play, if only to add a little variety to what had the feeling of a Bill Murray-flavored evening in West Point.
