Articles by Adam Minichino
Montgomery, Columbus focused on getting better
It’s impossible to miss.
No exclamation points or bold print are needed.
Two pieces of paper taped to the windows of the doors to the Columbus High School football team’s field house make that message clear with a pink highlighted line: Columbus (HC).
New Hope wants to build on 5-0 start
Kris Pickle hoped the roots would take hold quickly.
Like all new coaches moving to a new school, Pickle thought a fresh start could work wonders with the New Hope High School football team. The former Aberdeen High assistant coach and head coach at Morton High knew New Hope had talent, but he also knew the program hadn’t had a lot of success under two coaches in the past three seasons.
Vivians ready to shoulder big load for MSU
Editor’s Note: Today, The Dispatch profiles Victoria Vivians, the fifth and final member of the Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s freshman class. The class was nationally ranked and hopes to propel MSU back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010.
Improved Heritage Academy gaining confidence
WEST POINT — It’s difficult to tell if someone is in better condition.
Short of having them run gassers or do bear crawls, coaches have to trust their players are giving their best effort in practice so they are in the best physical shape to play in games.
Bryan excited about present, future for Old Waverly
WEST POINT — It’s an exciting time for George Bryan.
Immersed in the build-up to the LPGA Legends Tour’s ISPS Handa Cup this weekend at Old Waverly Golf Club, Bryan has a chance to squirrel away in his shed next to the club’s pro shop while golf carts dart in and out and players shuffle around the greens.
Heritage Academy softball advances to state tournament
Reality has sunk for the Heritage Academy fast-pitch softball team.
If Gary Harris didn’t see it for himself, the veteran coach probably wouldn’t have believed it, especially after a suffering a 15-0 loss in its first game of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA North State tournament last weekend.
Holmes, Spears first two 2015-16 recruits for MSU women
Add goofiness and loyalty to the Mississippi State women’s basketball team coaching staff’s recruiting check list.
Those items were the latest intangibles Jazz Holmes and Jazmine Spears credited to the Bulldogs and Vic Schaefer and his coaches following official visits to MSU. It didn’t take Holmes and Spears long after being in Starkville to make verbal commitments to play for Schaefer in 2015-16.
Renth leads Lowndes County players at Northwest Mississippi C.C.
A move wasn’t enough to shake Taylor Renth’s confidence.
After all, the former Caledonia High School girls soccer standout moved from playing defense at the prep level to playing forward in her first year at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, so she didn’t have any reason to be concerned about moving to midfield for her sophomore season.
Handa Cup at Old Waverly cranks up Saturday
The smile is still there.
Nancy Lopez can’t help but flash her still white teeth to offer proof that her father’s decision that she wear braces for five years was the right one.
Salter sees unique opportunity with MSU program
Editor’s Note: The Mississippi State women’s basketball team welcomes five freshmen to a program that is poised to capitalize on its trip last season to the quarterfinals of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. Today, The Dispatch will introduce you to LaKaris Salter. Next week, The Dispatch will introduce you to the final freshman, Victoria Vivians.
Heritage Academy looks for consistency
Barrett Donahoe has talked about the importance of positioning the Heritage Academy football team late in the season so it can realize its goals.
Unbeaten New Hope carries confidence into region play
Kris Pickle didn’t know what to expect in his first season as the new football coach at New Hope High School.
Central Academy off to 4-0 start for first time since 2011
MACON — Dalton Outz spoke from the heart in the preseason when he described the mentality he wanted the Central Academy football team to have this season.
Noxubee County eager to get back on field
MACON — Tyrone Shorter doesn’t want a week off.
The Noxubee County High School football coach ordinarily would prefer to play every week. It’s just that last season, racked with a number of injuries, the veteran coach didn’t mind when his team had an open week following a loss to West Point that dropped his squad to 2-3.
