Articles by Adam Minichino
Coaches/teachers talk about changes to profession
Editor’s Note: Today, The Dispatch presents the second in a two-part series focusing on teachers and coaches. The first part provided background about the working conditions for teachers and coaches in the state of Mississippi. Part two examines the thoughts of four coaches with varying levels of experience, charts their career paths, and provides their thoughts about how the work they do has changed.
Defense only part of Nevitt’s repertoire
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 Kayla Nevitt in the third of our five-part series. For each of the next two weeks, The Dispatch will introduce you to a freshman.
Pickle has New Hope on track to be 4-0
Don’t count Kris Pickle among those who have been surprised by the New Hope High School football team’s 3-0 start.
The former Aberdeen High assistant and Morton High head coach knew it would take time for his players to adjust to a new system. But he also realized there was plenty of potential on hand to help New Hope regroup from a run of three consecutive losing seasons.
Heritage Academy wants to get back on track
Barrett Donahoe likes where his team stands nearly halfway through a marathon of a regular season.
The Heritage Academy football coach would like to have another victory or two, but he feels the Patriots (2-2) have positioned themselves to accomplish all of their goals.
Noxubee County’s defense finding its legs
MACON — There have been times when the Noxubee County High School football team’s defense has been a force to start the season.
A look back to the state title season in 2008 and to the 2009 campaign shows the Tigers recorded a shutout in the season opener each year en route to posting seven and 10 shutouts for the whole year.
Starkville Academy rolls over Hillcrest Christian
JACKSON — “You’re in slow motion. You have to play faster.”
William learning to use quickness at point
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 Morgan William. For each of the next three weeks, The Dispatch will introduce you to a freshman.
Heritage Academy’s Ledbetter wants to build on breakout game
Michael Ledbetter enjoys playing offense more than he does playing defense.
For someone who spent a majority of the 2013 season playing defense, that statement reveals just how much the Heritage Academy junior is relishing his chance to play a key role in the backfield this season.
New Hope building confidence thanks to 2-0 start
By Adam Minichino [email protected] Each victory is another brick in the foundation for Kris Pickle. But the first-year New Hope High School football coach would
Columbus looks to correct turnover issues against West Point
Close isn’t a word Randal Montgomery intends to use very often in the construction of the Columbus High School football program.
Noxubee County applying lessons learned from loss
MACON — Losses have helped his teams bounce back in the past, but Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter never imagined one setback could have as big of an impact as it has had on his team.
Vikings raising bar for Hill
MACON — Leshon Hill knows his teammates are going to keep him in check.
When asked about his goals for the 2014 season, the Central Academy senior shrugged his shoulders and said he would like to rush for 1,000 yards and help the Vikings play for a state title.
Spann powers New Hope past Columbus
Don’t let the numbers fool you.
Listed at 5-foot-10, 157 pounds, Brenton Spann doesn’t fit the bill as a traditional power.
Sharp fills many roles at Victory Christian
Anthony Sharp has done a little bit of everything in his career at Victory Christian Academy.
New Hope makes believers after win over Aberdeen
56. 39. 76. 49.
Rest assured, those aren’t lottery numbers Kris Pickle played on his arrival at New Hope High School. Those numbers also weren’t ones Pickle wrote in capital letters on the dry erase boards in the New Hope High field house.
Instead, Pickle wanted to change the mind-set of a program and a defense that allowed pinball popping numbers en route to a 4-7 finish (2-5 in Class 5A, Region 1) in 2013.
Noxubee County decides to stay course after initial win
After one week of change, Tyrone Shorter has opted to stay the course.
New Hope’s Davis will wear Stevens’ No. 72
TJ Davis didn’t know Friday the honor he was about to receive.
Jammed into the New Hope High School gymnasium, Davis and his New Hope football teammates were gathered with the rest of the school’s student body to participate in a pep rally prior to the team’s season opener against Aberdeen.
Montgomery wants to turn page to New Hope
Randal Montgomery isn’t accustomed to being on the wrong side of a 46-7 score.
Ten times in three years as head coach at Hazlehurst High School, Montgomery led the Indians to victories when they scored 46 or more points. Montgomery’s teams parlayed that high-scoring success into three consecutive trips to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A state title game and a state championship (16-0 season) in 2012.
Schaefer ready to leave mark on MSU program as freshman player
STARKVILLE — Don’t pigeon-hole Blair Schaefer into one role.
