Articles by Ben Wait
MSU men go on road to face Missouri
STARKVILLE — Ben Howland hopes the Mississippi State men’s basketball team’s victory against Ole Miss was the start of something.
The Bulldogs’ first-year head coach earned a win in his first meeting against the archrival Rebels in an 83-77 decision at Humphrey Coliseum.
Starkville sweeps Madison Central in basketball doubleheader
STARKVILLE — Greg Carter never lost faith.
The Starkville High School boys basketball coach saw his team fall behind Madison Central by 15 points in the third quarter, but there was no panic from the veteran coach. Instead, he challenged his players.
Starkville responded in the final quarter and pulled out a 57-56 victory on Monday night in a Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 3 game.
Freshmen playing bigger role for MSU men
STARKVILLE — Malik Newman and Quinndary Weatherspoon are making a huge impact.
The Mississippi State freshmen were expected to be impact players from the beginning, but, like many freshmen, they endured their struggles.
In Southeastern Conference play, though, Newman and Weatherspoon have combined to average 27 points per game. They hope to continue that play at 6 tonight (SEC Network) when MSU (8-10, 1-5 SEC) takes on South Carolina (17-2, 4-2) at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Amusa has been force for Starkville Academy
STARKVILLE — Ade Amusa has been a big part of the Starkville Academy boys basketball team’s success this season.
But it hasn’t been easy for the senior.
Starkville Academy coach Bruce Allsup challenged Amusa after last season to work on his game in the offseason and be ready to take on a bigger role when the 2015-16 season started. Amusa took Allsup’s advice and worked every day to improve.
Amusa’s work has paid off. It showed last week, when he scored 44 points in three games, including 21 in a victory against Heritage Academy in Columbus. For his efforts, Amusa is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
West Point moves to 3-0 in region play with win over New Hope
Playing form behind is nothing new for West Point boys’ basketball coach Brad Cox and his team.
Short-handed Rebels fight hard in loss to Bulldogs
STARKVILLE — Andy Kennedy needed role players to step up in big ways.
Lowe ready to make impact with MSU baseball program
STARKVILLE — Nathaniel Lowe is enjoying the transition.
Road to baseball greatness will start at Meridian C.C. for Smith
STARKVILLE — Milton Smith, Jr. is trying to make a name for himself.
Starkville Academy’s Templeton signs with EMCC
STARKVILLE — Luke Templeton always has dreamed about playing baseball in college.
On Wednesday, the Starkville Academy pitcher made that dream a reality when he signed a National Letter of Intent with East Mississippi Community College. Templeton and Starkville Academy will open their season Feb. 16 against Lamar School at Meridian C.C.
Dill leads Oak Hill Academy past Columbus Christian
WEST POINT — Ken Dill has matured as a basketball player.
After missing the first eight games of the season due to an ankle injury he suffered playing football, the Oak Hill Academy point guard’s maturity has helped him be everything and more for coach Brian Middleton this season.
Dill showed his understanding of the game and his role Tuesday night to help Oak Hill Academy beat No. 4 Columbus Christian Academy 57-51 Tuesday night in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AA, District 2 game.
Starkville’s Mattox earns Gatorade Mississippi Cross County honor
STARKVILLE — Cross country demands consistency.
Ever since Kate Mattox started competing with the Starkville High School team as a seventh-grader, she has been nothing but steady.
The amount of time Mattox dedicates to training every week has been consistent and has been designed to help her compete at a high level.
Weatherspoon adjusts to new position
STARKVILLE — Ben Howland expected Quinndary Weatherspoon to play a big role as a freshman for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.
Howland raved about the former Velma Jackson High School standout and believed he was going to make his biggest impact at guard.
Johnson preaches velocity as he makes MSU pitching coach debut
STARKVILLE — Wes Johnson understands velocity.
Career night by Weatherspoon can’t get MSU past Tennessee
STARKVILLE — Quinndary Weatherspoon wants his team to be mentally tougher.
Starkville Academy sweeps rival Heritage Academy
STARKVILLE — Bruce Allsup hasn’t worried about his team’s courage this season.
Report: Sirmon chosen as defensive coordinator at MSU
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State has found it’s new defensive coordinator.
Sword looks to build on latest effort
STARKVILLE — Craig Sword hit a lull.
The Mississippi State senior guard failed to score in double digits in the final two games of December and the first Southeastern Conference game last week. The Bulldogs won the first two, but they missed Sword’s production in a one-point loss to Texas A&M last Wednesday.
Starkville’s Woomer will compete in track and field at U.S. Naval Academy
STARKVILLE — Emily Woomer knew what she wanted to do at an early age.
The Starkville High School track and field athlete enjoyed competing in track events when she started in fifth grade. At that point, she made up her mind she wanted to compete in track and field at the NCAA Division I level.
