Bazzell faces grand larceny charges

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy interim baseball coach Shane Bazzell was being held in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center Tuesday on charges of felony grand larceny.

Bazzell was arrested Jan. 15 by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly stealing an all-terrain vehicle. No further details were available. Grand larceny entails the unlawful taking of over $500 in property.

Bazzell was suspended indefinitely by Starkville Academy Jan. 17. The school released a statement from Headmaster Doc Stephens stating: “As would be the case with any employee, he will be suspended indefinitely until definitive information is acquired.” Starkville Academy assistant baseball coach Neal Henry has taken over as interim head coach for Bazzell.

Bonner’s free throws secure victory for Starkville

STARKVILLE — Shay Bonner made four-of-four free throws in the final 15 seconds as the Starkville High School’s girls basketball team defeated rival West Point 60-53 on Tuesday night.

After the Lady Yellow Jackets (13-4) took leads of 12-10 after the first quarter and 24-21 at halftime, the Lady Green Wave wrestled the advantage away to their favor at 40-39 after the third quarter.

Bonner (12 points) made a basket with 1 minute and 20 seconds remaining in the game to break a 51-51 tie and then she made the free throws at the end to ice it.

Fishing lines key to good fishing

Weekend anglers can get caught up in the all the sales hype when it comes to buying fishing line.

Each manufacturer has many different types, colors and sizes of line. Most are designed for a specific purpose and a few, in my opinion, I consider hype.

Fishing line was first made in the early 1900s out of a combination of linen, cotton and silk. In reading I found out that the line had to be un-spooled and laid out on a flat surface to dry or it would rot.

Aberdeen teams advance to finals of own tournament

ABERDEEN — The Aberdeen High School Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs and West Point Lady Green Wave and Okolona Chieftains posted first-round wins Thursday to advance to Saturday’s championship games of the Aberdeen Invitational Tournament.

Aberdeen’s boys slipped past West Point 57-53 in the closest contest of the opening round, while the Lady Bulldogs beat West Lowndes 71-48 to assure the host teams a spot in the championship games.

The West Point girls grabbed a spot opposite Aberdeen in the finals by beating Okolona 72-38, and Okolona’s boys will face the Bulldogs in the boys’ final by virtue of an 80-57 win against West Lowndes.

MSU women pull away to beat Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Mississippi State women’s basketball team began the second half on a 23-10 run Thursday to pull away and beat Arkansas 78-60 at Bud Walton Arena.

Mississippi State (12-5, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) won for just the third time at Bud Walton Arena, but for the second time in three years.

It is the fourth time in school history for the Lady Bulldogs to start 3-1 in SEC play.

Heritage Academy basketball team wins sixth straight

ACKERMAN –– Justin Frye poured in a team-leading 29 points Tuesday night to lead the Heritage Academy boys basketball team past Ackerman High School 90-72.

It was the sixth win in a row for Heritage Academy (14-4).

Tyler White scored 21 points and Will West scored 20 for Heritage Academy, which plays Friday at Pillow Academy.

Now is good time to inspect fishing rods

Being stuck in the house on a brutally cold weekend can be boring or have you wrapped up in “honey-do’s.”.

Now is the perfect time to pull out all your fishing rods and do some maintenance.

Take the reel off of each rod and inspect the rods for problems. 

One of the main problems with rods is the “eyes” or guides will get bent. Straightening a rod guide is simple and should be done carefully so that you don’t break one off. 

Starkville youth earns Eagle rank

Cody Berryhill, a member of Starkville’s Troop 27 and a senior at Starkville High School, received his advancement to Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor ceremony held in November at Starkville’s First United Methodist Church.

Heritage Academy basketball wins two at tournament

GRENADA –– Justin Frye scored 19 points Wednesday to lead three players in double figures and help propel the Heritage Academy boys basketball team past West Memphis Christian 66-47 in the Kirk Academy Invitational Tournament.

Economy has an affect on bass fishing tournaments

It is no secret that the economy has impacted everyone. Jobs have been lost by the thousands and businesses have cut back and several have closed down.

Although this is no secret to anyone in our nation today, what is not seen as much is the impact it is having on bass fishing.

Football, baseball, basketball, etc…. have all been sports that have been followed on the television, in the paper and even going to the stadiums. Teams rise and fall in popularity based upon their success each season and most never think of the millions of dollars each team generates for the sport each season.

Homecoming for the boys in the band

In the midst of heavy touring, the Golden Triangle-based band Come On Go With Us gets to play to a home crowd Wednesday, Jan. 6, with a stop at Rick’s Cafe in Starkville.

Starkville High boys end year unbeaten

HATTIESBURG — The Starkville High School boys basketball team have ended the 2009 portion of its schedule undefeated.

The Yellow Jackets put the finishing touches with a sweep of three games at the Hattiesburg Holiday Classic with a 77-49 victory against Oak Grove High Wednesday afternoon at Watkins Gymnasium.

East Oktibbeha basketball tournament schedule for Saturday

As of Thursday morning, five local teams are scheduled to play Saturday in the East Oktibbeha High School basketball tournament in Crawford.

New Hope, Starkville boys win at tournaments

BRANDON –– The New Hope High School boys basketball team had five players score in double figures Tuesday in a 68-58 victory against Northwest Rankin in the Northwest Rankin Classic.

Starkville shows why it’s ranked No. 1

HATTIESBURG — The Starkville High School boys basketball team showed Monday at the Hattiesburgh Holiday Classic why it’s considered the top-ranked team in Mississippi.

The Yellow Jackets, ranked No. 1 by The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, jumped out to a 21-3 lead against Brookhaven after the first quarter and went on to a 70-41 victory at Watkins Gymnasium.

Starkville (11-0) held a 34-15 advantage at halftime and even though Brookhaven competed better in the second half, it couldn’t make up the huge deficit.

Hoskins leads Aberdeen volleyball by example

Sadly, chest-pounding, trash-talking athletes who utilize flamboyant gestures while playing the “look-at-me” game to the hilt are all-to-often the norm today.

Today, it’s almost inconceivable someone who has been described by friend and foe alike as a “powerful, explosive player” who has the ability to demolish her opponents at the net can, at the same time, be a reticent, humble, and somewhat shy individual who is uncomfortable when thrust into the limelight.

SAAC honors Gaston with Award of Excellence

The Starkville Area Arts Council’s Award of Excellence in the Arts is bestowed upon the individual, group or organization that has done the most to promote the inculcation of the arts for the cultural, educational, social, ethnic and/or economic vitality within the Starkville area during the preceding year.

Hearin Leadership Program hosts conference for high school students

Mississippi University for Women’s Hearin Leadership Program will host its ninth annual Hearin High School Leadership Conference on the weekend of Jan. 29, 2010.

Adele Elliott: Traditions

Tis the season … we are expected to be joyous, peaceful and generous. Add whatever you wish to this list. It could be endless.

Explore the stars with MUW’s Backyard Astronomy

The Science Enrichment Program at Mississippi University for Women will host two workshops at the beginning of the year titled “Backyard Astronomy,” in which participants will be able to explore the stars.