MSU’s Varnado mum about if he’s going pro or not

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado is keeping everyone in suspense about his basketball future.

If Varnado has decided to leave Mississippi State for the National Basketball Association, he hasn’t made his intentions public.

Today is the deadline for college underclassmen to declare their eligibility for the NBA draft, but there hasn’t been a peep from Varnado about his plans.

The only decision Varnado seems to have made is not to talk.

Hamilton provides Earnest with run support

HAMILTON — Kevin McCartney’s solo home run in the bottom of the first inning Thursday got the Hamilton High School baseball team off to a good start.

The rest of the Lions did their part, too.

McCartney’s fourth homer of the season was the first of 12 hits for Hamilton in its 11-1 victory against East Union in six innings.

McCartney hit his home run to center field on the first pitch by Craig Bullock.

Starkville track team bidding for another title

STARKVILLE — Cleveland Hudson is in his 30th year as Starkville High School’s boys track coach.

The Yellow Jackets rewarded Hudson for his years of service last season by winning the Class 5A state championship.

In his milestone year, the team would like nothing better than to win another title.

Starkville senior sprinter Tavaris Tate appreciates the guidance and support Hudson has provided him in his track career.

MSU baseball team looks to make its move

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State baseball team is in danger of missing the postseason for the second year in a row.

After making the NCAA College World Series in 2007, Mississippi State didn’t reach the Southeastern Conference or NCAA tournaments last year.

Mississippi State (21-21, 6-12) will travel to Nashville, Tenn., for its next three-game SEC series against Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. today, 1 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Starkville’s Carlisle will face former player

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School baseball coach Danny Carlisle will see a familiar face in the opposing dugout tonight in his team’s first game of the Class 5A playoffs.

Chemistry of Malone cousins key for West Lowndes

Whether it’s on the field or on the court, Devin and Demetrius Malone have made it a family affair at West Lowndes High School.

Byrne pleased with Super Bulldog Weekend

Even though he was not in town to see it, Mississippi State Athletic Director Greg Byrne could not have been more proud of the turnout for Super Bulldog Weekend.

MSU acknowledges violation of bylaw

STARKVILLE –– The Mississippi State athletic department has acknowledged its football program violated an NCAA bylaw April 10 when former coach Jackie Sherrill visited a spring football practice session.

The school has self-reported the secondary violation of NCAA bylaw 11.7.1.1.1.4 regarding the use of outside consultants when Sherrill was seen working with Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen and the kickers to the Southeastern Conference.

A letter was sent Tuesday by MSU Associate Athletic Director of Compliance Bracky Brett to SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.

SEC newcomers look to improve teams

Dan Mullen, Lane Kiffin, and Gene Chizik all have been assigned the same task.

The men are in charge of returning three Southeastern Conference football teams to winning ways.

Mississippi State, Auburn, and Tennessee all participated in and won bowl games in 2007, but failed in its quests to record winning seasons in 2008.

Starkville High’s Tate gearing up for more firsts

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior sprinter Tavaris Tate is on track to do something that has never been accomplished in Class 5A.

Tate is trying to become the first prep runner in that class to win state titles in the 100, 200, and 400 meters.

West comes through at plate for Hamilton softball team

HAMILTON — Hamilton High School’s Kelle West didn’t let the struggles of one part of her game affect the other Saturday.

West put aside a tough pitching outing to deliver offensively and help the Hamilton fast-pitch softball team beat Eupora 9-7 in the third round of the Class 2A playoffs.

After allowing four runs on four hits in the first inning and facing six batters, West got all of the runs back with her bat with a pair of two-run singles.

Offense satisfies Mullen in MSU spring game

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State Bulldogs got a taste of what coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense could be on the football field on Saturday night.

In a full game scrimmage, the Maroon team came from behind to defeat the White 24-21 in the Maroon-White Game at Davis Wade Stadium.

The announced crowd of 31,606 was the largest ever to watch a spring game at MSU.

Although the Bulldogs did not show fans an all-out offensive explosion, it was enough to satisfy Mullen.

Cohen faces former team when MSU meets Kentucky

STARKVILLE — John Cohen has had what he calls “weird” experiences in coaching.

The first came when he was an assistant at Florida under Pat McMahon and coached against former Mississippi State coach Ron Polk, who he played for from 1988-90.

Bulldogs’ QBs will have opportunities to run

STARKVILLE — Run, run, run.

Tyson Lee, of Columbus, and the other Mississippi State quarterbacks have heard those words shouted at them several times this spring.

In coach Dan Mullen’s new spread offense, there are opportunities for the quarterback to call his number for a running play.

West Lowndes, East Webster baseball open series

The West Lowndes High School baseball team wants to make a deeper run in the Class A playoffs than it did last year.

After being eliminated in the first round by Natchez Cathedral, the Panthers believe they have a team that can go far if things fall into place.

MSU men’s basketball wants to build on season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury emphasizes winning championships.

He believes strongly enough in winning titles that last month he made sure everyone saw the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship trophy on the table for his press conference prior to the NCAA tournament.

MSU unveils new adidas look

The Mississippi State football team said goodbye to Russell Athletics on Wednesday and hello to adidas.

Football players Derek Sherrod, Anthony Dixon, Jamar Chaney, and Bo Walters sported their new adidas uniforms for the first time in front of the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on campus. The school reached a new apparel agreement with adidas a few weeks ago.

Roberts realizes dream of being at MSU practice

STARKVILLE — Kyle Roberts is happy to be practicing football in Oktibbeha County again.

After taking a detour to East Mississippi Community College for two years, the former East Oktibbeha High School player has walked on at Mississippi State for spring practice.

Roberts has been primarily a slot receiver in Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense and has worked his way up to second team.

Starkville baseball gears up for Class 5A playoff run

The Starkville High School baseball team didn’t find anything magical at the end of the rainbow Monday night, only another victory.

After the clouds that brought a late-inning shower moved south, a rainbow formed just as Starkville third baseman Todd Phillips ran toward it to catch the baseball for the game’s final out in a 16-6 victory against West Lowndes.

MSU, Ole Miss baseball will play for Governor’s Cup

It has almost been 20 years since Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen has competed as a player against the University of Mississippi.

During his playing career with the Bulldogs (1988-90), Cohen remembers the rivalry with the Rebels wasn’t as intense as it is today.