Starkville Academy has greater depth entering spring

STARKVILLE — The football offseason brought nothing but good news for Starkville Academy.

The Volunteers gained 10 more players and will open spring practice Monday with 37 players. The addition of former Columbus High head coach Bubba Davis bolstered the conditioning program and gives Starkville Academy an experienced and successful defensive coach.

Starkville Academy’s Warren signs with Meridian C.C.

STARKVILLE — Harrison Warren went 4-5 as the No. 1 singles player on Starkville Academy’s tennis team this season.

Even though he made tremendous strides as a player and won more matches in a single season than he had before, he was shocked when Meridian Community College offered him a scholarship.

Thigpen has been backbone for MSU baseball

STARKVILLE — Ask any pitcher on Mississippi State’s roster who has had the greatest impact on their success this season, and they’ll all point to catcher Wes Thigpen.

Starkville High girls basketball players sign with Meridian C.C.

STARKVILLE — Meridian Community College women’s basketball coach Hilary Allen describes his team’s fast-paced playing tempo as “chaotic.”

He feels he added two ideal fits for that system Thursday when Starkville High School seniors Courtney Moore and Chelsey Johnson-Weaver signed with MCC.

Sherrod selected by Green Bay Packers

STARKVILLE — Derek Sherrod had to wait until the final pick of the first round of the NFL Draft to hear is name called.

Boy was it worth it.

Analysts feel Sherrod will go in first round

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State’s football program could reach significant milestones in this year’s NFL draft.

Four Bulldogs are projected to be drafted in the three-day event that starts at 7 tonight (ESPN), including All-America left tackle Derek Sherrod, who many analysts predict will be selected in the first round.

Waiting game nearly over for Sherrod

Money is usually on the mind of a professional football prospect who has a chance to be a first-round draft pick. The farther you slide down, the more money you could lose on your first contract. None of that fazes Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod.

Sherrod on verge of NFL dream

About 21 years ago, Louis Sherrod looked at his son, Derek, and noticed something very different from other children.

“He was an average-sized baby, but his chest was so big,” Louis said. “It was like he had already been doing pushups or something.”

MSU WR Smith injured in altercation

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior wide receiver Chris Smith suffered a broken jaw in a weekend altercation in Meridian and will have surgery today.

Cohen says MSU senior infielders battling through injuries

STARKVILLE — The left side of Mississippi State’s infield has been injured for most of the 2011 season.

Still, third baseman Jarrod Parks and shortstop Jonathan Ogden have started all but one game.

Strong relief effort lifts MSU baseball past No. 2 South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s baseball team has a budding duo of standout relief pitchers.

Luis Pollorena and Caleb Reed proved their worth again Saturday night, combining for more than five quality innings in a 5-3 win against the No. 2 University of South Carolina.

Starkville’s Mitchell hopes for better success in year two

STARKVILLE — The memories of losing five of six games by a touchdown or less doesn’t go away easily.

Losing 23 seniors from a breakout season is another thing.

Close losses doomed Starkville High baseball team

STARKVILLE — Disappointment is an obvious way to describe Starkville High School’s baseball season.

But a closer look from outside observers — a view players and coaches are trying to accept — reveals a team on the cusp of a winning record, a playoff spot, and, quite possibly, a successful playoff run.

MSU baseball will try for big break this weekend

With defending national champion and No. 2 University of South Carolina kicking off a three-game series at 7:06 tonight at Dudy Noble Field, this weekend would be a good time for things to start going the Bulldogs’ way.

Pollorena adds punch to bullpen

STARKVILLE — Luis Pollorena has been overlooked since he first stepped foot on a baseball diamond.

Relf at top of QB list, although not officially named starter

For all of the things Chris Relf has done right in the past year, one would figure his job would be safe.

The Mississippi State quarterback built off a breakout 2010 season and had a solid spring practice. MSU coach Dan Mullen even admitted Relf didn’t do anything to hurt his status as No. 1 quarterback.

Nutt confident in defensive line, QBs

Two of the biggest areas of concern for University of Mississippi fourth-year football coach Houston Nutt entering spring practice have produced positive results.

Bumphis won’t need surgery on ankle

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior football player Chad Bumphis’ premature diagnosis of his injured ankle turned out to be a sprain, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

MSU baseball will try to build momentum tonight vs. Ole Miss

STARKVILLE — Losers of eight of its last 11 games, the Mississippi State baseball team could greatly use the momentum from another victory against a state rival in Pearl.

Columbus, Starkville to settle spots today

When the Columbus High School baseball team beat Starkville in back-to-back games to open region play, it never thought its playoff hopes would partly hinge on what its rival would do in today’s regular-season finales.