Ole Miss will look for signature win vs. No. 10 Kentucky

Andy Kennedy is in an unenviable position.

His University of Mississippi men’s basketball team lost five of its past six games following a 12-3 start. The Rebels lost to the University of Florida and Mississippi State by five before losing their next three by an average of 16 points.

Duffy remains determined to make progress

Each day, Ryan Duffy wakes up ready to conquer the world.

It’s the same attitude that provided the foundation for a standout college baseball career at Mississippi State.

‘Do It for Duffy’ will feature 5-K, silent auction

STARKVILLE — Efforts to help former Mississippi State baseball player Ryan Duffy in his recovery from neck surgery will take a major step forward this year.

A group of MSU fans and friends of Duffy will host a “Do it for Duffy” 5-Kilometer Walk/Run and silent auction Feb. 12 in conjunction with MSU’s annual First Pitch Banquet.

New Albany defeats Caledonia

CALEDONIA — For much of Caledonia High School boys soccer team’s playoff match against New Albany on Saturday, the offsides trap worked to perfection.

New Albany failed to finish the handful of times it beat the trap.

Vanderbilt men rally past MSU

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury didn’t get the result he wanted Thursday, but he was happy to see his team play better.

MSU improved its rebounding, raised its bench production, and saw leading scorer Ravern Johnson snap out of a scoring funk with 19 points.

Starkville’s Johnson attracting late interest

STARKVILLE — Unlike most of his senior teammates, Jaquez Johnson’s college football future remains uncertain.

The Starkville High School quarterback has seen his college recruitment move at a slower pace than expected following a breakout year in which he scored 31 touchdowns.

Third annual Frostbite Challenge soccer tournament begins today

STARKVILLE — Soccer teams from Laurel to DeSoto and from Vicksburg to Columbus will join local teams at the Sportsplex at Lynn Lane on Saturday and Sunday for the Third Annual Frostbite Challenge Tournament for Division II teams in the state of Mississippi.

MSU/Starkville sports blog: ‘Dogs come up short against Commodores

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Rick Stansbury didn’t get the result he wanted Thursday, but he was happy to see his team play better.

MSU improved its rebounding, raised its bench production and saw leading scorer Ravern Johnson snap out of a scoring funk with 19 points against No. 19 Vanderbilt.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, an eight-point second half lead was wasted before falling to their second-straight defeat, 81-74.

Crunch time for MSU against Vanderbilt

It’s crunch time for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team. MSU will play host to No. 19 Vanderbilt tonight on ESPN2.

Hollivay helps Heritage Academy sweep Oak Hill

WEST POINT — It was just a matter of time Tuesday before the Rachel Hollivay effect wore down Oak Hill Academy’s girls basketball team.

The Heritage Academy center made just 3 of 13 shots in the first half and saw her team trail 17-14 at halftime.

What the Lady Patriots had failed to do in their four previous games, including a 19-point loss to the Lady Raiders, was effectively close games.

At the center of Heritage Academy’s attack, Hollivay had triple double and scored the go-ahead basket Tuesday night in a 40-38 overtime win against Oak Hill.

C.J. Johnson commits to Ole Miss

C.J. Johnson is comfortably a Rebel.

The Philadelphia High School linebacker, blue-chip recruit, and All-American is the state’s top-rated defensive player.

He was Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen’s second commitment in the fall of 2009. But Tuesday he confirmed he’ll sign with the University of Mississippi on National Signing Day Feb. 2.

MSU/Starkville sports blog: CJ Johnson picks Ole Miss

The state’s top-ranked defensive player is headed to Ole Miss.

Philadelphia linebacker C.J. Johnson, a five-star recruit according to Rivals.com, announced today he was spurning Mississippi State in favor of the Rebels.

Rod Walker of the Clarion-Ledger broke the story earlier this afternoon.

Once a Mississippi State commit since his junior year, Johnson de-committed the day after former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz left to take the same position at Texas.

Stansbury wants MSU to be tougher

STARKVILLE — Everything that could have went wrong did Saturday for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team in its loss at the University of Georgia.

Starkville’s Shoemaker signs with ICC

STARKVILLE — Prior to Monday, Anna Albritton had one soccer player sign a college scholarship in her time as Starkville High School’s girls soccer coach.

She considers her second to be her first.

Not many coaches get to see one of their standout players develop from grade school, but Albritton realized that feat Monday morning when goalkeeper Raevonne Shoemaker signed a scholarship to play soccer at Itawamba Community College.

Prestridge provides steady play for Starkville Academy

STARKVILLE — Anna Prestridge doesn’t light up a stat box.

The point guard for the Starkville Academy girls basketball team doesn’t possess blazing speed or have a deadly outside shot.

Starkville High soccer teams ready for road battles

STARKVILLE — There’s something brewing at the top of the state soccer hierarchy.

While Tupelo and Clinton high schools have kept an annual grip on the state title, Starkville High hopes to join them.

Starkville Academy sweeps Oak Hill Academy

STARKVILLE — A day after upsetting Madison-Ridgeland Academy, the Starkville Academy girls basketball team earned a 55-45 rivalry win against Oak Hill Academy.

Anna Lea Little and Sallie Kate Richardson each scored 19 points. Richardson netted her total in 16 minutes.

MSU wants to finish strong in recruiting battle

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen calls January the “crazy season” of college football.

He isn’t coaching or working on game plans for the next opponent; he’s trying to lock up the next Mississippi State football stars.

Starkville soccer teams roll past Columbus

STARKVILLE — The Starkville Yellow Jackets couldn’t have had worse weather for Senior Night Thursday, but their play didn’t miss a beat.

Freezing temperatures, constant rain and swirling winds made conditions unfavorable for Starkville’s usual up-tempo brand of soccer and even forced the game to be called in the 60th minute.

MSU looking for more support for Bost

STARKVILLE — Dee Bost’s return to the lineup for the Mississippi State men’s basketball team solidified the point guard position but also re-introduced a familiar problem: Depth.