Tillery makes GSC All-Decade team

Brittany Tillery was shocked when she found out she’d made the Gulf South Conference All-Decade softball team.

No one else was surprised.

MSU track and field coaches shift duties

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s track and field programs are in trusted hands after the university announced Monday the promotions of veteran coach Al Schmidt and longtime assistant and alumnus Steve Dudley.

After 22 seasons leading MSU’s track teams, Schmidt will now work as director of track and field. He will oversee day-to-day operations at Spencer Stadium/Maddox Track and continue to recruit.

Columbus, Starkville begin practice with new coaches

Hours of summer workouts, 7-on-7 games and time spent at college camps culminate today with the start of practice for area high school football teams. 

For the coverage area’s two largest high schools, Columbus and Starkville, today’s two-a-days mark the start of new coaching regimes. 

Jamie Mitchell had the spring to acclimate to his players at Starkville, while his Class 6A counterpart, Tony Stanford, made the transition of Bubba Davis’ sudden retirement easier by being promoted from defensive coordinator to the top job on July 2. 

Relf ready to show he can be leader on, off field

HOOVER, Ala. — Chris Relf doesn’t say much, and he’s fine with it.

Admittedly laid back and mellow, the Mississippi State quarterback is a beast when he tucks the ball to run. But even as he’s dragging defensive backs for extra yards, there’s never a sense he is overzealous or gets caught up in the moment.

Quiet confidence exudes as Relf enters his junior season looking to cement his place as MSU’s No. 1 quarterback.

Throng will have plenty to discuss at SEC Media Days

There’s always something at the Southeastern Conference Media Days.

Whether it’s the aura of Tim Tebow — and the awkward question about his virginity — or former University of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer getting served a subpoena in a libel suit, the event is an extravaganza of like no other.

Bulldogs look for return to health

STARKVILLE — Last season, Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team had nearly enough injured players to field a talented infirmary squad.

With guards Twany Beckham and Shaun Smith and forward Elgin Bailey shelved for the 2009-10 season, the Bulldogs lacked depth and were forced to use their starters more minutes.

Mission accomplished for Starkville’s Bryan

STARKVILLE — Jack Bryan’s quest to become an Eagle Scout and to help the tennis community is finally complete.

Thirteen months ago, the longtime scout and tennis player envisioned replicating an existing pavilion at Starkville High School’s tennis courts as his Eagle Scout project.

Plenty for everyone to gain at summer camps

STARKVILLE — There’s plenty to gain from running effective sports camps, though most of the evidence goes unnoticed.

College coaches can gain a verbal commitment from a student-athlete who attends one of their camps or receive positive feedback from campers, parents, and coaches.

Rice goes off to play at Western Michigan

John Rice didn’t have to go 800 miles to play in college football’s top flight, but he’s making the most of being a Western Michigan Bronco.

After growing up in Crawford and spending two years in Scooba as a defensive tackle at East Mississippi Community College, Rice has experienced a drastic change of scenery since relocating to Kalamazoo, Mich., in the spring. 

Exactly why Rice chose to move so far from home was a mystery to many, especially his mother, Mattie Doss.

MSU camps bring exposure to campus

STARKVILLE — Every summer, universities and colleges across the country host thousands of boys and girls on their campuses. 

Collegiate athletics, a unique multi-million dollar industry, can’t let three months pass without continuing to strengthen its fanbase. 

Camps fill down time in the summer and are part of an interconnected network on campus. 

USA features MSU track athletes

STARKVILLE — Four Mississippi State track athletes return to the international level today at the NACAC Under 23 Track and Field Championships in Miramar, Fla.

The meet is scheduled for today through Sunday, featuring teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Team USA features two of the nation’s top 400-meter runners in Mississippi State’s Tavaris Tate, of Starkville, and O’Neal Wilder, while MSU coach Al Schmidt returns for a second straight year to captain the distance runners.

Renovations should have soccer field set for start of season

STARKVILLE — By mid August, Mississippi State University’s soccer team will have the facilities upgrade that will ensure a rain-soaked season doesn’t take a toll on games and training routines.

Starkville working hard during summer

STARKVILLE — The areas Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell thought needed work at the end of spring drills are being corrected in the summer. 

Mitchell, embarking on his first season as the coach of the Yellow Jackets, wasn’t happy with the play of the secondary in April and May. 

A heavy dose of 7-on-7 in June has the Jackets on the right track, according to Mitchell, who admits pass defense was atop his list of areas to sew up heading into the fall. The Jackets gave up a region-worst 324 points last season.

Neshoba locks down Center Hill for Dizzy Dean title

Neshoba Central turned a narrow second-inning lead into lights-out baseball Monday at Sammy Fletcher Field, topping Center Hill 9-4 to clinch the Dizzy Dean World Series championship.

The Rockets, who topped Ridgeland and rival New Hope a day earlier, led 5-1 following a Terrance Steele two-RBI single and RBI hits from Robert Greer and Dustin Floyd.

Stansbury mum on Turner, Bost’s appeal

Monday’s Southeastern Conference basketball coaches summer teleconference didn’t yield much from Mississippi State head coach Rick Stansbury.

Fresh off a weekend where news broke of Phil Turner’s release from his scholarship and the differing accounts of the player’s intentions for 2010-11, Stansbury shot down attempts to broach the topic once more.

RJ Johnson signs with Brewers

Starkville High graduate and Dispatch Baseball Large Schools Player of the year R.J. Johnson confirmed he is now a professional player.

The 6-foot-4 pitcher said he signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, and SHS head coach Danny Carlisle said Johnson will head to a Brewers minor league affiliate Wednesday in Arizona.

Neshoba locks down Center Hill for Dizzy Dean title

Neshoba Central turned a narrow second-inning lead into lights-out baseball Monday at Sammy Fletcher Field, topping Center Hill 9-4 to clinch the Dizzy Dean World Series championship.

The Rockets, who topped Ridgeland and rival New Hope a day earlier, led 5-1 following a Terrance Steele two-RBI single and RBI hits from Robert Greer and Dustin Floyd.

West Point comes up run shy of title game

One run was all that prevented West Point from playing in championship game of the Dizzy Dean High School World Series.

West Point came up short in its bid to make it to today’s championship game at Columbus High School’s Sammy Fletcher Field by suffering a 5-4 setback to Center Hill in the semifinals.

Center Hill will play for the championship at 6 p.m. today when it meets Neshoba Central.

MSU releases Turner from scholarship

STARKVILLE — Phil Turner isn’t sure why he won’t be in a Mississippi State basketball uniform next season.

Turner, an upcoming senior, confirmed Friday he has been released from his scholarship.

He was notified through a letter mailed to his home. 

The guard from Grenada is unsure of his plans for the future after being released from his scholarship. He would have entered the 2010-11 season as the team’s longest-tenured player, having been a member of the team since 2006-07. 

West Point remains in title hunt

It may be summer ball, but Buddy Wyers is adamant West Point’s progression to today’s elite eight of the Dizzy Dean World Series will pay off in the spring. 

West Point, which improved to 10-14, will play at 4 p.m. today at Columbus High School’s Sam Fletcher Field after topping Columbus 4-2 and Tupelo 19-2 on Friday. 

Despite a 12-2 loss to Neshoba Central on Saturday, West Point won its pool on a rain-soaked day that saw the site moved from West Point to Heritage Academy.