Bost hopes to regain college eligibility

STARKVILLE — Dee Bost is hopeful to rejoin the Mississippi State men’s basketball team after school officials confirmed he is enrolled in summer school and seeking to regain his college eligibility.

Bost declared for the National Basketball Association draft but failed to withdraw his name before a new NCAA deadline of May 8. He kept his college option open up to that point by not hiring an agent, but the former Bulldogs’ point guard faces an uphill battle to play at Mississippi State again.

Varnado starting over

Former Mississippi State basketball player Jarvis Varnado has heard all the detractors who’ve analyzed his game. 

Some say he’s too skinny. Others believe his limited offensive skills will stunt his pro potential.

Then there are skeptics who believe Varnado’s transition to playing power forward and his lack of bulk will limit his shot-blocking ability in the NBA. 

Close friendship turns into rivalry for Oliver, Tate

Dante Oliver and Tavaris Tate have a relationship that’s seen them take similar paths to prep athletic greatness. 

Though not related through blood, the pair consider each other family after Oliver’s family met Tate’s family close to nine years ago. 

The Olivers, an Air Force family of four with no immediate family in Mississippi, had most of their relatives based in the Grand Strand of South Carolina. 

Bramlett takes time off before joining USA team

STARKVILLE — For one of Mississippi State’s most decorated student-athletes, winding down is a delicate process. 

A three-time first-team All-American who is sure to earn her fourth selection this week, Chelsea Bramlett has used the last three weeks to decelerate her mind and body after completing her senior season. 

Her performance this season was typical Bramlett; who led the Southeastern Conference in steals and batting average en route to another hoard of awards and honors. 

MSU basketball team working on schedule

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team hopes to be at full strength when it makes its first trip outside of the United States for a game.

With contracts close to being finalized for MSU’s game in the Bahamas against fellow 2010 NCAA tournament snub Virginia Tech, the idea is to have sophomore forward Renardo Sidney, who must sit out an NCAA-mandated nine games to start the 2010-11 schedule, available to play.

Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin said the game should be official soon and it’s “just a matter of getting everything signed” for the tentatively scheduled Dec. 18 game in Nassau.

Schmidt will lead Starkville Academy through changes

STARKVILLE — Change is something Starkville Academy athletics became used to in 2009-10.

Win-loss records, experience, head coaches, confidence, spirit — all were affected greatly by a down year in boys athletics. The football and basketball programs managed one win between both seasons.

Injuries took toll on MSU baseball team

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen resembled a relaxed man Tuesday, displaying a relieved yet jovial demeanor that’s usually noticeable when the Bulldogs are winning games. 

Cohen is officially working toward next season and hopes trainers can heal the injured players he bewailed not having at his disposal while in the midst of his second-straight losing season since taking over as head coach. 

Cant awaits chance in NCAA Championships

STARKVILLE — Sitting on the fence can sometimes be a lonely place, but Louis Cant has company. 

The Mississippi State singles tennis player is one of eight alternates hoping to make it into the 64-player NCAA tournament field for today’s NCAA Singles Championships at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. 

Cant, the third alternate, is hopeful for a replay of 2008 when seven alternates made the field instead of last season when two made the field. 

Starkville’s Bonner closes career with flurry

STARKVILLE — With track and field season completed, Shay Bonner can look back on a prep career filled with multiple state meet memories. 

The Starkville High senior earned second- and third place laurels a year ago in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, respectively, and followed that with duplicate results in both events this year. 

Bonner felt her chances to win the 100 would be greater this year because she’d significantly improved her speed. She also ran a leg on the Lady Jackets’ 4×400 and 4×200 relay teams. 

Stricklin sees both sides of cowbells argument

STARKVILLE — Scott Stricklin hasn’t had time to catch his breath since becoming Mississippi State’s athletic director and the whirlwind figures to keep him busy with football season roughly three months away.

Since taking over the department two weeks ago, Stricklin’s days have consisted of meetings with coaches and key members of the university’s hierarchy along with day-to-day responsibilities. 

His predecessor and close friend, Greg Byrne, left him with tremendous growth to continue. Part of that includes a solid staff Stricklin says he’s “fortunate” to have in place. 

Henderson gets chance to direct EMCC offense

SCOOBA — It seemed like a no-brainer for Brad Henderson. 

With one season left at East Mississippi Community College, he’d finally get the chance to pilot an offense that averaged 37.7 points per game last season.

No filling in when leads mounted. No subbing for JUCO All-American Randall Mackey. Finally, he’d get a chance to drive the sports car that’s ripped through the state the past two years. 

Surprisingly, the Starkville High School graduate was close to leaving the enviable opportunity behind to walk on at Mississippi State. 

Townsel signs basketball scholarship with Arkansas State

STARKVILLE — Edward Townsel’s recruitment came to a close Thursday when the Starkville High School point guard signed with Arkansas State. 

Townsel led Starkville to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A and Grand Slam championships this season, averaging 18.8 points, 7.9 assists and 4.5 steals per game. 

He had scholarship offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, Rutgers, Louisiana Tech, Troy and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Rain holds off for Starkville Academy to scrimmage

STARKVILLE — The rain held off long enough for Starkville Academy to have its intra-squad scrimmage Thursday, capping the team’s first spring practice period under head coach Jeff Terrill.

For roughly four hours, thunderstorms blanketed the area and threatened to postpone the scrimmage. Even Terrill said it was “doubtful” the Volunteers would scrimmage two hours before the 6 p.m. start. 

Quarterback Kyle Henson said he sent Terrill a text message inquiring about the scrimmage as he and his teammates were anxious to play. 

Cosby opts to relinguish soccer duties at Starkville Academy

STARKVILLE — Coaching two soccer programs, owning a business and having five children is quite a challenge. 

One end is going to get the short end of attention and Artie Cosby experienced that during his first season leading Starkville Academy’s soccer teams. 

After one season, Cosby confirmed Thursday he’s relinquished his post at Starkville Academy to spend more time with his wife and children. 

MSU will try to spoil LSU’s chances

STARKVILLE — The LSU baseball team is fighting for a chance to make the Southeastern Conference tournament, while Mississippi State wants to end a disappointing season on a high by winning a series against the defending national champions.

Fans to get look at new-look Vols

STARKVILLE — Anyone interested in what the Starkville Academy football team will look like in the fall will have a chance to see on Thursday night. 

The Volunteers will hold an intra-squad scrimmage at 6 p.m. to cap spring practices under first-year Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill.

The rebuilding project at Starkville Academy has seen a re-worked offense installed with more plays under center and various option plays. Terrill and his staff are still unsettled defensively, but Terrill isn’t worried with new personnel and many players featuring on both sides of the ball.

Lee to give back to his hometown

Spare time used to be in short supply for Tyson Lee, but without college football commanding most of his hours like in the past he’s decided to give football back to his hometown. 

As a quarterback at Mississippi State, Lee ascended into a Southeastern Conference starting spot so many high school quarterbacks dream. 

He was one of them.

Starting May 31, on the same Columbus High School practice fields where he spent extra hours throwing passes into a net, Lee will hold the Tyson Lee 3-D Football Camp. 

East Oktibbeha’s Gillespie earns prep honor

CRAWFORD — Arthur Gillespie wasn’t sure if he should wear his three gold medals to school Monday after winning a trio of events and helping East Oktibbeha to a third-place finish at the Class 1A state track meet.

Modest, quiet, and unassuming, Gillespie thought it might be overkill because the entire student body would know what he and the Titans did Friday in Pearl.

He wore them anyway.

Starkville High’s Williams signs with EMCC

STARKVILLE — Kala Williams had a tough decision to make about where she’d play college basketball.

But when East Mississippi Community College coach Sharon Thompson showed up Monday to Starkville High with a red and black No. 23 jersey, she knew she was home.

MSU implodes in 10th inning

STARKVILLE — Senior Day was dashed Saturday and at the precipice of a league win. Mississippi State imploded in a 13-7 extra-innings loss to Vanderbilt.

Mississippi State relief pitcher C.C. Watson walked in a run, gave up a two-run double and an RBI single in the 10th inning after the Bulldogs gave up two runs with a 5-3 lead in the ninth.

As gray clouds moved in and swirling winds kicked up dirt, Mississippi State (21-30, 5-21 Southeastern Conference) gave up eight runs in a disastrous 10th inning.