Caledonia softball blanks Amory

CALEDONIA — Caledonia High School softball player Hope Harbin needed an explanation from new head coach Andy Halford.

“Early in the season, I told her to create chaos on the bases,” Halford said. “I wanted her to create some major havoc, change the game up if you will.”

Jordan solidifies Caledonia’s defense

CALEDONIA — Caledonia High School first-year softball coach Andy Halford knows where his defense starts.

“My philosophy is a good defense starts with great play at third base,” Halford said. “We certainly have that this year. We feel like the left side of the infield is on lock down. It’s a big challenge because you have a lot of teams trying to slap.”

Volunteers, Patriots split doubleheader

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy baseball coach Brooks Roberts feels his team is at its best in late-inning situations.

Heritage Academy coach Justin Flake feels his team is at its best when it has to respond to adversity.

Both coaches saw their teams play to those identities Tuesday night in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 doubleheader split at Volunteer Field.

Vols’ Arnold does a little of everything

When Starkville Academy’s Kyle Faver is in the field and teammate Taylor Arnold is pitching, it creates quite the Catch-22.

Starkville Academy baseball team beats Heritage Academy

When Taylor Arnold starts on the mound for the Starkville Academy baseball team, coach Brooks Roberts knows his squad has a little time to assemble an offensive game plan.

No. 23 MSU softball team beats Central Arkansas

STARKVILLE — Junior first baseman Sarai Niu can sense the difference in the Mississippi State softball team this season.

No. 23 MSU softball team preparing for big weekend homestand

STARKVILLE — The national spotlight continues to shine of the Mississippi State softball program as the calendar hits the second half of the season.

No. 21 MSU softball team will open SEC play at Missouri

The preliminaries are out of the way for the No. 21 Mississippi State softball team.

Now, it’s time to get down to the business of league play.

Harris leads Columbus boys to state title

JACKSON — Anthony Carlyle believes a state championship basketball team is built on the defensive end.

Still, the Columbus High School coach won’t get in the way when a leading scorer heats up.

MSU men will have different look without Nick Weatherspoon

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team had to adapt after losing the services of freshman guard Nick Weatherspoon at the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Play had just started in the second half when Weatherspoon was a hurt on a collision at the basket.

MSU men will play host to Nebraska in NIT

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland had several wishes granted Sunday night.

Starkville girls win this title on court

JACKSON — After the trophy presentation, the Starkville High School girls basketball team broke a team huddle and Tabreea Gandy, with the state championship banner draped around her shoulders, took off for the locker room.

This state championship had been won on the court and wasn’t going anywhere.

Harris’ second-half surge pushes Columbus to championship

JACKSON — Columbus High School’s Denijay Harris checked out Alabama phenom Collin Sexton playing Kentucky on Saturday morning.

It might have been a little foreshadowing.

Thompson provides spark for Starkville in title victory

JACKSON — Starkville High School senior guard Jariyah Covington was there when senior center Kirsten Thompson needed a lift.

“Every day during the offseason, we kept telling her she could be the next Kelsey Jones,” Covington said. “She really needed a lot of encouraging. The other seniors stayed on her because we knew she could make us a great team.”

Columbus names Rice new football coach

Former South Panola High School football coach Lance Pogue knew Eric Rice could be a star in the coaching profession after they worked together for four seasons in Batesville.

Columbus focused on completing title run

JACKSON — If you plan to send a late-night text to Columbus High School senior Casey Smith tonight, there is a good chance it will get returned.

Starkville ready to win title on court

JACKSON — Starkville High School senior Jariyah Covington has her Saturday planned out.

Powering through: Columbus boys, Starkville girls earn trips to 6A title game

The Columbus boys’ and the Starkville high school girls’ basketball teams will play for state titles Saturday.

Thompson plays key role in Starkville’s key run

JACKSON — Starkville High School senior Kirsten Thompson blocked a shot to start a fast-break opportunity and then scored on the other end.

Third-quarter run pushes Starkville past Pearl

JACKSON — When Starkville High School senior Jariyah Covington looks around the court, she sees confidence in the eyes of her teammates.