West Point’s Murphy stays with MSU

After taking more time to think about it, West Point High School rising senior Marcus Murphy still likes his original decision.

After de-committing from Mississippi State in January, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound four-star athlete by 247, re-committed to Mississippi State on Tuesday afternoon. He made the announcement on his Twitter page.

Oak Hill Academy beats Canton Academy in Game 1

WEST POINT — Oak Hill Academy senior Powell Tabor spent a little extra time at practice Monday working on his bunting.

“We knew (Canton Academy) had some slow players on the corners,” Tabor said. “That is something we noticed last year. I knew if I could get some bunts down, it would help my team win.”

Starkville falls to DeSoto Central in playoffs

STARKVILLE — While the season was great, the ending was not for the Starkville High School baseball team.

MSU softball team will try to keep momentum vs. No. 9 Auburn

Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman re-thought part of her coaching philosophy when last season ended.

When MSU struggled in the second half of the season, practice time became even harder. This season, the Bulldogs have been able to take some time away from the diamond. A refreshed outlook has helped the team find the win column on more occasions.

Starkville High’s Mattox receives Gatorade award

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School cross country coach Caroline Woomer summed up the career of her senior star Kate Mattox quickly Tuesday afternoon.

Silkwood has banner day for Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Monday was a pretty good day for Mississippi State senior pitcher Alexis Silkwood.

Silkwood pitched a complete game in a 4-3 victory against No. 24 Arkansas to help MSU win a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Nusz Park.

MSU beats No. 24 Arkansas to extend SEC streak

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore first baseman Sarai Niu said her first home run of the season Sunday night was a long time coming.

That home run might have started a trend.

West Point mourns loss of teen

Former West Point High School boys’ basketball coach Brad Cox knew Jashun “Peedy” Johnson as a student before he worked with him as a basketball player.

MSU drops softball contest to Arkansas

STARKVILLE — As the softball calendar hits the final two week of the regular season, the one-run losses cut a little deeper.

New Hope starts postseason with win over Lake Cormorant

New Hope High School senior pitcher Peyton Buckner did not feel comfortable Friday night.

Cox enjoyed his time as coach at West Point

Brad Cox called a lot of timeouts in his seven seasons as West Point High School’s boys basketball coach.

Now, Cox is calling a timeout on his coaching career. Beginning his fourth year in administration, Cox takes over this fall as the principal at West Clay Elementary.

Pitching depth has been crucial for MSU softball

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman admits she might be a little harder on her pitchers.

After all, Stuedeman made a name for herself as a longtime pitching coaching at Alabama.

Now, Stuedeman is enjoying similar success stories with MSU’s pitchers.

Trojans hope they are hitting their stride at right time

New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd knows what a state championship team looks like.

Boyd has both played on and coached state title squads.

Boyd feels like the work of a state championship team takes nine months of relentless effort and a lot of self-motivation.

This season, the Trojans are making up for lost time.

Tennis all in family for Milams

Tennis really is a family affair for Edd and Kay Milam.

The Starkville couple has played tennis for a large part of their adult lives. The love for the game, combined with a passion for competition, has helped keep them at the top of their game.

Winkfield, Cooley committed to MSU softball

STARKVILLE — When Jessica Cooley signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at Mississippi State in 2009, she had no idea she was signing up for the eight-year program.

“This is home. This program means so much to me,” Cooley said. “To have seen the growth and the transformation. You take pride that you have been here to watch this program take so many steps.”

Caledonia shapes Crotwell for move to North Pontotoc

April will be a busy month for Andy Crotwell.

Crotwell is honoring the final months of his contract at Caledonia High School, where he served as football coach and still teaches, while tending to the details of his new job of head football coach at North Pontotoc High.

New Hope uses eight-run fifth inning to shock Oxford

The big inning came at just the right time for the New Hope baseball team Tuesday night.

Walters column: New Hope, Oxford bring close to eight years of great theater

Seconds after New Hope closed out Oxford 8-5 in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) prep baseball contest Tuesday night, a wild celebration erupted.

Starkville Academy’s Rogers leads with poise on mound

STARKVILLE — Landen Rogers isn’t one to raise his voice.

After playing four seasons of varsity baseball at Starkville Academy, Rogers has earned that right. Instead, his leadership style is more laid back. He leads by example instead of words.

Silkwood sets milestone MSU beats South Carolina in softball

STARKVILLE — Alexis Silkwood never imagined it would end quite like this.