MSU softball team set for key SEC series vs. South Carolina

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore softball player Sarai Niu enjoys tailgating before football games.

A native of California, Niu has been blown away by the passion and celebratory nature of Southeastern Conference football weekends.

“Nothing is as exciting as a football weekend,” Niu said. “There are so many people and so many things to do. The passion for football is not something I am used to being from the West Coast. Here it’s so different. Every weekend is exciting.”

SEC softball could set record for teams in NCAA

The buzz has started.

Could all 13 Southeastern Conference softball-playing schools make the NCAA tournament?

The league has received an all-time best 11 invites in each of the last four seasons.

However, the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) figures indicate a higher number might be on the horizon.

MSU softball team gains confidence against Jackson State

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State softball team went looking for a pick-me-up Wednesday night.

MSU found what it needed in a 14-0, five-inning victory against Jackson State on a blustery night at Nusz Park.

Noxubee County will miss Patterson

Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter knew when it was a job well done.

When Shorter received a hug from assistant coach/offensive coordinator James Patterson, it meant things were right with the world.

Bulldogs looking for more history tonight at Sweet 16

STARKVILLE — Vic Schaefer feels his Mississippi State women’s basketball team is right where it is supposed to be.

Starkville Academy uses two-out hitting to even season series with Heritage Academy

STARKVILLE – Starkville Academy spent practice Wednesday working on being more aggressive and putting the ball in play with two strikes.

Lee’s good vibes lift Ole Miss past MSU

OXFORD — Ole Miss junior Paige McKinney could feel the vibes from second base.

Ole Miss coach Mike Smith felt the vibes during a bullpen session.

Ole Miss pitcher Kaitlin Lee was sending those positive vibes, so the Rebels knew good things were coming.

New Hope loses to Oxford in region opener

New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd has spent a lot of quality time with his players coaching third base this season.

Boyd would like to see more of those players get from third base to home.

In a recurring theme for the season, the timely hit alluded New Hope in a 4-2 loss to Oxford on Tuesday night in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A, Region 2 game at Trojan Field.

Mississippi players help MSU grow softball in state

Mississippi native Kat Moore made a diving catch in the outfield to help the Mississippi State softball team clinch an upset of No. 11 Alabama on Saturday at Nusz Park.

Moore later earned her 10 seconds of fame when the catch was featured on ESPN SportsCenter’s “Top 10” package, which highlights that day’s best plays in sports.

MSU softball drops series finale to No. 11 Alabama

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore outfielder Kat Moore found confidence in a strange place this weekend.

MSU softball upsets No. 11 Alabama

STARKVILLE – When the Mississippi State softball team knocked off Troy 2-1 two weeks ago at Nusz Park, it was not a season-changing event.

MSU softball team looks for more key hits against No. 11 Alabama

STARKVILLE — After a disappointing season, a veteran coach always looks for a sign the next season will be

different.

Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman received that sign last Friday when her team opened Southeastern Conference play with a 5-2 victory against then-No. 6 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.

West Point, Starkville girls basketball teams finish banner seasons

JACKSON

When the West Point High School girls basketball team defeated No. 1 West Jones in its first game at the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A state tournament, West Point coach Dashmond Daniel received a congratulatory text from Starkville girls coach Kristie Williams.

Olive Branch edges Starkville for 6A crown

JACKSON — As the clock moved inside three minutes remaining in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship game, quite a battle was going on between two of the state’s top players.

Olive Branch’s Myah Taylor and Starkville’s Kelsey Jones were trying to power their teams to a title in their final high school games.

The teams were trading slim one-point leads and the capacity crowd was hanging on every possession.

Jones then fouled out and Starkville never recovered.

Fourteen second-half turnovers provided the difference as the Olive Branch girls beat Starkville 57-54.

West Point’s Daniel finds theme for 2017-18

JACKSON — When he entered the coaching profession, West Point High School girls basketball coach Dashmond Daniel took advice from several coaches.

One suggestion was to build offseason conditioning around a theme.

Daniel found his latest theme Friday in the Mississippi Coliseum. In its first state championship appearance, West Point dropped a 56-45 decision to Neshoba Central in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State championship.

Walters column: Mattox sisters continuing running legacy

In the Mattox household, the awards, plaques and trophies are not displayed in one place.

MSU softball finishes perfect homestand with 2-1 win over Troy

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior shortstop Reggie Harrison likes the mind-set of her team entering Southeastern Conference softball play.

Starkville uses timely hit to beat New Hope

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School baseball coach Travis Garner had been waiting for an inning like the first inning of his team’s 4-3 victory against New Hope on Monday night for quite some time.

He wasn’t alone.

Walters column: Wicks remembered for making football relevant at West Lowndes

West Lowndes High School football coach Anthony King is going to miss the phone calls this fall.

Walters column: West Point girls, Starkville girls share center stage at Mississippi Coliseum

The Mississippi Coliseum has always brought a wide range of players and coaches together with one common goal – winning a state championship.