MSU softball team wants to get back to NCAA tournament

STARKVILLE — Senior third baseman Caroline Seitz knows the relevance of the 2016 softball season for Mississippi State.

“You have to learn from last season,” Seitz said. “You can’t dwell on it. You can’t have adversity and not make sure it makes you better. We have to take the positives from last season, and we have to fix the things that went wrong. Everybody is ready to get started on that.”

Offensive rebounds play key role in Bulldogs’ rally

STARKVILLE — While the only statistic that counts is the final score, Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland had to search the stat sheet a while for a number he liked after his team’s 64-59 victory against Tennessee Saturday afternoon in a Southeastern Conference game at Humphrey Coliseum.

Stapleton fuels MSU’s comeback victory against Tennessee

STARKVILLE — Sophomore Xavian Stapleton wanted to bring energy to the Mississippi State men’s basketball team.

Turns out the Bulldogs also needed the points, rebounds, and steals the Louisiana Tech transfer provided.

Stapleton’s first career double-double, coupled with his passion on defense, helped MSU erase a 19-point deficit and earn a 64-59 victory against Tennessee in a Southeastern Conference game before a crowd of 7,581 at Humphrey Coliseum.

Six signees add to Noxubee County’s tradition

MACON — Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter is quick with the statistics.

“We are No. 3 in the state with the number of former players we have playing junior college and senior college ball around the state,” Shorter said. “These young men receive a free education, and if you don’t make the National Football League, you have a degree to fall back on. My message has always been the same: Use football and don’t let football use you.”

State champion West Point sends three to college

WEST POINT — West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless had two favorite days this season.

“Winning a state championship is always special,” Chambless said. “My favorite day each year is signing day because it is an opportunity to see some young men have a chance at a free education and to continue playing the game they love. We have been fortunate to have a good number of players sign. We take pride in that as a program. This day ranks right up there with championship day.”

Late push helps MSU earn top-25 signing class

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen sent a subtle message Wednesday: The Bulldogs plan to continue to recruit the Golden Triangle and the state of Mississippi.

Fast start pushes Ole Miss to rout of Mississippi State

OXFORD — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland stepped to the podium and reviewed all of his team’s injuries.

It was that kind of night for the Bulldogs.

A 22-5 run to end the first half helped carry Ole Miss past MSU 88-61 on Tuesday night in a Southeastern Conference game before a crowd of 8,205 at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.

MSU men ready for biggest game of season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball coach Ben Howland calls his team’s matchup against Ole Miss tonight “the biggest game of the season.”

It’s common for coaches to promote the next opponent as the biggest game of the season. However, Howland labels tonight game “big” because of the rivalry aspect, as opposed to where it falls on the schedule.

MSU softball will count on depth, experience on pitching staff

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior Cassady Knudsen always has believed she could pitch in the Southeastern Conference.

Hearing the high expectations of her coach Vann Stuedeman only helps reinforce that belief.

Alabama improves NCAA chances as key stretch looms

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s still too early for coaches to start campaigning for NCAA tournament berths.

However, Alabama men’s basketball coach Avery Johnson knows the magnitude of his team’s 71-62 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday night in Coleman Coliseum.

MSU men lose for second time to Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Mississippi State men’s basketball team had one opportunity Saturday night.

It faded quickly.

After Quinndary Weatherspoon hit a 3-pointer to give his team its first second-half lead with 6 minutes, 8 seconds remaining, Alabama scored the next 14 points to take a 71-62 Southeastern Conference victory before a crowd of 15,383 at Coleman Coliseum.

Columbus girls extend winning streak

Even when things don’t go well for a large stretch of time, Columbus High School sophomore Hannah White never loses faith in her basketball team.

“We feel like we will always find a way to get it done,” White said. “The chemistry on this team is so outstanding. With each win, we get a little more confidence. Being on a winning streak is what allows us to think we can win on any night against any opponent.”

Columbus ran its winning streak to 11 with a 53-49 victory against No. 10 Tupelo in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A, Region 2 game Tuesday night at the Falcon Lair.

Columbus High basketball teams continue winning ways

HERNANDO — The Columbus High School basketball teams continued their winning ways Friday night.

The Columbus girls won their eighth-straight game with a 47-25 victory against Hernando, while the Columbus boys earned their fifth-straight win with a 64-59 victory in Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A, Region 2 play at Long Gymnasium.

New Hope basketball drops region pair to Oxford

Oxford High School senior Jarkel Joiner missed a critical front end of a one-and-one free throw-opportunity Friday night.

Heritage Academy boys rout Winston Academy

Joseph Riley knew what to do when the Heritage Academy student section started chanting his name.

Riley worked to get open, took a pass at the top of the key, and drained a 3-pointer.

The student section went delirious after the basket, Riley’s first of four in a 72-30 rout of Winston Academy on Tuesday night in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 opener.

Stuedeman will try to reverse Bulldogs’ fortunes

Saturday really can’t come quick enough for Mississippi State softball coach Vann Stuedeman and her Bulldogs.

Saturday marks the opening day of practice for the 2017 season. To borrow a phrase from president-elect Donald Trump, it’s a “huge” season for the Bulldogs.

Starkville’s Leonard signs with Southern Illinois

Raphael Leonard feels better prepared for the second time around.

District play signals start of 2017 following holiday tournaments

March is the best month of the year for prep basketball coaches. That is when the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) and Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) crown state champions.

EMCC’s Lipscomb will continue career at Delta State

While football players are coached to focus on one week at a time, East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Alexander Lipscomb couldn’t help but think ahead.

As EMCC continued to win games and closed in on winning a fifth Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State championship, Lipscomb’s heart sank a little lower each week.

Walters column: Well-wishes for 2017

Hopefully, each of you have had an enjoyable time with family and friends during the holiday season.