Articles by Scott Walters
Starkville basketball teams split two games with Meridian
STARKVILLE — Starkville High School boys basketball coach Greg Carter has built a perennial state championship contender in large part due to rebounding and defensive tenacity.
With a young squad, Carter and his staff will spend more time than usual teaching those virtues.
Playoff races heat up for remaining local teams
The countdown is on for Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state championship weekend at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.
Columbus, West Point, Noxubee County, and West Lowndes will represent the area as state championship hopefuls.
Each team must win three games to get to Starkville. As the temperatures drop, we know the football is going to heat up.
In the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) playoffs, Heritage Academy is one win away from playing for a state title.
Here is what to watch for in Week No. 13:
Columbus basketball squads sweep West Lowndes
For the Columbus High School basketball team, every game matters.
Walters column: Columbus thankful for playoff opportunity
While it took longer than most expected, the Columbus High School football team finally passed the test.
Ole Miss gets needed victory, loses Kelly
The opponent was meaningless. The Ole Miss football team simply needed a win.
After losing three-straight games, Ole Miss finally could feel good at the start of a new work week began thanks to a 37-27 victory against Georgia Southern on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. While the Rebels, struggled to put away the Sun Belt Conference-member Eagles, the victory was crucial, even if it came at a cost.
Defense saves EMCC against Mississippi Gulf Coast
SCOOBA — In a strange twist of fate Saturday afternoon, the third-ranked East Mississippi Community College football team turned to its defense to win a playoff game.
With the high-octane offense struggling to complete drives, the defense took center stage and helped preserve a 27-24 victory against Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. in a Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) semifinal game before an overflow crowd at Sullivan-Windham Field.
Cohen took winding road at MSU’s job as AD
Everyone has special memories.
My four-year odyssey as a student at Mississippi State is highlighted by several of those moments, including a snow storm that delayed an algebra exam until 10 p.m. on a Saturday. It also includes the time my clothes were placed in the washing machine at Suttle Hall. Two hours later, someone dried my clothes, folded them, and placed them in my basket.
Winning margin gives Columbus No. 3 seed in playoffs
When the final seconds ticked off the clock at Falcon Field, several Columbus High School football coaches raised their fists in the air and several players poured onto the field to exchange hugs and high-fives.
No championships were won Friday night. Instead, Columbus earned an invitation to the second season.
For the second time in Randal Montgomery’s three seasons as head coach, Columbus is headed to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) playoffs thanks to a 60-47 victory against Hernando in a Class 6A, Region 1 game on Senior Night.
Schaefer isn’t pleased with team’s offense in exhibition
STARKVILLE — While the statistics from the No. 10 Mississippi State women’s basketball team’s 88-62 exhibition victory against Division II Arkansas-Fort Smith really didn’t matter, coach Vic Schaefer wasn’t very happy.
Deloach becoming impact player on offense at East Central C.C.
While there aren’t a lot of things for the East Central Community College football team to do socially, whatever the players do, they do it as a team.
EMCC defense finding its stride
East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Diamante Pounds knew something was amiss.
Itawamba Community College had just collected 728 total yards. EMCC is used to seeing that number in its column, not in the opponent’s column.
Columbus, Starkville will determine playoff fates Friday
The final week of the regular season isn’t complicated for the Columbus and Starkville high school football teams.
Each squad needs a win to make the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A playoffs.
Around the state, few regular-season games hold the drama of Starkville at Clinton and Hernando at Columbus.
Walters column: Columbus, Starkville face must-wins for playoffs
When the prep football season started in August, Columbus and Starkville were both ranked in several statewide polls.
EMCC basketball teams start season tonight
SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College women’s basketball coach Sharon Thompson and men’s basketball coach Billy Begley take pride in their school’s football program.
“They set the tone on campus for athletics,” Thompson said. “They have shown what it takes to win national championships. A high-profile program like that helps grow the student base, but it also helps grow the other sports programs.”
While many on the EMCC campus are consumed by the No. 3 football team and its pursuit of a state and national championship, it is time for some basketball.
Ole Miss hopes to stop losing skid
Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze wants his football team to feel good again.
Once considered a contender for the Southeastern Conference championship, a three-game losing streak against ranked opposition has left the Rebels reeling. Freeze likes the effort his team has delivered, but he knows the execution has to be better for a grueling four-game stretch run.
Unruh, Thomas, Ford leads Caledonia to victory
After missing the postseason a year ago, the Caledonia High School football team’s senior class vowed to get the squad back to the playoffs.
That mission was accomplished Friday night in a 49-35 victory against Leake Central in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A, Region 4 matchup.
South Panola shuts down Columbus
South Panola High School junior quarterback Patrick Shegog was in a familiar position.
“We just feel like we need a play,” Shegog said. “With our defense, if we can do one thing right, we have a chance. We really aren’t going to beat ourselves. You have to take it from us.”
Columbus tried but couldn’t do just that.
No. 3 EMCC shuts out Hinds C.C. in regular-season finale
SCOOBA — Freshman Duke Upshaw wanted more after he had his first taste of action for the East Mississippi Community College football team.
However, he knew patience and his belief in God would help make that possible.
As the former Baldwyn High School standout has blossomed, so has the EMCC defense.
Horsley has career night in Lions’ victory
SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore running back Jacquez Horsley felt a little giddy when he watched from Hinds C.C.’s rushing defense on tape this past week.
Horsley had high hopes. However, his performance Thursday night was even better than his dreams.
Horsley’s career-high 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped lead No. 3 EMCC to a 42-0 victory against Hinds C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) regular-season finale for both teams at Sullivan-Windham Field.
