Articles by Scott Walters
Starkville Academy girls excited about new season, new coach
STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy first-year soccer coach James Hawkins has set his team’s primary goal as making the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools playoffs.
Hawkins feels like his squad is talented and deep enough to make that goal a reality.
Tigers have plenty of mentors to help them achieve goals
MACON — Master Sargent Michael Johnson takes his role with the Noxubee County High School football team seriously.
Johnson is the pastor of the Tabernacle of Mercy, Ministry of Jesus Christ in Columbus. He meets with the team Wednesday nights for religious counseling, leads the team through a devotion during the pregame meal on game nights, and attends all of the games.
Shorter, Tigers doing it the right way
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter had half the story from a recent telephone call.
Shorter was informed by this writer he was needed for an interview previewing his sixth Tigers’ squad. Noxubee County High will play host to Starkville High in its season opener Aug. 21.
Noxubee County has right plan in place for success on, off field
MACON — Jackee Sherrod spends a lot of Friday nights cheering on her sons Shunnessy and Jataquist as they play on the Noxubee County High School football team.
Shunnessy Sherrod, a highly recruited running back, has worked hard to get to his senior year. Jataquist Sherrod is a junior defensive back. Jackee knows the opportunities football has opened for them.
Noxubee Co. finds balance between school, football
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter is driven by a goal.
While most coaches are defined by wins and losses, Shorter feels he is best defined by graduation day.
Walters column: Prep football season coming closer
Now that we are really close to the turning the calendar to August, the prep football season can come into full focus.
MSU graduate Craven takes over campus radio
Mississippi State University junior Blake Stacy stumbled upon one of the true passions in his life.
Patience pays for West Point High’s Forest
Patience.
Of all the life lessons sports teaches, rarely does patience make the list.
Football fans want to see high-scoring, “no huddle” offenses. Basketball fans want to see “up-tempo”, 3-point oriented offensive attacks. Baseball and softball might do a better job teaching patience, but it is still a lesson not often highlighted at those venues.
Most student-athletes learn patience on the recruiting trail. Many players verbally commit to a school and may not sign with that school for a year or two. Many players schedule dozens of unofficial visits in addition to the visits that fall under NCAA guidelines
More prep football questions as season draws closer
We are a little more than four weeks away from the start of prep football season.
Many area schools will play preseason games Aug. 14 or 15 to prepare them for the Mississippi High School Activities Association and Mississippi Association of Independent Schools season openers the following weekend.
As we count down the days, here are more questions to ponder as those first heat timeouts of the year draw near.
Q&A: Mississippi State junior basketball player I.J. Ready
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior I.J. Ready has grown and matured a lot in his two seasons with the Bulldogs.
Columbus High’s Hill, other area standouts headed to Big Dawg Camp today
STARKVILLE — Columbus High School rising junior running back Kylin Hill is ready to be a Big Dawg.
Southern Amateur begins play today in West Point
Some of the nation’s brightest young golfers have converged on the Golden Triangle area for this week.
Walters column: Prep football questions abound
Prep football players are beginning to spend a few extra hours in the weight room.
Area coaches share memories of Tate Marsh
Tate Marsh spent four decades influencing young people and coaching high school athletics.
Q&A: Noxubee County coach Shorter excited about 2015 season
Noxubee County High School head football coach Tyrone Shorter will begin his sixth season on Aug. 21 when the Tigers play host to Class 6A power Starkville High.
Walters column: Prep schedule features several key matchups
The fax machines are humming. The text messages are ringing.
Starkville Academy football blending new players, coaches
STARKVILLE — For the Starkville Academy football program, there is quite simply nothing going on this week.
Walters column: Prep football countdown begins with questions
With the countdown to the start of prep football practice now inside a month, it is time to turn serious about our discussions of the upcoming season.
Former Starkville High, EMCC standout Baker set for next step in journey at UT-Martin
STARKVILLE — Preston Baker feels like he is ready to take the next step.
