New Hope breezes past Oxford in prep baseball action

When New Hope High School senior right-hander Landon Boyd takes the mound, the Trojans don’t have to make all the defensive plays.

MSU softball tam drops finale to LSU

STARKVILLE — After needing eight years to beat LSU, the Mississippi State University softball team found earning back-to-back victories was too much of a task.

No. 12 LSU built a big lead and cruised to a 9-2 victory Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series at the MSU Softball Field.

MSU men outlast Auburn in OT to finish 13th

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University freshman guard Craig Sword summed up his team’s regular season succinctly.

“We didn’t finish last (in the Southeastern Conference),” Sword said. “They predicted us last, so I guess we accomplished something. That was the motivation for us the entire week.

“I don’t want to say what I want to say. However, we proved them wrong.”

MSU softball team wins ninth game in a row

STARKVILLE — While hardcore Mississippi State University sports fans know the third-ranked baseball team is on a 16-game winning streak to start the season, they might not realize coach John Cohen’s squad next-door neighbor is on a streak of its own.

The MSU softball team extended its winning streak to nine Wednesday night with an 8-1 victory against the University of Memphis at the MSU Softball Field. MSU broke it open with a five-run third inning to win its final non-conference game before opening Southeastern Conference play this weekend against No. 12 LSU in Starkville.

New Hopes knocks off Columbus in prep baseball

When New Hope High School baseball fans see Taylor Stafford stride to the mound, they know it is a serious point in the ballgame.

Starkville Academy girls move closer to three-peat

CLINTON — When the Starkville Academy girls basketball team received a wake-up call during the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA State tournament last week, the Lady Volunteers didn’t hit the snooze button.

Starkville Academy responded from a close victory against Presbyterian Christian with one of its best efforts of the season in a victory against Madison-Ridgeland Academy to capture the tournament’s championship.

Columbus overcomes slow start to beat Starkville

STARKVILLE — Junior Hunter Mullis is excited about the Columbus High School baseball team this season.

“A lot of the guys on this team have been playing together since they were 8 years old at Propst Park,” Mullis said. “We know each other. We play well together. I think we have a chance to have a special season.”

Southaven eliminates Columbus

HORN LAKE — While Columbus High School had ended its previous two girls basketball seasons playing the what-if game, there was no such misery or agony Friday night.

With a trip to the Mississippi Coliseum and the overall state tournament on the line, Columbus could not get out of neutral falling 70-50 to third-ranked Southaven at Horn Lake High.

Johnson leads Noxubee County past Pontotoc

MACON — While most postseason teams wouldn’t put much stock in a three-game win streak, the attitude is different at Noxubee County High School.

Coach T.J. Billups’ boys basketball team is finally streaking, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Johnson, Tigers ready for prep basketball playoffs

During the final quarter of a one-side loss to Starkville High School last month, Noxubee County boys basketball coach T.J. Billups did not leave his seat.

Starkville Academy grabs historic playoff win in soccer

STARKVILLE — Football coaches can feverishly study the weather to determine whether it is best for their team to be kicking into the wind or with the wind.

Columbus High advances in North State Class 6A playoffs

Postgame hugs were very brief and to the point for Columbus High senior Kiki Patterson Monday night.

Grenada ends season for Columbus boys

BATESVILLE — The Columbus High School boys basketball team got exactly the type of game it wanted.

In an opening-round matchup at the Class 6A, Region 2 tournament, the Falcons were engrossed in a physical, defensive struggle. So many times this season, Sammy Smith’s squad excelled when defense was key and every stop proved critical.

On Tuesday, though, Columbus saw its season end with a 46-40 loss to Grenada at the South Panola High.

Columbus girls will play for region title

BATESVILLE — Columbus High School girls basketball coach Yvonne Hairston knew the pressure of the moment was getting to her squad.

Hairston never panicked, though, because she believed her troops would persevere and come through in the end.

After first-half struggles, Columbus pulled away to a 60-41 victory against Grenada in an opening-round game of the Class 6A, Region 2 tournament at South Panola High.

MSU softball drops season opener

STARKVILLE — While Mississippi State University did not win its softball opener Thursday night, the Bulldogs did get a glimpse at the pitching potential of transfer Alison Owen.

Eight more players from EMCC go to four-year schools

East Mississippi Community College football coach Buddy Stephens predicted last August as many as 20 EMCC football players would be play senior college ball the following year.

Stephens hit that magic number Wednesday morning when eight more outgoing Lions signed senior college scholarship offers. Twenty-one players have signed off EMCC’s 2012 North Division championship squad.

Myles leads latest Jackets’ signing class

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School quarterback Gabe Myles was part of a recruiting battle like many other talented seniors.

However, Myles’ recruitment didn’t end with any drama Wednesday morning, as he signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I football at Mississippi State University.

Champion Tigers send 12 to next level

MACON — Even though he was a wide-eyed seventh-grader, Dylan Bradley thought his Noxubee County junior high football coach Tyrone Shorter was a little nuts.

Huddleston signs to play soccer at MSU

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy senior Tiffany Huddleston has always enjoyed soccer.

The opportunity to play college soccer in her hometown is an added bonus.

Starkville Academy sweeps Heritage Academy

STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy boys basketball coach Mark Alexander likes his team’s chance in a close game.

Starkville Academy once again proved calm under pressure Tuesday night as it defeated Heritage Academy 46-40 in another down-to-the-wire game.