Stropp will lead MSU men’s tennis into home opener

STARKVILLE — When Mississippi State University sophomore Malte Stropp saw MSU assistant men’s tennis coach Matt Hill at one of his matches in Germany, he knew Starkville would be a great place to call home.

New Hope sends three to East Central C.C.

New Hope High School football coach Michael Bradley experienced another first in his coaching career Wednesday morning.

“Darius, you are the first player I have ever had sign wearing a bow tie,” Bradley said. “This is a big moment for me.”

Wednesday also was a big moment for the Trojans, as Darius Petty, Joseph Reeves, and Daniel Gregory signed scholarships to play football at East Central Community College in Decatur.

Starkville’s Watson, Wileman make college choices

STARKVILLE — While the Starkville High School boys soccer team has some unfinished business for the 2011-12 season, two Yellow Jackets nailed down their future plans Wednesday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Addison Watson and defender Austin Wileman each signed scholarships to play soccer on the next level. Watson signed with Missouri State University, a Division I school that is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, while Wileman signed with Itawamba Community College.

New Hope’s Hern, Menotti going to ICC

New Hope High School girls soccer coach Mary Nagy always knew Sarah Hern would be ready to answer the call when she needed leadership.

“Sarah was always our leader,” Nagy said. “The players voted her as a captain in 10th grade. The leadership continued from there. The other players looked up to her. Her maturity was great both on and off the field. She is leaving behind a legacy, and has done a great job of preparing the next group of leaders.”

One of the ‘Fab Five’ signs with Mississippi State

CALEDONIA — On the biggest day of his athletic career thus far, Caledonia High School’s Cole Carter shared a lot of laughs and hugged a lot of people.

One of the ‘Fab Five’ signs with Mississippi State

CALEDONIA — On the biggest day of his athletic career thus far, Caledonia High School’s Cole Carter shared a lot of laughs and hugged a lot of people.

Starkville boys soccer one win from title

STARKVILLE — “One more win.”

As the wild postgame celebration ensued and Starkville High School boys soccer coach Brian Bennett received a Gatorade bath, he reminded his Yellow Jackets they had one more victory to get.

Starkville moved one step of capturing the school’s first state title in soccer after defeating Hernando 3-1 Tuesday in the Class 5A North State Class championship before a boisterous crowd at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

Starkville Academy boys beat Heritage Academy in soccer

STARKVILLE — There is good news for the soccer fan who hasn’t seen the Starkville Academy boys soccer team play: The Volunteers will close the regular season with six matches in eight days.

The marathon sprint opened Tuesday afternoon with a 1-0 win against archrival Heritage Academy at the Starkville Sportsplex.

Starkville’s Carlisle excited about 29th season as head coach

STARKVILLE — Danny Carlisle still feels the excitement as he prepares to kick off his 29th season as a high school baseball coach.

“You always look forward to opening day,” said Carlisle, who will lead the Starkville High School baseball team in practice today on the official start of the Mississippi High School Activities Association season. “The excitement is as great for this year and it was for my first year. The excitement is there. The enthusiasm is there. Whether it’s the first practice or, later on, the first game, there is an anticipation for opening day like no other sport.”

MSU looks to add defensive-line depth

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University’s football coaching staff is using its 2012 recruiting class to define a philosophy.

MSU looks to add defensive-line depth

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University’s football coaching staff is using its 2012 recruiting class to define a philosophy.

Salazar leads Jackets to north state title match

STARKVILLE — Starkville High sophomore Juan Salazar knows he has a couple of more chances to be on a state championship soccer team.

However, for Salazar, now seems like as good a time as any to help bring the school its first-ever soccer state championship.

Yellow Jackets pumped about playoff run

STARKVILLE — Starkville High boys soccer coach Brian Bennett worked the phones Sunday afternoon trying to find out some information about Hernando.

Bennett was thrilled to still have his down time filled with soccer.

Dunne excited about making an impact with Bulldog softball team

STARKVILLE — Kelsi Dunne had so much fun learning from Vann Stuedeman she decided she wanted to keep doing it at a different address.

Dunne and Stuedeman are back together, hoping to lead the Mississippi State University softball team back to national prominence. A four-time All-American at the University of Alabama, Dunne said Stuedeman has been a major influence on her as an amateur player and now working with her as a coach.

Starkville soccer set for Oxford

The Starkville High School boys soccer players want a do-over, while the Starkville High girls want an encore.

The Jackets and Lady Jackets will be back in action Saturday when they take on Oxford in second-round Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A playoff matchups.

The girls will play at noon, while the boys will follow at a 2 p.m. at the Oxford High football stadium.

Bedford provides spark off bench for EMCC

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore guard Deon Bedford has quite a collection of rings.

“We’ve won the past two region championships, and I am proud of both of those rings,” Bedford said. “The goal this year is to get a third. The pressure has been us on all year as two-time defending champions. We relish that pressure, and look forward to the challenge every time we play.”

Starkville opens soccer postseason with pair of victories

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School boys soccer coach Brian Bennett busted into a big smile after his team’s second goal Tuesday night.

That’s when the Yellow Jackets knew they were on their way to a victory in the opening-round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A playoffs.

Starkville High boys, girls host Center Hill in prep soccer playoffs

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior soccer player Christine Mazzola remembers her eighth grade year when the Lady Jackets advanced to the second round of the North State playoffs.

“I still have a t-shirt,” Mazzola said. “Since this is my last season, I want to do a little better this time around.”

Starkville will again try to begin a postseason run today when the Lady Jackets play host to Center Hill in a first-round Class 5A playoff matchup.

Match time is 5 p.m. at the Starkville High football stadium. The Starkville and Center Hill boys will also follow with a first-round playoff match, slated for a 7 p.m. start.

Starting all engines: Speedway promoters want to bring ‘big-time racing back to Columbus’

Racing has always been a big part of Mike Mauldin’s life. “I love it dearly,” said Mauldin, who is from Fulton. “The Bullring is one of the places where I got my start. To be able to contribute to the success of the Columbus Speedway means a lot to me. We are looking forward to a great year of racing.”

Ole Miss uses balanced effort to beat MSU

OXFORD — The University of Mississippi men’s basketball team had No. 18 Mississippi State University right where it wanted it Wednesday night.

This time, the Rebels closed the deal.

Playing perhaps its most complete game of the year, Ole Miss built an early lead and held on for a 75-68 win at the Tad Smith Coliseum.