Pickens County’s Hall made most of second chance

REFORM, Ala. — Time away from the sport taught Pickens County High School senior running back De’Marko Hall how much the game of football means to him.

After missing his ninth and 10th grade years due to discipline issues, Hall returned to the field with a vengeance.

This season, Hall ran for more than 1,400 yards, topped 1,200 yards receiving, and scored 43 all-purpose touchdowns. The touchdown total was 15 better than the previous school record.

Mayhew emerged as leader for Aliceville

ALICEVILLE, Ala. — Aliceville High School senior middle linebacker Terry Mayhew admits he once was “an angry person.”

Mayhew credits new Aliceville coach Charles Moody with being the influence that helped him channel his emotion and energy and mature into a fine young man.

Noxubee County, New Hope split basketball doubleheader

The New Hope High School girls basketball team will carry a lot of momentum into its Christmas holiday break.

However, the Lady Trojans won’t carry a winning streak with them.

Behind a 30-point night from senior guard Tynesha Mickens, Noxubee County erased a six-point fourth-quarter deficit to earn a 48-44 victory Tuesday night and hand New Hope its first defeat of the season.

In the nightcap, New Hope salvaged the split as the boys posted a 64-60 victory.

Former West Lowndes coach excited about new opportunity in Starkville

STARKVILLE — Former West Lowndes High School basketball coach Herman Peters is excited about his new vocation.

Peters assumed his duties as sports program coordinator for the city of Starkville Parks and Recreation Department earlier this month. He is pleased because of the unique opportunity this new job allows to embrace his passion of basketball.

Aberdeen uses size to beat New Hope

MABEN — One of the most difficult plays to complete in basketball is a three-point play when a team makes a free throw, misses a free throw, secures the rebounds, and scores on the putback.

When the Aberdeen High School boys basketball team completed the rare feat three times in the first half Saturday night, New Hope had to feel it may not be its night.

Lawrence County nips Starkville at the wire

Starkville High girls basketball coach Kristie Williams continues to preach to her team the need to play for four quarters. When the Lady Jackets learn that lesson, the victories may indeed pile up.

Holiday hoops tournaments hit hardwood

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” can mean several things to several people.

However, for area high school basketball fans, it can mean plenty of quality matchups on the hardwood.

EMCC’s Wallace earns national Player of Year honor

For the first time ever, East Mississippi Community College can now boast a national Player of the Year in football.

Less than a month after leading the Lions to a first-ever national championship, freshman quarterback Bo Wallace was named National Offensive Player of the Year by the NJCAA Thursday afternoon.

Always a fan’s delight, prestigious Joe Horne Classic tips off Friday

As the Christmas holidays begin on the Columbus High School campus, many students and teachers are looking forward to some time off and a chance to catch up with family and friends.

Wallace, Autry earn All-American honors

Postseason honors continue to roll in for the national champion East Mississippi Community College football team.

Columbus’ Sanders will play for Mississippi Hound Dogs

Columbus native Corey Sanders is excited about his new football-playing home, even if the season doesn’t start for another two months.

Sanders is expected to be a defensive back when the Mississippi Hound Dogs kick off their inaugural season in the Ultimate Indoor Football League. Training camp will begin Feb. 15, and the season opener against the Rome Rampage will be March 3 at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo.

Starkville Academy basketball earns split

STARKVILLE — The Starkville Academy boys basketball team missed its first eight shots from the field Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for the Volunteers, that drought was a foreshadowing of things to come.

Starkville Academy missed 20 of its first 21 shots en route to a 54-32 loss to East Rankin Academy in Class AAA, District 2 action.

Starkville Academy’s girls team overcame a sluggish first half to post a 66-42 victory.

Heritage Academy, Immanuel Christian split basketball games

STEENS — Heritage Academy and Immanuel Center for Christian Education are separated by about six miles.

The Patriots must have felt the Rams’ long-range shots covered that distance Monday night.

Immanuel Christian made eight 3-pointers and dominated in the post to record a 69-59 win in a non-district boys basketball game.

In the first varsity game, the Heritage Academy girls earned a 49-18 victory.

East Mississippi C.C. finishes No. 1 in final NJCAA poll

It is official.

Fresh off a victory against Arizona Western College, the East Mississippi Community College football team claimed the No. 1 spot in the final NJCAA top 20 released Monday.

EMCC wins national championship

East Mississippi Community College football coach Buddy Stephens had a dream when he took over the head coaching job of the Lions.

EMCC eyes first national title

It’s finally showtime. After weeks of buildup, the East Mississippi Community College football team plays for the NJCAA national championship this afternoon.

Lions roar into El Toro Bowl

East Mississippi Community College is gearing up for the biggest athletic event in its history.

The school’s No. 2 football team (11-0) will take on No. 1 Arizona Western College (11-0) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the El Toro Bowl presented by Time Warner Cable. The unbeaten powers play for the NJCAA national championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Yuma, Ariz.

Lions roar into El Toro Bowl

East Mississippi Community College is gearing up for the biggest athletic event in its history.

The school’s No. 2 football team (11-0) will take on No. 1 Arizona Western College (11-0) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the El Toro Bowl presented by Time Warner Cable. The unbeaten powers play for the NJCAA national championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Yuma, Ariz.

Undefeated Arizona Western set for EMCC

Arizona Western College football coach Tom Minnick had a vision when he took over the program.

The fourth-year coach admits that vision has become reality much quick than he anticipated.

Arizona Western College (11-0) will try to close the final chapter on a magical season at 3:30 p.m. Saturday when it takes on No. 2 East Mississippi Community College (11-0) for the NJCAA national championship in the El Toro Bowl at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Yuma, Ariz.

EMCC takes final step on road to title

The East Mississippi Community College football team learned its postseason destination more than two weeks ago.

This morning, players, coaches, and support staff members for No. 2 EMCC flew out of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport on the first leg of a 1,700-mile flight that will move it closer to the biggest game in school history.