Articles by Theo DeRosa
Prep football capsules: Starkville Academy sets its sights on third straight playoff upset
Starkville Academy’s 23-7 loss to Jackson Academy in the Volunteers’ regular-season finale on Oct. 25 changed something in the team.
West Lowndes’ successful season on the line against No. 3 Biggersville
Wide receiver Jherquaveus Sanders knows what the West Lowndes football team was up against.
‘She is the real deal’: Pickens Academy softball star Shelby Lowe takes next step, signs with Auburn
“I wanted to stay closer to home, and when I got to Auburn, it just felt like home,” Lowe said. “I loved the people there. I love the environment and everything.”
Starkville Academy pitcher Garrett Lewis signs to UT Martin
Lewis became the school’s first NCAA Division I commit in a long time by signing his letter of intent Wednesday. “I can’t remember the last one,” SA baseball coach Thomas Berkery said.
Ball movement, strong transition defense lead top-ranked Starkville boys over Columbus
The Yellow Jackets moved the ball expertly, finding big shots when they needed to, and limited the Falcons’ potent transition offense, confining them to the halfcourt.
Aniya Saddler, Columbus girls rally in third quarter to beat Starkville
Saddler scored 20 of her 24 points in the second half, and the Falcons rallied to beat the Yellow Jackets.
New Hope golfer Logan Pannell signs to the Mississippi University for Women
New Hope High School senior Logan Pannell never thought he would end up playing college golf.
Prep basketball roundup: RL Mattix leads New Hope boys to victory over Northeast Lauderdale
Mattix had 15 points, four rebounds and two assists, and freshman LJ Hackman led the team with a whopping seven steals.
Heritage Academy boys hold on for narrow win against Oak Hill Academy
Heritage Academy boys basketball coach Russ Whiteside knew it wouldn’t come easy.
Prep football roundup: Caledonia knocked out of MHSAA Class 4A playoffs by No. 3 Corinth
Elsewhere, Starkville Academy continued its string of road upsets in the MAIS Class 5A playoffs.
Bobby Shanklin runs for four scores, Noxubee County shuts out Coahoma AHS in first round of playoffs
Shanklin had touchdown runs of 10, 10, 8 and 59 yards in the Tigers’ blowout victory.
MUW men’s basketball coach Merkel expects growth from a ‘veteran group’ in second season
Brian Merkel pointed to a spot on the left side of the Pohl Gymnasium court, just inside the halfcourt line.
Prep basketball: Starkville Academy boys pull away early for first win under new coach Bill Ball
The Starkville Academy boys basketball team has already taken to heart a piece of wisdom from first-year head coach Bill Ball: Win the first two minutes and last two minutes of every quarter.
Prep football capsules: Seeking first playoff win in school history, Caledonia hits the road
The Caledonia football team is playing for its first playoff win in school history Friday, but the record would just be an added bonus for coach Michael Kelly’s team.
Caledonia volleyball standout Tori Brooks signs to Itawamba Community College
CALEDONIA — Caledonia volleyball coach Samantha Brooks has seen plenty of her players sign to colleges before. Thursday’s signing, though, had a different feel to it.
7-year-old Phillips of Swim Columbus sets second state record
Axel Phillips reacted to setting his second state swimming record just as he did when he found out about his first.
After dominant regular season, Heritage Academy readies for first playoff test
As the 11-0 Patriots prepare for their first playoff game after last week’s bye week, head coach Sean Harrison is enjoying the ride.
New Hope baseball star Ryan Burt signs to Pearl River Community College
“It’s something every little baseball player dreams of as a little kid,” Burt said Wednesday at his signing ceremony. “It’s just awesome to see everyone that came out.”
Senior quarterback Marlon Windham leads Noxubee County into playoff opener
Windham has come into his own at quarterback — and as a leader on both sides of the ball for the Tigers (6-5) heading into Friday’s home playoff game against Coahoma Agricultural (5-5).
‘We just have to grow up’: Young New Hope team trying to build on last year’s second half
The Trojans started 2-9 before doing an about-face, clawing back to finish the season at .500, but many of the players who saw big minutes last season have graduated.
