Posey recipient of Don Souder Award

Brookhaven Academy senior Gage Posey is the 2013 male recipient of the prestigious Don Souder Award given to the top MAIS student-athlete amongst its’ 115 member schools. Posey is Brookhaven Academy's fourth recipient of the award.

In athletics Posey participated in football, basketball and baseball for the Cougars.

The 6’2” southpaw led the Cougar football team to the Class AA State Championship and displayed his mental toughness when his squad needed him most. Posey accounted for 4,011 total yards and 46 touchdowns, 7 in the state championship win over Marshall Academy.

Brookhaven head football coach Tripp McCarty said, "Gage was an absolute joy to coach. Even with all his stats and achievements he is still a humble competitor. I consider it a privilege to have coached him. He is everything we preach in our programs to our athletes."

In basketball the senior led his team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds a game.

Posey excelled in baseball as well, hitting at a .420 clip and earning himself a baseball scholarship at Hinds Community College. "Gage is the hardest working kid I've ever coached. Anything I ever asked him to do he did it without hesitation. To excel in 3 major sports for 4 straight years shows how great of an athlete he truly is. He's the guy you want to have the ball when the game is on the line. Leadership for him came naturally. He not only wanted to win but he wanted to win the right way. Brookhaven Academy will truly miss Gage's character, his competitiveness, and his leadership," said Brookhaven head baseball coach Casey Edwards.

In his senior year he was voted onto the MAIS All-Star football squad as well as an All-MAIS second team selection.

Posey was also selected as the Southern Sports & Travel Player of the Year.

He was selected as an MAIS All-Star and second team All-MAIS and Southern Sports & Travel All-MAIS team in basketball.

In baseball Posey was an MAIS All-Star selection.

Gage Posey is the son of Kevin and Rhonda Posey and maintained a 3.91 GPA while participating in English, Math and Science honors courses at Brookhaven Academy his senior year.

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Photo by Johnny Smith, Johnny Smith Photography

USA Baseball NTIS is looking to fill two 20 man teams from Mississippi. One will consist of young men that are 16 and under and the other will be 17 and under.

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Click here for more information

From the Notebook.......................

”The older you get the faster time goes by”  is an old saying that I had heard for years and honestly never put much thought into until now and yes, it’s true. The 2012/13 MAIS athletic season is remarkably almost complete and it has been one of great stories and achievements.

August 17^th seems to have been just yesterday but that was Southern Sports & Travel’s kickoff to the 2012 football season with coverage of defending Class AA champion Simpson traveling to Madden to battle Leake. A mini capsule of the 2012/13 season will be posted soon.

>>The official countdown to the 2013 MAIS football season has officially been launched and fans can expect to see changes in the Class AA & Class A playoff formats. The MAIS has approved a 16 team system that eliminates the north and south formats and puts into place a seeding based on powerpoints system.

>>Coaching changes are an expected event each year but this has been one of many. Some go unnoticed but others are an exception such as Hall of Fame basketball coach Dale Watts, Simpson football coach Billy Wayne Hankins and Silliman track coach Sharon Kline. One of the strangest was that of Central Private head basketball coach Henry Gantz who guided his boys’ team to the schools’ first ever Overall Championship. Central Private and Gantz quietly parted ways without any explanation.

>>The Southern Sports & Travel Baseball Player of the Year is expected to be announced next week unless a delay occurs in gathering much needed information.

>>Re-alignment kicks in beginning in the fall and some traditional Class AA mainstays are moving. Columbia makes its’ way to Class AAA Division-II while Marshall moves to Class A.

Questions accompanied some of the changes with concerns that Southern Sports & Travel would no longer provide coverage of those two schools but the recent two year trend has demonstrated a wider coverage of MAIS schools that encompassed all three classifications. The wider coverage has been fruitful as web traffic and sponsors have both increased.

>>As Southern Sports & Travel continues to grow each year so too does the news and announcements that come by way of school representatives to the site. This has been a useful tool for many different parties who have been frustrated for many years in the area of information gathering. In the age of social media all areas can serve a useful purpose, hence the use of Facebook and Twitter in providing information as quickly as possible.

>>In the fall Southern Sports & Travel will begin its’ sixth year of providing MAIS athletic coverage and I’m pleased to say that each year has shown growth, even the brief hiccup that was the shortened 2011 year. This past year I was pleased to go out of the box and do an automobile seat belt series that included the stories of three young people who each had eye-opening experiences.

>>Summer provides a time to perform a necessary task and while it is one I don’t enjoy it is a vital necessity to the continued growth of Southern Sports & Travel and the coverage it offers. Renewing sponsorships and seeking out new supporters interesting in contributing is a must and that endeavor will begin soon so as to not infringe on the start of the 2013 MAIS football season. If your school doesn’t support Southern Sports & Travel through a sponsorship ad please encouragement them to do so by contacting me at aafandaman@yahoo.com or phone/text 985-750-3455.

Mabry recipient of Don Souder Award

Lamar School senior Olivia Mabry is the 2013 female recipient of the prestigious Don Souder Award given to the top MAIS student-athlete amongst its’ 115 member schools. Mabry is Lamar's first ever recipient of the award.

In athletics Mabry participated in basketball, soccer, tennis and cheerleading for the Lady Raiders.

During her senior season she led Lamar to the MAIS Division-II Soccer Championship and was named to the MAIS All-Star team and the Clarion-Ledger All-State squad.

Mabry also helped guide the Lady Raider basketball program to one of their best seasons in recent history. She was named to the MAIS-All Star team and was a second team All-MAIS selection.

Outside of her athletic achievements Mabry was Senior Class President and her school’s National Honor Society President and Fellowship of Christian Athletes President.

Mabry did all this while maintaining a 4.06 GPA.

Lamar girls’ head basketball coach Russell Cruise said, “Olivia Mabry is a well-rounded, well-respected young woman whom we will all miss next year.  I know that her journey is just beginning as she will be attending Mississippi College next year.  I am glad to have had the chance to be a small part of her and her wonderful family’s life all be it for a short period.  I will never forget the impact she has made on my family as well as the younger girls she has been in contact with and set an example for everywhere.”

Mabry will be attending Mississippi College in the fall where she will not only continue her education but also her basketball career as a member of the Lady Choctaw’s team.

Olivia is the daughter of Joey and Melissa Mabry.

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Photo by Mark Whiddon, Whiddon Photography

2013 MAIS Baseball All-Star Teams

Cougar to play baseball at Copiah-Lincoln

Brookhaven senior Matthew Evans has signed to play baseball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Shown above: Back row is coach Bryan Noble (Co-Lin), Coach Casey Edwards (BA), Coach Clay Smith (Co-Lin Head Coach)

Front row is dad Jerry Evans, Matthew Evans and mom Sherylyn Evans

Watson signs with Copiah-Lincoln

Brookhaven senior Graham Watson has signed to play tennis at Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Shown above: Back row is coach Brenda Smith

Front Row is dad Ronnie Watson, Graham Watson and mom Lynn Watson

Young signs to play for Lions

Presbyterian senior Tyler Young has signed to play baseball at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.

Chelette signs with Bishop

Blake Chelette, senior (pitcher/outfielder) at Central Private, signed with Bishop State Community College to continue his baseball career.

Lamar wins Class AA Golf State Championship

Lamar School - 2013 Class AA State Champions

Lady Warriors win Class A Championship

The Deer Creek Lady Warriors recently captured the Class A Tennis Championship. Deer Creek is coached by Sherry Ballinger.

Central Private wins 12th state championship

Central Private School - 2013 Class AA State Champions

Central Private swept Marshall to win the school's twelfth state title in baseball. Senior Chase Martin pitched a complete game in leading the Rebels to a 14-2 win on Friday. Central Private, under the direction of head coach Jason Kinchen, finishes the 2013 season at 29-4.

Tri-County wins Class A Championship

The Tri-County Academy Rebels captured the school's first ever state title in baseball on Saturday with a 9-7 game three win over defending Class A champion Glenbrook. Tri-County is led by head coach Ricky Owens and finished the season at 28-4.

Magnolia Heights claims back-to-back crowns

Southern Sports & Travel

Magnolia Heights completed the season all coaches and players dream of last night in Senatobia as the Chiefs cemented their place in MAIS history with one of the most dominant stretches ever seen in the association’s 44 year baseball history.

Colin Liles went the distance in picking up his tenth win and struck out eleven and freshman Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4 on the night to lead Magnolia Heights to a 6-1 win over fourth ranked Washington to give the Chiefs their second consecutive Class AAA Division-II State Championship and a perfect 37-0 season mark.

All but one of Magnolia Height’s starters collected at least one hit on the night with the exception of senior Jacob Billingsley. Billingsley, who led the Chiefs in RBI’s during the season, was on the receiving end of four walks.

The start of the game was delayed two hours due to a heavy downpour one hour prior to when the first pitch was scheduled to be delivered and the delay seemed to have affected Magnolia Heights starter Colin Liles who saw his first pitched drilled into centerfield by Washington leadoff hitter Chase Palasini.

Carson Smyly’s ground-out enabled Palasini to advance to third base and following a Colin Liles strikeout of Michael Bruton to notch the second out Washington would get on the board first when Walker Coleman’s single to left field brought Palasini home to give the fourth ranked Generals a quick 1-0 advantage.

Magnolia Heights was kept in check by Washington starter Michael Bruton over the first two innings but the Chiefs would come alive in their half of the third inning.

Dustin Skelton got things going as the freshman lined a leadoff double into centerfield. Adam Shackleford (Courtesy runner) advanced to third on a fly out to right field and was brought home on Luke Latham’s infield hit with one out in the inning.

Washington would walk Jacob Billingsley only to see sophomore David Herrington single to right field and bring home Shackleford but Latham’s attempt to score from second base would result in the senior being called out at the plate. (Photo at top of page)

Magnolia Heights grabbed their first lead of the night at 2-1 as Jamell Newson beat out a throw to first base which scored Billingsley.

After allowing three first inning hits Colin Liles would settle in and retire twelve straight Washington batters and in the bottom of the fourth inning Magnolia Heights erupted.

Jackson Pitts hit a one-out double to centerfield and courtesy runner Cole Kelly would register the third run of the evening when Dustin Skelton singled to centerfield.

Dalton Skelton followed with a double to the centerfield wall and Magnolia Heights stretched their lead to 4-1 on Luke Latham’s sacrifice fly to right field that scored Dustin Skelton from third base.

Things would deteriorate for Washington after Jacob Billingsley drew another intentional walk.

David Herrington’s pop-up was misplayed and allowed Dalton Skelton and Billingsley to score and give the Chiefs a 6-1 cushion.

Washington would strand two runners in both the fifth and sixth innings and Colin Liles would close the door on the Generals in the seventh inning.  

Liles (Photo right) struck out Timothy Stone and Roman Fratesi’s ground-out registered the second out.

Magnolia Height’s rush to the mound for the traditional dog-pile ensued after Liles sat down Gore Pulliam to put the wrap on a dominating 2013 season with a 6-1 win.

Colin Liles (10-0) went the distance striking out eleven and the senior helped his cause by going 2 for 3 at the plate.

Freshman Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4, Luke Latham 2 for 4 and sophomore David Herrington had two RBI's in the win.

Michael Bruton took the loss for Washington (21-13).

The win was the fifth state baseball title for Magnolia Heights and third in the past four seasons under head coach Chris McMinn, now in his eighth season in Senatobia.

It was also Magnolia Height’s first back to back championships and eleventh state title series appearance.

The discussion now shifts to where does this Magnolia Heights squad belong in the group of best MAIS teams ever?

A starting point in that discussion should be their 69-5 record over the past two seasons.

Post Game with Magnolia Heights Head Coach Chris McMinn

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Magnolia Heights School - 2013 Class AAA Division-II State Champions

Jackson Prep wins Class AAA Div-I Championship

Jackson Prep captured the Class AAA Division I State Championship this evening with a 5-1 win over MRA. Prep wins the series 2-0 and in doing so finished their 2013 campaign at 34-2.

Top big man in the MAIS signs with Nicholls State

Central Private senior Liam Thomas has signed to play basketball at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Nicholls is a Division I University and a member of the Southland Conference.

Thomas, a 6'10" center, averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocked shots a game this past season and was a Southern Sports & Travel All-MAIS first team selection.

Eagles take home Class A track crown

The Mt Salus Eagles captured the Class A Track State Championship last week edging out DeSoto.

The Mt Salus boys' track team is coached by Kendall Fletcher.

Heritage claims AAA Golf Crown

Veritas girls win sixth track title in eight years

The Veritas School Lady Lions recently won their sixth state title in the past eight years. 

Above, L-R: Coach Steve Spinks, Sage Bowman, Maryanna Story, Nydia Tillis, Sydney Hughes, Lacius Caddle, Taylor Warriner, Monica Williams, Sophie Hughes, Bailey Woods, Kiara Harris, Coach Caddle.

Miller of Central Private signs

Brad Miller, senior (shortstop/pitcher) at Central Private signed with LSU-Alexandria to continue his baseball career.

MRA's McCraney to kick for Alcorn State

Madison Ridgeland Academy senior Haiden McCraney has signed to play football at Alcorn State University.

In the picture left to right, sitting is Steve McCraney (Father), Haiden McCraney and Sandra McCraney (Mother).  Standing left to right is Coach John Weaver (MRA Assistant Coach), Craig McCraney (brother) and Coach Forrest Williams, MRA Head Coach.

Lady Buc signs with Mississippi College

Bowling Green senior Mackayla Dykes has signed to play basketball at Mississippi College.

Above: Standing, Beverly Young (Bowling Green Principal) and Bowling Green head coach Pat King.

Seated: Randy Dykes, (Father) Mackayla Dykes, Kristy Dykes (Mother)

Gantz out at Central Private

Central Private head basketball coach Henry Gantz informed Southern Sports & Travel today that he will not return next year.  Gantz replaced Ed Palubinskas after the 2011 season and in his two seasons as the boys' varsity coach Central Private went 50-12, won two district titles, a Class AA South State Championship and the school's first ever Overall Championship this past season.

"I've decided it's best for myself and my family to part ways with Central Private. I've enjoyed coaching my players the last three years and I wish the kids the best in the future," said Gantz in a short statement.

A request for a statement from Central Private School went unanswered.

Earnhart to play basketball for Lady Choctaws

Tori Earnhart, a senior at The Veritas School, has committed to play basketball at Mississippi College this fall. 
Pictured are (from left) Steve Spinks- Veritas Athletic Director, Shay, Tori, and Tray Earnhart, and Charlie Warriner- Veritas Head Girls Basketball Coach.

Lovitt heading to Oxford

Tavyn Lovitt of Madison Ridgeland Academy recently signed a track and cross country scholarship with the University of Mississippi.

Shown above: Back row (L-R):  John Weaver, Head Track Coach; Kayla Lovitt (sister), and Stephen Force, Head Girls' Basketball Coach

Seated (L-R): Patrick Lovitt, Tavyn Lovitt and Jennifer Lovitt

Ben’s Ford Christian School, a success story

Southern Sports & Travel

Sitting three miles just outside the small town of Bogalusa, Ben’s Ford Christian School is now in the closing weeks of the most successful school year in its’ history.

A ministry of Ben’s Ford Baptist Church, the school has blossomed in both growth and athletics and is now the biggest private school in Washington Parish. From just 20 students in 1983 to 500 today the MAIS member school has addressed their growth with improvements that include a newly constructed, spacious preschool building and a much needed field house for their athletic program.

With the growth came other changes. The school will, for the first time, compete in Class AA when the 2013/14 school year gets underway in August and will be in the same district as Bowling Green, just 18 miles away.

While capital improvements helped the school keep pace with its’ growing enrollment numbers the success of the athletic program reached new heights this year and created a level of excitement never seen at the school, now in its’ fourth decade. 
The boys’ varsity basketball program, under the direction of third year head coach Shadd Pittman, teetered just outside the Southern Sports & Travel rankings this past season.  Ben’s Ford caught fire in the playoffs and advanced to their first ever Class A South State Championship game where they fell to eventual state champion Porter’s Chapel. The Eagles finished the year at 18-11 and will have three starters returning next season.

The success of the basketball program carried over to baseball where Ben’s Ford yet again reached a milestone, its’ first ever district championship in any sport.

Now in his sixth season at the helm, head baseball coach Jerod Wascom remembers the difficulty in building a program that had fielded a team just once in its’ history, in 1991.

“My first year we only had a 10 or 12 game schedule and didn’t have a field,” said Wascom. “We were able to play one home game and it was played at Bogalusa high School.”

A larger obstacle was assembling a varsity team.

“Our biggest challenge was playing at the high school level with kids that hadn’t played baseball since 9 or 10 year old little league.”

Wascom had to start from scratch which meant teaching fundamentals and basics of the game in order to field a varsity team. Add a lack of numbers on the roster and the challenge was magnified tremendously.

Wascom had to incorporate kids one year removed from primary school to fill his roster and had three seventh graders playing infield positions at one time.

Although it was difficult in the early stages there was an upside which ultimately paid dividends and that was evident as those seventh graders received a steady dose of Baseball 101 as they progressed over the years.

The program has grown and improved since Wascom’s first season in 2007 and the Eagle baseball program enjoyed the fruits of their labor this season as they went a perfect 8-0 in district play, qualified for the post season and steadily crept up the Southern Sports & Travel rankings.

First and second round sweeps of Newton and ranked Russell Christian followed and Wascom attributed that to solid pitching from seniors Cole Edwards and Brian Hines. In their series wins over Newton and Russell Christian only 2 walks were allotted and Ben’s Ford pitchers racked up 37 strikeouts.

“It was a hurdle at the start of the season due to seven of my starters playing basketball and after a long playoff run I got them much later than usual.”

On the Thursday morning the team traveled to Meridian for game two against Russell Christian the entire school gave them an encouraging sendoff as students holding signs lined the fences of the front of the campus.

“The support from the school has been outstanding,” said Wascom. “We don’t have lights yet at our field so most of our home games start at 2 p.m. and all the kids are allowed to attend. It’s a great environment and our players love it.”

The support from the school and this season’s success has also reaped another reward, more interest from kids that chose not to participate in the program.

“We have some kids on campus that didn’t play baseball that could have helped us and now they’ve seen the comradery, the fun and the success we’ve had and they tell me they wished they had played, and since we only have three seniors, it’s encouraging for next season.”

Now playing for the Class A South State Championship, Ben’s Ford takes a major step up in competition as the Eagle’s opponent is the 2012 defending state champion Glenbrook Apaches and when asked if his players understood the moment they were in Wascom replied, “We try not to make it bigger than what it is, we don’t downplay it but we’ve been preaching all year that you play the game to have fun first and foremost but at the same time we want our kids to put forth their best effort.” 
Wascom added, “They know Glenbrook won state last season but we’ve been telling our kids all year that the potential is there if they come together and play hard, the sky is the limit for this group. Now that things have started coming together they realize what they’ve accomplished to this point but make no mistake about it, we know Glenbrook is second to none and it’s going to be a real tough task.”
Coaches at Ben’s Ford know and understand the challenge that awaits them as they move to Class AA athletics but it’s a welcomed challenge that they eagerly await.

“Success breeds success,” said Wascom. “Hopefully this will carry on from sport to sport for years to come. We have kids who are winners, they believe they can win and that’s the difference now.”

Ben’s Ford met defending Class A champion Glenbrook on Tuesday night in game one of the best of three series and witnessed up close and personal the play of one of the top pitchers in Class A. Glenbrook defeated Ben’s Ford 13-0 behind a perfect game hurled by sophomore Spencer White.

The series resumes on Thursday.
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Photos courtesy of Shelaine McClelland

Minor inks with Warriors

Starkville Academy senior Carnail Minor signed to play basketball at East Central Community College.

Volunteer signs with Mississippi College

Starkville Academy senior Hunter Bolin was joined by seniors who celebrated his signing with Mississippi College to play baseball.

Canton sweeps Class AA North Track event

Canton Academy, under the direction of Coach Ben Williams, captured both the boys and girls North AA track titles held at Lee Academy in Clarksdale last week.

Watson’s two run blast lifts Marshall

Southern Sports & Travel

Marshall centerfielder Von Watson crushed a two-run, sixth inning homer to break a 4-4 tie as the fourth ranked Patriots edged third ranked Central Hinds in Raymond last night to take a 1-0 North AA State Championship series lead.

Senior southpaw Aaron McAlexander went the distance on the mound for Marshall collecting five strikeouts and scattering just four hits on the evening.

Marshall put up two runs in their half of the second inning.

Chance Lyken’s one-out single enabled Matt Rappa to advance to third base after Rappa had reached base on a fielder’s choice and Devin McGregor would bring Rappa home with a two-out single to left field.

Marshall sophomore Von Watson smashed a 2 run homer in the 6th inning

Marshall would score again in the inning as Central Hinds committed a costly fielding error on a Josh Mask grounder which allowed Lyken to score and increase the lead to 2-0.

Marshall doubled their lead in the third inning as Aaron McAlexander produced a lead-off single and Vince Hoyt drilled a full count double into left field scoring McAlexander.

Von Watson reached base on a second fielding error by Central Hinds which also allowed Hoyt to advance to third base.

Chance Lykens brought Hoyt home with an infield hit to give the defending Class AA North Champions a 4-0 advantage midway through the third inning.

Central Hinds showed life in the bottom of the inning.

Lead-off hitter Alex Biggs reached on a Marshall error but would be the first out of the inning as Bruce Agee hit into a fielder’s choice.

With two outs Peyton Banes popped a 2-0 double into centerfield to score Agee and the Cougars quickly cut the Marshall lead in half as Blake Bishop followed with a double to score Banes from second base to pull Central Hinds back to within two runs at 4-2 with four full innings to play.

Aaron McAlexander went the distance for Marshall allowing just 4 hits

Central Hinds would tie the contest in their half of the fourth inning as Marshall committed a costly error of their own.

Lead-off man Ty Mohler reached base on an errant throw and advanced to third base when Keller Bradford smacked a full count double to centerfield.

Tanner Leggett brought Mohler home with a perfectly laid sacrifice bunt and the Cougars would knot the game at 4-4 on an Alex Biggs grounder that forced a play at the plate in which Bradford safely scored from third.

Central Hinds would let an opportunity slip through their fingers in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Cougars managed to load the bases with two outs but could not capitalize and as a result it would prove to be costly.

Dakota Dailey led off the top of the sixth inning with a first pitch single into left field. Both Aaron McAlexander and Vince Hoyt smashed long bombs to the farthest reaches of centerfield falling just short of going yard but with two outs in the inning Von Watson did the honors as the sophomore drilled the first pitch he saw well over the centerfield wall with Dakota Dailey on base to give the Patriots what would be the final score of 6-4.

Aaron McAlexander closed the door to preserve the win as the senior retired the last six Central Hinds batters he faced.

Seven different Marshall players collected a hit on the night with sophomore Devin McGregor (Photo left) leading the way going 2/3 and an RBI, Aaron McAlexander was 2/4 and Chance Lykens went 2/4 with an RBI.

Marshall improved to 19-11 and will take a 1-0 series lead heading back home to Holly Springs where game two will take place on Thursday.

Keller Bradford took the loss for Central Hinds (21-8).

Post Game with Marshall Head Coach Bart Jenkins

Central Private to host summer all-star game

Here is information for the first annual Louisiana small private parochial schools football game.

This game will consist of graduated seniors from 2013 from the LHSAA, the MAIS, and the ACEL schools.  The game will be played on Saturday June 1, 2013 at Central Private School in Central, La. 

It will be a north versus south format. If you make Alexandria the center point then every school north of there will play for the north and any school south of there will play for the south. 

The south will practice at Silliman Institute in Clinton, La. They will be coached by TJ Davis of Silliman. The north will practice at a site the second I confirm a coach. If you are interested in coaching the north just let me know, there will be a small stipend for doing it. 

What I need from each of you is the name, mailing address, and phone number for 2 players or 3 if you have a kicker, that you would like to play in the game. You will say the position that they will play and I will let the coaches know the positions. 

The game will be four quarters of 15 minutes each. Each player will be guaranteed 1 quarter at his position, any time that side of the ball is on the field during the game he will be in it. We are only going to have 45 on each team, 22 offensive, 22 defensive and 1 kicker. The kids will practice 5 days of 2 a days for a total of 10 practices before the game. I am contacting all the colleges in Louisiana to tell the coaches about the game so they will come and watch. 

There will be an all-star banquet with a guest speaker on the day of the game. Tickets will be available for this later. The players do not pay for the banquet. It will cost the players $90.00 to play but we do not want them or their parents paying for it. We want them to get a sponsor for the game program. They get their jersey, t-shirt, team photo, and banquet ticket for the money. We will also be handing out four $250 scholarships to the college of their choice, 2 for the north and 2 for the south.. 

The response for this game has been great. Over 60 teams have asked for information. If you have any questions you can call me at 318-453-0292 or email at lumleyl42@yahoo.com.

See you at the game.  

Coach Lyn Lumley

Central Private School head football coach

NORTH STATE TRACK MEET REULTS
SOUTH AAA TRACK MEET RESULTS

SOUTH A and AA TRACK MEET RESULTS

Tri-County smashes Winona to advance

Southern Sports & Travel

Tri-County is chasing history, one series at a time.

Class A top ranked Tri-County moved one step closer to their quest to win the school’s first ever baseball state championship on Friday with a convincing 10-0 win over second ranked Winona Christian at WS “Red” Hancock Field in Flora.

This marked the third consecutive season that the Rebels squared off with Winona in the second round of the playoffs.

Winona eliminated Tri-County in 2011 and 2012 but a 1-hit, 10 strikeout performance from senior Trent Driver and timely hitting propelled the Rebels in advancing to next week’s Class A North State Championship Series against third ranked Bayou.

Driver, who came into Friday’s game not 100% healthy, had to battle out of a first inning jam.

After Winona lead-off hitter Morgan Mills was hit by Driver the Stars looked to do some damage early on.

Delta State signee Trent Driver improved to 8-1 on the season

Bailey Lott followed by reaching base on a hot grounder that resulted in a Tri-County error and allowed Mills to advance to third base with no outs.

Winona’s threat would be halted as Driver began to settle in.

The Delta State signee struck out Aaron Gatlin and Brady Chambley and forced Miles Jackson into a ground out to get out of the jam.

Tri-County would get on the board in their half of the inning as Tanner Rodabough reached on a Winona fielding error with one out.

Rodabough successfully stole second base and was brought home on a Derek Martin 1-1 double into left field with two outs.

The Rebels added another run to go up 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning.

Dylan McKnight sent a 2-out, 3-1 single into center field and was brought home on Tanner White’s long double to the centerfield wall.

After a shaky start Trent Driver retired nine straight Winona batters and Tri-County would slowly start to pull away.

Tri-County's Derek Martin gets a large lead

The Rebels added a run in the third to stretch their lead to 3-0 when a deep fly ball to centerfield was dropped allowing Tanner Rodabough to score from second with two out.

Winona would get their only hit off of Driver in the top of the fourth inning as Aaron Gatlin garnered a lead-off double but Driver proceeded to strike out three straight batters to preserve the shutout.

Winona starting pitcher Bailey Lott found himself in a jam in the bottom of the fifth.

Dusty Brock delivered a 1-out single but would be tagged out attempting to steal second base.

Lott then walked Derek Martin, who with two outs, successfully stole second base to get into scoring position and Trent Driver would bring Martin home as the senior hit a single into left field to increase the margin to 4-0.

Tri-County poured it on in their half of the sixth inning.

Bailey Lott walked leadoff hitter Nick Wooten and would be replaced by Winona southpaw ace Brady Chambley.

Consecutive bunts from Dylan McKnight and Tanner White loaded the bases but a third straight bunt from Ryan Cothern would result in a force out at the plate. Tanner Rodabough then single into centerfield to score McKnight and White and Dusty Brock followed with a single of his own to bring home Cothern and Rodabough as the Rebels pushed the lead to 8-0 with just one out in the inning.

Trent Driver of Tri-County steals third base in the fifth inning

Derek Martin would reach on a Winona error which brought Trent Driver to the plate.

Brock would steal third base and Martin advanced to second and then Driver delivered the knockout blow as the senior belted a double to score Brock and Martin and end the game due to the 10-run rule.

With the win Tri-County improves to 24-3 while Winona closes out the 2013 campaign with a 20-3 mark.

Driver improved to 8-1 on the season and helped his cause at the plate with a double, a single and 4 RBI’s.

Tanner Rodabough and Dusty Brock each had 2 singles and 2 RBI’s and Tanner White had a double, a single and an RBI.

Post Game with Tri-County Head Coach Ricky Owens

Lady Raiders capture district championship

Riverfield Academy recently took home the District 7-A track championship.

Columbia releases statement on Watts hiring

Columbia Academy is pleased to announce that Coach Dale Watts will assume the role of Varsity Boys’ basketball coach and Junior High Boys’ basketball coach. Coach Watts is returning to his alma mater. He is a 1971 graduate of Columbia Academy, where he served as Senior Class President and was a key component of the 1971 State Champion Basketball team. 

Coach Watts has previously coached at Centreville Academy and Parklane Academy. While at Parklane Academy, his teams won a AAA State and Overall State Championship in 1982, and an Overall State Championship in 1990.   For the last nineteen years he has coached at Brookhaven Academy where he has won seven of eight State AA Championships from 2003 until 2011, six of which were consecutive. Watts stated, “I am extremely happy and excited to be here. I feel like the community is ready to move forward and that is my objective.”

Next year Columbia Academy will be moving up within the MAIS to the classification of AAA, Division II.  Columbia Academy is pleased and excited to have Coach Watts lead our program while this change is made.  Both the High School Girls’ and the Junior High Girls’ teams will continue under the capable leadership of Coach Reid McCay.  Coach McCay has faithfully led the Cougars basketball teams in the past and previously led the school to a State Championship in 2004.

Top ranked Rebels sluggish in 2-1 road playoff win

Southern Sports & Travel

Top ranked Central Private began their quest for a twelfth state championship on Tuesday night as they traveled to Columbia to take on eighth ranked Columbia Academy.

Central Private ace Brennan Fucich struck out 10 and allowed just 3 hits and seniors Brad Miller and Blake Benoit each hit homers to propel the Rebels to a hard fought 2-1 win to take a 1-0 series lead.

The Rebels had trouble early on adjusting the Columbia southpaw Logan Cooke’s change up as the junior went the distance and scattered 7 hits, allowing 2 runs and striking out three.

After leaving two men on over the first three innings Central Private got a spark from senior Blake Benoit who sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall in the top of the fourth inning to give the Rebels the first lead of the evening at 1-0.

Kris Tamplet would reach base on a two-out single but was stranded to end the Rebel’s half of the inning.

Columbia showed why they’re a top ten team as the Cougars would tie the contest in bottom of the inning.

Drew McElroy sent a 0-1 pitch into right field for a lead-off single and would advance to second on a fielder’s choice.

McElroy raced for third base on teammate Dylan Pounds’ ground out and would score to tie the game at 1-1 on a Rebel error as the throw to tag McElroy at third went awry.

Will Raybourn would extend the inning with an infield hit but that would be Columbia’s last base-runner as Brennan Fucich was gaining steam.

Central Private would break the tie in the top of the fifth inning when senior Brad Miller sent a Logan Cooke two-out fast ball well over the center field wall to give the Rebel’s the lead at 2-1.

Brennan Fucich retired the last ten Cougar batters he faced en-route to nailing the door shut on Columbia and improving his season mark to 7-1.

Central Private improves to 24-4 while Columbia slips to 16-9.

The series now shifts back to Central Private on Friday.

.Post Game with Central Private Head Coach Jason Kinchen

PLEASE TEXT BASEBALL SCORES TO 985-750-3455 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

CORRECTION:

Southern Sports & Travel received a story last week regarding Bayou Academy coach Winn Scott leaving for Delta Academy. I received information from Delta Academy headmaster Barry Finnie today who said that was an erroneous report and not true.

My sincere apologies.

Lady Wildcats win another district crown

Silliman took home another girls district title last week by capturing the 6-AA meet held at Silliman. The Lady Wildcats are coached by Sharon Kline.

Canton takes district track crown

Canton Academy made it a clean sweep by capturing the District 2-AA varsity meet and the junior varsity girls team also won. The meet was held at Winston Academy. Ben Williams is the track coach at Canton.

Adams sweeps district track event

Adams Christian captured the girls and boys varsity and junior varsity District 5-AA track championship.

Central Holmes dominates district track event

Central Holmes Christian School makes a clean sweep of the District 4-A track titles.

High School Girls - 1st place

High School Boys - 1st place

Prep's Williams signs with Lipscomb

Jackson Prep senior Josh Williams has signed to play basketball at Lipscomb University of Nashville. Lipsomb is a Division-I University and participates in the Atlantic Sun Conference along with notables such as Florida Gulf Coast, Stetson and Mercer.

Williams averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds his senior season and is a two-time Southern Sports & Travel All-MAIS selection.

Shown above, L to R: Renee Williams (mother), Josh Williams and Willie Williams (father).