Playoffs approaching fast

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

With the AA baseball playoffs only three weeks away twelve teams will be jockeying for one and two seeds within their respected districts to begin a quest for a state championship. That quest will start on April 19th with best two of three series in both the north and south regions and culminating during the week of May 10th when a new state champion will be crowned.
With the homestretch rapidly approaching some teams are showing signs of hitting their strides while others are still looking for much needed consistency. Within the latest Southern Sports & Travel Top Ten rankings six teams are from the north region but two are struggling and one has yet to find consistency. The top four teams in the rankings are split with two from each region.
So with round one of the 2010 playoffs approaching who is hot and who is not?
Who’s Hot…….
*Brookhaven – The Cougars were sitting at 2-4 back on March 11th following a 10-0 loss to Parklane. Since then Brookhaven has won 9 of 10 including quality wins over Copiah, Centreville, Hillcrest and Canton.
*Marshall – The Patriots have been on a torrid pace in winning 12 of their last 13, they’re only defeat during the stretch came in a 5-1 loss to MHSAA 4A Center Hill on March 12th. Marshall has a firm grip on the top seed from District 1AA.
Who’s Not…....
*Adams Christian – The Rebels have lost 5 of 6 since winning a three game series with WCCA nearly three weeks ago. In early March ACCS had moved close to a top five ranking but have since fallen out of the top ten.
*Kirk – The Raiders were making some noise but have fallen to 7-6 after losing a doubleheader to district foe Indianola. They could quickly fall out of the top ten with a tough stretch upcoming. Another matchup with Indianola followed by Winona and a doubleheader with #2 ranked Marshall awaits Kirk.

On the radar…..
*Centreville - The Tigers are quietly picking up steam and sit at 12-5 overall and hold down the number six spot in the latest Southern Sports & Travel rankings. Big three game series as Centreville travels to Natchez to take on District 5AA foe Adams Christian today for one game and then the Tigers will host Adams in a doubleheader on Friday.

Time to gel……

*Simpson and Lamar have been all over the radar as of late and playing in the best overall district in AA baseball could spell trouble as playoff time draws near. Which team will put together a strong stretch will determine who stays home and who moves on next month.

Also.......

I would be remiss not to mention Central Private and Hillcrest. The top ranked Rebels have won four of the past five state titles and while dropping three games this month Central Private’s strength of schedule permits them to hang on to that top ranking.
Hillcrest has shown signs of inconsistency early on but with one of the better pitching rotations in MAIS baseball the Cougars proved to be a top five squad with a 13-3 thrashing of Jackson Prep in five innings last week.

MAIS BASEBALL RECAP

Pioneers rout Columbia 9-1 to honor former major leaguer in style
Courtesy of The Enterprise Journal

Most of the overflow crowd enjoyed a 9-1 Parklane Academy baseball victory over Columbia Saturday night. But for some, it was more of a reunion with old friends.

Former major league pitcher Jeff Calhoun was honored Saturday night along with several of the Parklane players who have won the Calhoun award since its inception in 1988. The Jeff Calhoun Award has been awarded to the Pioneer senior who most exemplifies those traits that Calhoun showed while at Parklane. Calhoun led Parklane to four straight state championships from 1973-76 before moving on to a standout collegiate career at Ole Miss. Calhoun held several strikeout and ERA records at Ole Miss. Most of Calhoun’s major league career was in Houston with the Astros as a relief pitcher. He also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies. Calhoun made a weekend of his trip, visiting his father and other family members. He spent most of the game getting reacquainted with some old friends. “This turned out to be a nice reunion,” he said. “The park looks great and it was a beautiful day to be here.”
Calhoun lives in Houston, where he works for the Second Baptist Church. Parklane Coach Michael Clements organized the event to get former players involved in the Parklane program now. “It’s always a great thing for someone’s accomplishments to be recognized,” said Clements. “I just wanted to get all the players an opportunity to meet Jeff Calhoun. We were excited to have all those former players back on campus. Now, our players will be much more appreciative of this award and what it means.” Against Columbia, Chance Schmidt was 2-for-2 with a double to lead Parklane at the plate. He was the only player with multiple hits as Clements went to his bench early after Parklane scored six runs in the first inning en route to a 9-0 lead after four.
Brandon Austin, Parklane’s leading hitter at .556, had a single. Zach Smith (.552), Ben Kavanay, Wes Gill, and Shelby Johnson each added singles. Junior lefthander Nathan Taylor was the winning pitcher. He worked two innings, striking out three while facing only seven. Johnson worked the next two innings. He struck out three of the six batters he faced. Alex Price had two strikeouts over the next two frames. Jared Bullock worked the final inning, allowing one run on one hit. Parklane, 7-3 overall, begins conference play Tuesday when East Rankin Academy visits for a 4:30 junior varsity game and a 7:00 conference opener. Parklane travels to Pelahatchie Thursday to complete the series with East Rankin.

Raiders overcome error bug to down Rebels
Courtesy of The Meridian Star
Despite being plagued by the error bug the Lamar baseball team was able to pull out a 3-1 win against visiting Leake Academy on Thursday night. The Raiders, who committed seven errors on the night, improved to 8-4, 2-1 in division play. After a slow start offensively by both teams it was Lamar, which scored first. The Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning in front of John Clinton McElroy, who drew a walk off of Leake pitcher Will Myers to put Lamar up 1-0. However, Lamar could not capitalize to add any more runs in the inning. The Rebels came right back to tie things up as Jay Moore would cross the plate on a Lamar error in the top half of the fifth inning. Lamar didn't waste any time regaining the lead as Myers walked the first two batters in the bottom of the fifth. After they advanced to second and third base on a double steal, the Raiders' Beau Burns stepped to the plate and came through in the clutch belting a two-RBI single to break open the tie game and give standout pitcher Will Haggard all the cushion he needed. Haggard (3-2) gave Lamar a complete-game effort striking out 11 Rebels, while giving up two hits and one walk. He also picked off a runner in the contest. After going three-up, three-down in the bottom half of the sixth inning, Haggard quickly shot down any chances of a rally by Leake Academy striking out the side to secure the victory for the Raiders. Lamar was led at the plate by Burns and Dylan Rivers, who each had a base hit. Leake was paced by Aaron Sheppard and Myers, who each had a single on the night. Myers took the loss for the Rebels as he went five innings striking out four, while giving up three hits and eight walks.

Glenbrook sweeps Cenla

Courtesy of The Minden Press-Herald
The Glenbrook Apaches swept a double header from Cenla Academy Friday afternoon. The Apaches beat their district opponents 15-0 in the first game and 25-2 in the second.
Chandler Singleton got the win in the first game as he went all three innings giving up one hit, while striking out eight.
Glenbrook scored three runs in the bottom of the first, four in the second and eight more in the third as they shut out the Lions.
Cody Boyd led the way at the plate as he went three-for-three with five RBIs. Rudi Spurlock had two singles and a RBI and Preston Wise doubled off the wall in left. Dave Parks had a single, sac fly and two RBIs, and Colton Spurlock had a single. Dewey Kendrick drove in a run and Caden Copeland ripped a RBI-single.
In the second game, Rudi Spurlock and Wise combined to no-hit the Lions as the Apaches unloaded their bench in the 25-2 win.
Spurlock pitched the first two innings allowing one walk and striking out three and Wise walked four and struck out two in one inning.
Singleton and Rudi Spurlock both had two hits and three RBIs to lead the Apache offense. Kendrick and Kasey Kidd each had two hits and two RBIs, and Braden Dickson had a two-run single. Levi Reagan and Conner Copeland both had RBI-singles, and Boyd added a base hit. Logan Clark drove in a run.

Glenbrook improves to 13-2.

Carroll sweeps Winston

Courtesy of The Greenwood Commonwealth
Carroll Academy took care of business Thursday night in its District 2-AA doubleheader with Winston Academy as the Rebels swept a pair of games.
Carroll easily won the first game 12-2 as Kyle Krauzyk (2-0) went 41/3 innings to earn the victory on the mound. He gave up both two runs on four hits, walking four and fanning three. C.J. Hodges came in to get the last two outs, recording one strike out. Hodges had two doubles and drove in two runs at the plate, while Peyton Banes had two singles and four RBIs. Ty Higginbotham drove in two runs with two singles, and Tyler Bingham, Jake Streeter and Clay Perry had a single each. Bingham and Streeter had one RBI apiece. The Rebels plated three runs in the first and nine in the second.The second game was more of a struggle, but the Rebels prevailed 12-10 by scoring six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase an 8-6 deficit. Carroll tallied three runs in the first, and one each in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Winston scored one each in the second and fourth, three each in the third and sixth, and two in the seventh.
"This huge for this team to be as young as we are and be able to get off to a 3-0 start in district," said CA head coach Sim Shanks. "We showed a lot of poise in the sixth inning by coming back." The Rebels hit the ball well as three players had three singles each. Breland Marett, Higginbotham and Hodges had three hits each and Higginbotham drove in two runs. Marett and Hodges had an RBI each. Banes had two doubles and an RBI, and Streeter and Bingham had two singles each. Bingham had two RBIs. Adam Turner and Krauzyk had RBI singles. Hodges (1-4), the third CA pitcher, got the win on the hill. He went 12/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits, walking one and fanning one. Higginbotham started and went two innings, allowing four runs on three hits, walking two and striking out three. Bingham was the second pitcher, going 31/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits, walking three and fanning five.
Carroll improves to 7-8 & 3-0.

MAIS TRACK

Presbyterian Christian School Invitational Track Meet, Friday March 26, 2010

_________________________________________
Boys Team Results:

PCS 89, Columbia 86, Prentiss 22, Alpha 17, Heidelberg 14,
Simpson 12, Lamar Christian 9.

Boys Winners:
100 - Josh Broome, Columbia, 11.58
200 - Cade Eiland, Simpson, 24.9
400 - Tanner Pace, Columbia, 56.10
800 - Channing Stringer, Columbia, 2:18
1600 - Channing Stringer, Columbia, 5:19
3200 - Channing Stringer, Columbia, 10:58
110 H - Zach Gilrod, PCS, 17.9
300 H - Joel Daley, Prentiss, 42.98
PV - Jackson White, PCS, 11’
Disc - Caleb Brown, PCS, 126’ 11”
Shot - Josh Price, Columbia, 42’ 11.25”
HJ - C. J. Jenkins. Prentiss, 5’ 8”
LJ - Cade Martin, PCS, 20’ 9.5”
Triple Jump - Cade Martin, PCS, 39’ 8.75”
400 Relay - Columbia, 46.9
800 Relay - PCS, 1:36
1600 Relay - PCS, 3:49
3200 Relay - Columbia, 9:35

Girls Team Results:

PCS 68, Prentiss 48, Columbia 37.5, Simpson 30, Alpha 23.5,
Heidelberg 13, Lamar Christian 2.

Girls Winners:
100 - Lillian Vickers, Alpha, 13.2
200 - Christa Smith, Simpson, 27.30
400 - Paige Merrill, PCS, 1:05.9
800 - Madeline Campbell, PCS, 2:38.5
1600 - Madeline Campbell, PCS, 6:02
3200 - Camille Azar, PCS, 13:16
100 H - Ashton Scarborough, Columbia, 18.20
300 H - Mary Morgan Dungan, Prentiss, 53.0
Disc - Presley Dyess, Prentiss, 88’ 1”
Shot - Lakyn Miller - Prentiss, 30’ 11.75”
HJ - Mary Stephens, Simpson, 4’ 8”
LJ - Ashton Scarborough, Columbia, 15’ 9.5”
400 Relay - PCS, 54.9
800 Relay - PCS, 1:52.9
1600 Relay - PCS, 4:53

MAIS BASEBALL

Bowling Green falls to Centreville in five innings
By Brandon Wright
Bowling Green found itself on the wrong end of the 10-run rule Monday, falling 13-2 to Centreville Academy in five innings. The Tigers jumped on BGS starter Justin Lockhart early, with the first six batters reaching base en route to a four-run inning highlighted by a two-run home run by Brad Jelks. The Bucs managed a run in the bottom of the first when C.K. Creel singled home Jason Milton, but Centreville broke the game open in the second.

The Tigers plated four runs in the inning, three charged to Lockhart and one to sophomore Chris Lott, who replaced Lockhart with one out and went the rest of the game for the Bucs. Lott pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowing seven runs on six hits. Lockhart gave up six runs on five hits in an inning and two-thirds. The Bucs added another run in the second inning when Lockhart drove in Alex Mizell, trimming the lead to 7-2. The Tigers plated two more in the fourth and four in the fifth to go up 13-2 and putting pressure on the Buccaneers to score in the fifth to extend the game. Kasey King reached base to lead off the inning, but BGS couldn’t get a runner past second base and the game ended.

BGS head coach Brett Beard said his team did not play well at all, offering an unpleasant reminder of some past Bowling Green teams. “We kind of resorted back to old school Bowling Green baseball. We didn’t make plays,” he said. “We kind of sat back on our heels. Instead of wanting the baseball you could tell we were kind of going ‘Oh, please don’t hit me the baseball.’ That whole mentality, that aura, it just eats you up and it can eat you quick. It got us tonight.” The meeting was the second between the two teams in three days. Centreville won the first meeting, 7-3, and Beard said the games were similar. “We played up there Saturday, and it was really the same type of situation,” he said. “We let the wheels come off a little bit and they jumped on us.” Beard said Centreville is a very strong baseball program and a playoff team, but he expects his team to compete better than it did. “This is still a program that’s learning. It’s still a young program as far as learning to compete at a high level and win a lot of baseball games,” Beard said. “We’re going to have nights like this, we’ve just got to be able to bounce back.” That opportunity to bounce back will come sooner than Beard expected. During Monday’s game, Beard received a message from Jackson Prep wanting to schedule a game in Jackson, Miss. on Wednesday. Beard said the offer is a tremendous opportunity and a sign his program is headed in the right direction. “When was the last time Bowling Green got a call from a team like Jackson Prep to want to come up there and play? In the past that would have never happened,” he said. “I think the word is out that we’re competitive, we’re playing a lot better baseball and we play disciplined baseball.”

Glenbrook rolls past Cenla Academy 21-0
Courtesy of The Minden Press-Herald
The Glenbrook Apaches traveled to Alexandria for a district game with the Cenla Academy Lions Tuesday afternoon.
The Lions didn’t put up much of a fight, as the Apaches came home with a 21-0 win.
Glenbrook scored six runs in the first, seven in the second, one in the third and seven more in the fourth as they took advantage of 16 walks given out by the Cenla pitchers.
Cody Boyd pitched the first two innings to get the win for the Apaches. Boyd gave up no hits and struck out five. Levi Reagan closed out the final two innings, allowing two hits while striking out two.
Preston Wise hit an inside-the-park Grand Slam and Boyd homered, singled and drove in three runs. Chandler Singleton singled, doubled and drove in three, and Dave Parks had a RBI-single. Andrew Brown tripled, Kasey kidd had two hits and Reagan added a single.
The Apaches will host Cenla in a doubleheader on Friday.

Carroll opens league play with a win
Courtesy of The Greenwood Commonwealth

Carroll Academy started its "second season" on the right foot as the Rebels defeated District 2-AA foe Winston Academy 12-7 Tuesday in Louisville.
Carroll, 5-8 overall and 1-0 in league play, had three players combine to hold Winston to five hits. Tyler Bingham started but only lasted one inning. He gave up three runs on one hit, walking four. Jake Streeter relieved Bingham and went four innings to earn his first win of the season. He gave up just two runs on two hits, walking five and fanning three. C.J. Hodges went the final two innings, yielding two runs on two hits, walking two and fanning three. Carroll trailed 3-0 after one and 4-3 after three, but scored two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and six in the seventh. Clay Perry had three singles, a double and three RBIs for CA, and Breland Marett had a single, double and drove in two runs.
Ty Higginbotham had two singles and two RBIs, and Hodges had two singles. Adam Turner drove in two runs with a single, and Streeter had an RBI single. Kyle Krauzyk had a double. Carroll and Winston square off Thursday in Carrollton for a varsity doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.

Rebels Win Monday, Play Double Header Tonight
By Patrick Tate

The Central Private Rebels opened a three game series with the Silliman Wildcats on Monday night in Clinton with a 4-1 victory. Stephen O'Bryant was brilliant on the mound as he threw a complete game 2 hitter, allowing only one unearned run. Seth Stevens once again led the Rebels offensively as he went 3-3 with 2 runs scored and 1 rbi. He was joined in the hitting department by Hunter Fontleroy who had 2 hits, scored a run, and also had an rbi. Brennan Fuchich had 2 hits for the Rebels. Corbin Burns went the distance on the mound allowing only 4 runs but absorbed the loss for the Wildcats. Austin Amphion and Austin Gayle had the only hits for Silliman. The two teams resume their district rivalry with a double header at Rebel Field on Wednesday.

Lamar 5
Leake Academy 3

Behind two home runs from Harrison Thomas, the Raiders rallied for a division win on the road Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 after the first inning, Thomas knotted the game with a two-run shot in the third and then put Lamar up with a three-run blast in the top of the seventh, plating Beau Burns and Witt Haggard. Leake would answer with one run in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't complete the rally. In addition to Thomas' two home runs and five RBIs, Burns had three hits for Lamar in support of John Countiss, who improved to 2-1, after striking out six and scattering six hits.

The Raiders (7-4, 1-1) host the Rebels on Thursday.

*Courtesy of The Meridian Star

Shuman's National Underclassmen Combine
WCCA sophomore Tip McKenzie recently took part in the Shuman National Underclassmen Combine in Jackson.

*8th-10th grade NUC Schuman’s Outstanding Performance List
>JaBorian "Tip" McKenzie
>Wilkinson Christian Academy, MS
>10th
>RB
JaBorian "Tip" McKenzie was crowned Combine King after tearing up the stat sheets. At 5'7 167, McKenzie had a 32.5 inch vertical, 9'4 broad jump, ran a 4.39 shuttle, 4.59 40, bench pressed 155 lbs 19 times and did a nice job during 1 on 1's. The total package? You bet!

Cougar Lineman Bairfield Commits to MC

Brandon Bairfield, a senior lineman from the Simpson Cougars, has committed to Mississippi College . The athlete will play football for the Choctaws. Bairfield came to Simpson Academy two years ago from Mendenhall. He made an immediate impact on the football team, playing both offense and defense, on the line, with both the size and the speed to make good things happen for the Cougars. Simpson Academy Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Billy Wayne Hankins said, “We are excited anytime one of our kids is able to sign a college scholarship. Brandon has made great improvements over the last two years, not only in football, but academically as well. Being able to attend a prestigious academic institution such as Mississippi College is a great honor for him. They are expecting him to come in and play as an offensive lineman. He was a big part of the reason our team at Simpson Academy was so successful this year.” At the end of the season, Bairfield was named to the All District Team, the All Star Team, and the All State Team. Those awards are voted on by all the coaches in the league.

Pictured with Brandon are is father, Bobby Bairfield, Jr., his mother, on the right, Terilynn Rankin, and his sister, rear right, Lauryn Bairfield, along with Coach Billy Wayne Hankins.

Lamar 18
Leake 2
The Lamar Raiders blasted Leake Academy 18-2 in four innings Friday in prep baseball action.

Lamar's Witt Haggard had a big night at the plate going 4-for-4 with a home run and six RBIs.

Beau Burns finished the night 2-for-2 with an RBI, while Barrett Dudley went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

John Countiss picked up the win on the mound, while also going 2-for-2 at the plate with a RBI.

Starkville 3
Lamar 1

Starkville Academy jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against Lamar in the second innings and never looked back en route to the win against the Raiders (6-4). Lamar's Dylan Rivers finished the night 2-for-3 at the plate, while Harrison Thomas went 1-for-3 with a double. The Raiders will be back in action Tuesday at Leake Academy.

*Courtesy of The Meridian Star

Glenbrook Basketball All-District announced
Courtesy of The Minden Press-Herald

The MAIS District 6AA All-District Basketball teams were recently released, and Glenbrook had five players named to the lists.

Thomas Beam, Colton Spurlock and DeAngelo McDonald were named to the boys’ First Team, and Bailee Madden (Honorable Mention) and Kate Tracy (First Team) were named to the girls’ team.

In addition to being named to the First Team, Spurlock was also named District MVP and was named to the MAIS All-Star Team.

First year Apache head coach Chris Kourvelas was also honored as the District’s Coach of the Year.

“This season was fun and we accomplished a lot.,” he said. “Being my first year at Glenbrook, it was a humbling and exciting experience. Coming from Memphis, I had to adjust to things and the team had to adjust to my style of coaching, which I think everyone did well. I often tell people there are only 86,400 seconds in a day, it makes you realize how precious life is and to make the best out of every situation.”

The Apaches won district in their first year in AA.

“ I think that moving from A to AA was difficult and no one really knew what to expect from us,” Kourvelas said.

“We came a long way since Day 1. Winning is tough no matter where you are and if you would had told me at the beginning of the year that we would lose our first district game to River Oaks by 21, then come back to beat them at home by 23 and beat them again on a neutral court for the district championship, I may not had believed you.

But sometimes you have to have a little bit of faith in yourself and in your team to make special things happen.”

LEAKE vs BROOKHAVEN

MAIS BASEBALL

Playoffs hopes took dive for ND early in season
Courtesy of The Panolian, By Brad Greer
With the regular season nearly at the halfway point, North Delta saw its baseball playoff hopes take a serious blow Thursday after dropping a doubleheader 6-2 and 9-3 to visiting Marshall Academy. The losses dropped the Green Wave to 0-6 in district 1-2A play and 3-8 overall while Marshall improved to 10-2; 3-0 in district action.
In the opening game, Will Patton pitched a complete game to guide Marshall to a 6-2 victory. The senior southpaw gave up two unearned runs on six hits while striking out eight and walking one.
Ethan Taylor took the loss on the hill for North Delta by surrendering six runs (five earned), on five hits while walking five and fanning six in four innings. Geri Lamm pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Taylor by giving up two hits and fanning one.
Marshall jumped to a 4-0 lead in the top of the second on three hits while taking advantage of a pair of North Delta errors. Joey Brock’s double along with singles by Elgin Lafever and Josh Vanderburg were key hits in the inning.
The Patriots added a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings to expand the lead to 6-0. J.W. Ray led off the third inning with a walk then advanced to third on a error and scored on a Caleb Byrd two-out infield single. In the fourth, Jake Omedeo drew a walk with one out then advanced to third on Ray’s single. Jacob McMinn followed with a sacrifice fly to score Omedeo.
North Delta got on board in the fifth inning by plating two runs to trim the Marshall lead to 6-2. Sy Pritchard got the rally started by reaching first on a leadoff error followed by consecutive singles from John Cody Dalrymple and Lamm. Austin Gant lofted a deep sacrifice fly to score Dalrymple for the final run.
Dalrymple led North Delta at the plate with two singles while Michael Magee added a double. Jim Tom Copeland, Derrick Shawn and Lamm all registered singles for the Wave.
North Delta was its own worst enemy in the second game of the twinbill as the Green Wave committed six errors in the contest. Marshall’s six-run second inning was more than enough cushion for starting pitcher Joey Brock who struck out nine while scattering six hits and three earned runs over six innings.
The Patriots added another run in the third on two singles and an error on two outs. North Delta got all their runs in the bottom of the fourth on three straight singles by Copeland, Magee and Taylor. Three batters later, Shawn ripped an RBI single up the middle to score Taylor.
Ethan Waldrip took the loss on the hill by giving up five runs (two earned) on three hits in 1.1 innings. Renic Greenlee finished out the game by going 5.2 innings, fanning five on eight hits while giving up four unearned runs.
Copeland led the Green Wave offensively with a triple and two singles followed by singles from Gant, Magee, Taylor and Shawn.
North Delta will be back in action today in two games at the Clarksdale Lee tournament by taking on Greenville Washington at 11 a.m. The Wave will face off against the host Colts at 4 p.m.

Ables pitches Pillow to win over Murrah in tourney
Couretsy of The Greenwood Commonwealth
The Pillow Academy baseball was one win away this morning from reaching the semifinals of the Spring Break Tournament here at Smith-Wills Stadium.
The Mustangs played Hillcrest Christian today at 11 a.m. for a spot in the semifinals of the 15-team tournament hosted by Canton Academy. Pillow moved to 5-6 on the season and into the tournament quarterfinals Monday with a 3-2 win over Murrah, a Class 6A public school from Jackson. The Mustangs got a complete-game gem from junior pitcher Andrew Ables. He spun a three-hitter while walking just one and striking out five. With Pillow struggling at the plate, Ables' performance came at the right time as the Mustangs finished with just four hits.
Jim Tom Pilgreen, James Davidson, Zack Davis and Landon Taylor each had singles. The game was tied at 2 after three innings. Pillow scored the eventual game-winning run in the fifth.On Saturday, the Mustangs opened pool play with a 10-6 loss to Bayou after leaving nine runners on base. Davidson, Luke Kimmel and Taylor each had two hits.
Adam Crick had a double, and Gaston Lyon added a single.Pillow then defeated Heidelberg 11-5 as the Mustangs pounded out nine hits. Davidson and Davis led the way at the plate with two singles apiece. Bo Farmer had a double. Taylor, Ables, Lyon and Pilgreen each had a single.
The tournament's semifinals and final are set for Wednesday.
Porters Chapel 11, Carroll Academy 3

The Rebels dropped an 11-3 decision to Porters Chapel Academy of Vicksburg Saturday night at Hillcrest Christian School in the Canton Academy Tournament. Ty Higginbotham (2-3) suffered the loss on the hill as he went two innings, surrendering five runs on five hits, walking four and fanning two. Jake Streeter went the final four innings, giving up six runs on four hits, walking five and striking out nine. Kyle Krauzyk had a single and double for Carroll, and Higginbotham had a double. Clay Perry and C.J. Hodges had a single each. Hodges drove in one run.

Raiders sweep rival Carroll
Courtesy of The Grenada Star

The Kirk Raiders were looking to gain some momentum heading into Spring Break. They opened the 2010 baseball season splitting their first six games. Thursday, they hosted Carroll Academy in a doubleheader at Raider Field. The games were scheduled late during a week that originally had no games planned. Kirk used timely hitting and some solid pitching to sweep the twinbill. They opened with a 9-0 win and followed that holding off Carroll 7-3 in the nightcap. With the wins, Kirk improves to 5-3 on the season. “It was a pair of big wins for us,” coach Taylor Fleming said. “We pitched it well and had some big hits.”

Game 1: The story of the opener was the dominating performance of senior pitcher Luke Morman. He finished with a two-hit shutout striking out 16 batters. “I thought Luke just dominated the game,” Fleming said. “He was able to stay ahead of hitters all night.” Kirk jumped to a 1-0 lead with a run in the first. Will Thimmes tripled and scored on a wild pitch after one out. In the second, KA would add another run. Caleb Cummings singled and scored on a single from Jake Poe to make it 2-0. The Raiders made it 4-0 with two runs in the third inning. Thimmes walked, stole second, and scored on Morman’s double. Colin Boone’s ground ball plated the second run in the frame. Kirk added two runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to account for the final margin of victory. The Raiders finished with nine hits. Morman, Thimmes, and Cummings all had two hits. Morman also had a triple.

Game 2: In the nightcap, Kirk scored four runs in the first and never looked back. Carroll had several chances, but Thimmes worked his way out of jams to get the win. “Will battled all night and was able to work his way out of some problems,” Fleming said. Thimmes allowed four hits and had six strikeouts. Boone led the offense with a double and a homerun driving in four runs.

From the notebook..............

*I was fortunate enough to make the short drive to Petal last Friday evening to meet up with an old high school buddy who is deeply involved with Petal High School athletics. I was astonished by the size (8,500 capacity) of the new football stadium under construction adjacent to the brand new baseball stadium. I have already penciled in the opening of the stadium during week one next season in which I plan on attending. Petal will open their new digs against some school called South Panola. That should be fun!
*Not only was I in Petal to see the new facilities but also to get a chance to see Hillcrest and southpaw pitcher Josh Rogers play. Rogers, who has signed with Southern Miss, struck out 11 in a 5-1 loss to a powerful 6A Petal squad. The Cougars have a deadly combination with Rogers and Ole Miss signee Austin Hartzog in the pitching rotation and while the Cougars have struggled a bit they’re definitely a top five team.
*With the selections of the Southern Sports & Travel Player of the Year and the All AA teams the 2009/10 basketball season has officially ended. The big question to be bantered around for the next eight months will be which of the three dynasties will be the first to fall…..MRA, Brookhaven or Leake? There are a few games that I attended this season that really stick out in my mind. On the girl’s side the Presbyterian at East Rankin battle was priceless and Brookhaven/Bowling Green games 3, 4 and 5 in which a total of 10 points separated the two were unforgettable in boy’s action. What was the best you saw this past season?
*The conclusion of the Overall tournament a few weeks back left a thought in my mind with regards to spicing up Championship Saturday. The atmosphere is no doubt exciting but I can’t help but think there are some ideas floating around on how to add a few special touches to the day. Halftimes of both games were dull and uneventful and the pregame announcement of the starters seemed like any other game.
*Baseball scores and game information has been on the rise on game nights since the season started. Any MAIS scores and game stats will be posted regardless of class. Please text to 985-750-3455.
*Please send any photos and information regarding MAIS athletes signing scholarships to help spotlight those who will continue their sport at the next level….aafandaman@yahoo.com
*Southern Sports & Travel will be undergoing a bit of a transformation over the summer. Any comments on how to better improve the site is encouraged and appreciated.

*Please pray for Dylan Kornegay and his family. Dylan is a senior at Canton Academy and was badly burned recently. Dylan has 3rd degree burns on 71% of his body and 2nd degree on the rest. He is at J.C. Still's Burn Center in Augusta, GA. He has been given a lot of blood and will need more. Anyone may donate in his name, Matthew Dylan Kornegay, at any blood bank.

Apaches sweep C.A. Rebels

Courtesy of The Minden Press-Herald
The Glenbrook Apaches swept a doubleheader with the Claiborne Academy Rebels Saturday by the scores of 14-4 and 8-0. The two wins improved the Apaches' record to 10-1 on the season.
In the first game, Glenbrook fell behind 4-0 before rallying and then scored the next 14 runs to win 14-4. Glenbrook pitcher Chandler Singleton got the win in game one, as he went all five innings, allowing four hits, five walks while striking out 11.
Singleton and Dave Parks each had a double, a single and two RBIs, and Preston Wise tripled, singled and drove in a run. Rudi Spurlock had two singles and a RBI and Cody Boyd and Blake Branch both had a single and a RBI. Kasey Kidd had a two-run double and Levi Reagan and Conner Copeland each had a double and a RBI. Caden Copeland also had a run batted in.
In game two, Cody Boyd had a dominating game on the mound as he went all five innings, allowing just one infield hit and one walk while striking out 10.
Parks had a pair of singles and Singleton had a two-run double. Spurlock walked and brought in a run and Reagan had three walks and a RBI. Wise had a pair of walks.
Glenbrook will look to improve their winning streak to 11 games as they host Columbia Christian today at 3 p.m.

Allen, Laird power Spartans

Courtesy of Marq Mitcham

Seth Allen went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Pat Laird slugged a three-run home run as Prairie View pelted Franklin Academy 17-7 here Saturday afternoon. Prairie View, which evened its record at 3-3 after an 0-3 start, did most of its damage in the bottom of the third. Trailing 3-2, the Spartans sent 14 batters to the box during an 11-run outburst, scoring 10 runs with two outs.

Pat Laird belts a three-run home run during Prairie View's 17-7 win over Franklin Academy on Saturday afternoon.

(Photo courtesy of Marq Mitcham)

MAIS BASEBALL

Late mistakes costly for Cougars

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
After four and 2/3 innings Friday night the Hillcrest Cougars and MHSAA powerhouse Petal were knotted up at 1-1 apiece in a game between two tradition rich baseball programs at a brand new Panther field but Petal would capitalize on Hillcrest mistakes to take a 5-1 win.
Petal took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Chase Toussaint drew a walk and advanced to third base following two Josh Rogers wild pitches. Anthony Alford brought Toussaint home on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Rogers helped his cause as the senior belted a one out triple in the top of the third inning. The Cougars tied the game at 1-1 when pinch runner Remarcus Stallings scored on a passed ball at the plate.
After a shaky first inning start Rogers settled in as the southpaw retired twelve straight Petal batters but with two out in the bottom of the fifth Rogers walked three consecutive batters to load the bases. Petal sophomore Anthony Alford then hit a towering shot to deep centerfield but TJ Knowles couldn’t come up with the catch allowing three Panthers runners to score to give Petal a 4-1 advantage.
Petal added another run in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore Tyler Graves lead the inning off with a single and then advanced to second on a fielder’s choice. Graves made his way to third on a passed ball and then scored the final run of the night as he took home plate on another passed ball.
Brandon Smith picked up the win as the junior went the distance allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits while striking out 9.
Josh Rogers took the loss as the senior gave up 2 earned runs on just 2 hits while collecting 11 strikeouts over six innings.
Hillcrest left five runners on base on the night while Petal left two.
The Petal Panthers who were preseason ranked #3 in MHSAA 6A improved to 6-1 while Hillcrest slips to 3-3.

MAIS BASKETBALL

Southern Sports & Travel All AA Teams
Southern Sports & Travel has continued to grow since it's inception sixteen months ago. Over 36,000 visits were recorded during basketball season alone and by early summer the site will eclipse the 100,000 mark. Last season the help of coaches and knowledgeable basketball observers was solicited to recognize an All AA South team. This season with the expansion of coverage that included the entire AA classification the same method was used in naming a Southern Sports & Travel All AA team.

Southern Sports & Travel All AA First Team Boys

******************************************************* Jake Reed - Senior

Brookhaven - (27-8) - State Champions - MAIS All Star

17 ppg - 6 rpg - 3 apg

*******************

Jaron Edwards - Senior

Bowling Green - (28-10) - South State Champions - MAIS All Star

23 ppg - 5 rpg - 4 apg

*****************

Austin Hartzog - Senior

Hillcrest - (28-5) - MAIS All Star

22 ppg - 10 rpg

********************

Jamison Powell - Senior

Brookhaven - (27-8) - State Champions

12 ppg - 5 rpg - 3 apg

********************Shod Fortenberry - Senior

Bowling Green - (28-10) - South State Champions - MAIS All Star

16.4 ppg - 7 rpg - 2 bpg

*******************Sidney Chaffin - Junior

Brookhaven - (27-8) - State Champions

12 ppg - 5 rpg - 2 spg - 86% FT

******************Taylor Maurey - Junior

Marshall - (25-9) - North State Champions

14 ppg - 4.1 apg

*******************Josh Rogers - Senior

Hillcrest - (28-5) - MAIS All Star

11 ppg - 4 apg - 2 rpg

Southern Sports & Travel All AA First Team Girls

********************************************************

Caroline Oliphant - Senior

Prairie View - (25-8) - MAIS All Star

22.5 ppg - 4.5 rpg - 4.2 apg - 5 spg

*****************

Beth Mann - Senior

Kirk Academy - (31-5)

9 ppg - 7 rpg

********************

Jenny Wilbanks - Junior

Leake - (35-3) - State Champions

13.5 ppg

*******************

Emily Kea - Senior

Leake - (35-3) - State Champions - MAIS All Star

14.8 ppg

********************

Hannah Peoples - Freshman

Leake - (35-3) - State Champions

12 ppg

********************

Bonnie Riley - Senior

Oak Hill - (20-12) - MAIS All Star

15 ppg - 6 rpg - 5 spg - 1.5 apg

*******************

Anna Katelyn Mangold - Junior

Brookhaven - (31-6) - South State Champions

13.3 ppg - 7.8 rpg - 2.1 bpg

********************

Terah Winborne - Sophomore

Brookhaven - (31-6) - South State Champions

14.1 ppg - 3.2 apg - 2.6 spg

*******************

Courtney Parella - Senior

Kirk Academy - (31-5) - MAIS All Star

12 ppg - 6 rpg

**********************************************************

Comments:
Anonymous said...
I completely agree with this AA Girls First Team Basketball team....Why is Beth Mann not listed as an All Star? Is Courtney Parella the only All Star from Kirk? and who dropped the ball on the selection committee?

Darron Thomas said...

Beth Mann was not on the MAIS All-Star roster. Courtney Parella and Holly Wells were. Don't know which selection committee you are referring to. The MAIS All Star selection committee or the Southern Sports & Travel selection committee?

__________________________________________________________
Boys 2nd Team
*Tanner Pace - Junior - Columbia - (20-11) - 13.4 points per game - 5 rebounds per game
*Michael Jerome - Senior - Canton - (21-12) - 16 points per game - 12 rebounds per game
*Jamie Dezendorf - Senior - Centreville - (17-10) - 19 points per game - 6 rebounds per game - 4 assists per game
*David Robilio - Junior - West Memphis - (18-9) - 23.5 points per game - 5 assists per game - 3.1 rebounds per game - 2.5 steals per game
*Jordan Wyke - Sophomore - Marshall - (25-9) - 15.2 points per game - 2 assists per game
*Vincent Moore - Junior - River Oaks - (17-5) - 14 points per game - 12 rebounds per game - 6 assists per game - 4 triple doubles
*Colton Spurlock - Senior - Glenbrook - (21-7) - 18 points per game - 6 rebounds per game - 4 assists per game
*Jim Tom Copeland - Junior - North Delta - (16-9) - 17 points per game - 9 rebounds per game
*Tip McKenzie - Sophomore - WCCA - (12-11) - 20.7 points per game - 6.3 rebounds - 7.2 assists per game - 2.1 steals
__________________________________________________________Girls 2nd Team
*Logan Tubbs - Senior - Prairie View - (25-8) - 10.4 points per game - 6 rebounds per game
*Brianna Howard - Senior - Hillcrest - (18-11) - 14 points per game - 4 rebounds per game - 2 assists per game
*Laura Beth Wright - Sophomore - Brookhaven - (31-6) - 12.9 points per game - 5.6 rebounds per game - 3.1 assists per game
*Emily Burk - Senior - Marshall - (16-19) - 15.2 points per game - 7.2 rebounds per game - 4 assists per game
*Mackayla Dykes - Bowling Green - (25-10) - Freshman - 17.2 points per game - 5.2 assists per game
*Courtney Wilson - Senior - Indianola - (19-17) - 11.5 points per game - 4.8 rebounds per game
*Beverly Bailey - Senior - Hillcrest - (18-11) - 10.1 points per game - 4.1 rebounds per game - 3.2 assists per game - 3.1 steals per game
*Callie Clanton - Junior - Marshall - (16-19) - 14 points per game - 5 rebounds per game - 2 blocks per game

The Southern Sports & Travel All AA teams were compiled through the input of 18 coaches and non-partial knowledgeable observers.

MAIS BASEBALL

Calvary doubles up Lamar
Courtesy of The Meridian Star

Calvary Christian broke open a tie game with six runs in the bottom of the sixth Monday at Q.V. Sykes to blast visiting Lamar 8-4. The Cougars scored lone runs in the first and second innings off Raiders starter Witt Haggard before the Raiders rallied with two runs in the sixth off Calvary reliever Matt Seward. Seward, who allowed four runs, two earned, in two innings earned the win. He struck out four, following Kyle Koch and Johnathan Bartlett to the mound. Bartlett also led the Cougars offensively, doubling and driving in three runs on two hits. Gabe Lofton and Zach Carpenter each had two RBIs for Calvary, while Seward and Steven Connell each had doubles. Lamar was led by John Clinton McElroy's two hits. Haggard, who pitched three innings, struck out seven Cougars. Scott Nabors took the loss for the Raiders.

Apaches win fifth in a row
Courtesy of the Minden Press-Herald
The Glenbrook Apaches used a walk-off double by Dave Parks to power past the CHEF Patriots, 10-0, Friday afternoon. The Apaches also got a great pitching performance by Chandler Singleton. Singleton allowed just one hit in five innings as he shut out CHEF. He walked three batters and struck out seven.
Glenbrook scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Singleton and Levi Reagan had RBIs and Conner Copeland had a two-run single. Glenbrook added two more runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run single by Conner Clark.
Leading 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Apaches tacked on another run as Parks scored on a RBI-ground-out by Blake Branch.
Singleton closed out his five scoreless innings as he shut the Patriots down in the top of the fifth. Singleton struck out three batters and gave up his only hit in the inning.
Clark led off the bottom of the inning with a single and Wise followed with a walk. Parks then ripped a double to left center, bringing in both Clark and Wise to end the game at 10-0.
Parks singled, doubled and drove in two runs and Clark had two singles and two RBIs. Copeland had a two-run single and Singleton had a RBI and a single. Rudi Spurlock and Branch both had a single and a RBI and Wise walked twice and singled. Reagan also had a RBI.

MAIS TRACK RESULTS

Canton Academy Warm-Up Meet
HS Boys Team Scores
(1.Veritas--47 (2.Tri-County--44 (3.Canton--38 (4.Glenbrook--37.5 (5. Carroll--28 (6. Manchester--28 (7. Rebul--15 (8. Central Hinds--12 (9. Central Holmes--11 (10.Winston--10.5 (11. Heidelburg--8 (12. Porters Chapel--4 (13. Oak Hill--1
HS Girls Team Scores
(1. Glenbrook--45 (2. Manchester--33.5 (3. Carroll--33 (4. Oak Hill--30 (5. Veritas--25 (6. Canton--23 (7. Winston--14 (8. Tri-County--10.5 (9. Rebul--9 (10. Central Hinds--8 (11. Central Holmes--3 (12. Tie--Heidelburg and River Oaks--2
Boys Results:
100 Meter Dash: Willie Thompson--Glenbrook--11.60
200 Meter Dash: Willie Thompson--Glenbrook--23.99
400 Meter Dash: Stephen Speckner--Tri-County--58.06
800 Meter Run: Nicholas Mumme--Carroll--2:28.211
600 Meter Run: Nicholas Mumme--Carroll--5:11.143
200 Meter Run: Adrian Barrando--Canton--13:02.96
110 High Hurdles: Jordan Currie--Central Hinds--16.61
300 Hurdles: Mathias Dryden--Veritas--41.33
400 Relay: Veritas--47.55
800 Relay: Veritas--1:40.371
600 Relay: Manchester--4:14.563
200 Relay: Carroll--10:27.72
Pole Vault: Caleb Creel--Tri-County--10' 6"
Discus: Caleb Creel--Tri-County--101' 0"
Shot: Dylon Pettis--Tri-County--40' 3"
High Jump: Steven Smith--Manchester--5' 4"
Long Jump: Justin Maupin--Rebul--16' 10"
Triple Jump: Mathias Dryden--Veritas--40' 0"
Girls Results:
100 Meter Dash: Corey Yeates--Canton--13.10
200 Meter Dash: Lauren Sims--Glenbrook--28.63
400 Meter Dash: Corley McGraw--Manchester--1:05.89
800 Meter Run: Maggie Hughes--Manchester--2:41.641
600 Meter Run: Memrie Corley--Carroll--5:42.843
200 Meter Run: Anna Wells--Winston--16:07.63
100 Meter Hurdles: Corey Yeates--Canton--17.42
300 Meter Hurdles: Maryanna Story--Veritas--56.17
400 Relay: Glenbrook--54.88
800 Relay: Glenbrook--1:57.431
600 Relay: Carroll--4:48.63
Discus: Mikala Boyd--Rebul--93' 3"
Shot: Paige Dawkins--Oak Hill--30' 3"
High Jump: Taylor Simpson--Glenbrook--4' 8"
Long Jump: Lauren Sims--Glenbrook--13' 8 1/4"
The winners in the JH division were Tri-County girls and Carroll boys.
*The Canton Warm-Up Meet was held on Friday, March 5th

Southern Sports & Travel Player of the Year

Rhodes is Player of the Year

Through the years as athletes and fans recount memories of their high school glory days it’s not uncommon for some to exaggerate or even inflate the playing abilities of many as time goes by. What was at the time an average athlete morphs into a certified all-star as each story gets told. There are however exceptions that by some means words alone can’t adequately describe an impact certain players have not only on their team and school but also young kids.
One particular player that will require no exaggeration about her abilities is East Rankin senior Brooke Rhodes. The possessor of one of the sweetest jump shots anywhere coupled with an unmatched dedication to succeed is why Rhodes has been named the Southern Sports & Travel Basketball Player of the Year.
The numbers are astounding……2,546 career points, 21.3 ppg career average along with 6.5 rebounds. Putting the averages aside Rhodes just led East Rankin to the school’s first ever Overall Championship with a 62-44 win over Pillow Academy. The senior also led East Rankin to their first ever State Championship in 2008/09 which they successfully defended this season. Brooke Rhodes has been instrumental in redirecting the spotlight to MAIS girl’s basketball which is on the rise. Rhodes averaged 32 ppg during the Overall Tournament. “She’s been the best I’ve ever coached. I’m only ten years into this league but she has to be one of the best ever played. She’s been our leader and as great as she is she’s even a better young lady. I’ve said it time and time again, just when you think she can’t get better she does. She lives for the moment and I’m just speechless because the things she does is remarkable,” said East Rankin head coach Michael McAnally.

One on one with Brooke Rhodes
* Who has been the biggest influence on you with regards to your basketball career?
“My Daddy has been the biggest influence in my basketball career. He told me when I was about 6th grade that I needed to learn to do a jump shot because not many girls could do it. We started right under the goal and as I got stronger we kept moving it out.”
* When did you first realize you had a passion for the game and when did you first start playing?
“When I was in 3rd grade I was playing upward basketball and scored 52 points. I practiced even way back then.”
* Describe the feeling after last season's semi finals loss at Overall and this year's feeling after winning it all.
“I was upset when we lost in the semi-finals last year, but I knew we had another year to get the gold ball. It made me work even harder in the off season. This year when we won the championship it was an awesome feeling! I can hardly put into words the way I felt.”
* What will you miss the most now that your high school career is over?
“I will miss all of the ERA Fans! We have so much support from our fans.”
* What is one of the funniest things you'll remember about playing basketball at ERA?
“My funniest memories are of Rachel Knight because she is just so funny! We goofed off as much as we could.”
* Describe your relationship with Coach McAnally and what he has meant to the success of the ERA girls basketball program.
“My relationship with Coach Mac is good. I have a lot of respect for him. He has been great for the ERA girl's program. Going into 10th grade, I was thinking of changing schools, but I had a man tell me that Coach Mac would be the best coach I could have and he was right.”
* Who wins at HORSE.....you or your brother?
“Me, most of the time.”
* You have helped elevate the level of girl’s basketball in the MAIS, what is your advice to the younger girls who hope to reach their full potential?
“First thing I would tell them is to put God first in your life. Don't put other things before Him! Next, it takes a lot of hard work and sweat to be the best that you can be. The hard work does pay off in the end and it is all worth it.”
Describe you feelings and thoughts about playing at Delta State next season?
“I am so excited about going to Delta State and being part of their winning program! I think being there is going to elevate my game to the next level.”
* Best memory of high school basketball other than this year's Overall win?
“Probably, beating Presbyterian at Presbyterian for the Division II Championship last year. Beating Leake at Leake was also a good memory!”

Inside the numbers……
Career
2,546 points
21.3 ppg
6.5 rpg
1.5 apg
2.5 spg
48.1% FG (961-1997)
33.8% 3-point (136-402)
74.1% FT (481-649)
Senior season
24.4 ppg
6.2 rpg
1.5 apg
2.8 spg
46.3% FG (328-708)
38.4% 3-point (76-198)
80.7% FT (171-212)

.

.

Having had the privilege of seeing Brooke Rhodes play five times this season against the highest of competition there was no game more impressive than her dominant 35 point performance in East Rankin's 62-44 win over Pillow in the Overall Championship game. That game cemented her as one of the very best to ever play in the MAIS.

MAIS FOOTBALL NEWS

Carroll not bringing football coach back
Courtesy of The Greenwood Commonwealth

Carroll Academy head football John David Higginbotham will not be back for a third season. Carroll athletic director Steve Flemming said this morning the school board voted Tuesday night not to renew Higginbotham's contract. "He has worked hard, and he's a good football coach. But we needed to change direction with our program," said Flemming, who will take over as Carroll's headmaster in June. "We wish him well in the future. He will stay on at Carroll through the end of the school year unless he chooses to leave." Flemming wouldn't discuss why the school board decided to go in a different direction, but he did say it wasn't based solely on wins and losses. "The only thing I can say is that I've got several names already, and that we will start a search for a new coach immediately," he said. "We will try to get someone in here in the next few weeks." Higginbotham was hired three months prior to the 2008 season for his first head coaching job at the varsity level at the age of 36. He took over a floundering program that had gone winless the year before and hadn't had a winning season since 2003. The Rebels went 0-11 in his first season and then snapped a 28-game losing streak in the second game of the 2009 season with a 38-6 rout of Sharkey-Issaquena. Carroll went on to finish 3-8 this past season. Whoever is hired to replace Higginbotham will be the fifth head coach in the last six years. Even though the Rebels lose 11 seniors from the 2009 teams, Flemming believes the new coach will have some good players to work with. "We had a strong sophomore class this past season. All 10 were major contributors, and we also went 5-2 in junior high and finished second in our conference," Flemming said. Before coming to Carroll, Higginbotham spent the previous six years at Madison-Ridgeland Academy, the final two as the head junior high coach. He served as the varsity defensive coordinator in his first four years at the school. When Flemming takes over as headmaster in June, he will hand over the athletic director title to baseball coach Sim Shanks. "He's been around Carroll for a while and knows what needs to be done," Flemming said. "Plus, he's easy to get along with. He will do a fine job for us."

YEAR IN REVIEW

BEST OF THE BEST 2009
Football

**Brookhaven's 57-56 playoff win over Centreville in double overtime
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Brookhaven%20over%20Centreville%2057-56
**Marshall's 28-21 playoff win over Leake in round one
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Marshall%20over%20Leake%2028-21
**Oak Forest over Bowling Green 21-20
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Oak%20Forest%20edges%20Bowling%20Green%2021-20
**Carroll beats Sharkey-Issaquena to end 28 game losing streak
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20ends%20skid
**Leake beats Canton 24-20
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Leake%20over%20Canton%2024-20
**Centreville edges Parklane 22-21
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Centreville%20over%20Parklane%2022-21
**Bowling Green's 15-14 playoff win over Central Private
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Bowling%20Green%20over%20Central%20Private%2015-14%20Playoffs
**Centreville holds off Glenbrook 46-38 in round one
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Centreville%20over%20Glenbrook%2046-38
**Lamar wins shoot-out with Canton 53-40
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/search/label/Lamar%20outscores%20Canton%2053-40

Vote for the best game of the season on right side of page........

History & Redemption (Turn volume on)

BASEBALL ROUNDUP

Copiah baseball action

Courtesy of The Copiah County Courier
Colonels picked up where they left off last year as they went 3-0 in the Adams Christian Pre-Season Tournament in Natchez last week.
*In the first game, Ben Boone, 1-0, pitched 2 innings of no-hit ball and struck out 5 as CA beat Wilkinson County Christian Academy 8-3 in 3 innings. The senior righthander also helped his own cause as he walked 3 times, stole 3 bases, and scored 2 runs. The other offensive star for the Colonels was Hunter Renfroe, who had a home run and a double, scored 2 runs, and drove in 4 runs.
*In the second game, Copiah scored 7 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Colonels rallied to beat Tensas Academy 8-4. CA scored an unearned run in the first, but trailed 4-1 going into the fourth. The Colonels scored one run on Michael Bagley’s bases-loaded walk. Three more runs scored on Boone’s bases-loaded single, and Renfroe capped the inning with a 3-run home run.
*In the final game of the day, CA scored in all 3 innings as the Colonels blasted Porters Chapel 11-4. Copiah scored 3 runs on 3 passed balls in the bottom of the first. The Colonels added 5 more runs in the second on Boone’s 2-run double, Mitch Little’s RBI-single, and a pair of passed balls.

.

Lamar rolls past Wayne Academy
Courtesy of The Meridian Star
Lamar took advantage of 12 walks handed out by Wayne Academy hurlers Friday in an 18-0 win in four innings. Lamar, which improved to 2-0, got a two-run home run from Harrison Thomas in the first inning. Dylan Rivers started for Lamar, striking out three in two innings. Gunnar Catlett pitched two innings in relief for the Raiders, striking out two.

Apaches top Spartans
Courtesy of The Minden-Press Herald
The Glenbrook Apaches won their first game of the season, as they beat Prairie View Academy 3-1 in the Franklin Tournament Thursday.
“It was a total team effort,” Glenbrook head coach Jonathan Hardy said. “It was good to get the first win.”
The Apaches got a great pitching performance from Cody Boyd, who pitched all five innings, giving up just two disputed base hits. He also struck out four batters and walked two.
Glenbrook scored their first run in the top of the third inning, when Chandler Singleton singled in Preston Wise who had walked.
The Apaches added to their lead in the top of the fourth with two more runs. Rudi Spurlock led off the inning with a double, and advanced to third on a balk. Levi Reagan then singled in Spurlock with a single up the middle. One out later, Wise drew a walk and Dave Parks followed with a single to right, which scored Reagan from second.
PVA scored a run in the bottom of the fifth and was threatening to score more as they had two runners on. But Boyd coaxed a strikeout and a groundout from the next two batters to end the game.
Parks and Boyd each had a pair of singles, with Parks adding a RBI. Spurlock doubled and walked, and Singleton had a RBI-single. Reagan had a single and a RBI and Wise walked twice and scored. Colton Spurlock added a single.

Prep baseball: Carroll splits in tourney

Courtesy of The Greenwood Commonwealth
Carroll Academy opened play in the J.Z. George Tournament Saturday morning with a 9-4 win over Ruleville High School in North Carrollton.
Ty Higginbotham (2-0) got the win in relief. He pitched the final inning, allowing no runs, no hits and striking of two. The game was tied at 4-4 through three innings and Carroll scored five runs in the home half of the fourth.Jake Streeter went 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four. Clay Perry, the starter, got one out to start the game, but allowed one run on two hits, walking one and fanning one.Higginbotham did damage at the plate as well, hitting a home run and a double and driving in two runs. Marett and Hodges had two doubles each with Hodges driving in two runs. Bingham and Perry had RBI doubles.
*North Delta 4, Carroll Academy 2:

Carroll lost in its second game in the tournament to fall to 3-2.
Ty Higginbotham had two singles and Evan Hoover and Dustin Harris had a double each. Harris also drove in two runs.Higginbotham (2-1) started and took the loss. He allowed two runs on three hits, walking two and striking out one.
*Winona Christian 10, Carroll Academy 7:

The Rebels led 7-3 after three innings on Friday, but could not hold off the Stars over the next three innings.Reliever C.J. Hodges (0-1) suffered the loss in 2 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs on one hit, walking two and striking out one.
Ty Bingham had a single, a double and two RBIs.