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)

.

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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.

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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.

MRA basketball reaches milestone

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

There was no fancy dribbling or behind the back passes, no tomahawk dunks or chest beating in the boy’s Overall championship game on Saturday but rather a group of kids dedicated to their team and the system which has produced 47 straight wins over MAIS teams and an unprecedented fourth consecutive boy’s Overall title. The Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots used balanced scoring to beat Presbyterian 52-31 to win the 2010 MAIS Overall Championship at A. E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi yesterday. The MRA offense ran like a well oiled machine that repetitiously produces the same result while the Patriot defense was akin to overcoming a migraine headache. (Above) Caleb Miskelly (#13) of MRA gets a shot off on Presbyterian's Gage Garner
Unlike their three earlier wins this week Presbyterian was unable to get off to a fast start on Saturday. The Bobcats wasted little time in grabbing the lead as James Akers hit a driving basket just fifteen seconds into the game to give Presbyterian a 2-0 advantage. Caleb Miskelly converted on one of two free throws for the Patriot’s first points of the game at the 6:40 mark and Jordan Stentiford canned a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give MRA their first lead at 4-2. Presbyterian would tie the game at 4-4 on Hayden Eustachy’s fast break basket but MRA starting taking control. Seven straight points over the next two minutes forged the Patriots to an 11-4 lead with 2:32 left in the opening quarter. Gage Garner’s assist to Dan Rust closed out the first quarter with Presbyterian within five points at 13-8. (Above) MRA senior Jordan Stentiford (#23) had 11 points on the day
Ryan Ellis hit a 3-pointer to put MRA up 16-8 following a Presbyterian turnover to start the second quarter but the Bobcats countered with a Cade Martin offensive rebound and put back followed by Mitchell Moore’s 3-pointer from the corner to trim the deficit to 16-13 with 4:38 remaining in the half. Presbyterian stayed within striking distance and at the 2:03 mark pulled to within three points at 21-18 after Hayden Eustachy drilled a 3-pointer from the wing. MRA would take a 23-18 advantage into the half after two Caleb Miskelly free throws. (Above) Hayden Eustachy (#1) of Presbyterian looks for an opening in the Patriot defense
Madison-Ridgeland’s defense shifted gears in the third quarter as they held Presbyterian to just two baskets while increasing their lead to 33-22 on the 3-point shooting of Ryan Ellis and Jeffrey Rickels.
The Patriots exploded with a 14-4 run during the first five minutes of the fourth quarter to take their biggest lead at 47-26 en-route to the 52-31 win.
Ryan Ellis led MRA with a game high 15 points, Jordan Stentiford added 12, Caleb Miskelly 11, Jeffrey Rickels 9, Alec Rawlings 3 and Justin Malone 2.
Presbyterian was led by Hayden Eustachy with 11 points, Mitchell Moore had 6, Cade Martin and Dan Rust 4 each and Hunter Hawkins, James Akers and Drew Deen had 2 apiece.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy finishes the 2010 season with a 34-4 mark while Presbyterian ends at 26-10.
Post game comments:
**MRA head coach Richard Duease**
Halftime adjustments
“We picked up our intensity in the third quarter. We started jumping the ball a little more and created some easy buckets that got us going. We just emphasized that we had to pick our defense up. We had to get up in the passing lanes a little more and create some problems for them and not let them be comfortable and that’s what our guys did.”
On the play of Ryan Ellis after sustaining an ankle injury a week earlier
"It was about winning the Gold Ball and if you would have told me on Monday he was going to play I would have said no way. Dr Barrett and Allen Whitfield and those guys did a great job getting him ready. If you were to see his ankle you would say man how did he play today? It took a lot of guts.”

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**MRA senior Ryan Ellis**
What were you thoughts after sustaining the ankle injury last week?
“During the state championship game I hurt it in the first quarter and I got it taped and went back out to play because I knew how important it was for my team. I can’t let my team down so I rehabbed this whole week, sometimes twice a day. I knew I had to get back to the team to help them win the championship.”
What was the mood at halftime?
“We went into halftime and put the first half behind us and focused on playing our basketball, knocking down shots when we got them and playing hard on defense.”
How does it feel as a senior winning your last game?
“It feels awesome, it’s a great honor. The first team in history, so we’re real happy.”

MRA...13...10...10...19...52

PCS....8....10....4.....9...31

East Rankin wins Overall Championship

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

Championship basketball teams battle adversity with head-on determination and when the adversity is an eleven point first half deficit those teams look to a floor leader that refuses to lose. East Rankin overcame an eleven point first half deficit to beat Pillow 62-44 to win the school’s first Overall basketball title behind the play of senior Brooke Rhodes who finished with a game high 35 points.
Early on it looked as though Pillow was well on their way to a seventh Overall title as they got off to a hot start. The Lady Mustangs ran out to a 5-0 lead on an August Malouf 3-pointer from the wing and Dasha Tsema’s basket in the paint. East Rankin shook off an early cold spell to pull to within two points at 10-8 on a Brooke Rhodes 3-pointer at the 4:11 mark of the quarter. Pillow answered with an 11-2 run that included August Malouf’s second and third 3-pointer of the quarter and a Mary Langdon Gallagher fast break lay-in to put the Lady Mustangs up 21-10. East Rankin closed the gap to 22-15 by the end of the quarter on a Brianna May 3-pointer from the corner and Courtney Lyle’s offensive rebound and put back at the buzzer.

(Above) Brooke Rhodes (#23) of East Rankin surrounded by Pillow defenders
Pillow stretched their lead out to 24-15 at the start of the second quarter on two Kristen Stephens free throws but momentum began to swing as East Rankin’s intensity level picked up a notch. Rachel Knight drained a baseline jumper and a Rhodes 3-pointer at the 6:57 mark made it 24-20. After Stephens converted on one of two free throws it was Brooke Rhodes’ offensive rebound plus one that cut the Pillow lead down to 25-23 with just over five minutes to play in the half. After a Holly Ann Pannell basket pushed the Pillow lead back to four points East Rankin cashed in on two consecutive Pillow turnovers. Brooke Rhodes drilled a 12 foot baseline jumper plus one and then collected a steal and converted as East Rankin took their first lead of the game at 28-27 with 3:13 left in the second quarter. The Lady Patriot lead didn’t last long as Pillow outscored East Rankin 6-4 the final two minutes to take a 33-32 lead into the locker-room at the half. (Above) August Malouf (#24) of Pillow connected on four 3-pointers against East Rankin
While it appeared that Pillow had withstood a furious East Rankin storm midway through the second quarter to retake the lead before the half ended not many expected the wave the Lady Mustangs were about to face in the third quarter. A Rachel Knight assist to Brooke Rhodes in the paint plus one gave the Lady Patriots a 35-33 lead. Rhodes followed that with a steal and assist to Kaitlyn Coghlan and following a Pillow turnover Coghlan drained a 3-pointer from the wing. Coghlan struck again on the next possession as the junior hit a baseline jumper to put East Rankin on top 42-33 with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter. Brooke Rhodes connected on a jumper from the elbow on the very next possession to force a Pillow timeout. East Rankin closed out the quarter on a Courtney Lyle free throw and another signature Brooke Rhodes jumper from the elbow to complete a dominating 15-0 quarter. (Above) Kaitlyn Coghlan (#25) of East Rankin drives past Kaitlin McDaniel of Pillow
Kaitlin McDaniel of Pillow hit two free throws just over one minute into the final quarter that made it 47-35 but East Rankin outscored the Lady Mustangs 10-4 over the next four minutes to take their biggest lead at 57-39 with 3:21 left en-route to a 62-44 win.
Brooke Rhodes led all scorers with 35 points, Kaitlyn Coghlan added 14, Rachel Knight 7 and Brianna May and Courtney Lyle 3 each.
Holly Ann Pannell led Pillow with 13 points, August Malouf had 12, Kaitlin McDaniel 5, Mary Gallagher and Dasha Tsema 4 each and Holland Falls and Kristen Stephens 3 apiece.
East Rankin finishes their championship season with a 35-2 mark while Pillow closes out at 23-12.

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Post game comments:
**East Rankin head coach Michael McAnally**
“I thought Pillow’s sense of urgency in the first half was a little more than ours. I don’t think we played bad but it was just a case that Pillow was playing better. They came out red hot. I really felt like they gave us their best punch in the first half and the main thing we talked about at halftime was we had to get better defensively and had to rebound. We gave up six offensive rebounds in the first half and that’s totally uncharacteristic of us. We made a concerted effort to just focus and to get on the boards. I don’t know how many rebounds Rachel Knight had in the second half but it seemed like she got every one of them.”
Brooke Rhodes averaged over 30 points during the tournament, have you seen a better player than her? “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.”
Talk about the role players on the team.....
“It’s easy to look at our team and think that it’s Brooke Rhodes and nobody else but Kaitlyn Coghlan can drive the ball to the basket and when Rachel Knight decides she wants to get a rebound nobody else is going to get it. Bridget Byrd does so many little things for us and Brianna May knows how to take care of the ball and get it to the right people.”

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**East Rankin senior Brooke Rhodes**
“We worked hard for this all year because we fell short last year when we lost in the semi finals. Pillow shot the ball well in the first quarter and we just knew we had to take their punches and keep going with it."
What adjustments were made at halftime?
"He (Coach McAnally) told us we had sixteen minutes and it needed to be the best sixteen minutes we’ve played all year. He said we needed to start in the third quarter and I think we did that.”

ER...15...17...15...15...62

PA...22...11....0...11....44

2010 Overall All Tournament Teams
Boys
Caleb Miskelly - MRA
Jordan Stentiford - MRA
Justin Malone - MRA
Ryan Ellis - MRA
Jeffery Rickels - MRA
Hayden Eustachy - Presbyterian
Hunter Hawkins - Presbyterian
James Akers - Presbyterian
Jaron Edwards - Bowling Green
Harry Williams - Greenville Christian
Girls
Brooke Rhodes - East Rankin
Kaitlyn Coghlan - East Rankin
Rachel Knight - East Rankin
Brianna May - East Rankin
August Malouf - Pillow
Mary Gallagher - Pillow
Holly Ann Pannell - Pillow
Caroline Oliphant - Prairie View
Riley Busching - Jackson Academy
Anna Mangold - Brookhaven

BOYS OVERALL SEMI FINAL ACTION

MRA looking for fourth straight Overall title

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

Madison-Ridgeland Academy is the marquee basketball program in the MAIS. Eight AAA State Championships in the past ten years and 46 consecutive wins against MAIS teams is daunting to say the least but for the 2010 MRA squad anything less than winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive boy’s Overall Championship is considered a disappointment. The Patriots moved one step closer to that goal on Friday night with a 74-60 semi final win over Bowling Green. With the win top ranked MRA improves to 33-4 and will take on Presbyterian for the right to take home the Gold Ball.
Bowling Green wasn’t able to provide much resistance early on as MRA rushed out to a 12-0 lead following a Jeffery Rickles 3-pointer from the corner at the 4:07 mark of the first quarter. Bowling Green got in the scoring column on a Shod Fortenberry jump hook to make it 12-2 with 3:58 remaining. Bowling Green pulled to within six points at 14-8 after a Colton Owens baseline jumper and a Mac McElveen lay-in with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Robert Richardson’s basket at the 1:13 mark closed out the scoring in a 16-8 first quarter. (Above) MRA junior Justin Malone (#34) with a jump hook in the third quarter
MRA extended their lead to 23-10 on a Caleb Miskelly transition basket at the 5:50 mark of the second quarter but the Patriots couldn’t shake Bowling Green. The Buccaneers pulled to within six at 25-19 on a Jaron Edwards assist to Colton Owens. Caleb Miskelly cashed in on a Bowling Green turnover to put MRA up 29-21 with 1:05 left in the quarter but Shod Fortenberry’s basket inside of one minute made it 29-23 at the half.
Bowling Green got the start it wanted in the third quarter as Jaron Edwards nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to trim the deficit to 29-26 but MRA slammed the door on Bowling Green with a 15-2 run to go up 44-28 with 3:49 left in the quarter. The defending Overall champions closed out the third quarter on a Ryan Ellis basket at the buzzer that gave MRA a 55-36 lead.
MRA grabbed their biggest lead of the night at 68-46 on a Jordan Stentiford driving basket with 3:54 remaining in the game. Bowling Green outscored the Patriots 13-2 over the next 1:55 to pull to within eleven points at 70-59 but could get no closer as the MRA Patriots secured a spot in the Overall finals against Presbyterian with a 74-60 semi final win. (Above) Colton Owens (#2) of Bowling Green gets a shot over Justin Malone (#34) of MRA
Ryan Ellis led MRA with a game high 20 points, Caleb Miskelly added 19, Jeffery Rickles had 12, Jordan Stentiford 10, Justin Malone 7 and Robert Richardson 6.
Bowling Green (28-10) was led by Colton Owens with 17 points, Jaron Edwards had 15, Shod Fortenberry 14, Mac McElveen 8, Dylan Varnado 5 and Russell Perry 1.

MR...16...13...26...19...74
BG....8....15...13...24...60
(Photo at top) MRA senior Ryan Ellis (#21) had a game high 20 points

Presbyterian to make first Overall finals appearance

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

The Presbyterian Bobcats are playing like a team on a mission. With wins over Mt. Salus, Brookhaven and Greenville Christian the Bobcats have only one team in their sights, the defending three time Overall Champion MRA Patriots. Presbyterian took a step towards their first Overall title with a 61-51 win over a tough Greenville Christian squad on Friday night in semi final action.
In the early going it looked as though Presbyterian would coast to an easy win over the single-A champion Saints. The Bobcats raced out to a 9-0 lead less than three minutes into the game in front of a thunderous Presbyterian student section.

(Above) Hayden Eustachy (#1) of Presbyterian nails a 3-pointer

Greenville Christian got their first points of the game at the 5:11 mark when Harry Williams got a lay-in to make it 9-2. Presbyterian fired back with eight straight points to take their biggest lead at 17-2 with 3:38 remaining in the opening quarter. Greenville Christian didn’t panic and as they did in their upset win over Jackson Prep on Wednesday they started trimming the Bobcat lead. Justin Leavy and Harry Williams converted on 3-pointers to finish the quarter down 19-8.
Greenville Christian slowly pulled to within six points at 20-14 following a Williams 3-pointer and a free throw from Justin Leavy with 5:52 left in the half. Gage Garner’s 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:04 mark extended the Bobcat’s lead back out to 29-18 and TJ Hollins did the same for Greenville Christian as the senior canned a 3-pointer to end the half with the Saints trailing 29-21. (Above) Harry Williams (#4) of Greenville Christian led the Saints with 19 pts
Greenville Christian mounted a charge in the second half but each time they did Presbyterian countered. After GCS pulled to within three points at 37-34 following Justin Leavy’s two free throws Presbyterian quickly jumped back out to a seven point lead on a Hayden Eustachy lay-in and James Akers’ 17 foot jumper. Mitchell Mooore’s 3-pointer from the corner gave Presbyterian a 47-38 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Presbyterian looked to be in total control after holding a 55-45 lead with 4:14 remaining in the game but consecutive 3-pointers from Harry Williams and Mike Hardy closed the gap to 55-51 with 2:17 left. Justin Leavy’s shot attempt to narrow the deficit to two points fell short and the Bobcats finished the final minute of the game by hitting on 6/8 free throws to preserve a 61-51 win. (Above) Presbyterian sophomore Hunter Hawkins (#34) in first half action
Hayden Eustachy led Presbyterian (26-9) with a game high 20 points, Hunter Hawkins and James Akers added 9 each, Gage Garner had 8, Cade Martin 7, Mitchell Moore 6 and Drew Deen 2.
Greenville Christian (36-2) was led by Harry Williams with 19 points, Justin Leavy added 13, Mike Hardy 6, Keldrek Young 4, TJ Hollins 3 and Jonathan Griffin, Jeremy Griffin and Dantarrius Campbell 2 apiece.

PC...19...10...18...14...61
GC....8...13...17...13...51