>>Basketball is officially in full swing and already some very interested scenarios are taking shape, particularly with respect to Class AA girls. In the past several years Leake has dominated with Brookhaven not far behind but this season could be a very rare one in which five or six squads have a legitimate shot at winning a state championship. The same can be said about Class A girls basketball as some recent struggles from perennial power Delta has opened up the field of contenders to several.
>>An ongoing effort is being made to provide district standings in all three classes of basketball. Classes AAA and AA will be manageable but Class A presents a huge challenge that could result in lots of sloppy and inaccurate standings. There are far too many Class A schools that don’t know or don’t care enough to report scores to anyone, even their local paper. With no true database to track so many schools I’ve always wondered whether fudging takes place sometimes with regards to overall records. After all if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there…well you know the line!
>>Southern Sports & Travel will feature two games a week following Christmas and leading up to the busy tourney time in early February. The best possible matchups each week will be featured.
>>Two new sponsors will be added to Southern Sports & Travel soon. Without the schools and businesses who sponsor this site it would be impossible to maintain. Sponsorship and ad rates are posted on a link located on the left side of the page.
>>If there were any doubts about the rising popularity of soccer in high school athletics they can be put to rest. Here's a list of MAIS players in the college ranks:
**Johnny Saye - River Oaks- Now plays for Belhaven**Johnathon Ray - Presbyterian - William Carey
**Dean Pace - Laurel Christian - William Carey
**Chase Bullman – Jackson Prep - University of Alabama Birmingham
**Daniel Lang - Jackson Prep - Mississippi College
**Jarrett Albritton - River Oaks - Mississippi College
**Eljay Allen - Washington School - Delta State
**Cody Carpenter- Central Hinds - Millsaps
**Tripp Sims - Lamar - Meridian Community College
**Lee Brown - Copiah - Co-Lin CC
**McGee Ledbetter - Heritage - East Central CC
**Roy Miles - Starkville Academy - Itawamba CC
**Will Goodwin - Starkville Academy - Itawamba CC
**Peyton Smith - Magnolia Heights - Northwest CC
>>Special thanks to Robert Pace who has contributed soccer related data to Southern Sports & Travel.
>>If you have an interesting story pertaining to MAIS athletics or a photo that deserves some attention please email: aafandaman@yahoo.com
