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

With only nine weeks remaining until the 2012 MAIS football season kicks off preparations are being made for what will undoubtedly be the busiest in the four years of coverage provided by Southern Sports & Travel. New features during the season will be available each week coupled with improved game highlights and interviews from coaches and players. The Southern Sports & Travel featured game of the week will be a matchup which garners the most interest regardless of classification, so with that in mind, it’s time to get the oil changed and the tires rotated.

**Each year countless coaches, parents and players text scores from their particular school’s athletic event. Without those critical up to the minute updates the thousands of visitors that choose Southern Sports & Travel would look elsewhere for information. On Friday nights during football season it’s nothing unusual to receive 250 text messages during a three hour span from 7pm till 10pm. That speaks volumes to the great people in the MAIS who understand the huge void that existed for decades with respect to connecting with other fans and schools in the association.

**Every summer coaching changes occur and in some instances attempting to connect the dots is a daunting task. This summer has been no different but I can report some changes that have been brought to my attention.

>>Heritage Academy made what most view as two very good hires in Barrett Donahoe and Gary Harris. Donahoe made the move to Columbus from Marshall Academy to head up the Heritage football program and Harris will take over as the boys head basketball coach and the girls fast pitch softball team. Heritage has also hired on former Tunica head coach Jimmy Hicks to take on the position of quarterback coach and passing game coordinator along with junior varsity head coach duties.

>>Mt. Salus announced that former standout Mary Kathryn Govero will be the new girls head basketball coach. Former head coach Rod Morris is now at Park Place Christian.

>>Riverfield Academy made it no secret that they intended on improving their boys basketball program and they did just that in hiring former Kirk Academy coach Mike Reans. Riverfield also hired Jada Adcock as the girls softball coach. Adcock played fast pitch at Northwestern State University.

>>Carroll Academy has two new basketball coaches. Ray McDaniel will take over the boys program while his wife Brandi will head up the girls program. The McDaniel’s were formerly with WCCA.

>>West Memphis Christian head basketball coach Jeff Dalton will do double duty as boys coach and Athletic Director. The Black Knights also introduced Chris Norton as their new head football coach. Norton makes the move to West Memphis from Warren, Arkansas.

>>North Delta School in Batesville has made changes. After head football coach Dan Werner left for Ole Miss North Delta promoted a familiar face to head up the football program, assistant coach Brandon Ciaramitaro. Girls head basketball coach Phil Douglas will coach both the boys and girls squads while former boys coach Brad Wilson assumes the Athletic Director and Principal positions at the school. Also, Jeff Walls will direct the North Delta baseball program. Walls goes to North Delta after coaching at Washington School.

>>Parklane Academy baseball coach Michael Clements resigned last week and new Athletic Director Randy Martin reports that the process of replacing him is underway.

>>Hillcrest Christian baseball coach Shane Kelly resigned two weeks ago to pursue an assistant coaching job with Petal High School. A second round of interviews to fill the position will take place this week.

**Got news? Email aafandaman@yahoo.com or text 985-750-3455.