Biggs of Central Hinds inks with William Carey

Hope Biggs from Central Hinds Academy, 4 time Mississippi Junior Golf Association Female Golfer of the Year signs a Golf Scholarship with William Carey University.

Pictured (left to right) June (mother), Alex (brother), Austin (brother), and Greg (Father) and Hope.

The ceremony was held in the Central Hinds Library with Adminstrators, fellow Senior athletes and William Carey Golf Coach Jeff Mixon in attendance.

Fenn signs to play football at Belhaven

Chance Fenn, Senior football player from Trinity Episcopal School, signed with Belhaven College in Jackson, MS, to play football for the Belhaven Blazers. Pictured are: Merle Corley, Grandmother; Paul Fenn, Father; Chance Fenn signing, Ramona Fenn, Mother; Leeland Floyd, Nephew; Sam Corley, Grandfather. Standing: Coach Richy Spears, Coach David King, and Headmaster Father Brant Dick

Another Marshall Patriot signs

Neil Murphy, a senior long snapper for the Marshall Academy Patriots, signed a football scholarship February 23 with Hinds Community College. Seated with him for the ceremony at the Marshall Academy library are his parents, Harold and Susie Murphy. Standing, from left, are assistant coach Bart Jenkins, head coach Barrett Donahoe and assistant coach Keith Owens. Classmates, friends and fellow Marshall Academy athletes were also on hand for the ceremony.

Jackson Prep basketball, back on top

Southern Sports & Travel

It’s been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe in the areas of love and friendship but when it comes to winning MAIS championships a long absence leaves the heart with anything but fondness.

In the case of Jackson Prep, enduring 14 seasons without hoisting that Gold Ball has been one of bitter disappointment but on Saturday evening the trophy returned to the most successful boys basketball program in MAIS history.

Jackson Prep defeated Marshall 50-45 on Saturday to win the school’s 14^th Overall Championship and cap off a 38-1 season for fifth year head coach David Horner.

Ryan Buchanan scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in leading Prep to the win as the junior demonstrated why he is arguably the best player in the MAIS.

(Above) Wic Smith (#4) of Jackson Prep drives to the basket in the first half

Jackson Prep wasted little time in getting the basketball to the post as Gage Ray quickly gave Prep a 2-0 lead 23 seconds into the opening quarter.

Marshall would get their first basket at the 6:01 mark on a Chase Ferrell bucket in the paint and the Patriots would take their first lead at 5-2 on their next possession when Kevin Fitzpatrick turned a Prep turnover into a lay-in, plus one, with 5:13 remaining in the quarter.

Jackson Prep would regain the lead at 8-7 on a Whit Kendall lay-in and finish the opening quarter with a Kendall kiss off the glass in the paint followed by a Wic Smith steal and basket at the 46 seconds mark to close out the quarter with Prep on top 12-7.

Dakota Dailey got Marshall to within two points at 12-10 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the second quarter and Kevin Fitzpatrick followed with an offensive rebound and stick back to knot the game 12-12 at the 6:22 mark.

The lead would swap hands three times before Marshall reeled of six straight points to take what would be their biggest lead of the game at 21-17 with 1:03 remaining in the half.

Jackson Prep trimmed the deficit to two points at 21-19 on a free throw each from Wic Smith and Josh Williams to close out the first half.

Jackson Prep wasted little time in tying the game at 21-21 to start the third quarter as Ryan Buchanan  (Photo right) drained an 18 foot jumper.

Prep regained the lead at 24-21 on De Graeber’s lay-in, plus one, at the 6:39 mark of the third quarter and again the lead changed hands three times but after Brad Bennett’s 3-pointer put Marshall on top at 33-32 with 39 seconds left in the quarter Jackson Prep slowly took control.

A Josh Williams transition basket, plus one, with 8 seconds left in the third quarter gave Prep a 35-33 lead and all the momentum heading into the final eight minutes of play.

Marshall would get to within a point at 35-34 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick free throw one minute into the fourth quarter but free throw shooting would be an Achilles heel for the Patriots in the quarter.

(Above) Kevin Fitzpatrick (#1) of Marshall scored 18 points along with 11 rebounds

Prep fired off an 8-2 run capped by a Thomas Dunbar assist to Wic Smith at the 4:11 mark to give Jackson Prep their biggest lead at 43-36 but Marshall still had some fight left in them.

Dakota Dailey drilled a 3-pointer off a Prep turnover to trim the deficit to 43-39 but Marshall missed an opportunity off consecutive Prep turnovers by missing the front end of a one and one with 2:11 remaining in regulation.

Two Ryan Buchanan free throws gave Prep breathing room at 45-39 but Marshall cashed in on a Prep turnover at the 1:25 mark to pull to within four points at 45-41 on a Kevin Fitzpatrick basket.

Marshall’s Aaron McAlexander hit one of two free throws with 1:06 left to narrow the margin to 45-42 but Jackson Prep closed the door by hitting on 5/8 free throws down the championship stretch to win 50-45.

Jackson Prep Patriots - 2012 Overall Tournament Champions

Jackson Prep was led by junior Ryan Buchanan with 15 points and 14 rebounds, Wic Smith added 11 points, Josh Williams and De Graeber had 6 each, Thomas Dunbar and Whit Kendall 4 apiece and Gage Ray and Cade Noble 2 each.

Marshall (38-4) was led by Kevin Fitzpatrick with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Dakota Dailey added 12, Brad Bennett 9, Aaron McAlexander 4 and Chase Ferrell 2.
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Post Game with Jackson Prep head coach David Horner

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Starkville wins first Overall Championship

Southern Sports & Travel

Since 1970 an Overall champion’s name has been etched into the official program that fans and supporter’s purchase at the annual MAIS Overall Tournament. Absent in the previous entries has been Starkville Academy, until now.

The Starkville Academy Lady Vols defeated MRA 50-39 yesterday at the A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi to win the much heralded Gold Ball and in doing so have joined a select group of teams that preceded them.

Starkville closed the final five minutes of yesterday’s title game against MRA with a 14-2 run sparked by junior Tiffany Huddleston who contributed 10 of those points.

(Above) Starkville's Sallie Kate Richardson (#24) shoots over MRA's Amber Landing (#21)

Starkville got the start they had hoped for, after yielding the opening basket of the contest to MRA, the Lady Vols went to work.

April Burney drained two perimeter jumpers to give Starkville their first lead at 4-2 followed by Anna Lea Little’s offensive rebound and put back to increase the lead to 6-2 nearly five minutes into the opening quarter.

After an Amber Landing stick back notched MRA’s second basket Starkville closed the quarter in strong fashion.

Sophomore Nora Carroll canned a 3-pointer from the wing at the 2:19 mark followed by a 10 foot jumper in the paint from Sallie Kate Richardson to increase the lead to 11-4.

Following an MRA bucket Starkville closed with a 5-0 run as Anna Prestridge hit a 3-pointer and Sallie Kate Richardson’s drive with 14 seconds remaining capped a 16-6 first quarter for the Lady Vols.

Starkville grabbed their biggest lead at 18-6 on an Anna Lea Little 15 foot jumper to start the second quarter but MRA fought back with a run of their own as seniors Anna Claire Henderson and Haley Cox spearheaded a Lady Patriot 10-0 run to pull MRA to within two points at 18-16 with 2:26 remaining in the first half.

Coming out of a timeout, and a loss of momentum, Starkville got a huge boost from sophomore center Sallie Kate Richardson.

(Above) Nora Carroll (#33) of Starkville pulls down a rebound in the fourth quarter

Richardson hit free throws and then went glass in the paint to extend Starkville’s lead to 22-16 with 1:22 left in the quarter.

The sophomore then served up an assist to Tiffany Huddleston to close out the half with Starkville holding a 24-16 advantage.

MRA made their push for the championship in the third quarter as the Lady Patriots came out of intermission with a purpose.

A Haley Cox steal and bucket was followed by two Cox free throws after a Starkville turnover to trim the deficit to 24-20.

Following a Nora Carroll 3-pointer that extended Starkville’s lead to 27-20 MRA delivered a 13-3 run capped by Jessica Whitehead’s 3-pointer from the wing with 51 seconds remaining in the quarter to give MRA a 33-30 lead, their first since 2-0.

Anna Lea Little’s 18 foot jumper with 36 seconds left pulled Starkville back to within one point at 33-32 to close the quarter.

MRA’s lead didn’t stand long as Starkville went back on top at 34-33 on Nora Carroll’s offensive rebound and stick back thirty seconds into the final quarter.

Sallie Kate Richardson did the same on Starkville’s second possession of the quarter forcing an MRA timeout with the Lady Vols holding a 36-33 edge with 6:52 remaining in regulation.

Coming out of the timeout MRA’s Carmen Carter drained a 17 foot baseline jumper and Haley Cox capitalized on a Starkville turnover with a floater in the lane to propel MRA back in front at 37-36 at the 5:11 mark.

(Above) Haley Cox (#15) of MRA looks to feed the post

That would be the last lead for MRA as Starkville would go off.

Sallie Kate Richardson’s offensive rebound and lay-in gave the Lady Vols the lead for good at 38-37 but it was about to be Tiffany Huddleston time.

The junior scored ten of the next twelve points for Starkville coming by way of two baseline drives, an offensive rebound and put back and a steal and full length lay-in at the 3:19 mark to give Starkville a 44-37 lead to the satisfaction of a large crowd of Lady Vol supporters.

MRA’s Haley Cox stopped the Starkville 10-0 run with a driving lay-in at the 2:05 mark but Huddleston and Anna Lea Little each hit two free throws to cement a 50-39 win.

“Ever since the end of last season this is what we’ve been working for,” said an elated Anna Lea Little. “It’s a great feeling knowing that our hard work paid off.”

For Tiffany Huddleston, who is a Mississippi State soccer signee, the accomplishment was just sinking in. “This is something that’s never happened at Starkville Academy so we’re just living in the moment right now and everybody is so excited,” said Huddleston. “I’m thankful for the opportunity that God has given me today.”

Starkville Lady Vols - 2012 Overall Tournament Champions

Starkville (38-5) was led by Sallie Kate Richardson with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, Tiffany Huddleston had 12 points, Anna Lea Little 11 points and 7 rebounds, Nora Carroll 8 points and 8 rebounds, April Burney 4 and Anna Prestridge 3.

MRA (33-8) was led by Haley Cox with 18 points, Anna Claire Henderson had 10 points and 8 rebounds, Jessica Whitehead added 5 and Amber Landing, Carmen Carter and Tavry Lovitt 2 apiece.

Perhaps the best quote of the day came from a parent of a Starkville player. “I’m not sure I will sleep tonight, to say Starkville is excited is an understatement.”

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Post Game with Starkville head coach Glenn Schmidt

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Starkville punches ticket to final

Southern Sports & Travel

Top ranked Starkville Academy has made come from behind wins a habit lately but unlike their previous three victories the Lady Vols took a mid first quarter lead and never relinquished it in defeating third ranked Jackson Prep 51-41 yesterday afternoon in the Overall semi-finals in Clinton, Mississippi.

Anna Lea Little scored 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds and Starkville used a 28-11 first half lead to propel the Lady Vols into today’s championship game with second ranked MRA.

Jackson Prep got out to a 5-3 lead in a slow starting opening quarter but Starkville’s Anna Lea Little was just getting warmed up.

The junior sank an 18 foot jumper to knot the game at 5-5 at the 3:08 mark of the quarter and converted on a inbounds play, plus one, to give Starkville their first lead at 8-5 with 2:21 left in the opening quarter.

(Above) Starkville's Anna Lea Little (#3) snatches a rebound in the first half

Tiffany Huddleston drained a 3-pointer from the wing following a Prep turnover to extend Starkville’s lead to 11-5 and Little hit a 3-pointer from the same spot to give the Lady Vols a 14-5 lead heading into the second quarter. Little scored 11 points in the quarter.

Jackson Prep pulled to within six points at 16-10 following a Keavy Noblin free throw with 5:12 remaining in the half but the Lady Vols closed the half with a flourish.

Little hit a jumper from 15 feet and Tiffany Huddleston’s 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:49 mark pushed the lead to 21-11.

Huddleston cashed in on a Prep turnover as the junior hit another 3-pointer from the same spot with 2:28 left and Anna Lea Little hit her third 3-pointer of the half at the 53 seconds mark to give Starkville their biggest lead at 28-11 as the  first half closed.

Starkville looked primed to finish Jackson Prep early in the third quarter as Nora Carroll converted on a transition bucket just over a minute in to give the Lady Vols a 30-11 cushion but Jackson Prep answered.

Three consecutive baskets from Prep senior Laurel Bane cut the Starkville lead to 30-17 at the 4:58 mark but the Lady Patriots weren’t done yet.

Keavy Noblin drained a 3-pointer from the corner and Evans Horsley capped the 11-0 run with a driving lay-in at the 3:57 mark to pull Prep to within eight points at 30-22.

(Above) April Burney (#15) of Starkville defends Sara Bolen (#33) of Jackson Prep

Noblin’s baseline drive and basket would close the quarter with Starkville holding a 34-26 lead.

Starkville pushed their lead back out to ten points at 43-33 on Anna Lea Little’s assist to Julianne Jackson with 4:07 remaining in the contest but Jackson Prep had one last run in them.

Sara Bolen went baseline and scored and Evans Horsley pulled down an offensive rebound and converted to cut the Starkville lead to 43-37 with 1:49 left in regulation.

Two Nora Carroll free throws gave Starkville some breathing room at 45-37 but Prep answered right back with a Laurel Bane jumper from the elbow with 1:26 left.

Starkville would seal the deal by hitting on 6/6 free throws the final minute to secure a spot in today’s championship final with a 51-41 win over Jackson Prep.

Starkville was led by junior Anna Lea Little with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, Sallie Kate Richardson added 14, Tiffany Huddleston 12, Nora Carroll 5 and Julianne Jackson 2.

Laurel Bane led Jackson Prep (29-11) with a game high 19 points, Sara Bolen added 8, Keavy Noblin 7, Evans Horsley 4 and Ann Hilton Buckner 3.

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Post Game with Starkville head coach Glenn Schmidt

MRA smothers Leake

Southern Sports & Travel

The Madison-Ridgeland Academy Lady Patriots used a stifling defense and got 13 points and 13 rebounds from freshman center Amber Landing to defeat Leake 53-40 yesterday afternoon to advance to today’s Overall final against a familiar foe, Starkville.

MRA improved to 31-7 with the win and will be looking to capture the school’s fourth Overall girls title and first since 2007.

To do that the Lady Patriots will have to defeat a Starkville squad that just last Saturday captured their first ever girls state championship with a come from behind win over MRA.

(Above) MRA's Jessica Whitehead (#24) and Leake's Mary Grace Key (#11) battle for a loose ball 

In MRA’s win over Leake yesterday the Lady Patriots saw the Rebelettes jump out to an early 6-2 lead in typical Leake fashion, converting turnovers into fast break opportunities but MRA settled down and produced a 10-1 run to end the quarter and take a 12-7 advantage.

With MRA holding a 16-11 lead with 3:21 left in the half Leake looked to get on a roll.

Following a Hannah Peoples free throw Anna Kat Nowell converted an MRA turnover into a fast break bucket to pull the Rebelettes to within two points at 16-14.

Haley Cox hit on one of two free throws to push the Lady Patriot lead to 17-14 but that lead evaporated as Peoples hit a free throw and Nowell scored off an offensive rebound to knot the game at 17-17 with 1:29 remaining in the half.

MRA closed the half strong.

Tori Kennington scored on a baseline drive and Anna Claire Henderson canned two free throws off a Leake turnover to give MRA a 21-17 lead with 42 seconds left in the quarter.

MRA extended their lead to six points as Haley Cox drove baseline and converted a huge basket at the buzzer to give the Lady Patriots a 23-17 halftime edge.

MRA stretched their lead to nine points at 27-18 on freshman Amber Landing’s basket in the paint two minutes into the third quarter and the Lady Patriots grabbed their biggest lead at 34-21 following a Tori Kennington free throw at the 1:30 mark.

Leake trimmed the deficit to ten points at 34-24 on Anna Kat Nowell’s 12 foot jumper, plus one, to close the quarter.

(Above) Leake's Mary Grace Key (#11) launches a jumper in the first half

Leake started the fourth quarter on fire as Nowell hit a 12 foot jumper following an MRA turnover and Hannah Peoples converted on an MRA turnover to pull the Rebelettes to within six points at 36-30 with less than one minute elapsed in the final quarter.

Leake would get to within six points once more at 38-32 on a Nowell drive with 5:29 left but MRA would begin to pull away.

Carmen Carter’s transition bucket gave MRA a 40-32 advantage and Anna Claire Henderson served up an assist to Carter on consecutive possessions to push the Lady Patriot lead to 44-32 with 2:48 left in regulation.

Following a Mary Grace Key 12 foot baseline jumper to pull Leake back to within ten points at 44-34 MRA slammed the door.

Carmen Carter went baseline and scored with 2:14 left to extend the lead back to twelve points at 46-34.

Leake got to within eight points on a Mary Grace Key 3-pointer with 36 seconds remaining but Anna Claire Henderson hit a free throw and converted on a fast break to seal the deal and give MRA a 53-40 win to advance to the final.

MRA was led by freshman Amber Landing with 13 points and 13 rebounds, Carmen Carter added 11, Anna Claire Henderson had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Haley Cox 9, Jessica Whitehead 5, Tori Kennington 4 and Tori Hines 1.

Anna Kat Nowell led Leake (39-3) with 21 points, Hannah Peoples had 10, Mary Grace Key 7 and Chloe Thaggard 2.

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Post Game with MRA head coach Stephen Force

Prep holds off Central Private to advance

Southern Sports & Travel

Jackson Prep improved to 37-1 and advanced to today’s Overall Championship final with a 53-43 win over Central Private last night but the Patriots had to stave off a fourth quarter Rebel rally to secure a spot in the title game.

Prep got out to a 6-0 lead in a slow paced first quarter and held Central Private scoreless until a Mitch Van Asten 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:56 mark cut the Prep lead in half at 6-3.

Central Private would pull even with Jackson Prep at 8-8 on two Alex Overs free throws with 1:37 left in the quarter but Prep closed with five straight points to grab a 13-8 advantage at the end of one quarter of play.

(Above) Josh Williams (#23) of Jackson Prep slams home a dunk before halftime

Prep opened the second quarter with two momentum changers. Cade Noble drained a 3-pointer from the wing 22 seconds into the quarter and Josh Williams slammed home a dunk off a Central Private turnover to extend the Patriot’s lead to 18-8 with 6:54 remaining in the half.

Central Private stayed within striking distance as they narrowed the gap to 26-20 on a Piers Carroll bucket at the 1:59 mark but Prep converted three consecutive Rebel turnovers into baskets, one a Josh Williams baseline slam, to end the half with a 32-20 lead.

Central Private pulled to within six points at 34-28 at the 4:21 mark of the third quarter on an Alex Overs slam dunk, plus one, but Prep maintained a six point edge to close the third quarter on top 41-35.

Ryan Buchanan’s 15 foot jumper extended Prep’s lead to 43-35 to start the fourth quarter but Central Private pulled to within two points at 43-41 on consecutive 3-pointers from Lance Wicker and Mitch Van Astin with 5:38 remaining in regulation.

Jackson Prep capitalized on two Central Private turnovers as Buchanan drained a 17 foot jumper and De Graeber served up an assist to Thomas Dunbar to push the Patriot lead to 47-41 with 2:48 remaining.

(Above) Alex Overs (#12) of Central Private goes rim in the fourth quarter

Following two Central Private free throws that cut the Prep lead back to four points at 47-43 senior point guard De Graeber canned 6/7 free throws down the stretch to preserve a 53-43 win for Jackson Prep.

Jackson Prep was led by Josh Williams with a game high 13 points, Ryan Buchanan added 11 points and 9 rebounds, Thomas Dunbar 11, De Graeber 10 points, Cade Noble 6 and Wic Smith 2.

Simpson Anderson led Central Private (31-8) with 12 points, Piers Carroll added 11 points and 9 rebounds, Mitch Van Astin 9, Alex Overs 8 and Lance Wicker 3.

Marshall balanced attack too much for Hillcrest

Southern Sports & Travel

The Marshall Patriots used a 13-2 opening third quarter run and had five players score in double digits in a 74-56 win over Hillcrest in the Overall semi-finals last night in Clinton. Mississippi.

With the win Marshall, the Class AA State Champions, improved to 38-3 and will take on Class AAA powerhouse Jackson Prep in the championship game today at 3:30.

Hillcrest led throughout the opening quarter and Marshall wouldn’t grab their first lead until the 7:11 mark of the second quarter on a Peyton Lewis offensive rebound and put back to give the Pats a 15-14 lead.

Marshall’s lead was short lived as Hillcrest ripped off a 7-1 run to take their biggest lead at 22-15 with 4:41 remaining in the first half.

(Above) Peyton Lewis (#22) of Marshall launches a jump hook in the 1st half

Hillcrest would enjoy their last lead of the game at 24-22 with 2:47 left in the half as Marshall produced a 17-2 run fueled by the 3-point shooting of Brad Bennett and Peyton Lewis.

A Brad Bennett 3-pointer from the wing at the 1:12 mark capped the run to give Marshall an eight point cushion at 32-24 but Hillcrest would close the quarter with a Kenneth Davis basket and Grant Baker’s offensive rebound and put back to trim the deficit to 32-28 at the halfway point of the contest.

Marshall erupted in the opening minutes of the second half with a 13-2 run to take their biggest lead at 45-30 with 4:55 left in the third quarter.

Hillcrest managed to cut the deficit to ten points at 52-42 at close of the quarter and a Grant Baker bucket on a Hillcrest fast break got the Cougars to within seven points at 54-47 just one minute into the final quarter.

(Above) Dakota Dailey (#12) of Marshall drives for 2 of his 16 points on the night

Hillcrest would get no closer as Marshall finished the fourth quarter with a 20-9 run to advance to today’s Overall Championship final.

Marshall was led by junior Peyton Lewis with 19 points and 10 rebounds, freshman Dakota Dailey added 16, Brad Bennett 13, Chase Ferrell and Aaron McAlexander had 10 each and Kevin Fitzpatrick 6.

Lee Ogletree led Hillcrest (30-7) with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Grant Baker added 13, Kenneth Davis 12, Robert Johnson 10 and Curtis Westerfield and Remarcus Stalling 2 apiece.

Travis inks with Mississippi Delta

Austin Travis of Brookhaven Academy has signed with Mississippi Delta Community College to play baseball.

Seated left to right: Chris Travis (dad), Austin Travis, June Travis (mom)

Standing left to right: Casey Edwards (Brookhaven baseball coach, Michael Avalon (Ms Delta Comm College)

Dixon signs with Arkansas State

Abbey Dixon  of West Memphis has signed with Arkansas State University to run track.

Above: (Mom) Pam Dixon, Abbey Dixon , (Dad) Cord Dixon

Standing: Personal coach Jay Mathis, (Sister) Allison Dixon

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

>>It would be hard to argue that this isn’t the busiest time of the year for those who cover and follow MAIS athletics. With the four week post season basketball tournament stretch, the start of baseball and the boys soccer championships taking place it can be overwhelming. With that being said, web traffic to Southern Sports & Travel has increased 150% compared to this time last year and with the huge spike in viewership comes the opportunity to make improvements to Southern Sports & Travel.

>>Technology has been an important ingredient in obtaining the necessary growth to maintain Southern Sports & Travel. Twitter and Facebook have been critical in reaching new visitors and connecting to MAIS followers who otherwise would not have known about the website.

Another sign of the advancement of technology is the increase in portable devices that are used to visit the website. While most traffic is originated from a home or business nearly 25% comes from IPhones, Androids, iPads or other mobile devices.

>>Southern Sports & Travel will provide full coverage of the Overall semi-finals and finals games on Friday and Saturday. Twenty seven games have been covered and written about over the past eleven days.

>>It's noteworthy to mention that the Class AA boys and girls finals on Saturday included coaches with a combined 34 state championship wins. Leake's Doyle Wolverton (15), Marshall's Craig Dailey (11) and Brookhaven's Dale Watts (8).

>>I would be remiss if I didn’t give a big “Shout Out” to Kirk Academy for the tremendous job they did in hosting last week’s Class AA State Tournament. Kirk Academy not only did a fantastic job in hosting the tournament, they also did a great job in showcasing their beautifully renovated gymnasium.

>>I had the opportunity to visit the Class A State Tournament at Delta Academy in Marks, Mississippi last Thursday. It was my first visit to Delta and it took no more than ten seconds once I entered their facility to appreciate the history and atmosphere. On top of that, the place was packed!

>>Soon after basketball is done time will be spent uploading tons of game photos to the Southern Sports & Travel Facebook page.

>>A big “Thank You” to a new Southern Sports & Travel sponsor, The Bank of Holly Springs.

>>Please continue to send in signing photos of MAIS players who will be furthering their athletic endeavors at the next level. All of the photos shown on Southern Sports & Travel are sent directly to me and while I occasionally hear from a coach about a particular player who has or is signing sometimes I never receive a signing photo.

Tri-County tops second ranked Glenbrook to win state

Tri-County Academy
2011-12 Class A State Champions

Starkville Lady Vols, State Champions

Southern Sports & Travel

The Starkville Academy Lady Vols won the school’s very first state championship in girls basketball on Saturday afternoon in Pelahatchie, Mississippi but the two day stretch of basketball that it took to achieve that milestone will be one to remember.

In Starkville’s semi-final matchup with perennial power Jackson Academy on Friday the Lady Vols found themselves down by 14 points with just 4:09 remaining in regulation but put on a furious rally to force the game into overtime where they held Jackson Academy scoreless and won 34-30.

In Saturday’s Class AAA state championship game with then top ranked MRA the Lady Vols found themselves in a similar situation. Down by ten points as the third quarter was winding down Starkville produced a 20-4 run that extended into the fourth quarter and propelled them to a 47-35 win.

“Two of the best come from behind wins I’ve seen in my 35 years of coaching,” said Starkville head coach Glenn Schmidt, who is in her ninth season at Starkville.

“We had a big 3-point shot in the fourth quarter of the Jackson Academy game that was critical and our girls did a great job of applying pressure defensively,” said Schmidt. “The two wins were a result of a combination of things. Our guards provided a big spark in the MRA win and our post play was very good.”

Also critical in the title game with MRA was Starkville’s effectiveness at the free throw line. The Lady Vols hit 19/22 at the line and Starkville also won the battle in another important area, rebounding.

Starkville (34-5) will enter this week’s Overall Tournament as the top seed in Class AAA and will meet the number two seed from Class AA, Bowling Green, on Wednesday at 3:00.

“Bowling Green is playing this week, so that tells me a lot about them,” said Schmidt. “They’ve played tough competition and are well rounded and a good defensive team.”
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Photos courtesy of Jim Lytle

Cook signs with Mississippi Delta

Tyler Cook, a senior pitcher for the Marshall Academy Patriots, signed a baseball scholarship Thursday, Feb. 16, with Mississippi Delta Community College.

Pictured at the ceremony in the school library are (seated) Tyler Cook with father Tim Cook (right) and Ashley Cook; and mother Missy Bray (left) and Elton Bray, along with his little brother, Tanner; and (standing, from left) his grandmother, Bettie Williams; Delta assistant coach Patrick Taylor; MA head coach Bart Jenkins; Delta assistant coach Jake Mills; and his grandmother, Helen Cook. Classmates and fellow Marshall athletes were also on hand for the scholarship signing. Cook will join MA teammates Elgin Lafever and Evan Hickman on the Trojans’ squad next season. They signed with Mississippi Delta on February 3.

Marshall defends title, tops Brookhaven

Southern Sports & Travel

The Marshall Patriots have held down the number one spot in the Southern Sports & Travel Class AA rankings the entire year and last night they proved worthy of that top billing as they successfully defended their title by downing second ranked Brookhaven 64-50 before a packed Kirk Academy gymnasium.

The win last night is the school’s fourth state championship in boys basketball and head coach Craig Dailey’s eleventh overall.

Brad Bennett and Dakota Dailey combined for 34 points and Marshall produced an 18-7 third quarter to propel the Patriots to their second straight Class AA State Championship.

(Above) Marshall freshman Dakota Dailey (#12) drives to the basket in the first half

Brookhaven wasted no time in racing out to a 6-0 lead to start the contest as Brennan Miller canned two free throws and converted in the paint and Zac Smith went baseline to give the Cougars an early advantage with less than two minutes gone in the quarter.

Marshall made themselves known on a Peyton Lewis baseline basket at the 5:37 mark and the Patriots would draw even with Brookhaven at 10-10 on a Chase Ferrell driving lay-in with 2:07 left in the opening quarter.

Marshall grabbed their first lead of the game at 14-12 on Brad Bennett’s fast break bucket as time expired in the quarter.

A Kevin Fitzpatrick steal and basket extended Marshall’s lead to 16-12 fifteen seconds into the second quarter and the Patriots got a driving baseline lay-in from Aaron McAlexander to take their biggest lead at 18-12 with 7:10 remaining in the half.

Brookhaven then erupted firing off an 11-2 run. Brock Smith’s floater in the lane capped the run and gave the Cougars a 23-20 edge with 2:39 left in the second quarter.

That would ultimately be Brookhaven’s last lead of the game as Marshall began imposing their will on both ends of the court.

Peyton Lewis tied the game at 23-23 with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Brad Bennett followed with a 3-pointer from the wing to give Marshall the lead at 26-23 at the 1:37 mark.

With Marshall holding a 28-25 lead Brookhaven would get a huge basket to end the half as Matthew Evans drove the lane and scored at the buzzer to pull the Cougars to within one point at 28-27.

While Brookhaven didn’t regain the lead the Cougars stayed within striking distance and with nearly four minutes gone in the third quarter Marshall was clinging to a 35-32 lead but the Patriots closed strong.

(Above) Marshall's Peyton Lewis (#22) and Brad Bennett (#4) have Brookhaven's Brock Smith  contained

Peyton Lewis drained another 3-pointer and following a Brookhaven turnover Brad Bennett hit a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Patriots their biggest lead at 41-32 with 2:19 left in the quarter.

Two Dakota Dailey free throws pushed the Marshall lead to 43-32 and after Brookhaven’s Gage Posey scored a basket off an inbounds play the Patriots went up by twelve points at 46-34 to end the third quarter as Bennett drilled another 3-pointer.

Brookhaven trimmed the deficit to seven points at 47-40 on a Matthew Evans assist to Brock Smith with 6:19 remaining in regulation but the Cougars could get no closer.

With 3:50 remaining and Marshall holding on to a 50-42 lead the Patriots would outscore Brookhaven 14-8 en-route to a 64-50 final.

Junior Brad Bennett and freshman Dakota Dailey each had 17 points to lead Marshall. Kevin Fitzpatrick added 9, Peyton Lewis 8, Aaron McAlexander 7 and Chase Ferrell 6.

Brookhaven (32-4) was led by senior Brock Smith with 14 points, Gage Posey added 10, Matthew Evans, Bubba Keene and Brennan Miller all had 8 each and Zac Smith 2.

Marshall (36-3) will be paired up with Class A opponent West Memphis on Tuesday at 4:00 in Overall Tournament play while Brookhaven will tackle Class AAA Champion Jackson Prep Wednesday at 7:00.

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Post Game with Marshall head coach Craig Dailey

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Leake wins seventh straight title 

Southern Sports & Travel

Winning a state championship is a tough task to accomplish. Defending a state championship is equally tough. Winning seven straight championships had never been done in the forty two years of MAIS state tournament competition, until now.

The top ranked Leake Rebelettes held back second ranked Bowling Green 52-44 to win the school’s seventh consecutive state championship before a thunderous throng of Leake supporters yesterday in Grenada, Mississippi.

Hannah Peoples and Mary Grace Key combined for 30 points and Leake dominated the boards as they improved to 38-2 on the season heading into next week’s Overall Tournament where the Rebelettes will take on Class A #3 seed Hebron.

Yesterday’s championship game had all the makings of a donnybrook through the first quarter of play.

(Above) Leake's Chloe Thaggard (#15) pulls down an offensive rebound in the 1st half

After Leake had built an early 6-2 lead two minutes into the contest Bowling Green began hitting some baskets.

A Mackayla Dykes 3-pointer from the wing at the 4:31 mark got the Lady Bucs to within a point at 8-7 and another Dykes 3-pointer with 1:08 left in the quarter knotted the game up at 14-14.

Leake would finish off the quarter on a Mary Grace Key offensive rebound and put back and a 3-pointer from the wing from Hannah Peoples with 22 seconds remaining to give the Rebelettes a 19-14 lead heading into the second quarter.

Peoples hit on one of two free throws to start the second quarter and the junior guard made Bowling Green pay off a turnover with another 3-pointer to give Leake their biggest lead at 23-14 with 6:33 remaining in the half.

After Bowling Green’s Caroline Haik sank one of two free throws Leake reeled off another six points to cap a 15-3 run and take a 29-17 lead at the halfway point.

Bowling Green came out strong in the first three minutes of the third quarter and pulled to within six points at 32-26 on a Reagan Moody 3-pointer from the wing with 4:58 left in the quarter but Leake’s defense starting wearing on Bowling Green.

(Above) Hannah Peoples (#5) of Leake drives to the basket in the second quarter

Chloe Thaggard went glass from the post position to extend the Leake lead back to eight points at 34-26 and the Rebelettes jumped back to a 38-26 advantage on an Anna Kay Nowell free throw and a Mary Grace Key 3-pointer from the corner at the 2:40 mark of the quarter.

Leake finished off a 9-0 run on a Hannah Peoples driving basket, plus one, to extend their lead to 41-26 with 1:44 left in the third quarter.

Bowling Green closed out the quarter on a BreAnna McNeese basket and two Caroline Haik free throws to get the Lady Bucs to within eleven points at 41-30.

Bowling Green appeared to have taken a momentum surge midway through the fourth quarter as the Lady Bucs got a fast break basket from Melissa Crowe to get to within eight points at 44-36 with 4:31 left in regulation but sophomore Mary Grace Key closed the door with a big 3-pointer from the corner to push Leake’s lead back to eleven points at 47-36.

Bowling Green would have no answer for the Leake spread offense down the stretch as junior guard Anna Kat Nowell did what she has done the entire post season, put on a ball handling clinic.

Fellow junior guard Hannah Peoples led all scorers with 18 points, Mary Grace Key added 12, Chloe Thaggard 8 and Anna Kat Nowell and Hannah Moore 7 each.

Bowling Green was led by freshman Reagan Moody with 12 points, Mackayla Dykes had 11, Caroline Haik 9, Ashley Foret 6, Melissa Crowe 4 and BreAnna McNeese 2.

Leake will take on Hebron Tuesday at 2:45 in Overall Tournament play while Bowling Green (34-3) will battle Class AAA Champion Starkville Wednesday at 3:00.
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.Post Game with Leake head coach Doyle Wolverton

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Mt. Salus dethrones Delta to win state

The Mt. Salus Lady Eagles defeated defending state champion Delta 52-48 to win the Class A State Championship.

Front left: Genuine Byrd, Deepali Bajaj, Amia Green, Jena Bishop, Christine Davis, Smile Kaur

Back left: Coach Joe Smith, Coach Robert Davis, Kapish Cheema, Allie Sandifer, Anna Grace Govero, Sh'Keithia Evans, Michaela Harper, Alex Latham, and Head Coach Rod Morris.

Leake gunning for number seven

Southern Sports & Travel

The number one ranked Leake Rebelettes broke open a 28-28 second half tie with a 15-4 run to defeat third ranked Simpson 62-46 and advance to today’s Class AA State Championship game.

Leake will be aiming for their seventh consecutive state championship, something no other MAIS school has ever done.

Sophomore Chloe Thaggard scored a game high 20 points to led Leake into today’s final against second ranked Bowling Green.

Simpson got the start they had hoped for in taking an early 5-3 lead on a Brittany Gardner basket in the paint with two minutes gone in the first quarter.

With Simpson holding on to a slim 9-8 lead Leake cashed in on a Lady Cougar turnover when Hannah Peoples hit a 17 foot jumper from the wing with three seconds remaining to give the Rebelettes a 10-9 lead heading into the second quarter.

Leake made Simpson pay for another turnover as Chloe Thaggard went glass from the post to give the Rebelettes a 12-9 lead nearly three minutes into the quarter but Simpson went head to head with the defending champs and grabbed a 19-18 lead on a Callie Martin baseline basket with 1:09 left in the half.

(Above) Leake's Chloe Thaggard (#15) launches a jumper

Leake’s domination on the boards kept the cold shooting Rebelettes in the game and a Chloe Thaggard offensive rebound and put back with 29 seconds sent the lead back in Leake’s direction at 20-19 heading into intermission.

Simpson came out in the early stages of the third quarter and played their best basketball of the afternoon.

Kasey McWilliams hit a 3-pointer fifteen seconds into the third quarter to give Simpson a 22-20 lead and after Hannah Peoples knotted the game up at 22-22 on a lay-in Simpson took their biggest lead of the game at 26-22 following an Abby Dunston fast break bucket and two Brittany Garner free throws.

That four point swing seemed to provide a wake up call for the defending champions.

Leake reeled off a 19-3 run over the next six minutes and forced six Simpson turnovers to take a 41-29 lead.

Auguste Knight’s 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the quarter closed out the scoring as Leake had built a 41-32 lead with one quarter left to play.

Simpson remained within ten points during the first three minutes of the fourth quarter but the Lady Cougars couldn’t shake the turnover bug and Leake was more than willing to capitalize on it.

(Above) Hannah Peoples (#5) of Leake gets resistance from Simpson's Brittany Gardner (#34)

Leake took their biggest lead of the game at 55-50 on Anna Kat Nowell’s driving lay-in with 2:01 remaining and finished off the game with a Mary Grace Key bucket to take a 62-46 win.

Chloe Thaggard led Leake with 20 points, Mary Grace Key added 16, Hannah Peoples 15 and Anna Kat Nowell 11.

Simpson was led by Auguste Knight with 11, Brittany Gardner added 10, Lauren Griffin and Kasey McWilliams had 7 each, Abby Dunston 5, Hallie Stubbs 4 and Callie Martin 2.

Leake improves to 37-2 while Simpson slips to 27-10.

Simpson will play Brookhaven this afternoon at 1:00 in the consolation matchup.

The winner of that game advances to next week’s Overall Tournament.

Bowling Green earns shot at Leake

Southern Sports & Travel

Bowling Green and Brookhaven are quite familiar with one other. The two have battled on the hardwood five times this season leading up to yesterday’s Class AA semi-final meeting in what would be the most important between the two.

The sixth meeting between second ranked Bowling Green and fourth ranked Brookhaven would be for the opportunity to play for a state championship, something Brookhaven does frequently and a feat Bowling Green hasn’t attempted since 1991.

After eight lead changes and six ties Bowling Green would get two critical baskets from juniors Mackayla Dykes and Caroline Haik in the final 1:19 to take a hard fought 35-32 win to advance to today’s championship game.

Bowling Green got out to a strong start against Brookhaven. Mackayla Dyke’s assist to Melissa Crowe on a fast break bucket gave the Lady Bucs a 6-3 lead at the 5:43 mark of the opening quarter.

Brookhaven would battle back to knot the game at 9-9 on a Carey Crozier post move with 3:20 remaining.

(Above) Bowling Green's Reagan Moody (#13) attempts a shot in the closing minutes of the first half

The Lady Cougars took their first lead of the afternoon at 12-11 on a Madison Warren 3-pointer from the corner and after yielding the lead back to Bowling Green Carey Crozier notched a bucket with 3 seconds left to send Brookhaven into the second quarter holding a 14-13 edge.

Points came at a premium in the second quarter as Bowling Green hit two free throws and Brookhaven one and each squad hit only one shot from the field in a low scoring and physical quarter of play.

Terah Winborne’s 15 foot jumper at the 5:24 mark gave Brookhaven a 17-15 lead and the only other basket came less than a minute later as Mackayla Dykes went strong to the basket and scored to tie the contest at 17-17 midway through the quarter and the score would remain the same as the half came to a close.

Bowling Green quickly grabbed the lead at 19-17 as Melissa Crowe converted in the paint and after the teams swapped turnovers Bowling Green increased their lead to 21-17 on a Caroline Haik 10 foot baseline jumper at the 4:52 mark.

With Bowling Green maintaining a three point lead at 25-22 and 2:15 remaining in the quarter Brookhaven pulled even on a Terah Winborne assist to Laura Beth Wright, plus one.

Carey Crozier’s free throw gave the Lady Cougars a 26-25 lead with 9 seconds remaining but Bowling Green eighth grader Ashley Foret navigated her way through the Brookhaven defense to score a bucket as time expired in the quarter to put the Lady Bucs on top 27-26.

Brookhaven took just fifteen seconds to regain the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Mary Jordan’s offensive rebound and put back gave the Lady Cougars a 28-27 lead which would be their last of the contest.

Reagan Moody drilled a 3-pointer from the corner to put Bowling Green back on top at 30-28 at the 7:22 mark.

(Above) Brookhaven's Carey Crozier (#24) attempts at shot with one minute left in the game

Laura Beth Wright sank a jumper from the elbow to tie the game for the sixth time at 30-30 with 3:13 remaining in regulation.

Brookhaven was unable to capitalize on a Bowling Green turnover at the 2:34 mark and it proved costly as Mackayla Dykes pulled down a rebound and drove the length of the court for a lay-in to give the Lady Bucs a 32-30 edge with 1:19 to play.

Carey Crozier would convert one of two free throws with 59 seconds remaining to trim the Bowling Green lead to 32-31.

Following a timeout Bowling Green converted on the biggest basket of the game as Ashley Foret served up an assist to Caroline Haik in the paint with 29 seconds left to extend the lead to 34-31.

Brookhaven came out of a timeout and missed on a 3-point attempt.

Both squads hit on one of two free throws in the last 7 seconds as Bowling Green held on to a 35-32 win.

Bowling Green (34-2) was led by Caroline Haik with a game high 12 points, Reagan Moody added 8, Melissa Crowe 6, Mackayla Dykes 5, Ashley Foret 3 and Lexi Volz 1.

Brookhaven (31-6) was led by Laura Beth Wright with 10 points, Carey Crozier 9, Madison Warren had 8, Terah Winborne 3 and Mary Jordan 2.

Bowling Green will face six time defending champion Leake this afternoon at 2:15 while Brookhaven will battle Simpson at 1:00.

Marshall to defend title

Southern Sports & Travel

The Marshall Patriots will get the opportunity to defend their Class AA title tonight after defeating third ranked Central Private 63-55 in the first game of the boys semi-finals at Kirk Academy in Grenada, Mississippi last night.

Peyton Lewis and Dakota Dailey each scored 17 points and Marshall overcame a three point deficit heading into the fourth to advance to their second consecutive state championship game.

The first three minutes was dominated by turnovers and what appeared to be the pressure of the moment but once Marshall’s Peyton Lewis scored on an offensive rebound and put back it was on.

With 3:47 left in the opening quarter and the game tied at 4-4 Marshall looked to separate as Peyton Lewis went glass and Dakota Dailey drained a 3-pointer from the wing to give the Patriots a 9-4 lead. After a Dailey free throw on a technical foul Central Private finished the quarter strong.

(Above) Peyton Lewis (#22) of Marshall had 17 points on the night

Lance Wicker would convert on a basket, plus one, and Simpson Anderson hit a long 3-pointer at the horn to pull the rebels to within two points at 12-10.

Central Private took the lead for the first time at 13-12 on a Simpson Anderson 3–pointer from the top of the key thirty seconds into the second quarter but Marshall fired right back with a Peyton Lewis bucket in the paint to reclaim the lead at 14-13 with 6:37 left in the half.

An Alex Overs driving lay-in, plus one, at the 6:28 mark would give Central Private a 16-14 lead and one they wouldn’t relinquish the remainder of the half.

Overs canned two free throws with less than one minute left in the half to close out the scoring with Central Private holding a 24-21 lead.

After Marshall’s Peyton Lewis hit an 8 footer in the lane to pull the Patriots to within one point at 24-23 to start the third quarter Central Private extended their lead to 29-23 on a Simpson Anderson 3-pointer and an Alex Overs basket.

Central Private maintained the lead throughout the first six minutes of the quarter but with the Rebels on top at 35-32 with 2:12 left the Patriots pulled even on a deep 3-pointer from the wing from Marshall freshman Dakota Dailey.

(Above) Marshall's Aaron McAlexander (#10) gets an easy bucket in the first half

Central Private once again closed the quarter with a critical basket. This time it was Luke Fryoux who would nail a 3-pointer at the horn to give the Rebels a 38-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Marshall caught fire in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Dakota Dailey went hard to the rim and scored to pull Marshall to within one point at 38-37 and Peyton Lewis drilled a 3-pointer from the wing at the 6:41 mark to give the Patriots a 40-38 lead.

Marshall capitalized on back to back Central Private turnovers to extend their lead to seven points at 51-44 with less than three minutes left in regulation.
Central Private answered with a Simpson Anderson 3-pointer and a Syrshawn Fitch fast break basket at the 2:03 mark to get back to within two points at 54-52 but Marshall  would go 7/7 at the free throw line down the stretch to hold on and take a 63-55 win.

Peyton Lewis and Dakota Dailey each had 17 points to lead Marshall (35-3). Kevin Fitzpatrick added 13, Aaron McAlexander 7, Brad Bennett 5 and Chase Ferrell 4.

Simpson Anderson led Central Private (28-7) with 16 points, Lance Wicker and Alex Overs each had 12, Piers Carroll 6, Syrshawn Fitch 4, Luke Fryoux 3 and Mitch Van Asten 2.

Brookhaven back in finals

Southern Sports & Travel

The Brookhaven Cougars were absent from the Class AA title game last season and saw their string of six consecutive state championships snapped but after a convincing 46-25 semi-final win over Bowling Green last night the Cougars will once again vie for a state crown.

Senior Brock Smith scored 20 points and sophomore Gage Posey added 12 as second ranked Brookhaven improved to 32-3 and will battle top ranked and defending champion Marshall tomorrow night at 7:15.

Brookhaven wasted little time in getting up on Bowling Green rapidly.

Gage Posey hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Brennan Miller canned one from the same spot to give Brookhaven a 6-0 lead with just over two minutes gone in the opening quarter.

Bowling Green’s Jerrel Mark got the Bucs on the board with an offensive rebound and put back at the 5:06 mark but Brennan Miller hit his second 3-pointer to increase the lead to 9-2.

Brookhaven closed the quarter on a Brock Smith 8 footer off the glass to give the Cougars a 13-6 edge.

(Above) Brock Smith (#3) of Brookhaven led all scorers with 20 points.

Brookhaven outscored Bowling Green 9-0 in the second quarter to take their biggest lead at 22-6. Bowling Green wouldn’t register a basket in the quarter until Patrick Roublow converted a lay-in, plus one, with 49 seconds left in the half.

With Brookhaven holding a thirteen point advantage at 26-13 midway through the third quarter the Cougars ran off eight straight points to take a commanding 34-13 lead with 1:19 left in the quarter.

Bowling Green would get a 3-pointer from Austin Knight and a Patrick Roublow basket to close the quarter down 34-18.

Brookhaven all but sealed the win in the first minute of the fourth quarter as Brock Smith and Matthew Evans converted on fast break opportunities to take a twenty point lead at 38-18.

Brookhaven grabbed their biggest lead of the night at 44-22 on Brennan Miller’s transition bucket with 5:22 remaining.

Brookhaven was led by Brock Smith with a game high 20 points, Gage Posey added 12, Brennan Miller 8, Matthew Evans 4 and Bubba Keene 2.

Bowling Green (23-13) was led by Patrick Roublow with 9 points, Mac McElveen had 6, Jarrel Mark 4, Austin Knight 3, Sawyer Jenkins 2 and Caleb Fruge 1.

Bowling Green will take on Central Private in the consolation game today at 6:00.