Calling them like I see them...............

The Clarion-Ledger published an article a few days ago entitled "Southaven, Magnolia Heights start, end at top" which I found interesting. I eagerly scanned through the long portion written about Southaven and located at the bottom of the article were SIX lines about the amazing season Magnolia Heights had. Nowhere in the Southhaven piece did it mention that Magnolia Heights had beaten Southaven during the season. The Clarion-Ledger touts in the article that Southaven featured three "Dandy Dozen" members on their squad but absent from the piece was the fact that the Clarion-Ledger's Baseball Dandy Dozen had no MAIS players on it. It's amusing that some in the MAIS still have a slobbering love affair with the Clarion-Ledger.

The Southern Sports & Travel Baseball Player of the Year

Magnolia Heights senior Jacob Billingsley is the 2013 Southern Sports & Travel Baseball Player of the Year. 

The 6’1” senior led Magnolia Heights to a perfect 37-0 record and its’ second consecutive Class AAA Division-II State Championship. 

Billingsley put together a stellar season that included dominant performances both on the mound and at the plate. “I can't say enough good things about Jacob,” said Magnolia Heights head coach Chris McMinn. “He overcame a severe knee injury to become one of the top pitchers in the state. Last year I could see a determined young man who was never satisfied. He stayed in the weight room this off-season and became a leader on and off the field for our younger players, and he is a great role model for our underclassmen. I think that Jacob will arrive at Mississippi State and be ready to contribute on the mound. He is now able to throw four pitches for a strike, and he is getting better every day. He has been a pleasure to coach, and I look forward to seeing him at the next level.” 

Billingsley, who first pitched at the age of 9, went 10-0 on the mound in 2013 with an MAIS best 0.54 ERA, only allowed four earned runs and 18 hits all season while handing out 82 strikeouts. 

At the plate Billingsley hit .398 with a team best 33 RBI. The senior scored 26 runs, had a slugging percentage of .723, on base percentage of .490 and was second on the squad with 6 home runs. Billingsley credits his father in shaping who he is and his biggest influence with regards to athletics. “He has always done the right thing the right way every time,” said Billingsley. “He never halfway does anything and teaching me that was a huge part of my success so far. He taught me the love of the game and how special this game is. He taught me not to show emotion during the games and to never get too low or too high.” 

Billingsley, who likes to hunt, fish, play golf and cook said if he could choose one athlete to sit down and have a conversation with it would be Major Leaguer Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. “All of his life people have told him he was too small or too slow, but he chose not to listen to them and to work and achieve what nobody thought he was able to do. He is a great role model for every ball player and is a hard nosed ball player.” 

Billingsley, who has attended Magnolia Heights every year expect his freshman year, loved his study of Algebra because it enabled him to figure out problems. He signed with Mississippi State University to play baseball for the Bulldogs and will major in Kinesiology.” 

His best memory while at Magnolia Heights is no surprise. “Winning our second straight state championship to clinch a perfect 37-0 season.” 

Billingsley credits head baseball coach Chris McMinn for the success of the Chief’s program. “I have known coach Mac for several years. We go to the same church. He has been my coach since I was in 8th grade. He has done a tremendous job as head coach at Magnolia Heights. You can't achieve a perfect season and back-to-back state championships without the right coaching and coach Mac was definitely the right coach for our team.” 

When asked what he sees himself doing in ten years Billingsley said, “I hope to still be playing ball and if not then to be coaching and teaching the love of the game just like my father taught me.” 

Billingsley credits his father in another area also. “My father is the best athlete in our family. He can throw a tight spiral, a great knuckleball, and shoot the lights out in the gym. He also plays tennis with my mom who played at Delta State.” 

The future Mississippi State Bulldog reflected on the season and the pressure associated with trying to remain undefeated . “It was amazing. There is no better feeling in the world that what we experienced this year. This is the closest team I've ever been on in my life. It was great that we got to finish off a perfect season on our own field. Several times we were in jams or behind a few runs but we didn't lay down and we got out of every single one of them. Good teams find a way to win and we managed to do it 37 times this year.” 

Billingsley has left a permanent mark on the Magnolia Heights baseball program and his tenacity was never more evident than it was during big games. He allowed just one hit in a 5-1 win over Class AAA Division-I State Champion Jackson Prep earlier in the season and helped Magnolia Heights garner statewide attention by allowing just one run, three hits and striking out 11 in a 2-1 road win over MHSAA 6-A State Champion Southaven during the regular season. 

Billingsley, who also considered Alabama, Ole Miss, Southern Mississippi and Delta State before inking with Mississippi State, is the 2013 Southern Sports & Travel Baseball Player of the Year.

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Photos courtesy of Nathan Dixon, Dixon Photography

Posey recipient of Don Souder Award

Brookhaven Academy senior Gage Posey is the 2013 male recipient of the prestigious Don Souder Award given to the top MAIS student-athlete amongst its’ 115 member schools. Posey is Brookhaven Academy's fourth recipient of the award.

In athletics Posey participated in football, basketball and baseball for the Cougars.

The 6’2” southpaw led the Cougar football team to the Class AA State Championship and displayed his mental toughness when his squad needed him most. Posey accounted for 4,011 total yards and 46 touchdowns, 7 in the state championship win over Marshall Academy.

Brookhaven head football coach Tripp McCarty said, "Gage was an absolute joy to coach. Even with all his stats and achievements he is still a humble competitor. I consider it a privilege to have coached him. He is everything we preach in our programs to our athletes."

In basketball the senior led his team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds a game.

Posey excelled in baseball as well, hitting at a .420 clip and earning himself a baseball scholarship at Hinds Community College. "Gage is the hardest working kid I've ever coached. Anything I ever asked him to do he did it without hesitation. To excel in 3 major sports for 4 straight years shows how great of an athlete he truly is. He's the guy you want to have the ball when the game is on the line. Leadership for him came naturally. He not only wanted to win but he wanted to win the right way. Brookhaven Academy will truly miss Gage's character, his competitiveness, and his leadership," said Brookhaven head baseball coach Casey Edwards.

In his senior year he was voted onto the MAIS All-Star football squad as well as an All-MAIS second team selection.

Posey was also selected as the Southern Sports & Travel Player of the Year.

He was selected as an MAIS All-Star and second team All-MAIS and Southern Sports & Travel All-MAIS team in basketball.

In baseball Posey was an MAIS All-Star selection.

Gage Posey is the son of Kevin and Rhonda Posey and maintained a 3.91 GPA while participating in English, Math and Science honors courses at Brookhaven Academy his senior year.

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Photo by Johnny Smith, Johnny Smith Photography

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

”The older you get the faster time goes by”  is an old saying that I had heard for years and honestly never put much thought into until now and yes, it’s true. The 2012/13 MAIS athletic season is remarkably almost complete and it has been one of great stories and achievements.

August 17^th seems to have been just yesterday but that was Southern Sports & Travel’s kickoff to the 2012 football season with coverage of defending Class AA champion Simpson traveling to Madden to battle Leake. A mini capsule of the 2012/13 season will be posted soon.

>>The official countdown to the 2013 MAIS football season has officially been launched and fans can expect to see changes in the Class AA & Class A playoff formats. The MAIS has approved a 16 team system that eliminates the north and south formats and puts into place a seeding based on powerpoints system.

>>Coaching changes are an expected event each year but this has been one of many. Some go unnoticed but others are an exception such as Hall of Fame basketball coach Dale Watts, Simpson football coach Billy Wayne Hankins and Silliman track coach Sharon Kline. One of the strangest was that of Central Private head basketball coach Henry Gantz who guided his boys’ team to the schools’ first ever Overall Championship. Central Private and Gantz quietly parted ways without any explanation.

>>The Southern Sports & Travel Baseball Player of the Year is expected to be announced next week unless a delay occurs in gathering much needed information.

>>Re-alignment kicks in beginning in the fall and some traditional Class AA mainstays are moving. Columbia makes its’ way to Class AAA Division-II while Marshall moves to Class A.

Questions accompanied some of the changes with concerns that Southern Sports & Travel would no longer provide coverage of those two schools but the recent two year trend has demonstrated a wider coverage of MAIS schools that encompassed all three classifications. The wider coverage has been fruitful as web traffic and sponsors have both increased.

>>As Southern Sports & Travel continues to grow each year so too does the news and announcements that come by way of school representatives to the site. This has been a useful tool for many different parties who have been frustrated for many years in the area of information gathering. In the age of social media all areas can serve a useful purpose, hence the use of Facebook and Twitter in providing information as quickly as possible.

>>In the fall Southern Sports & Travel will begin its’ sixth year of providing MAIS athletic coverage and I’m pleased to say that each year has shown growth, even the brief hiccup that was the shortened 2011 year. This past year I was pleased to go out of the box and do an automobile seat belt series that included the stories of three young people who each had eye-opening experiences.

>>Summer provides a time to perform a necessary task and while it is one I don’t enjoy it is a vital necessity to the continued growth of Southern Sports & Travel and the coverage it offers. Renewing sponsorships and seeking out new supporters interesting in contributing is a must and that endeavor will begin soon so as to not infringe on the start of the 2013 MAIS football season. If your school doesn’t support Southern Sports & Travel through a sponsorship ad please encouragement them to do so by contacting me at aafandaman@yahoo.com or phone/text 985-750-3455.

Mabry recipient of Don Souder Award

Lamar School senior Olivia Mabry is the 2013 female recipient of the prestigious Don Souder Award given to the top MAIS student-athlete amongst its’ 115 member schools. Mabry is Lamar's first ever recipient of the award.

In athletics Mabry participated in basketball, soccer, tennis and cheerleading for the Lady Raiders.

During her senior season she led Lamar to the MAIS Division-II Soccer Championship and was named to the MAIS All-Star team and the Clarion-Ledger All-State squad.

Mabry also helped guide the Lady Raider basketball program to one of their best seasons in recent history. She was named to the MAIS-All Star team and was a second team All-MAIS selection.

Outside of her athletic achievements Mabry was Senior Class President and her school’s National Honor Society President and Fellowship of Christian Athletes President.

Mabry did all this while maintaining a 4.06 GPA.

Lamar girls’ head basketball coach Russell Cruise said, “Olivia Mabry is a well-rounded, well-respected young woman whom we will all miss next year.  I know that her journey is just beginning as she will be attending Mississippi College next year.  I am glad to have had the chance to be a small part of her and her wonderful family’s life all be it for a short period.  I will never forget the impact she has made on my family as well as the younger girls she has been in contact with and set an example for everywhere.”

Mabry will be attending Mississippi College in the fall where she will not only continue her education but also her basketball career as a member of the Lady Choctaw’s team.

Olivia is the daughter of Joey and Melissa Mabry.

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Photo by Mark Whiddon, Whiddon Photography

Cougar to play baseball at Copiah-Lincoln

Brookhaven senior Matthew Evans has signed to play baseball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Shown above: Back row is coach Bryan Noble (Co-Lin), Coach Casey Edwards (BA), Coach Clay Smith (Co-Lin Head Coach)

Front row is dad Jerry Evans, Matthew Evans and mom Sherylyn Evans

Watson signs with Copiah-Lincoln

Brookhaven senior Graham Watson has signed to play tennis at Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Shown above: Back row is coach Brenda Smith

Front Row is dad Ronnie Watson, Graham Watson and mom Lynn Watson

Young signs to play for Lions

Presbyterian senior Tyler Young has signed to play baseball at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.

Chelette signs with Bishop

Blake Chelette, senior (pitcher/outfielder) at Central Private, signed with Bishop State Community College to continue his baseball career.

Lamar wins Class AA Golf State Championship

Lamar School - 2013 Class AA State Champions

Lady Warriors win Class A Championship

The Deer Creek Lady Warriors recently captured the Class A Tennis Championship. Deer Creek is coached by Sherry Ballinger.

Central Private wins 12th state championship

Central Private School - 2013 Class AA State Champions

Central Private swept Marshall to win the school's twelfth state title in baseball. Senior Chase Martin pitched a complete game in leading the Rebels to a 14-2 win on Friday. Central Private, under the direction of head coach Jason Kinchen, finishes the 2013 season at 29-4.

Tri-County wins Class A Championship

The Tri-County Academy Rebels captured the school's first ever state title in baseball on Saturday with a 9-7 game three win over defending Class A champion Glenbrook. Tri-County is led by head coach Ricky Owens and finished the season at 28-4.

Magnolia Heights claims back-to-back crowns

Southern Sports & Travel

Magnolia Heights completed the season all coaches and players dream of last night in Senatobia as the Chiefs cemented their place in MAIS history with one of the most dominant stretches ever seen in the association’s 44 year baseball history.

Colin Liles went the distance in picking up his tenth win and struck out eleven and freshman Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4 on the night to lead Magnolia Heights to a 6-1 win over fourth ranked Washington to give the Chiefs their second consecutive Class AAA Division-II State Championship and a perfect 37-0 season mark.

All but one of Magnolia Height’s starters collected at least one hit on the night with the exception of senior Jacob Billingsley. Billingsley, who led the Chiefs in RBI’s during the season, was on the receiving end of four walks.

The start of the game was delayed two hours due to a heavy downpour one hour prior to when the first pitch was scheduled to be delivered and the delay seemed to have affected Magnolia Heights starter Colin Liles who saw his first pitched drilled into centerfield by Washington leadoff hitter Chase Palasini.

Carson Smyly’s ground-out enabled Palasini to advance to third base and following a Colin Liles strikeout of Michael Bruton to notch the second out Washington would get on the board first when Walker Coleman’s single to left field brought Palasini home to give the fourth ranked Generals a quick 1-0 advantage.

Magnolia Heights was kept in check by Washington starter Michael Bruton over the first two innings but the Chiefs would come alive in their half of the third inning.

Dustin Skelton got things going as the freshman lined a leadoff double into centerfield. Adam Shackleford (Courtesy runner) advanced to third on a fly out to right field and was brought home on Luke Latham’s infield hit with one out in the inning.

Washington would walk Jacob Billingsley only to see sophomore David Herrington single to right field and bring home Shackleford but Latham’s attempt to score from second base would result in the senior being called out at the plate. (Photo at top of page)

Magnolia Heights grabbed their first lead of the night at 2-1 as Jamell Newson beat out a throw to first base which scored Billingsley.

After allowing three first inning hits Colin Liles would settle in and retire twelve straight Washington batters and in the bottom of the fourth inning Magnolia Heights erupted.

Jackson Pitts hit a one-out double to centerfield and courtesy runner Cole Kelly would register the third run of the evening when Dustin Skelton singled to centerfield.

Dalton Skelton followed with a double to the centerfield wall and Magnolia Heights stretched their lead to 4-1 on Luke Latham’s sacrifice fly to right field that scored Dustin Skelton from third base.

Things would deteriorate for Washington after Jacob Billingsley drew another intentional walk.

David Herrington’s pop-up was misplayed and allowed Dalton Skelton and Billingsley to score and give the Chiefs a 6-1 cushion.

Washington would strand two runners in both the fifth and sixth innings and Colin Liles would close the door on the Generals in the seventh inning.  

Liles (Photo right) struck out Timothy Stone and Roman Fratesi’s ground-out registered the second out.

Magnolia Height’s rush to the mound for the traditional dog-pile ensued after Liles sat down Gore Pulliam to put the wrap on a dominating 2013 season with a 6-1 win.

Colin Liles (10-0) went the distance striking out eleven and the senior helped his cause by going 2 for 3 at the plate.

Freshman Dustin Skelton went 3 for 4, Luke Latham 2 for 4 and sophomore David Herrington had two RBI's in the win.

Michael Bruton took the loss for Washington (21-13).

The win was the fifth state baseball title for Magnolia Heights and third in the past four seasons under head coach Chris McMinn, now in his eighth season in Senatobia.

It was also Magnolia Height’s first back to back championships and eleventh state title series appearance.

The discussion now shifts to where does this Magnolia Heights squad belong in the group of best MAIS teams ever?

A starting point in that discussion should be their 69-5 record over the past two seasons.

Post Game with Magnolia Heights Head Coach Chris McMinn

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Magnolia Heights School - 2013 Class AAA Division-II State Champions

Jackson Prep wins Class AAA Div-I Championship

Jackson Prep captured the Class AAA Division I State Championship this evening with a 5-1 win over MRA. Prep wins the series 2-0 and in doing so finished their 2013 campaign at 34-2.

Top big man in the MAIS signs with Nicholls State

Central Private senior Liam Thomas has signed to play basketball at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Nicholls is a Division I University and a member of the Southland Conference.

Thomas, a 6'10" center, averaged 14 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocked shots a game this past season and was a Southern Sports & Travel All-MAIS first team selection.

Eagles take home Class A track crown

The Mt Salus Eagles captured the Class A Track State Championship last week edging out DeSoto.

The Mt Salus boys' track team is coached by Kendall Fletcher.

Heritage claims AAA Golf Crown

Veritas girls win sixth track title in eight years

The Veritas School Lady Lions recently won their sixth state title in the past eight years. 

Above, L-R: Coach Steve Spinks, Sage Bowman, Maryanna Story, Nydia Tillis, Sydney Hughes, Lacius Caddle, Taylor Warriner, Monica Williams, Sophie Hughes, Bailey Woods, Kiara Harris, Coach Caddle.

Miller of Central Private signs

Brad Miller, senior (shortstop/pitcher) at Central Private signed with LSU-Alexandria to continue his baseball career.

MRA's McCraney to kick for Alcorn State

Madison Ridgeland Academy senior Haiden McCraney has signed to play football at Alcorn State University.

In the picture left to right, sitting is Steve McCraney (Father), Haiden McCraney and Sandra McCraney (Mother).  Standing left to right is Coach John Weaver (MRA Assistant Coach), Craig McCraney (brother) and Coach Forrest Williams, MRA Head Coach.

Lady Buc signs with Mississippi College

Bowling Green senior Mackayla Dykes has signed to play basketball at Mississippi College.

Above: Standing, Beverly Young (Bowling Green Principal) and Bowling Green head coach Pat King.

Seated: Randy Dykes, (Father) Mackayla Dykes, Kristy Dykes (Mother)

Gantz out at Central Private

Central Private head basketball coach Henry Gantz informed Southern Sports & Travel today that he will not return next year.  Gantz replaced Ed Palubinskas after the 2011 season and in his two seasons as the boys' varsity coach Central Private went 50-12, won two district titles, a Class AA South State Championship and the school's first ever Overall Championship this past season.

"I've decided it's best for myself and my family to part ways with Central Private. I've enjoyed coaching my players the last three years and I wish the kids the best in the future," said Gantz in a short statement.

A request for a statement from Central Private School went unanswered.

Earnhart to play basketball for Lady Choctaws

Tori Earnhart, a senior at The Veritas School, has committed to play basketball at Mississippi College this fall. 
Pictured are (from left) Steve Spinks- Veritas Athletic Director, Shay, Tori, and Tray Earnhart, and Charlie Warriner- Veritas Head Girls Basketball Coach.

Lovitt heading to Oxford

Tavyn Lovitt of Madison Ridgeland Academy recently signed a track and cross country scholarship with the University of Mississippi.

Shown above: Back row (L-R):  John Weaver, Head Track Coach; Kayla Lovitt (sister), and Stephen Force, Head Girls' Basketball Coach

Seated (L-R): Patrick Lovitt, Tavyn Lovitt and Jennifer Lovitt

Ben’s Ford Christian School, a success story

Southern Sports & Travel

Sitting three miles just outside the small town of Bogalusa, Ben’s Ford Christian School is now in the closing weeks of the most successful school year in its’ history.

A ministry of Ben’s Ford Baptist Church, the school has blossomed in both growth and athletics and is now the biggest private school in Washington Parish. From just 20 students in 1983 to 500 today the MAIS member school has addressed their growth with improvements that include a newly constructed, spacious preschool building and a much needed field house for their athletic program.

With the growth came other changes. The school will, for the first time, compete in Class AA when the 2013/14 school year gets underway in August and will be in the same district as Bowling Green, just 18 miles away.

While capital improvements helped the school keep pace with its’ growing enrollment numbers the success of the athletic program reached new heights this year and created a level of excitement never seen at the school, now in its’ fourth decade. 
The boys’ varsity basketball program, under the direction of third year head coach Shadd Pittman, teetered just outside the Southern Sports & Travel rankings this past season.  Ben’s Ford caught fire in the playoffs and advanced to their first ever Class A South State Championship game where they fell to eventual state champion Porter’s Chapel. The Eagles finished the year at 18-11 and will have three starters returning next season.

The success of the basketball program carried over to baseball where Ben’s Ford yet again reached a milestone, its’ first ever district championship in any sport.

Now in his sixth season at the helm, head baseball coach Jerod Wascom remembers the difficulty in building a program that had fielded a team just once in its’ history, in 1991.

“My first year we only had a 10 or 12 game schedule and didn’t have a field,” said Wascom. “We were able to play one home game and it was played at Bogalusa high School.”

A larger obstacle was assembling a varsity team.

“Our biggest challenge was playing at the high school level with kids that hadn’t played baseball since 9 or 10 year old little league.”

Wascom had to start from scratch which meant teaching fundamentals and basics of the game in order to field a varsity team. Add a lack of numbers on the roster and the challenge was magnified tremendously.

Wascom had to incorporate kids one year removed from primary school to fill his roster and had three seventh graders playing infield positions at one time.

Although it was difficult in the early stages there was an upside which ultimately paid dividends and that was evident as those seventh graders received a steady dose of Baseball 101 as they progressed over the years.

The program has grown and improved since Wascom’s first season in 2007 and the Eagle baseball program enjoyed the fruits of their labor this season as they went a perfect 8-0 in district play, qualified for the post season and steadily crept up the Southern Sports & Travel rankings.

First and second round sweeps of Newton and ranked Russell Christian followed and Wascom attributed that to solid pitching from seniors Cole Edwards and Brian Hines. In their series wins over Newton and Russell Christian only 2 walks were allotted and Ben’s Ford pitchers racked up 37 strikeouts.

“It was a hurdle at the start of the season due to seven of my starters playing basketball and after a long playoff run I got them much later than usual.”

On the Thursday morning the team traveled to Meridian for game two against Russell Christian the entire school gave them an encouraging sendoff as students holding signs lined the fences of the front of the campus.

“The support from the school has been outstanding,” said Wascom. “We don’t have lights yet at our field so most of our home games start at 2 p.m. and all the kids are allowed to attend. It’s a great environment and our players love it.”

The support from the school and this season’s success has also reaped another reward, more interest from kids that chose not to participate in the program.

“We have some kids on campus that didn’t play baseball that could have helped us and now they’ve seen the comradery, the fun and the success we’ve had and they tell me they wished they had played, and since we only have three seniors, it’s encouraging for next season.”

Now playing for the Class A South State Championship, Ben’s Ford takes a major step up in competition as the Eagle’s opponent is the 2012 defending state champion Glenbrook Apaches and when asked if his players understood the moment they were in Wascom replied, “We try not to make it bigger than what it is, we don’t downplay it but we’ve been preaching all year that you play the game to have fun first and foremost but at the same time we want our kids to put forth their best effort.” 
Wascom added, “They know Glenbrook won state last season but we’ve been telling our kids all year that the potential is there if they come together and play hard, the sky is the limit for this group. Now that things have started coming together they realize what they’ve accomplished to this point but make no mistake about it, we know Glenbrook is second to none and it’s going to be a real tough task.”
Coaches at Ben’s Ford know and understand the challenge that awaits them as they move to Class AA athletics but it’s a welcomed challenge that they eagerly await.

“Success breeds success,” said Wascom. “Hopefully this will carry on from sport to sport for years to come. We have kids who are winners, they believe they can win and that’s the difference now.”

Ben’s Ford met defending Class A champion Glenbrook on Tuesday night in game one of the best of three series and witnessed up close and personal the play of one of the top pitchers in Class A. Glenbrook defeated Ben’s Ford 13-0 behind a perfect game hurled by sophomore Spencer White.

The series resumes on Thursday.
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Photos courtesy of Shelaine McClelland