Mississippi News

Not just another sports story

Published

3 years ago

May 26, 2022

Staff Editor

Not just another sports story

by Rick Cleveland, Mississippi Today
May 26, 2022

I have been covering Mississippi Sports for 56 of my 69 years. After more than half a century, I still look to give Mississippians uniquely Mississippi sports stories – and historical perspective on those stories – they won’t find anywhere else.

A recent case in point was my piece on tiny Oak Hill Academy in West Point, specifically the school’s golf team, which is dominating its opposition like few, if any, high school teams have in Mississippi history. The Oak Hill Rangers recently won the state’s 3A private school championship by a whopping 83 shots in a one-day tournament. A former Mississippi high school golfer myself, my article tells you the story behind the story – how it has happened – and lends historical perspective to a uniquely Mississippi story.

In another recent column, I told a compelling story of a Laurel softball umpire who was physically attacked by a fan. But the column goes beyond that ugly night, telling how these incidents have become all too common in youth league and high school sports and have led directly to a shortage of high school umpires and officials in the state.

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“There is much not to like about Mississippi but also much to love. Mainly, I love the people and how creative our people have always been – as writers, musicians, entertainers and athletes. I tell sports stories for a living and no state produces more compelling sports stories per capita than Mississippi.”

Rick Cleveland, Sports Columnist

My goal at Mississippi Today is to show how and why sports are such an integral part of Mississippi society and to give our readers something on our website that they will not find in any other medium.

I grew up playing and then covering Mississippi sports, and have seen first-hand the role sports have played in the integration of the state’s schools and society. I saw the role sports played in the changing of the Mississippi flag. Mississippians care passionately about their games and the people who play them. These are stories that need to be told.

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This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Ole Miss women get pair of double-doubles and roll to 83-65 March Madness win over Ball State

Published

2 weeks ago

March 22, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-03-22 09:03:00

SUMMARY: Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin found solace in returning to a different arena in Waco, Texas, following a disappointing previous tournament experience. The No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels redeemed themselves with an 83-65 victory over 12th-seeded Ball State in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. Starr Jacobs led the Rebels with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kennedy Todd-Williams and Madison Scott each scored 15 points. Ole Miss dominated rebounding, leading 52-32, and will face fourth-seeded Baylor next. Coach McPhee-McCuin noted the team’s evolution since their last visit and the significance of playing in Texas, where Jacobs feels at home.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 21-23

Published

2 weeks ago

March 21, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-03-21 08:59:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (March 21-23), Mississippi offers a range of exciting events. Highlights include Hal’s Marching MALfunction Second Line Stomp and Jessie Robinson’s blues performance in Jackson, as well as the Natchez Food & Wine Festival and the Natchez Little Theatre’s production of *This Side of Crazy*. There are also numerous exhibitions like *Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South* in Jackson and *Gold in the Hills* in Vicksburg. Other events include the 48th Annual Crawfish Classic Tennis Tournament in Hattiesburg, karaoke nights in Laurel, and a variety of family-friendly activities across the state.

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The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 21-23 appeared first on www.wjtv.com

Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: March 14-16

Published

3 weeks ago

March 14, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-03-14 07:26:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (March 14-16) in Mississippi offers a variety of events. In Jackson, iconic saxophonist Boney James performs at the convention center, while the JXN Food & Wine festival showcases culinary talents. The LeFleur Museum District hosts a “Week of Wonder,” and several exhibitions, including “Of Salt and Spirit,” celebrate Black quilters. Natchez features the Spring Pilgrimage tours, a reenactment of Annie Stewart’s story, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In Hattiesburg, comedian Rob Schneider performs, and various events like a St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and a talent show will take place throughout the area.

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