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Sunday EDITION

Volume 2 | Issue 90

oxfordcitizen.com

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Inside 4 News

Oxford Conference for the Book to be held next week.

6 News

Sockwell Jr. named Officer of the Year by his peers JOHN DAVIS

Artist Eden Flora displays her winning design for this year's Double Decker Arts Festival.

Making history

13 Sports

Flora's design face of 21st Double Decker

BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

A little secret never hurt anybody. That’s what Eden Flora kept telling herself as she waited to tell people that her design was going to be the face of the 21st Double Decker Arts Festival. Flora admitted that it was tough to keep her everything under wraps, even for a few weeks.

“When you’re excited about something, sometimes you don’t think it’s happened until you have told somebody about it,” said Flora, who looks a lot younger than her age of 31. “I did tell my husband. I cheated there, but they told me I could.

They said I could tell my family.”

Those that organize the annual festival did break the silence in January in that Eden’s name was circulated. But the actually look only became public this past Tuesday at the press conference held at Visit Oxford.

“I didn’t even have a picture of the artwork, so I’ve almost forgotten what it

looked like,” Flora said before talking about the ceremony. “It was fun to see it celebrated. It was exciting and very professional. I am someone who prefers to be in the back, so it’s a lot for me to have my name mentioned in front of people and unveil the artwork. It’s important to be willing to be celebrated and celebrate with other people about your skills. It was fun to get to be a part of and see what a big deal Double Decker is. It’s more fun to be a part of it.”

The design that Flora went with will be made up several thousands T-shirts that are sold all through the festival. She was hoping that people enjoyed the colorful design.

“It’s fun that my personality is going to represent Oxford for this event,” she said.

“I’m excited to share that with people and they will be able to take a little part of Double Decker with them by buying the various merchandise with this picture on it.”

Flora spends part of her working career as an art therapist. She also owns an art

business and the logo was her idea of what Double Decker stands for to her.

“It represents Oxford and this creative environment that is here in this small town,” Flora said. “I’m new town having moved here from Boston in July. My husband has talked Oxford up for a long time.

I think it’s great. It’s fun to live in this place that he has loved for so long. It’s exciting to move to a place and immediately get to use my gifts and celebrate the community.”

The art design was submitted through Visit Oxford’s website. Of course anything was possible, as long as the Double Decker bus was included.

“I thought about it for a few days and did a few sketches and this is what worked out,” Flora said. “I dropped it off here, and I waited about a month or two.”

And the rest, as they say, is now a part of history.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

The Lady Chargers’ tough defensive mentality paced them in a 50-29 win in the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

15 Sports

OM Rebels set to begin spring football

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 2

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Marian Barksdale named OSD School Board President Marian Barksdale has just been unanimously elected as President of the Oxford School Board. Whitney Byars will rotate off of the board on the first Friday of the month of March.

Barksdale, a native of Meridian, moved to Oxford with her husband and three children in 2000 and has served on the Oxford School Board since 2005.

CHANING GREEN: Why did you first choose to get involved with the Oxford School Board?

MARIAN BARKSDALE: I’m a product of public education. My family was extremely supportive of the public education system.

When I lived in Atlanta, I got involved with the PTA there and they were very active. I attended some of the school board meetings there and that interest carried on here when my family and I moved. I just think it’s important for school

CHANING GREEN

Marian Barksdale was unanimously elected as President of the Oxford School Board this month. She begins her service in the position in March. boards to have members who have a deep care and concern for the health of the school system because I think that parlays into a healthy community.

GREEN: Did your kids attend the Oxford School District?

BARKSDALE: Yes. When we moved here, my son was in the fourth grade and

my twin daughters were in second grade. So we never went to Bramlett and Della Davidson didn’t exist at the time, but from OES on up, we’ve been a part of.

the meeting. I always enjoyed those. It’s just nice to be more deeply informed and be able to foster good relations within the school district. So I liked it.

GREEN: You have served as president before. How was it?

BARKSDALE: Oh, it was fine. It’s more responsibility, but as school board president, you have more conversations with the Superintendent. What I mean by that is, if there’s anything going on that requires attention, the president is one of the first people to know, if ideas need to be bounced around, they call the president. With this position, there’s a freer exchange of ideas and more casual conversations. I enjoy that. The president and the secretary meet with the president every month before the school board meeting to go over the agenda and make sure everything is in order for

GREEN: What do you like about serving on the school board?

BARKSDALE: To me, it’s very satisfying work because I believe so strongly in public education and providing the best opportunities for every child. It’s also really interesting to me. I feel like a lot of people might just glaze over at some of the issues we hash around at a school board meeting, but I find them all so very interesting. I love the people working in the district and the other members of the school board. It’s a really great group of people to be working with. I feel like I’m being a contributing member of society.

GREEN: What are some of

the issues that interest you the most?

BARKSDALE: Well, right now, one of the things that we’re really right up against is that our population is growing so quickly.

Since 2008, the school population has increased by over 1,000 students. For a small district, that’s enormous. In the next year or so, we’re looking at probably having another bond issue to raise funding for another school. We just finished building the new high school. Then we renovated the old high school and turned it into the middle school. We took care of some things that a lot of people wouldn’t immediately notice. We gave it better lighting, flooring and a beautiful paint job. We’ve also increased the security at the older schools so that the entrance, when you walk in, you walk into a secure place. A visitor doesn’t have access to the rest of the building until they go through a checkpoint.

This is also the second year of our one-to-one initiative in the high school and middle school, which is where every student has a laptop assigned to them.

We’re continuing to try to improve our use of the technology for instructional purposes. We want to help the teachers know how to best use them so that it is maximum educational experience for the student, but not the exclusive educational experience for the student. It’s about balancing all of that, and we’re still working with that. It’s hard to do.

We professional development for the teachers and they’re embracing it and it’s really coming along, but we always need to improve. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

We want to hear from you Let us know how we’re doing. Call us at (662) 801-9607, write to us at P.O. Box 1176, Oxford, MS 38655, email us at mail@oxfordcitizen.com or visit us online at oxfordcitizen.com.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 3

Ole Miss Toastmasters Club provides professional development

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

The Ole Miss Toastmasters meet every second and fourth Thursday of the month in conference room 230 in Holoman Hall. Nine people had shown up to the meeting held this past Thursday.

Toastmasters is an international organization with 15,400 clubs in 135 countries. The non-profit exists to provide professional development in the form of creating a space where its members can improve on their public speaking and leadership skills. The Ole Miss chapter was started when a university employee who was involved with the organization at another university approached Andrea Jekabsons. Jekabsons serves as the second-highest ranking member of the Ole Miss Toastmasters, Vice President Education.

She is also the Assistant Director for Employment, Professional Development and Engagement for the university.

“The testimonials were very convincing,” she said.

“Patrick Perry of Tallahatchie Toastmasters was also very persuasive. The program aligned with Human Resources’ desire to provide opportunities for professional development. HR committed to taking the lead in establishing the club. Now, club members have taken off running with the program.”

Currently, there are 13 members of Ole Miss Toastmasters. Employees leave the university and

students graduate, so that number fluctuates regularly.

Most of those in attendance were employees of the university and worked, in some capacity, with technology services. The Toastmaster, the club member that introduces theme of the meeting, was Barry Barnes. The theme was obstacles. He approached the podium after the club’s president, Johnny Price, banged a gavel to open the meeting.

Price works at the university as a classroom technology specialist.

Barry serves as Sergeant at Arms for the club, meaning, he is in charge of getting the meeting space ready. He greets visitors, lays out any needed papers and prepares any social events.

Barnes works at the university as a web developer at the National Sea Grant Law Center. He first got involved with Toastmasters while living in Jackson. He liked the group there and when he moved to Oxford, he discovered the university has one as well. It turns out that they meet during his lunch break, so he eagerly joined.

“When I got up to give my first speech, I didn’t really know what to say,” Barnes said. “Everyone was smiling, though.

Everyone was so inviting, and it was like they were all trying to help me, quietly. I like the environment.”

Barnes’s opening speech focused on the theme of the meeting, obstacles. He spoke about how life does not get easier but that we

get better because we learn to overcome those obstacles. Concluding his speech, Barnes turned the podium over to Anne M. Klingen, the secretary and treasurer of the club. At the university, she serves as director of the Department of Online Design and eLearning.

Klingen read a short story by Rudyard Kipling as an exercise on maintaining eye contact during a speech, as well as using different tones, voices and inflections to keep the audience engaged.

After that, Jekabsons introduced this meeting’s table topic. The way it works is that every member has the option of going to the podium and improvising a one to twominute speech based on the table topic. The audience votes on who they think performed the best, and a winner is elected.

For this one, Jekabsons produced five random photographs she printed CHANING GREEN from the internet. Speak- Toastmaster Barry Barnes gives his opening speech at the Ole Miss Toastmasters Club ers grabbed a photo and meeting. were challenged to “tell this story.”

The winner was Tobi Popoola, a Ph.D. student in business administration. He chose a photo of a woman lying in a field of flowers. He told the story from the woman’s perspective. She was daydreaming about her lover and how he had been late for their Valentine’s date.

At the end of the story, the woman decides to forgive him because, after all, she loves him. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 4

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Oxford Conference for the Book to be held next week

OBITUARIES JEFFREY EDWARD BENDER Jeffery Edward Bender, 68, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 at his home. A celebration of life service will be held at Coleman Funeral Home in Oxford on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2 to 4 at the same location. He will be honored at the Corinth Military Cemetery at a later date. Bender enlisted in the Air Force in served in Vietnam in 1969. Jeff married Margaret Joanne Mills in 1970.

During his full 20 years in the Air Force he served as a power lineman, Basic Military Training Instructor, and a First Sergeant at Kessler Air Force Base before retiring in 1989 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

ONEIL SPROUSE JOHNSTON Oneil Sprouse Johnston, 85, passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Funeral were held on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley with Bro. Raymond Aven and Bro. James West officiating. Burial followed in the Pine Crest Cemetery in Yalobusha County,. The family requests that memorials be made to Sylva Rena Baptist Church or to the church of their choice.

MINNIE PEARL BRITTEN Minnie Pearl Britten, passed away Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 at her home. Services were held Friday, Feb. 26 at East St. Peter Church in Abbeville. Hodges Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

sions, panels and readings; all readers will enjoy.”

The conference is free and open to the public.

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

The 23rd Oxford Conference for the Book is taking place this week, March 2-4. Beginning in 1993, the conference is put on through a partnership between Square Books and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi.

Journalists, novelists, poets, teachers, publishers and a variety of other professionals of the literary world will be attending the conference to participate in “events that celebrate the written word.”

James Thomas is the director of the conference. He works as the Associate Director for Publications at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.

“What we do is we bring in writers of various disciplines,” he said. “We’ve got fiction writers, poets, creative nonfiction, academic nonfiction. What we try to do is bring together writers and people in the book industry. We bring them here to have conversations and give the reading public an opportunity to interact with them.”

Thomas said that he has made an effort this year to make sure that the event is involves both the town and the university as much as possible. There are events scheduled at the J. D. Williams Library and the Overby Center, as well as Off Square Books and the Lafayette County Courthouse.

One of the events scheduled for

LIST OF SPEAKERS BY ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF LAST NAME:

Off Square Books is Thacker Mountain Radio. Authors reading that night are novelists Julia Claiborne Johnson and Ariel Lawhon.

The events at the courthouse are scheduled for Friday and will take place in the main courtroom.

They include a variety of discussion topics.

Thomas said that he does not necessarily have favorite author in this year’s line up; there are just too many to choose from. He spoke of new authors that had just published their first books and how exciting it is to have them be a part of the conference. Thomas also mentioned the poets that would be attending the conference, including Jericho Brown, whose first book “Please” won the American Book Award. There are also well known authors attending, like Rick Bass and Bobbie Ann Mason, who Thomas said, “have been writing great literature for decades now.”

The conference will also be taking part in the Pulitzer Prize Centennial Campfire Initiative. A joint

venture between the Pulitzer Prize Board and the Federation of State Humanities Council, the initiative features events across the nation, celebrating the centennial of the highly coveted literature award.

The Oxford Conference for the Book will feature two Pulitzer Prize winners, Sheri Fink and Edward J. Larson, as they discuss their work.

Lyn Roberts is the General Manager of Square Books and has been with the bookstore since 1988. She’s been involved with the conference from the very beginning. Roberts said she is always delighted to see the different variety of presenters and readers who attend the conference. She said that the event is one of her favorites due to the topic.

“The programming about books, but books in various aspects and genres, so there is something to interest everyone,” Roberts said. “The conference does not have an academic focus, so one does not have to be a scholar to appreciate the discus-

Rick Bass Taylor Brown Vereen Bell Joseph Crespino Jericho Brown Chiyuma Elliott Mark Essig Robert Gripe Sheri Fink Matthew Griffin Derrick Harriell Rebecca Morgan Frank Julia Claiborne Johnson Richard Katrovas Laurie Keller Kiese Laymon Edward J. Larson Bobbie Ann Mason Ariel Lawhon Margaret McMullan Sara Camp Milam Catarina Passidomo Dennis J. Mitchell Katie Peterson Minion “K.C.” Morrison LaKisha Michelle Simmons Ted Ownby Holly Goldberg Sloan Young Suh Jessica Wilkerson David Wharton Caki Wilkinson Curtis Wilkie chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

Ole Miss hosts FIRST Tech Challenge

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Saturday, the University of Mississippi’s Center for Math and Science Education, CMSE, hosted the Mississippi final competition for the FIRST Tech Challenge.

The competition is centered on a challenge, and the challenge changes every year. This year’s challenge is called FIRST RESQ. It is played on a 12-by-12-foot field with foam floors and surrounded by a foot high wall.

Two simulated mountains are on opposite sides of the field. Each mountain is divided up into two climbing zones that each team climbs up. The higher you can climb, the more points you get. There are two robots on each team and they alternate for each match.

The robot that was your ally

in one match could be your enemy in the next.

The goal of the challenge is to score as many points as possible. Points are scored in several different ways. The field is covered with debris, simulated by 50 blocks and 30 whiffle balls. Putting debris into designated zones along the mountain scores points.There are also 14 hikers, simulated by figures that are about 5 inches tall, who need to be rescued and deposited into a safety zone.

Six of the figures are on zip lines that can be triggered for a certain amount of points. The other eight are loaded onto the four robots on the field in groups of two.

The robots are controlled by smartphones. FTC provides an app template and the competitors make adjustments to fit their robots’ specific needs.

Rounds are played and

CHANING GREEN

Jackson Preparatory High School students Zach Richardson (left) and Jack Huang (right) work on their robot, PatriotBot, that competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge hosted by the University of Mississippi’s Center for Math and Science Education. players are ranked. That ranking faces off in competition until the top four champion teams are declared. Those four go on to compete in the regional competition in San Antonio.

After that, the international competition is held in St. Louis at the end of April. Last year, Mississippi had three teams compete in that one.

Any organization can send a team. Most of them

are schools that have clubs specifically for the event but others are church groups and young people in communities that get together to compete.

FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.

They have competitions for age groups ranging from age 6 to seniors in high school. The have FIRST LEGO League Jr., FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition. Each of those is a completion that involves a challenge that is completed with use of robotics.

Dean Kamen founded the nonprofit to get more young people involved in science and techThe nology fields. organization is now active in over 80 countries and has more than 400,000 kids participating worldwide.

Jackson Preparatory School’s competing team goes by the moniker PatriotBot. Before the competition began, team captain Jack Huang and his teammate Zach Richardson were making final adjustments to their robot. Huang and Richardson said they enjoy the competitions are definitely considering going into science and technology fields after high school.

“I personally put in around 100 [hours],” Huang said when asked how long it had taken to get the robot ready. “Compared to some teams, that number is pretty low. We’re here because enjoy engineering and figuring out a way to solve a problem, like the challenge this year. Every time we come, it’s a good time.” chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 5

Della Davidson students plant trees

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Students at Della Davidson pose for a silly photo after planting trees. (Front row, left to right) Nathaniel Cooper, Pearson Windham, Jack Swingle, Luke Farese, Hiram Eastland, Elizabeth Farmer, PattyBell Jernigan, Nick Nagle (back row, left to right) David Houston, John Hobson, Joey Hogan, Jack Harper,Laurie Beth Ellis, Kaitlyn Urbanek, Maggie Hazlewood, Elisa Karahan, Janiyah Taylor, Lee Patterson, Joy Youngblood and Sarah Rowlett.

Jack Swingle helps to dig a small hole in the garden of Della Davidson Elementary School under the supervision of Lee Patterson as his peers watch. The students then watched as Patterson planted a Santa Rosa Plum tree.

Lee Patterson of Lafayette County Soil and Water Conservation laid out saplings on a picnic table last Thursday afternoon at Della Davidson Elementary School. Patterson, along with colleagues, was there to educate students on the importance of taking care of our natural resources and to help them better understand how many resources it takes in order for a tree to grow.

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PAGE 6

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

JOHN DAVIS

Several members of law enforcement were recognized during the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association banquet Thursday night. They included, from left, Calvin Sellers, James Frye, James Kimmons Gray, Ray Sockwell Jr and Bruce Jenkins.

Sockwell Jr. named Officer of the Year by his peers

BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

There wasn’t a lot of time spent behind the podium for Ray Sockwell Jr. Attention is not something he craves.

But when you’re named Officer of the Year for the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association, a little time in the spotlight is deserved, and expected.

Sockwell was very thankful to earn the award given out annually by his fellow officers at the yearly banquet.

The investigator with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department has made law enforcement his life as opposed to his profession. He said that he had no idea that he had been nominated by Scott Mills, the chief deputy with the department.

“My wife is not here, my parents, only my son is here,” said Sockwell when asked if had an idea that he would be winning the award. “I was totally surprised. It’s always nice to be recognized, but I’m no different than any other officer that’s out here. I’m just a lit-

tle older and I’ve been fortunate to have a few more opportunities. I feel fortunate, and blessed.”

Thursday’s banquet revolved around unity and support for one another.

Charlie Spillers, a retired law enforcement agent who had 42 years of experience, stressed integrity, courage and compassion during his time behind the podium serving as the guest speaker.

Being a member of law enforcement, in a town and county like Oxford and Lafayette, is a big deal because of the support. There are many agencies that don’t get the support like they do here locally, Sockwell said. “(Spillers) was spot on with what he said, that we are truly fortunate to have the type of community that is so supportive of law enforcement,” Sockwell said. “You have that here probably moreso than other places. We all know each other’s wives and kids. A lot of times you will see the people that you hang around are other cops. It’s just a real tight knit community. I feel

Ray Sockwell Jr was named Officer of the Year at the end of Charlie Spillers, a former undercover agent, was the guest speaker at the event. the night. truly fortunate to work here.”

Jeff Davis, the outgoing president of the association, said it was always great to get everyone together.

“It’s good to get together like Charlie said instead of at funerals and support each other. It’s a great community of law enforcement officers and I hope the community realizes how lucky they are to have the law enforcement we have in this community,”

said Davis, who worked 22 years with the U.S. Marshall’s service. “I thought Charlie’s speech was inspirational. It hit home with integrity and courage, the reasons these guys are cops and the reason that these guys are still in law enforcement.”

Spillers, who has just written a new book called “Confessions of an Undercover Agent,” cited several stories about unity and supporting

fellow officers. Spillers, an ex Marine, worked in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as an undercover agent as well as with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

There were two high school students who were honored during the banquet. Malia Carothers of Lafayette High School won the Youth Character award.

She was recommended for the award by Kim Maples of the LHS counseling center.

Mario Weekly of the Oxford Police Department nominated Lydia Holland as the Student of the Year for the OPDC. Joe Maples won Support Personnel of the Year. He was nominated by Captain Timmy Pruitt of the sheriff’s department. Maples has riding as a reserve deputy for eight years.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

February Faces February was a busy, busy month in the local sports world.These are some of the people that helped make the events so special.

PAGE 7

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 8

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

National Geographic's Giant Traveling Map of Asia stops at OES

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Tuesday afternoon from 3-6 p.m. Oxford Elementary School hosted a National Geographic Kids Giant Traveling Map of Asia.

The map was brought to the school by the Mississippi Geographic Alliance, MGA, which is headquartered at the University of Mississippi. The organization is an affiliate of the National Geographic Society. They rented the map of Asia from National Geographic and are going all over the state of Mississippi and letting kids and their families experience it.

The map is 33 feet long and 26 feet wide. It took up a decent portion of the gymnasium at the school. Kids and parents were allowed to walk around on the map after removing their shoes to prevent damaging it. The point of the map, of having it so large that kids are able to walk across it, is that it appeals to their special reasoning in a more direct way.

Barbara Boone is a retired teacher from Petal and a member of the MGA’s Steering Committee. Boone said that the benefit of having a giant map

about Japanese culture and school life. A native of Japan, Iwata said that she thoroughly enjoyed working with MGA because it gave her the chance to get into Mississippi schools and answer any questions the kids or parents might have about her culture.

“I love when people ask me questions when they’re interested in Japan,” she said. “I’m learning from what they ask. I didn’t think the things I knew about Japan were so special, but, for them, Japan is so unfamiliar.

They have all these questions that are unique. I love it.”

Eden Bass is a first grader at Oxford Elementary School and was there with her mom to see the map. She said that one of her favorite parts of the map was that it had a tiny sliver of Africa on it. It shows much of Ethiopia, where Bass was born. She said she also learned a lot about where counCHANING GREEN tries in Asia are located.

“I learned where Japan is on Chieko Iwata with MSU’s Japan Outreach Program shows children a Japanese elementary school textbook Tuesthe map of Asia,” she said. “It’s all day night in the Oxford Elementary School Gymnasium. the way over there by China. I that kids can move around on is Macedonia and know that the University. Iwata has been trav- learned that Russia is the biggest that they can grasp where things latter is left of the former. eling with the map since it made one on the map.” are much better than if they Also at the event was Chieko stops in Jackson. She was were looking at a map in a book. Iwata, the Japan Outreach Coor- dressed in a traditional kimono chaning.green@journalinc.com They can walk from Japan to dinator for Mississippi State while she educated children Twitter: chaningthegreen

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 9

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Caroline Felker

Blake Thompson

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234 Birch Tree Loop MLS# 135374

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 11

Danny Flowers

Eileen Saunders

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Martin Mesecke

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PAGE 12

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 13

AND THE

AROUND SQUARE BEYOND JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

Boone reflects on his time as Ole Miss AD

t’s been almost four years since Pete Boone was in charge of Ole Miss athletics. The former Rebel offensive lineman, who played for the legendary Johnny Vaught, served as AD two different times. The first stint came in 1994 and lasted through 1998. He came back to Oxford in 2002 and served in that role for another decade. Boone saw a lot of things change in overall athletics and in the SEC while he was in office.

He keeps up with the Rebels from a sports standpoint even if doesn’t always attend the games.

“I watch it all on TV,” Boone said. “I dearly love Ole Miss and I’m passionate about it, but I’ve been to a lot of Ole Miss stuff. I probably don’t enjoy the crowds as much as maybe I used to. I still buy tickets and donate money because it takes all of that to make it work.”

Baseball is the sport that Boone goes to the most because, as he said, it’s easy to get in and get out.

“You can go in the first or second inning and if you need to leave in the eighth or ninth inning, you can,” Boone said. “It’s just not as intense. Of course Mike (Bianco) has always put a great team out there. I’m just pretty flexible about what I can do.”

Going on a week-long vacation is something Boone never did when he was AD. He also rarely worked on his home, and the 165 acres that surround it, because he just never had the time. He and his wife built a home down in Orange Beach, Alabama since he has retired, and that took a year to complete. Boone also said he works out four or five days a week for about an hour.

“I always find things to do. It used to be, when something was broken or the battery was down, I would get so frustrated because I only had so much time to get it done in,” Boone said. “Now, my patience is so much better. If something isn’t working right, I can

I

TURN TO BOONE PAGE 16

JOEY BRENT

Oxford's Aliyah Herod (3) goes in for basket past Vicksburg's Leslee Toole (5). Oxford defeats Vicksburg 50-29 in the MHSAA Class 5A playoff contest.

Getting defensive Oxford clamps down on Vicksburg

BY BEN MIKELL SPORTS WRITER

Oxford didn’t need its balance on offense, not with its defense playing as well as it did Friday night against Vicksburg’s Lady Gators. The Lady Chargers’ tough defensive mentality paced them in a 5029 win in the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

It was their 17th straight win, and their first playoff victory since taking home the coveted gold ball in 2012. Friday’s victory also propelled the Lady Chargers (25-4 overall) to play Hattiesburg at Jackson State this coming Friday in the 5A state tournament.

Oxford coach Cliff Ormon believed that the effort his team had on defense during the contest never allowed Vicksburg (13-17 overall) to get any rhythm offensively.

“These kids are tough, they bought into that,” Ormon said. “In the second quarter,

we kinda looked at the scoreboard and talked about some of the things we had worked on all week getting ready for this game. We were forcing Vicksburg to do what we wanted such as blocking out and not allowing second chance points with that. Once they locked in, they made the extra effort diving on the floor whatever it was Tiara King, Aliyah Herod, Emma Schultz, Kyla (Malone), just a team effort on defense getting after it.

It was fun to see.”

The solid defense allowed Oxford to keep a 15- to 20point lead throughout the third quarter. Both teams combined for just 11 points in those eight minutes. Ormon thought his team was forcing the issue on offense when the Lady Chargers didn’t need to do so.

“I thought we started to press,” Ormon said of Oxford’s second half offensive struggles. “We tried to do a little too

much, things we didn’t have to do with the lead we had.

The girls were excited about the opportunity (of playing in the playoffs). I think they played to that a little bit and caused a few unnecessary forced passes.”

Oxford forward Jordan Freeze played in her first game since turning her ankle in a travel volleyball tournament.

Ormon is glad to have her back to add some much needed depth, but both agreed that her first game back wasn’t her best.

“There’s no doubt whenever you’ve been out for two and a half weeks of competition it’s going to take getting back into how competitive it is, the quickness you need to play with,” Ormon said. “Jordan did some good things for us. If you ask her, she’s played better. We do need her. She came in a stuck a big 3 to put us up 20 right from the get go.

There’s no doubt she’s an im-

portant piece but it is going to be a process getting her back to full speed.”

Oxford was led by Malone’s 14 points. Herod added 11 points. King and Schultz each chipped in nine points apiece in the win over Vicksburg.

Oxford will be taking on a Hattiesburg team that competed in 6A last year and made it to Jackson before falling to Starkville in the quarterfinals. Ormon knows if they want to make a deeper run in the playoffs, they must stop a powerful team in Hattiesburg.

“They were in Jackson last year,” Ormon said of Hattiesburg. “They’ve won 25 games so we know they’ve won in their area. They’ve played a tough schedule and been successful and beat a lot of good teams. We’ll have our hands full. We will try to put together a game plan put these kids out there and see what they can do.”

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 14

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

JOHN DAVIS

Shaniyah Buford led Lafayette with 26 points in Friday's MHSAA Class 4A playoff win over Leake Central. The 68-30 win advanced the Lady Commodores on to play Florence at Jackson State.

Jackson bound Buford paces LHS in win over Lady Gators

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Before Leake Central even hit the floor at the Lafayette High gym Friday night, coach Tyler Sparks told his team that the MHSAA Class 4A playoff contest would be a challenge. Sparks told his Lady Gators how good Shaniyah Buford was and how big and fast Shayne Linzy’s team could be.

Everything Sparks told his players turned out to be true, which was a bad thing in regards to its 2015-16 season. Buford scored 26 points to key a 68-30 win and advance the Lady Commodores to the MHSAA Class 4A state tournament.

“I scouted Lafayette at Christmas so I knew what was coming. I knew they were much bigger and

more physical and we’re not very big and unless we’re shooting well, it’s hard,” Sparks said following the setback. “I knew (Buford) was going to be hard on us to guard. I didn’t have anybody her size, or her speed, to put on her.

Do I go with a smaller girl who is faster or do I go with a bigger girl who is slower.

It was sort of a Catch 22.”

It actually turned out to be more like a catch No. 3, Buford’s number. Leake Central had trouble finding her on defense and when the Lady Gators did get out on her, Buford drive right on past them for buckets.

She scored the first seven points of the game, and had 23 of her 26 in the first half.

Linzy said Buford was motivated to play well after being held to 14 points by Shannon in

the 2012 state title.

“It’s an awesome experience to go to Jackson. The kids are going to love it,” Linzy said. “And bottom line, that’s why we do it, we do it for these girls or boys, whatever you’re coaching.”

Lafayette, which never trailed Friday, will play Florence Thursday at Jackson State. That contest will start at 5:30 p.m.

“I’ve been following them and several other teams from the south all year and they are good but we’re going to make sure that we take care of Lafayette first,” Linzy said.

“We’re going to make sure we handle our team and if we play our game, that’s going to give us the best GOING TO JACKSON This is the fourth time opportunity to be successthat Linzy has led a team ful.” to Jackson for the state tournament, and his first Lafayette's Alexis Williams drives to the basket during the john.davis@journalinc.com since leading Oxford to first half.

Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Monday’s first round.

“She really went after it tonight. She really stepped up tonight,” Linzy said of Buford. “It’s an awesome experience to go to Jackson. The kids are going to love it. And bottom line, that’s why we do it, we do it for these girls.”

Some other LHS players that stood out to Linzy were Shelbi Buford, who almost had a triple double, Xhiir Burgess, Mariah Holland and Orianna Shaw combined to have 25 rebounds.

“We owned the boards tonight, and that was a huge, huge difference in the game,” Linzy said.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 15

OM Rebels set to begin spring football

he finished with 25 tackles.

Another corner who impressed once he was thrust into the spotlight was Cam Ordway.

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

With National Signing Day way in the rearview mirror, spring drills are set to start with the Ole Miss Rebels. Hugh Freeze has some holes to fill at wide receiver, along the offensive line and on defense.

Thankfully for him, quarterback Chad Kelly is back.

The former East Mississippi Community College standout was fabulous in his first season in Oxford.

He was the first Ole Miss player since Archie Manning to win the MVP award in the Sugar Bowl and the first quarterback to lead the Rebels to five teams ranked in the top 25 since Jake Gibbs.

Kelly led the SEC in yards per game (310.6) and he finished with 31 touchdowns thrown and 41 touchdowns accounted for.

His experience, and overall play making ability, give the Rebels a real leg up heading into the 2016 season.

Shea Patterson will back up Kelly during the spring with Ryan Buchanan out of the picture now at quarterback. Patterson has all the tools to be a great signal caller for the Rebels in time.

How much he plays remains to be seen, and the spring will tell us more on the plan. Jason Pellerin can play for the first time in 2016. The Louisiana native redshirted this past fall. He is a dual-threat quarterback who could do special packages like Barry Brunetti handled when he was on campus.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Laremy Tunsil is off to the NFL which means the Rebels have to find a suitable replacement to protect Kelly’s blind side. Of course, the Rebels need to find a new center and solidify all the overall spots inside during the spring. Javon Patterson, who played well as a true freshman, is a candidate to see time at center.

Eli Johnson, who was just signed, will also compete for time at center now that Ben Still and Justin Bell have departed the roster.

Robert Conyers could end up being the center, but he will miss spring as he recovers from his knee surgery.

LINEBACKER

Demarquis Gates went from being a reserve to leading the team in tackles with 76. He appeared in all 13 games last year, but only started four. His play-making ability gives Wommack a very versatile defender to be used in a number of different ways.

Who plays alongside Gates remains to be seen as a host of players will be worked in and out. Terry Caldwell is back a year after making 32 stops. A player to watch is newcomer Donta Evans, who is big enough (222 pounds) and fast enough to play either the middle spot or Stinger.

LINE

LAUREN WOOD

Ole Miss is set to start spring football drills next Thursday. Chad Kelly is back to lead the offense from his quarterback spot.

Greg Little is projected to play at left tackle once he gets to campus, but starting and playing are two different things. And since Little isn’t in Oxford, Freeze and offensive line coach Matt Luke need a left tackle.

Sophomore Sean Rawlings played right tackle last season, and he could factor in there at that spot. Alex Givens redshirted last season and his 6-foot-6 frame provides needed length that either of the tackle positions require. Daronte Bouldin is also another name to keep an eye on during spring drills from a tackle standpoint. Another name to look out for is Jeremy Liggins, who has played offensive line and been the extra blocking tight end.

Jordan Sims and Rod Taylor are certainly going to be involved inside at the guard spots, especially if Patterson ends up playing center. Sims is sophomore, while Taylor is a junior.

WIDE RECEIVERS/ TIGHT END There are a number of skilled pass catchers for Kelly to throw to. Evan Engram, who returned for his senior season, leads the way at tight end. He caught 38 passes for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 2015.

Expect an even bigger role for him this coming season.

Behind Engram is Willie Hibbler and Gabe Angel, a signee who graduated high school early to go through spring drills. Seniors Taz Zettergren and Hunter Thurley and freshman Dawson Knox are also members of the tight end unit.

Treadwell may be departed, but Damore’ea Stringfellow’s 6-2 frame is still around. He caught 36 passes with five going for touchdowns last season.

Quincy Adeboyejo, who was second on the team with 38 grabs, is also back.

Markell Pack, who finished with 31 catches, is another

talented returner. DeMarkus Lodge and Van Jefferson are both expected to round out the list of wideouts. This will be their first spring and another chance to impress before DK Metcalf and AJ Brown are added to the roster.

RUNNING BACK Akeem Judd, a senior, and Jordan Wilkins, a junior are the top two returners from an experience standpoint with Jaylen Walton gone due to graduation.

Judd and Wilkins both showed improvement as the year progressed in 2015. Judd finished with 421 yards, while Wilkins topped out at 379. The duo combined to rush for seven touchdowns. Eugene Brazley, a junior, and DK Buford, a sophomore, have also seen limited action.

The newcomer to watch out for is Eric Swinney. The 5-9, 197-pound Georgia native redshirted last season, but he is expected to

push for a starting job due his combination of power and speed.

DEFENSE There are 16 players that play in the back of Dave Wommack’s 4-2-5 defense.

That depth should only make this spring more competitive there. Tony Conner was still in the process of recovering from his injury, but he will be back to lead the backfield in the fall for sure.

AJ and CJ Moore are both back. CJ Hampton has experience, but it’s time for him to take a few more steps as a player with Mike Hilton and Trae Elston both departed. Kendarius Webster and Tony Bridges are both the starters at cornerback and both had consistent seasons in 2015 even if neither was able to do some of the things Senquez Golson did in 2014.

Zedrick Woods, a sophomore, showed a lot of promise for the Rebels as

There is a lot of depth at both positions for Wommack to work with. Marquis Haynes, who made 10 sacks to lead the team, is back on the outside, while Breeland Speaks, who finished with 32 tackles last year, is the leader inside with Nkemdiche gone.

Another good thing is the return of Issac Gross inside.

The former South Panola standout has an explosive first step that can’t be matched. Benito Jones is also certainly going to factor into the mix inside, while Fadol Brown is another experienced player at end.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Gary Wunderlich is back to handle the kicking duties for the Rebels. He made 19 of 25 field goals this past fall, and also helped some on punts. Will Gleeson was the primary punter last year. He averaged 40.7 yards per punt.

Nathan Noble is also back to handle kickoffs. Noble is a senior, while Gleeson and Wunderlich are both juniors. Senior Will Few is back as the long snapper.

Finding a reliable punt returner is one of the top things for the staff to look at during the spring drills with Collins Moore departed. Kick returner duties could be handled by Carlos Davis, Brazley and Wilkins.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 16

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

Chargers have talent to three peat in 2016

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Busy only begins to describe the winter and early spring of the Oxford Chargers on the track. Chris Bush has shuttled his team back and forth to different events. They have been to Birmingham, Alabama for indoor meets four times.

Last weekend, the two teams competed in the in the Kentucky Indoor High School Invitational. And in a week, several members of the team will be off to New York to compete in the high school indoor nationals.

This past year, with Birmingham so easy to reach, the team has done more before the outdoor season than ever before.

“It’s a blessing to have something that close. We don’t have anything like that in Mississippi and there is no telling when we will get something,” Bush said adding it gave his team confidence. “Our 4x200 is No. 6 in the country right now. Our 4x4 is No. 10 in the U.S. Then you look at James Burnett and he just went 47.79 in the 400 and that makes him No. 7 indoor right now. The guys have gone out and competed well and the thing about track is you can run wherever you’re at and then look online and see where you stand nationally. For those guys to be ranked that high shows the amount of hard work they have put in

Boone FROM PAGE 13

go and get the stuff to do it right and learn how to fix myself. I’m not frustrated at all or like I used to be because I have the time to get it done. It’s been great. I have really enjoyed it.”

Andy Kennedy is the last head coach that Boone was involved in hiring. He didn’t hire Bianco, but he did have to hold off LSU from getting him back when the Tigers let go of Smoke Laval. Boone said that former LSU AD Skip Bertman called him and said “What was I going to do?”

“I told him ‘Skip, it won’t be a money thing. He won’t

this indoor season.”

Burnett is coming back after a year away from the sport. He was injured last year, and Bush said that his success shows his drive and determination.

“There a lot of kids or people in general that get hurt and you have to learn how to trust your leg, trust your body all over again,” Bush said. “For him to come back shows his will and his drive. The 47.79 is the fastest 400 in Oxford High School.”

Jacquez Neilson performed at a high level in the shot put during the indoor season, and Bush felt if Neilson continued to improve, he had a shot at winning state. DQ Thomas is back to throw the discus and he was just an inch from qualifying for last year’s state meet.

Tias Hilliard and DK Metcalf are coming back in the triple jump. Hilliard is back in the long jump, and Bush wanted to see another athlete there.

On the track, Bush said the team was strongest in sprints. From a distance standpoint, the Chargers have experience with Jonathan Tyler, John Owen Yoste and Alex Thomas. In the 800, Bush said Kenard Harris has the potential to be a top performer there.

“We also have some strong 400 runners. We have Burnett, Jaquan Webb, Kenard Harris and AJ Gable,” Bush said. “It’s one of our events where we have a lot of depth. If you leave here because of money,’” Boone told Bertman. “He may leave for other things like loyalty to LSU and playing ball there.

And he said that’s what I wanted to know. Mike and I got together and really gave him what he deserved, No. 1, based on what other SEC winning coaches were getting. I think he and his family just love it here and have for years.”

Of course Boone had to “keep” Houston Nutt away from Kansas in the late part of his tenure. Boone said a lot of speculation about a coach leaving for another job revolves around agents, and fans, he said.

JOHN DAVIS

Oxford track coach Chris Bush feels good about his depth and talent heading into the 2016 outdoor season. The Chargers have won back-to-back titles. fashion this year,” Bush said. “On the surface, we do lack some of the depth that we’ve had in previous years in certain areas. I do think overall, we should have enough balance. With Pearl leaving, we are the team to catch in 5A. Other coaches are going to have to be working if they’re going to catch us.”

can do the 400, you can do just about anything.”

In the short sprints, Webb and Devin Rockette will be the mainstays, Bush felt. Webb broke the school record in the 60 meter last weekend in Kentucky. Both of the 60 times that the two have recorded translate to times less than 11 seconds in the 100. Rockette, Webb and Burnett have the potential to run the 200.

“I think we have a team that can three-peat and match the girls and win in

meter school record with a time of 7.88 seconds. The record was set by teammate Montayshia Wadley.

Wadley ran 7.90 in the 60, just 0.2 seconds off of her best time. Neilson threw a personal best of 45 feet, 7.25 inches to take 12th in the shot put. Harris ran 50.29 to take 14th in the 400. Burnett took 4th place in the 400 with a time of 47.79. Burnett RECENT RESULTS In Kentucky, Kadijah went on to take 9th in the Ramsey set the tone for 200 with a time of 22.08. the meet by tying the 60 Burnett is ranked 37th in

the nation in the 200. The 4x400 relay of Harris, AJ Gable, Webb, and Burnett took 4th with a time of 3 minutes:20.56 seconds.

That is the fastest time in school history, and ranks the relay 10th in the nation. Up next, the Chargers and Lady Chargers that qualified will compete in New York at the New Balance Indoor Nationals March 11th-13th.

“Someone says something and someone repeats it and now there is two sources,” Boone said with a laugh. “Most of those things, there was nothing to them. If anything, it was a fleeting thought on some AD’s mind. Bertman was the only AD that called and they’re supposed to call.

That’s an NCAA rule.

Everything is done back door now, and always has been, I’m sure.”

Boone and Bertman were close when the two were in office. The two knew each other when Boone lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was working in the banking business.

“He and Joe Dean, we

just had a great relationship,” Boone said. “The best part of it all was being in the athletics director group with all those iconic sorts of AD’s. It was a great time to be in that group.”

Mike Slive was somebody who Boone said made a big difference in regards to the SEC, and involving everyone compared to Roy Kramer, who Boone dealt with more his first tenure.

“Roy he’s a nice guy, great guy. At the time, if you can believe it, I was actually new school from a thinking standpoint, and to a certain extent, it felt like you had to earn some stripes in order to get a voice at the table with

Roy,” Boone said. “When Mike came in, he just encouraged everyone to talk.

There were many times early and then when I was the chairman where the discussion would get to be pretty intense and it would just stop. Well, Robert’s Rule of Order is when you don’t have any more discussion, you ask for a vote. Mike would just tap me on the hand and say ‘Let’s just wait a minute.’ And sure enough, somebody would say something and then somebody else would say something and you actually got the facts and feelings out on the table in order to make good decisions. Mike brought that

sort of feeling to everyone, that you were just as important as the next person. We got a lot done.

And in those meetings, it’s not so easy going. There are things that affect one school negatively that affect another school positively. You have to work through those things and I think Mike did an outstanding job of making everyone feel like they had a voice. When votes were taken and decisions were made, we were all one going forward.”

For more on Boone, see the coming print editions of the Citizen.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 17

Oxford’s Nash likes how far ahead his Chargers are said that he still hits on the weekends to keep in shape.

Sarah Nash also missed a little time due to the soccer team winning the MHSAA Class 5A state title.

“Will will be fine when he gets here. He will certainly be in condition,” Nash said.

“That’s the good part about them coming to you from another sport. They’re already in physical shape and he won’t have to hit many balls up to snuff. He’s pretty much got a natural game anyway.”

With Swindoll away, Bo Nash was the player that was the most consistent on the court. Max Mauney is also back on that side, while Ryan Mounce was expected to play a good bit.

Sam Peeler and Jordan Whitwell also have a chance to play some.

There will be some tough tests for the Chargers. Nash has the team signed up to play in the Pensacola, Florida tournament he has routinely gone to as well as one in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“When we get back from

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Oxford High has dominated the high school tennis landscape for almost a decade. Even before the Chargers won the first of eight straight titles under coach Louis Nash, the program was right at the top in regards to tennis success.

Each spring, when February turns to March, the Chargers have always been working hard, but this year, Nash felt his talented roster was ahead of the game in that regard. Principal Bradley Roberson let the tennis team practice for a period in the fall and since the first of January, the weather has been favorable as well.

“For January and February, we’ve gotten to play a lot of outside tennis. And that’s not always been the case,” Nash said. “In the past, we’ve practiced in a little bit of sleet and snow.

We haven’t had to do that this year. It’s been cold a few days but nothing terrible.”

JOHN DAVIS

The Oxford High tennis team is set to begin its 2016 season next week.The Chargers have won eight straight state titles, and are in position to win a ninth.

Callan Shinall and Will Swindoll, who both signed with Meridian Community College Wednesday, are back as are other familiar names like Gus Morgan, Abbie Vaughn, Grace Ann Jones, Sarah Nash and Mc-

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more injuries than usual.

Callan threw his shoulder out swinging at an overhead shot, so he was out about four weeks.”

Swindoll will not be with the Chargers until he gets done with basketball. Nash

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“Those are all good kids and good players,” Nash said. “We have had some

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2005 MINI COOPER S

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stk# UV6603 $

$

24,500

7,500

2012 FORD FOCUS SE

Chattanooga, we will have all the tennis that we would have wanted plus a little more,” Nash said. “We will have played everyone we would have wanted to play because you’re talking about nationally ranked teams there. It’s just like Pensacola. You’re going to be working hard just to stay in the match and try to win it.”

There is a chance for some competitive matches inside the state, Nash said adding that Tupelo, Madison Central and Northwest Rankin will be tough to beat.

“We have a team that can win. We don’t really have a team that just blow you out,” he said. “In the past we’ve fared pretty well in closes matches. I think down the road, by the time it’s done, we’re going to be better than what we were. I think we have a lot more kids playing a lot of tennis.

We have 62 kids altogether.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 18

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

OXFORD

toll free • 800.270.2622 p • 662.842.2622 f • 662.620.8301

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Publication of any classified advertisement does not constitute endorsement by Journal Publishing Company. We make every effort to screen out advertising that may not be legitimate. However, since we can not guarantee the legitimacy of our advertisers, you are advised to beware of offers that appear to be too good to be true, misleading ads and those that ask you to send money.

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Please contact the church office at (662) 234-7868 or Lola Pearson at (662) 607-2069.

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Advertisements in this classification usually offer informational service or products designed to help FIND employment. Before you send money to any advertiser, it is your responsibility to verify the validity of the offer. Some ads may require a toll call or a directory purchase. Inquiries can be made by contacting the Better Business Bureau at 1800-987-8280

Oxford Citizen Classifieds are here to serve your needs.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

PAGE 19

OXFORD TENNIS SIGNING CEREMONY

REAL ESTATE All Real Estate advertising herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

If you believe that you may have been discriminated against in connection with the sale, rental or financing of housing, call The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 1-800-669-9777.

Land SARDIS LAKE ESTATES 80’ X 275’ LOT CLOSE TO SARDIS LAKE $2800 OR BEST OFFER (740)491-8756

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PREP BASEBALL ROUNDUP ARD, BISHOP PACE LHS IN OPENER

Two big innings early helped lead the Lafayette Commodores to an 8-4 win over Lewisburg in the 2016 opener Friday.

The Commodores scored four runs in each the first and second innings and then held the Patriots at bay. Mack Bishop garnered the win on the mound for the Commodores, while Reed Robinson earned the save as he worked the final three innings. Reed and Robinson combined to strike out nine batters.

Will Ard hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to pace the Commodores on offense. Ard finished the game a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, with two of the

hits being home runs. Will Cullen had a double and he drove in two runs for the Commodores, who had eight hits overall in the victory.

CHARGERS’ ROTH ALMOST PERFECT Houston Roth was one pitch from a perfect game in the 2016 opener for the Oxford Chargers.

The Ole Miss signee gave up just one hit in his complete-game effort that Oxford won 8-0. He finished with 16 strikeouts and also had two hits at the plate. The Chargers scored half of their runs in the bottom of the first inning. Grae Kessinger also had mutliple hits, while Drew Bianco and Thomas Dillard added a double and a triple, respectively.

JOHN DAVIS

Oxford tennis players Callan Shinall, left, and Will Swindoll signed scholarships to play at Merdian Community College Wednesday. Joining the duo at the signing ceremony were family and head coach Louis Nash.

OLE MISS SPORTS ROUNDUP BASEBALL The Rebels gave No. 2 Louisville its first loss of the 2016 season Friday with a 6-5 win at OxfordUniversity Stadium.

The Rebels used a four-run fourth inning off Louisville ace Kyle Funkhouser (1-1) to hand the Cardinals (4-1) their first setback of the year.

Redshirt-junior Brady Bramlett (2-0) earned the victory on the mound, striking out eight and limiting the high-powered Louisville offense to three runs in five innings. Coming into the contest, the Cardinals were averaging over 14 runs per game. Bramlett picked up his second win of the season before junior Wyatt Short added his second save of 2016.

At the dish, sophomore Tate Blackman extended his hitting streak to five games with a 1-for-3 performance. Will Golsan also continued to make his mark, stepping up to the plate for the third time in five games with the bases loaded

and hit for a RBI. As a team, Ole Miss recorded six hits, but drew eight walks throughout the night.

The final contest of the threegame series was set for 1:30 p.m.

Junior Miranda Strother led the offense on the day with a .667 average. She drove in five runs off four hits overall, one triple and one double and also stole three bases.

SOFTBALL

TENNIS

The pitching staff allowed just a six combined hits to lead the Rebels past Northern Iowa, 5-0, and Stephen F. Austin, 4-2, Friday in the Ole Miss Classic at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

The Rebels (11-3) pitched their third shutout of 2016 in the home opener behind Alyssa Clayton’s dominating performance, and came back in game two to defeat Stephen F. Austin in another stellar pitching effort from Madi Osias.

As a unit the three pitchers of Osias, Clayton and Elisha Jahnke combined to allow just six hits and hold opposing hitters to a .125 clip on the day. They struck out 15 batters, allowed just two earned runs and maintained a 1.00 ERA in day one of the tournament.

The No. 19 Ole Miss men’s tennis team won a close doubles point and never let up Friday, sweeping South Alabama 7-0 to improve to 5-2 overall.??In just their second outdoor match of the season, the Rebels earned doubles wins on courts two and one to take the early 1-0 lead. Stefan Lindmark and Ricardo Jorge cruised 6-1 and then Filip Kraljevic and Zvonimir Babic, newly ranked No. 54, finished off a 7-5 win at No. 1 doubles to give Ole Miss the 1-0 lead.??Lindmark looked impressive in his singles match as well, downing Tim Srkala 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1 to make it 2-0 Rebels.

Seconds later, Kraljevic put Ole Miss in front 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Juan Trogalia at No. 3

70,000 662-801-9607.

singles. Zvonimir Babic, playing his first dual match in singles this season, clinched the Rebel victory with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Lucas Gonzalez on court six.??Sophomore Gustav Hansson won in straight sets on court two, freshman Fabian Fallert won a supertiebreaker on court five, and Jorge won two tiebreakers on court four to close out the shutout.

BASKETBALL Senior Anthony Perez scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Rebels but it wasn’t enough as they fell 80-66 on the road at the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday.Senior forward Tomasz Gielo had 13 points for Ole Miss (18-11, 8-8 SEC) for his eighth straight game scoring in double figures. Georgia’s J.J. Frazier scored 26 points and Kenny Gaines had 23 while leading the defensive effort on Stefan Moody. Frazier and Gaines combined to make 10 of 18 3pointers.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 20

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016

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