Oxford February 5, 2017

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Sunday EDITION

Volume 3 | Issue 83

oxfordcitizen.com

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Inside 2 News

Pop Up Oxford was a sucess

3 News

PHOTO BY CHANING GREEN

The Riverside Place housing development has been under the operation of the Oxford Housing Authority since the early 90s. The contract that designates the property as Section 8 housing expires at the end of this month.

Closing Riverside OHA and city officials hold meeting to discuss fate of residents

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

The Oxford Housing Authority’s Section 8 contract with the Riverside housing development will officially be terminated on February 28.

A men’s Sunday school group from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church constructed the original housing units at Riverside in the late 1960s. These remained operational until the late 80s before being shut down and boarded up. In the early 90s, the city of Oxford took over the property, constructed what is currently Riverside and handed it

over to be managed by the Oxford Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A special meeting was held with Mayor Pat Patterson, a few alderman, community members and representatives of the OHA in order to discuss the closing of Riverside and dispel any of the misinformation circulating about what is occurring.

The housing authority’s Housing Assistance Payment contract for the property, which is what made Riverside Section 8 housing, expired February of last year.

Through negations with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City

was able to extend that contract for one more year. This would allow the OHA to give the residents a full year’s notice letting them know that they should seek other living arrangements. Federal law requires the oneyear notice.

Residents of Riverside were given what are known as protection vouchers. These vouchers ensure that the residents will be able to pay rent at any location willing to accept the vouchers. The vouchers can be used anywhere in the United States for as long as the person or family using the TURN TO RIVERSIDE PAGE 4

Chancellor's House to house Steinway Spirio

12 Sports

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 2

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Pop Up Oxford draws crowds with unique events

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Visit Oxford coordinated with several businesses and organizations in the community to host the inaugural Pop Up Oxford. The week-long event began on January 22 and was designed to celebrate the variety of art and cultural events the town as to offer.

Mary Allyn Hedges is the director at Visit Oxford and oversaw much of the planning and implementation of events for Pop Up Oxford.

“We knew that the Fiber Arts Festival would be that weekend and we figured that would be a really nice conclusion,” Hedges said when asked why they chose that particular week. “With this event, we’re trying to promote all things cultural in Oxford. We wanted to make it a week in January because it is out slowest time and slow for a lot of businesses in town. It just

kinda seemed to work for everyone when we had our first initial planning meeting back in the summer.”

Organizers were inspired by the idea of what is called a Chautauqua, and adult education movement that began in the early 20th century and brought together culture and entertainment in various formats like lectures and other events and programs. Pop Up Oxford Kicked off with a sold out tour of the local Lodgings with the Hotel Hop. The following day, the University Museum partnered with the Fiber Arts Festival to told a spe-

PHOTO BY KATIE KAISER / COURTESY OF VISIT OXFORD

Pop Up Oxford kicked off Sunday, January 22 with an event called the Hotel Hop. During this, Oxonians and visitors got a tour of local lodgings and sample what they have to offer. cial screening of “A Century of Quilts: America in Cloth.” There was also a special reading and book signing at Off Square

Books by Author Susan Rivers.

The next day was the monthly Oxford Art Crawl. The rest of the week was filled with book signings, films, lectures, musical performances and more. The week ended with the highly anticipated Fiber Arts Festival and a major Ole Miss

Basketball game, which was coincidentally that same weekend.

“Our primary role, as it often is in general, is marketing,” Hedges said. “We helped market the whole week and individual events. We also oversaw a lot of scheduling to make sure that there was no overlap and that each

event had it’s own kind of distinct personality that we could market.”

Hedges said that the weeklong event has given the tourism bureau a few ideas for events later in the year. For example, the Hotel Hop was such a success, that Visit Oxford isn’t ruling out the possibility of organizing another one in the summer.

Hedges said that Visit Oxford is absolutely looking to pursue doing the event again in January of next year.

“I think it really built some really strong relationships with our local partners and organizations,” she said. “We got a lot of great press and a lot of great feedback from people who participated.

We’re looking forward to an even bigger and better and better crowd for 2018.”

Anyone who would like to see a certain type of event featured in next year’s Pop Up Oxford or would like to offer any ideas to the tourism council, feel free to check out www.visitoxford.com and send in suggestions. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

PHOTO BY KATIE KAISER / COURTESY OF VISIT OXFORD

Other events for the week included lectures, music, book signings and more. The weekend rounded out with the annual Fiber Arts Festival.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

PAGE 3

Chancellor's House to house Steinway Spirio

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

The forthcoming Chancellor’s House hotel is bringing the state’s first Steinway & Sons Spirio player piano to its lobby. The Spirio is the latest innovation in self-playing pianos and boasts itself to be “the first high resolution player piano worthy of the revered Steinway & Sons name.”

The Spirio is Steinway’s first new product in 70 years.

All of the pianos, including the Spirio, are specialty crafted and take nearly a full year to produce.

The self-playing piano has a library of songs users can choose from. In order for a song to be added to the Spirio’s library, it must first be skillfully performed. There’s a studio in New York City, where the company is headquartered, dedicated to this process. A performer who is extremely familiar with a particular artist or work will sit down at a special piano and play a piece. The piano is filled with laser sensors that measure the exact technique of the pianist while he or she is performing. The lasers measure the exact pressure behind each keystroke, timing and the precise usage of the pedals.

Using a special device built in the Spirio, the piano is capable of perfectly replicating the performance. Rather than just churning out notes,

plication’s library every month. The videos show performances for pianists, both living and dead, the oldest video currently available dating back to 1931.

Once played, the video clip rolls perfectly in synch with music being played on the piano. A lot of the videos are so old and the performances so idiosyncratic that no sheet music exists for the performance. The music is recreated through a painstaking process of figuring out exactly what the performer in the video is playing and how.

The Spirio was in a test market for a while and, after it performed well, it became fully available last year. In the six months that they’ve been available the one at the PHOTO BY CHANING GREEN Chancellor’s House is curDennis Holland, a specialist out of Memphis who services Steinway pianos, works on the one currently sitting the soon-to- rently the only one available open Chancellor’s House. The Spirio, as it’s called, is the latest technology in self-playing pianos. The Chancellor’s House is in the state.

The Chancellor’s House the first hotel in North America to house one. will have the Spirio in their the Spirio is capable of pro- In addition to all this, the wanted to produce a self- who might not consider lobby just beyond the hotel’s particularly atrium. ducing a performance as if it Spirio also plays just like any playing piano. “We wanted themselves to make Steinway accessible skilled players.” were being played by an ac- other Steinway.

Michael Cabe serves as the to people who have a great In addition to the songs, a chaningthegreen@journalinc.com tual pianist.

The piano is controlled by marketing implementation appreciation of music, but new video is added to the apTwitter: chaningthegreen an application designed for manager for Steinway, where the iPad. On it is a library of he focuses primarily on the all the songs that the piano is Spirio. He travels to Steinway capable of playing on its dealerships and the different own. That library is filled locations that purchase a with everything from Bach to Spirio. He trains them in how Beyoncé and the collection to operate the piano as well is growing. Songs are added as showing them how it benthe first Friday of every efits their customers.

“We wanted to broaden month as more and more performances are recorded our market,” Cabe said when using the piano in New York. asked why the company

RIBBON CUTTING

JOEY BRENT

The Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Sinfully Southern located at 3000 Old Taylor Road. Chef Dwayne Ingraham’s delicious entrées and desserts have a southern flavor with a modern twist and focuses on an elegant presentation. His philosophy is that dessert should be an experience that we participate in with others.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 4

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Oxford Community Garden Association to Hold Annual Meeting

BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER

Oxford Community Garden Association will hold their annual meeting and membership renewal on February 15 at 5:30 p.m. From 5:30 to 6 p.m. pizza will be served, and at 6 p.m. the formal meeting will begin at the Stone Center. The 2017 meeting will cover brief reports on the status of the garden, answer questions, and elect new leadership.

Members of the Oxford community who have not previously been a part of the gardens are welcome.

Jason Hoeksema, outgoing president of the OCGA said that anyone in the community is welcome to rent a plot to grow vegetables and flowers and that the organization is always looking for new gardeners. “We love having new faces, love for anyone to join us at the membership meeting. At this meeting we will elect new leadership, hear brief reports on the status of the garden and answer questions,” Hoeksema said. “Most importantly we want your input on the garden- how things are going, what is working well and what we can do better will be discussed.”

An important infrastructure improvement for the garden was completed this year. Originally spearheaded by previous president Steve Threlkeld, a French drain was installed along the north end of the garden to help prevent flooding problems in that area. “It lies

OBITUARIES EDITH LUELLA KERR PRITCHARD Edith Luella Kerr Pritchard, 95, died February 1 at Oxford Health and Rehab in Oxford. The funeral service was held Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Allen officiating.

Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Pritchard’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church, 800 Van Buren, Oxford, MS 38655.

COURTESY

Oxford Community Garden Association is always looking for new gardeners. The garden is open to anyone in the community wanting to rent a plot to grow vegetables and flowers.

COURTESY

Oxford Community Garden Association will hold their annual meeting and membership renewal on February 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Stone Center. between the plots and the blueberry bed, and runs into the creek to the east.

Jason Morris of Batesville did great work on the installation,” Hoeksema said. “Right now there aren’t as many people in the garden because it’s the middle of winter, but people start thinking about ordering seeds and start plating in March or early to mid April. February is when all the plots get sorted out, people decide whether or not they want to renew for this year and if they don’t we

pick people off the waitlist for plots.”

Other highlights from 2016 include a spring seed and plant swap, a lecture on landscaping by Dr. Bob Brzuszek from Mississippi State, a food fermentation workshop led by our own Buffy Choinski, and a talk on fall gardening by Gestalt Gardener. “We also want to thank the Phi Mu sorority and students participating in the University’s Big Event for their work at the garden, helping to maintain our com-

mon areas, tend to the blueberries and clean up abandoned plots. The garden was also represented at the annual Sustainability Fair on the Ole Miss campus. We also contributed fresh produce to the Oxford Food Pantry from our community harvest plots. We appreciate and thank all the volunteers who helped with this effort in 2016.”

For gardeners who are not renewing their plots, Hoeksema asks to take a few hours to clean up your plot so it can be

transferred to a new gardener in good condition.

“Of course a few of us are growing stuff out there right now. Greens such as collards, kale and chard, as well as root vegetables like carrots, turnips and beets. These grow pretty well in the winter. They might not grow very fast when the weather is really cold, but they will give you some occasional winter harvests and an early spring bumper crop.”

The Oxford Community Garden Association has a website and Facebook

page for anyone who would like to find out more information on the meeting.

“Our main focus is to get the garden to run smoothly and serve as many people in the community as we can, get the compost system figured out and get better signage. These are pretty minor things, the garden is in a good place right now. We need active gardeners who are excited to be there and who enjoy being outside and getting their hands dirty.”

Riverside

occupancy for the OHA. She said that the housing authority is confident that they will be able to find new living arrangements within the county or city limits for those who wish to stay within those boundaries. Riverside residents may have children who attend the Oxford School District or have some other obligation tethering them to the area.

“The majority of those [who have secured housing in another location] are in Lafayette County,” Sanders said. “We have some that have decided to leave.

Whether they have family or better support systems in

other places, they have decided to go out of state. Ultimately, for the families who want to stay in Lafayette County, we’re committed to helping them do so.”

Ward II Alderman Robyn Tannehill was at the meeting and made several efforts to reiterate that the neither the OHA nor the City had any plans to forcibly evict any Riverside residents. The February 28 date is a contractual issue and not a date by which residents must leave. Riverside residents are being asked to find other living arrangements as promptly as they can, but the OHA insisted that they will be there to help

in anyway they can to make this transition as smooth as possible for every tenant.

“From a board perspective, the main thing I want y’all to understand that we see Riverside tenants as Oxonians,” Tannehill said, addressing those at the meeting. “When we talk about Riverside, we aren’t just talking about housing.

We’re talking about people.

There has been some insinuation that this is an effort to keep low-income people out of Oxford, and we feel like it is just opposite. It is giving low-income people the necessities they need in order to become part of the boarder

community and live where they want to live.”

The OHA and Department of Housing and Urban Development came to the decision to close Riverside due to its age, lack of amenities and other problems.

Those seeking more information are encouraged to contact the Oxford Housing Authority at 662-234-7524.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development also has resources available on their website at www.hud.gov under “Rental Help.”

FROM 1

voucher qualifies for Section 8 housing. Vouchers pay for up to $701 for a one-bedroom unit, $832 for a twobedroom, and $1109 for a three-bedroom.

So far, the housing authority has 40 landlords in the area willing to accept the vouchers, and say they are actively looking for more. As of Wednesday, 33 percent of Riverside residents have found other living arrangements with landlords willing to accept the vouchers.

Teesha Sanders oversees

chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 5

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Film Fest introduces new ticketing features

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

With less than two weeks left to go, the Oxford Film Festival is expecting a drastic increase in the number attendees from last year based on ticket sales alone. There are also a few new features regarding ticket sales for the film fest.

This is the first year that the film fest has implemented a system of early bird ticket sales. This means that if purchased before February 15, all tickets and passes will be cheaper. There will be a proportional increase in price on that date. This does not affect the events that have a fixed price. The price increase is meant to serve as an incentive to get festival goers to buy their tickets early so that organizers can make the festival experience the best it can be for everyone.

“It helps us prepare for how many people are attending,” said OFF Executive Director Melanie Addington.

“This is especially true for

people purchasing VIP Passes because they get food, party access and priority lines. We have to make sure there are enough seats for everyone. Some of the films that are special screenings have already sold out for every showing. There’s limited seating for certain things.”

There are a lot of big events coming to this year’s film festival that are leading people to buy tickets ahead of time.

OFF is the only way in the state to see the Oscar-nominated film by Raoul Peck “I Am Not Your Negro.” Legendary filmmaker Kevin Smith will be joining a Q&A panel for the 20th anniver-

sary screening of “Chasing Amy.” These events and others are selling out fast and organizers are therefore encouraging people to purchase tickets early.

Another feature regarding ticket sales being introduced this year is a new rushed ticket system. For any screening at the film festival, ticket holders are asked show up to the venue at least 15 to 20 minutes before the movie is scheduled to begin. At 10 minutes before the screening, any empty seats will be sold to anyone wishing to get in.

This system allows for people to see sold out screenings if and when original ticket holders do not show up.

“We strongly recommend that people show up 20 minutes before the film is scheduled to starts,” Addington said. “Unlike regular theaters, we don’t show trailers for 15 minutes before the film starts. If it says a film is starting at 4 p.m., it will be playing by 4:01.

There’s not a lot of waiting time.”

As of Thursday, 12 full days out from the festival, they had sold 200 more ticket items than last year.

This includes the number of tickets for individual film screenings, VIP passes, day passes and everything else available for purchase.

For a full schedule of films

and events, visit www.oxfordfilmfest.com. The website is mobile friendly and has a feature that allows users to create their ideal viewing schedule for the festival and keep it with them on their phones.

Tickets can be purchased online at any time or in person at the box office that will be set up at the Powerhouse from February 15 and 16 and at the Malco Commons from February 17 through 19. For those not wishing to purchase a ticket, there are free events available every day of the festival. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

RIBBON CUTTING

JOEY BRENT

Grace Realty Group of Oxford held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber celebrating their new offices located at 507 Heritage Drive, Ste 202. Grace Realty Group of Oxford understands that everyone’s real estate needs are different whether you’re buying or selling a property. Come by and meet this fantastic team of Realtors.

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

PAGE 7

University to host open house for 2017 K-12 summer camp options

BY PAM STARLING SPECIAL TO OXFORD CITIZEN

Summer activities for school-age children are a hot topic this time of year as parents look to secure spots and decide on the best camp options for their children.

Local parents can get a head start on planning a fun academic experience for their children this summer when the University of Mississippi Office of Pre-College Programs hosts an open house Tuesday (Feb. 7) at the E.F. Yerby Auditorium.

The come-and-go event is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Camp directors and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the 20 different academic camps taking place at Ole Miss this summer for rising first- through 12thgrade students. Information will also be provided concerning costs, financial aid and payroll deduction options.

Anna Sayre, of Oxford, recently registered her 9-yearold daughter Nora for the university's popular Rebel Quest weekly camps avail-

able for three age groups of elementary school children.

"I wanted my daughter to have a fun learning experience this summer," Sayre said. "It is convenient for her to be on campus so close to my office, and the weekly camp options were reasonably priced. I think the variety and different subject matters will keep learning interesting for her over the summer."

The camps provide opportunities for both academic and personal development for K-12 students.

The goal of these on-campus summer academic programs and camps is to bridge the gap between secondary and post-secondary education for area youth.

Children have opportunities to develop skills and garner interest in a variety of academic areas.

"There can be this learning gap that takes place in the summer months," said Matthew DeLoach, director of student services for UM Pre-College Programs.

"That's why these summer academic exploring oppor-

tunities are so important."

Along with Rebel Quest for younger ages, a variety of week and monthlong camps are offered for middle and high schoolers to sharpen their skills in a number of areas, including creative writing, ecology, engineering, math and theater.

Resume and transcriptbuilding options also are available for high school students preparing for college.

The UM Summer College for High School Students provides an opportunity to enroll in six hours of college credit courses while developing friendships and independence. Session one is offered May 30-June 27, with session following on June 29-July 28.

As with all programs for middle and high school students offered by the Office of Pre-College programs, students have the option to stay on-campus or commute to campus during the sessions.

For more information about the variety of summer youth program opportunities, stop by on Feb. 7 or visit http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/summercamps.

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BRIEFING most controversial issues in the state. Rep. Jay Hughes, an Oxford Democrat who has been outspoken in his criticism of the administraIn recognition of the tion and the legislature’s 200th anniversary of Mis- approach to education, sissippi’s statehood the will be joined by Bracey Overby Center for South- Harris, an education reern Journalism and Poliporter for the Clariontics at Ole Miss will put Ledger, in a conversation special emphasis on Mis- on Friday, Feb. 10 at 6 sissippi programs during p.m. the spring semester.

Using the slogan “It “The people and events ALL starts with educain Mississippi’s past pro- tion” for his frequent vide an interesting emails to constituents glimpse into our state’s and other interested parfuture,” explained ties, the first-term legislaCharles Overby, chairtor has closely tracked man of the center, in an- bills involving educanouncing the line-up. tional issues and sharply The first of six events – faulted a new formula “How Deep is Missisdevised by a New Jersey firm hired by the Repubsippi’s Commitment to lican leadership to deterEducation?” -- will conmine levels of state aid centrate on one of the

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“Jay Hughes has become one of the most urgent voices in the legislature,” said Overby Fellow Curtis Wilkie. “Our program is designed to give him an opportunity to expand on his thoughts – while offering members of our community a chance to question him during a Q & A session.”

The program – like all Overby Center events -is free and open to the public. Arrangements are being made to provide parking in a lot adjacent to the Overby auditorium. Following most of this spring’s programs a reception will provide an opportunity for members of the audience to mingle with special guests.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Danny Flowers, Stan Abel, Nicole Cain Wright, Wendy McMain accepting on behalf of Oxford Civic Chorus, Eileen Saunders, Tommy Morgan, Paula Crum, Betty Wiseman, Blake Thompson, Sean Hettinger

Danny Flowers, Stan Abel, Nicole Cain Wright, Jennifer and Whitt Yancey accepting on behalf of Love Packs, Blake Thompson, Betty Wiseman, Paula Crum, Eileen Saunders, Sean Hettinger

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PAGE 9

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 10

Betty Wiseman

Susan Griffen

Amanda Miller

Chris Hill

Hunter Richardson Chanda Tina Cossitt O'Quinn

Jenny Decker

Elliot Long

Judy Simpson

Frances Dempsey

April Haynes

Dennis Cox

Kim Wood

Nicole Cain Wright

Jennifer Harrelson

Sheli McClellan

Wendy Whitney Parker George

Jennifer Brown

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Kayla Tabler

Melissa Knotts

Weesie Jaz Biedenham Buchanan

Anita Nunnelee

Jessica Harris

Kaye Ladd

Wade Magill

Todd Jordan

Cathy Ward

Kevin Knight

Greg Warren

Sue Golman

Paula Crum

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Martin Mesecke

Sean Hettinger

Debbie Russell

James Hunter

Will Troxler

Ron Smith

Megan Robinson

Annette Newborn

Linda Swinney

Blake Trehern

Casee Becker

Leslie Card

Keith Henley

Merisa Baker

Deborah Tierce

Eileen Saunders

Monte Smith

Brandon Allred

Caroline Felker

PAGE 11

Janet Suggs

Polina Wheeler

Tommy Morgan

Dede Lewis

Danny Flowers

Carol Horne

Vic Sullivan

Gail Wilemon

Meredith Martin

Lisa Grant

Tiffany Franks

Brandon Speck

Michelle Mary Ann McAuley Elmore

Sadie Smith

PAGE 12

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

John Davis Sports Writer

It's been a year to remember for OHS soccer

O

xford has a rich tradition of athletic excellence that has extended for over two decades, so it's hard to do something new in regards to championships. Last spring, the Oxford Lady Chargers and Chargers won the state title in track on the same day. It was historic, and a whole lot of fun.

The same thing was being attempted by both soccer teams on Saturday. The Chargers and Lady Chargers have both won titles in soccer, but not on the same day. And to do it back-to-back, on the same field, well, that just made the whole scenario so much more interesting.

Both teams have been fantastic this season on the field. The Lady Chargers were a perfect 19-0 heading in and they have been dominating teams all season long. Morgan O'Connor set the school record for goals scored before Christmas. And she garnered four more goals in the 5A north state title match win against Germantown. The Lady Chargers are a very bonded team. So are the Chargers. It's what has separated them from some other really good teams this winter.

The Chargers last won a title in 2013, while the Lady Chargers took first exactly a year ago. Hunter Crane won the title in his first year as head coach in 2016. Charley Sabatier has a chance to accomplish the same feat this year with the Chargers. That's also been a great story. Sabatier is a former soccer Charger who was hired away from his job Virginia this past summer. His approach was simple. Players are students first. He was a teacher first. If both took care of their respective jobs, everything else would start to fall into place. Accountability was the name of the game with Sabatier and his players used it to make themselves better. The Chargers have been focused on a strong run in the playoffs, and they accomplished that by being a very bonded group.

Talent is a very important part of the equation. Both teams have it in spades. But they also have great leadership and intangibles to rely on. The seniors on both teams should give themselves a pat on the back for their efforts. These fantastic seasons are a direct result of their hard work. Oxford should be proud to have such great teams to cheer for. The parents and the family members of the team are surely proud of the success. It's been a great ride and something they should all cherish for years and years to come.

For complete coverage of Saturday's title matches, see Sunday's Tupelo Daily Journal for more.

JOEY BRENT

Oxford senior Sean Brown has been the leader of a defense that only allowed seven goals leading up to the MHSAA Class 5A state title game.

Defensive Leader Brown has meant so much to Chargers this year

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS WRITER

There have been some years in soccer that just haven't been memorable for Oxford's Sean Brown. His senior season is not one of them. Far from it. The Chargers won the MHSAA Class 5A north state title game to get one game closer to a state championship.

Brown has been the leader of a defense that has only allowed seven goals all season. Defense is the big reason why the Chargers have produced such a successful season. Brown has gone from not always enjoying being on the team to savoring every moment. He credited new head coach, Charley Sabatier, for his efforts. Brown also said everyone got even more serious about things heading into the year.

“We definitely accepted (Sabatier) pretty quick. At first we weren't so sure.

We were after (Jonathan) Branch but Sabatier has been really good for this team,” Brown said. “He runs a tight ship.

Our assistant coach, Adam Trobaugh is really good, too. They both work really well.”

All of it produced a tight bond that the team embraced. Brown said one of the Chargers' strengths this season has been

playing for each other.

“I knew we had more than enough skill and potential there from the start to do it. We just had to have somebody put all the pieces together,” Brown said. “The coaching has to be a big part of it. It's almost been night and day. Sabatier came in and he proved himself. He wants us to succeed and he's not going to give up on us. He's there to support us, but we have to pull our own weight. Accountability is a good word for it. Everybody has to work hard and as long as everybody does that, nobody has an issue.”

Brown started playing for the Chargers when he was in the eighth grade. He didn't play the season the team won the state title, but he knows what the excitement felt like. There was some pressure leading into the north state title match for Brown, but he wasn't nervous. And the reason for that is he trusts in his teammates.

“It feels really cool to have come up through the years and to be able to contribute and be an integral part of this team,” Brown said. “It feels awesome honestly. It's really cool.”

As for the fantastic defense, he had a smile when talking about what the team has been able to accomplish.

“I don't like to complement myself,

but I'm very proud of our defense. Our starting four, we're super solid. I trust in all of those guys,” Brown said. “I feel like we hold it down back there and we build it from the back. We're kind of the backbone almost.”

The last game of Brown's career at home was a great success, and he was hoping that would be the case in the state title match against West Jones.

“During the regular season, there wasn't as much pressure. You could try some stuff but now, it's do or die,” Brown said.

“I just look at it as we have to go get business done. We have to take it to them and not mess around. We have to play our game because our game is great. If we play our best, I don't think there's a way we don't win. It's been an awesome season.”

Sabatier's nickname for his senior is “Shut 'Em Down Sean Brown.” His leadership was praised as was his overall skill.

“After Griffin (O'Neil), he is our last line of defense. He's been rock solid all season and he is the leader of the defense,” Sabatier said. “He works as hard as anybody on the field and his attitude is always team first. He takes care of business off the field. He's doing great things in the classroom. He has AP everything, Chinese at Ole Miss, just a phenomenal kid.”

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

PAGE 13

Ready to Lead: OM's Blackman excited about his junior season

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS WRITER

Two years ago, Tate Blackman was the new guy on campus. He was the freshman that everyone expected to be the star. In the eyes of many, Blackman was supposed to smash home runs, drive in runs, steal bases at will and dazzle with his glove at second base. He was supposed to be first team All-SEC and possibly even the Freshman of the Year or an All-American.

The junior from Altamonte Springs, Florida hit just .197 his first season. He didn't hit a home run and drove in nine runs. He was perfect stealing bases but he only nabbed two. It wasn't what the fans, or he, expected.

Blackman rebounded well his sophomore season hitting .322 with three home runs and 38 RBIs. He started all 62 games in the field and finished tops in the SEC in sacrifice flies. In short, Blackman was much, much better. And with an extra year to develop in the weight room, Blackman is ready for an even better year in 2017.

“What got me in trouble was I tried to be something

or a player that I wasn't,” Blackman said as the Rebels started spring practice. “I'm a gap-to-gap guy and a guy that gets walks. I was trying to hit 20 home runs and that's not who I am. I may hit five or six but I'm never going to hit 20.”

Not changing as a player is something Blackman learned the hard way and his experience has rubbed off to the freshmen. He gave similar advice to players like former Oxford High standout Grae Kessinger back in the fall.

“I told him not be like me or like Colby (Bortles) and just be yourself. If you stick to what you do everyday and make the routine plays, stay sharp up the middle, then the rewards will come,” Blackman said. “(Kessinger) is a very humble kid and he is always trying to learn. I work with him all summer.

He texted me everyday and talked about his swing. He is very open to critique and I think that's what makes him a great player. We go out each and every day and try to be the best we can.”

Last season, Blackman walked 30 times in 230 plate appearances and his ability to get on base is key to how successful the Rebels can be

JOSH MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Ole Miss second baseman Tate Blackman is looking forward to his junior season with the Rebels. in in 2017 from an offensive standpoint.

When a player realizes what they can and can't do in college, the confidence level increases, Blackman felt.

“You do what got you hear and what got you drafted

out of high school and got the scouts or the college coaches on you so when you try to be a person you're not, you put more pressure on yourself,” Blackman said.

“Your mind starts to think you need to hit more home runs. And if you don't hit

five home runs in (batting practice) then I'm kind of screwed because you see others do it. You want to keep your stroke simple and right up the middle and at the end of the day, if you hit .300, nobody is going to say anything bad about you or

your performance. They're going to say good day or good season and you're going to help a lot of people win games for sure.”

Blackman gets a lot of questions from the younger players because he has been at the bottom, and the top, of things.

“I came in the hype like they did and I can share a little knowledge of my freshman year and my past season and try to teach them to not do too much and stay within themselves,” Blackman said.

“Hopefully that can help them be the best player they can be.”

Stealing more bases is a goal of Blackman this year.

The goal is for him to have between 15 and 20 during the year.

“We have maybe five guys that can do that and as a leader, they need me to do the most I can,” Blackman said. “I'm a fast guy and they want me to put my speed to use. If I can put it to use, we're talented and I think we'll be fine this year. We're very talented on both sides of the plate. Our backups could be better than our starters. We're a very talented team and that's a good problem to have.”

Oxford boys defeat New Hope, wins 2-5A regular season title Wilborn's career night leads Lady Chargers past Lady Trojans

BY BEN MIKELL SPORTS WRITER

In a game where there were 15 lead changes and 13 ties, the Oxford Chargers won the see-saw battle over the New Hope Trojans 73-69 Friday night at the OHS gym on senior night. The win makes Oxford the outright 2-5A regular season champions and clinches the one-seed heading into the 2-5A Tournament that begins February 14 that will be held at New Hope High School.

Oxford (20-6 overall, 51 in Division 2-5A) entered the locker room at halftime trailing by their biggest deficit of the contest at 38-31. The Chargers exploded out of the locker room with a 17-4

run and obtained their biggest Charger lead of the night at 48-42 near the end of the third quarter. Oxford coach Drew Tyler gave his two star players Jarkel Joiner and Terry Williams a rest at halftime that rejuvenated the two guards coming out of the locker room.

"Coming out of halftime, Jarkel got a rest," Tyler said. "We got them rested at halftime. As Joiner was drawing a second body, it opened up Terry for shots. He did a good job of finding Terry in the corner. At the same time, I know we were down two and three points towards the end, but when you have scorers like Williams and Joiner, if we got the ball I feel good about scoring

on the offensive end."

With one game remaining on the regular season schedule before the 2-5A Tournament begins, Tyler is hoping to use the game at Coffeeville Thursday to build more depth and allow other players some playing time after playing just the starters for the most part over the last three games.

"We will see more Chargers on the floor," Tyler said. "We'll get them some good experience and some playing time. At the same time, some of the these others can see the other side of it and cheer from the bench. It's going to help our team going into the playoffs and that's what you want to do."

Joiner lead all scorers

with 30 points. Williams complemented Joiner with 22 points and eight rebounds. New Hope (178, 3-3) was led by Terryonte Thomas with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

GIRLS WIN The one thing the Oxford Lady Chargers know how to do this season is win a close game.

Oxford is 6-2 this season when the final score margin is five points or fewer. Two have come against the New Hope Lady Trojans including Friday night's 51-48 Lady Charger victory.

Free throw shooting was the name of the game as Oxford (9-16, 4-2) went 21-for-30 from the charity stripe. New Hope (14-9, 3-

3) went to the line 10 times, but failed to make even one free throw in the contest.

"I thought we played hard enough," Oxford coach Cliff Ormon said.

"Kelsey Wilborn kept us in it with her effort. We made free throws tonight which I think was the huge difference in the game coming down the stretch. It was big."

"I think we had one other game were we went 15-for-19," Ormon continued regarding his team's free throw shooting this season. "No doubt it comes down to free throw shooting a lot of nights. Tonight, we were able to hit them and they didn't."

Wilborn had a career night with her first ever

double-double with career-highs in points scored with 23, rebounds with 10, and steals with five. Jordan Freeze added 17 points for the Lady Chargers.

TIP-INS The Lady Chargers have one more additional regular season game with a road trip to Walnut on Tuesday before they join the Chargers in Coffeeville on Thursday. The Lady Chargers will face New Hope in the opening round of the 2-5A Tournament that starts in eight days. The Chargers will face West Point in their opening round game. Tip times for those games will be announced when all the 2-5A division coaches meet up this week.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 14

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

Record nine Chargers sign to play football at next level

BY BEN MIKELL SPORTS WRITER

A total of nine former Oxford Charger football players signed their national letters of intent Wednesday to play football at the next level. Oxford coach Chris Cutcliffe says that is the most ever to sign in the same class.

Kent Hickinbottom, Jerry Quiller, and Nick Sisk signed on to Pearl River Community College. Kolbe Leary signed on to Millsaps College.

Colton Skidmore and Ashton Stewart signed on to Northwest Community College.

DT Thompson signed to Northeast Community College. DQ Thomas signed on to Middle Tennessee State University and Devin Rockette signed on to the University of South Alabama.

Skidmore started the last 58 games in a row at Center for the Oxford Chargers. Former Oxford offensive coordinator and current offensive coordinator at Northwest Stan Hill had already coached Skidmore for three years and had a great rela-

tionship which ultimately sold Skidmore to go to Northwest.

"That definitely ended up being the deciding factor," Skidmore said regarding Hill's recruiting efforts to him. "I didn't want to rush into anything. I weighed all my options. I has some fouryears looking at me, obviously a bunch of JUCOs. When it came down to it, I had such a good relationship with coach Stan and getting to play with my teammate Ashton Stewart up there, that really sold it for me."

Cutcliffe only said good things about Skidmore and how he's grown as a player.

"I don't think you can say enough about a guy starting 58 games in a row," Cutcliffe said. "That tells you about his hard work off the field, his toughness, his maturity as a young guy to come in a play at such a young age. What an impressive record that is, including a little playing time in eighth grade. He had 59 starts as an Oxford football player, I couldn't be more proud of him."

BEN MIKELL

Nine Oxford High School football players signed their national letters of intent Wednesday, which is a record for the school.

Rockette's recruiting process did not take the easiest route. He was a one-time Ole Miss commit early this season before de-committing a few weeks later.

"It was confusing, crazy,"

Rockette said. "I think I picked the right school. I first, I was committed to Ole Miss. I felt like that wasn't the school for me. After that, all I had was JUCO offers and I was thinking about going to

Northwest. Then out of nowhere South Alabama and FAU came up. When I visited South Alabama, I thought that was for me. I liked how they were doing the defense and how they

taught the technique. They didn't do just one thing (on defense), they did everything."

"It was close to home, I just felt more comfortable there," Rockette continued when asked why he chose South Alabama. "They helped me understand that I could play as a freshmen over there, that was really another factor."

Cutcliffe was proud of what all these nine signees did while at OHS on and off the field, but also gave credit to the players in the senior class that did not move on to play in college.

"I think nine is the most signees we've ever had at Oxford High School, so very proud of these guys for this entire class even the guys that aren't moving on to play college football played a big part of the success of these nine. Most of all, I'm proud of what they stand for off the field and in the classroom and the type of young men they are in addition to what success they had on the field."

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