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Volume 3 | Issue 72
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Inside 2 News
Jim Dees new book explores a turbulent year in Oxford's history
6 News
CHANING GREEN
Mayor Pat Patterson has announced that his second term will be his last. Patterson as served the city of Oxford as mayor and an alderman for 16 years collectively.
Looking Back
Sheriff deputies help give back to families in need
14 Sports
Mayor Pat Patterson reflects on his time in office mayoral election for the city of Oxford. Patterson has served as mayor for eight years and as an alderman for eight Last week, Mayor Pat Patterson offi- years before that. He said he is chooscially announced that he would not be ing not to run next year because he feels running for reelection come the 2017 it is time for him to step away and let BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
someone else lead the city. Patterson sat down with Oxford Citizen reporter Chaning Green Tuesday morning to discuss what it was like to serve the city TURN TO PATTERSON PAGE 5
No Original Caption
SEC Showdown: Rebels host No. 6
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Jim Dees new book explores a turbulent year in Oxford's history BY M. SCOTT MORRIS DAILY JOURNAL
Twenty years ago, Jim Dees was a 40-year-old cub reporter and a witness to Oxford history. The mayor and his allies in town wanted a statue of William Faulkner erected at City Hall. Faulkner’s family and some members of the community weren’t sure about the statue and definitely weren’t happy about the city chopping down a healthy magnolia tree to make room. While that year-long controversy played itself out on the Oxford Square and beyond, the town also hosted a wide variety of visitors in 1996, including Willie Nelson, Henry Kissinger and 2 Live Crew. That also was the year University of Mississippi administrators decided ADAM ROBINSON the school should disasso- Technically, Thacker Mountain Radio host Jim Dees has been working on his book, “The Statue & the Fury,” since 1997, but ciate itself from the Con- he started treating it like a full-time job a few years ago. federate flag and the song, “Dixie.” be a book,” 61-year-old audio cassettes, even the Eagle, a fire hazard in my whatsoever.” He admitted the lack of “Even 20 years ago, I Dees said, “so I saved daily paper, more than garage.” knew there was going to everything, my notes, 300 copies of the Oxford In some ways, he’d been blowback could be beworking on weaving those cause Oxonians are genstories together since erally too nice to unleash 1997, but he didn’t get se- their blunt opinions, and rious until a couple of he’s fine with that. “To be fair, I also wrote years ago. self-deprecating “My loved ones got tired some of looking at those boxes stuff about myself,” he year after year and saying, said. “I come off as a heel.” Since finishing the ‘When are you going to do book, Dees has traveled this?’” Dees said. He’s a freelance writer around the state for signand the host of Thacker ings and readings. “When I’m driving to an Mountain Radio, which is broadcast on Thursdays event, I get nervous,” he from Off Square Books. said, “but once I get there The shows are rebroad- and get around some of the people, I settle down. cast Saturdays on MPB. His flexible schedule al- By the time it’s over, I feel lowed him to basically good about it.” He’s had to adjust to work full time on the project, which he realized was being the interviewee a luxury most writers rather than the interviewer. It’s his job on would envy. “You start out entertain- Thacker Mountain Radio ing yourself. At least, I do,” to question authors on he said. “Then it gets the air. His co-workers completely out of hand.” suggested he interview “The Statue & the Fury” himself about “The Statue was released in mid-Octo- & the Fury,” and he’s not ber by Nautilus Publish- exactly sure how well that ing Co. Dees knew he was went. “We did it a couple of revisiting a turbulent time, so he took steps to weeks ago. I interviewed make sure the main play- myself very briefly. I put ers were OK with his ac- myself down, and I responded in kind,” he said. count. “There are a couple of ‘How did you get this job? chapters we sent to peo- Was Wink Martindale not ple who are mentioned in available?’ Then I read a the book,” he said. “We little bit from the book.” Dees explained he’s not got no negative feedback
anything close to a Faulkner scholar, but he’s developed great admiration for the writer since moving to Oxford in the late 1970s. Faulkner and his legacy figure heavily in “The Statue & the Fury,” which Dees hoped would help generate interest in the book. “That notion kept me going. I think that was something of a peg,” he said. “There is a built-in audience for him, people who like him. I could say to anyone, ‘There’s a lot of William Faulkner in here.’” Dees found a different sort of inspiration in the memories of revered Mississippi writers Barry Hannah, Larry Brown and Willie Morris. He’d met them all during his years in Oxford. “I saw how unglamorous the writing life is,” he said. “It was an eyeopening workshop without being a workshop.” Dees said there were times when he felt like it’d be better to watch “Real Housewives of Pontotoc” rather than work on the book, and then he’d think of Hannah, Brown and Morris and their dedication to the craft of writing. “In one of his essays, Barry Hannah talks about the ‘need to listen to the orchestra of living.’ That’s what he called it,” Dees said. “I wish mine were that lofty. I just enjoy a good story well told, whether you’re telling it or I’m telling it.” He has more stories to share in print and over the radio. The next chance to catch Thacker Mountain Radio will be 7 p.m. Christmas Eve on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Dees also has plans for a collection of nonfiction essays about various subjects. “All this accumulated wisdom that I have gotten over the years, it’s time to lay it bare,” he said. He laughed at himself before adding, “It’s going to be a brief book, a very short book.” That was followed by more laughs, and then he said, “OK, it’s a pamphlet.” scott.morris@journalinc.com Twitter: @mscottmorris
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
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Regents announces Jason Wood as new Head of School BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Regents School of Oxford, a Classical Christian school, has announced their newest Head of School, Jason Wood. Wood is currently in his fifth year as Headmaster of Heritage Classical Christian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri and will take up the position in Oxford this upcoming summer. During his interview process, Wood visited Oxford on two separate occasions and fell in love with the town. He grew up in Tuscaloosa and said that Oxford’s small town Southern way of life reminded him a lot of home. “It’s going to be a very big move for us, which I think is good,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being at a new school in a new place and hopefully bringing some good things with me. I’m really excited about coming to Oxford as well. It’s a very neat town. The idea of moving from St. Louis to Oxford was very intriguing to me because Oxford is a smaller place and it seems like it would be a better place to raise our kids.” For his undergraduate degree, Wood graduated from Covenant College where he studied history, philosophy and youth ministry. He then went on to complete a master’s in education leadership from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. His final degree was a master’s in religion from Reformed Theological Seminary. When he first came to
school. Wood then served as a principal for students in grades seven through 12. Wood said that it was here at this school in Hawaii where he learned about educational leadership and what it takes to play that role in child’s life. After establishing the school through the 12th grade, Wood was given the opportunity to become headmaster at Heritage. “I’ve always loved that developmental age when a kid is starting to realize who they are and what they believe,” he said. “That tends to happen during those junior high and high school years. I had some important people in my life at that time who were at my school. I remember how much they invested in me and how, COURTESY OF THE WOOD FAMILY even at that age, I rememJason Wood and his family will soon be making the move to Oxford. Wood has just accepted the position of Head of School ber thinking how much I would like to do this type as Regents School of Oxford. of work for somebody Heritage Classical Christ- was very intrigued by the served as youth minister dents from pre-school else.” ian Academy, the school school and how much for two years. The church through sixth grade. He only had about 30 stu- larger it was. Regents has he was at there had a was eventually asked to chaning.green@journalinc.com dents. Now, five years later, over 200 kids in it, but only school that served stu- help establish an upper Twitter: chaningthegreen the school serves approxi- about 40 in the high mately 100 children in the school. For some reason, I St. Louis community. feel called by the Lord to Wood set up a strategic come and help fill out plan for the school that in- these small high schools. cluded the construction of I’m very excited for the opa new building, among portunity to come and other things. That plan was work with that upper divicoming to an end when he sion of the school, primastumbled upon the open rily to fill it out and create a position at Regents, and he more vibrant high school felt like he was at a good experience.” After graduating from stopping point with HerCovenant College, Wood itage. “I was under a five-year began working in their Stucontract with Heritage as dent Development office. well, so I decided to look He served as a resident diaround a little,” Wood said. rector and then director of “This job with Regents was student life. He later made the only one I looked at. I the move Hawaii where he
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BRIEFING WILLIAM MARTIN William Ross Martin , 72 years old, passed away on December 26, 2016, at Golden Living Home in Batesville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Serenity Martin Funeral Home of Oxford.
CHRISTINE WATSON Christine H. Watson, 86, passed away Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 at Tallahatchie General Hospital in Charleston. The funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Jay Deryberry officiating. Burial followed in Yellow Leaf Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Watson’s memory may be made to Yellow Leaf Cemetery Fund, 470 Highway 334, Oxford, MS 38655.
ARCHIE CAIN Archie Lynn Cain, 85, passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, at the MS State Veteran’s Affairs Home in Oxford. The funeral service was Monday, Dec. 26 at New Prospect Baptist Church with Rev. Everett Childers officiating. Burial followed in Yellow Leaf Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. Memorial contributions in Mr. Cain’s memory may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church, 823 Hwy 334, Oxford, MS 38655.
CHARLES HEARD Charles R. Heard, 85, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 at Trace Regional Hospital in Houston. Visitation was held Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Coleman Funeral Home. Services followed at Coleman Funeral Home. Heard was buried in Kingdom Cemetery in Yocona. Donations and memorials are to be made to the Bethel Building Foundation.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Shelter to hold ‘Glorious Mail’ screening BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The Oxford Film Festival is partnering with Shelter on Van Buren to bring a special screening of the award-winning mockumentary “Glorious Mail” this Friday at 7 p.m. The screening is being held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the film, which was written, produced and filmed entirely in the Oxford area. “Glorious Mail” is the work of Oxford local Alice Walker and Mississippi native JD Evermore and took just over two years to make. The film is set in the Sinnaville, Mississippi, a fictional town that bares a striking resemblance to Oxford. The narrative follows the story of a flamboyant, gay antiques dealer in the quiet Mississippi town. One of his friends, a lesbian artist portrayed by Walker, makes him a sculpture intended to serve as his mailbox. The sculpture depicts a man bending over with his hands on his knees and backside to the curb. Things quickly spin out of control when mail carriers begin to realize that in order to deliver the mail, they’re going to have to put it somewhere they are not very comfortable with. The storyline then becomes even more convoluted when the controversy in town attracts the attention of a New York filmmaker who then travels all the way to Sinnaville, to tell the mailboxes story. The filmmaker has never been to the South before and gets into his own set of hijinks and predicaments. Walker had the idea for the film when she was showing Evermore around Oxford one day. They passed a mailbox that was shaped like a bottlenose dolphin. Walker grew up in Oxford and was familiar with the box. In order for a mail carrier to deposit postage, he or she had to move the dolphin’s nose and insert the items from the front. “We were driving past it and I kind of always thought it was hideous,” Walker said. “I said to JD, ‘Why do you suppose it’s the nose rather than the tail that you have to open up?’ It kind of spawned form there and were like, ‘What if it was a person?’ and then it became, ‘What if they had to open the butt to put the mail in?’ So that’s where the idea first came about.” Walker and Evermore, a couple at the time, soon began co-writing and coproducing the film. They reached out to their extensive contacts in the local Oxford and broader Mississippi arts community for help with the project. Many local artists were included in the film including Jere Allen, Glennray Tutor and Walter Neil, the latter of which actually constructed the mailbox used in the film. The movie took more than two
years to complete in part because of the unusual filming schedule. The film’s lead actor, Sample, was in law school in New Orleans at the time, so the filming schedule was designed around his school breaks. In 2005, an early version of the film was screened at the Oxford Film Festival to gage public response to the project. Walker and Evermore then spent 2006 editing and putting the final touches on the film in order to
have it ready to present at film festivals across the country in 2007. “I’m very proud of the movie, both JD and I are,” Walker said. “I think it has such a good message. It is a very positive representation of the LGBT community. It’s surprisingly still relevant. The movie is not just about artistic expression though a mailbox, it’s about so much more than that. So much work has been done and the LGBT
community has made so many leaps and bounds over th last 10 years, but, obviously, there’s still more work to be done. I think our movie provides a positive representation and good message.” The screening is free and open to the public, but donations to the Oxford Film Festival are encouraged. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Patterson FROM 1
of Oxford as mayor for two terms. CHANING GREEN: Were you nervous when you first ran for mayor? PAT PATTERSON: Oh, of course. I think any politician tells you he or she’s not nervous about asking people to vote for him or her and putting themselves out there, just probably isn’t telling the truth. I’d been on the Board of Alderman for two terms, and I honestly couldn’t tell you whether or not I had plans to run for mayor. Richard Howorth had announced that he wasn’t running for reelection as mayor and some alderman that I’d really enjoyed serving with were considering stepping down, and it all just kind of fell in place. Lincoln once said something along the lines of, “events control me, I don’t control events.” I kinda feel like that sometimes. GREEN: What have been some of the challenging aspects of being mayor that you never really expected when you first took on the position? PATTERSON: I’ve often been frustrated with how slow government moves. Just the bureaucracy of getting the simplest things done is, especially since I come from a business background, it’s just really frustrating. Personnel is also always a challenge. We have roughly 375 city employees here in Oxford. The personnel end of this job is very challenging. We have a very, very good HR director, Braxton Tullos, who does a great job with it. I think my philosophy is to always hire good people and stay out of their way as much as you can. Hire the best people you can, stay out of their way, and then help them when they ask for it. I think that’s what you need to do. GREEN: What is one of your favorite things about being mayor? PATTERSON: Being able to help people; I really like that. I enjoy that. It makes me feel good, and I hope
I’ve really been able to help people. I enjoy the service end of this position. I think, in this job, you actually have the ability to help people more directly than any other job in politics. Take a senator, for example. They represent us in the government, but as mayor you can get out and directly help people, and that’s something that I’ve always enjoyed about this position. I enjoy the service. Trent Lott and I were out at dinner one time and he leaned over and said, “You have the hardest job in politics.” He didn’t mean being mayor of Oxford, specifically, he just meant actually being a mayor. I agree with him. If you don’t want to serve people, if you don’t want to listen to people’s problems in Kroger, have people come up to you in a restaurant or have them stop you in the street to ask you questions, don’t run for mayor. I read a quote once that it’s about service, not the position. That’s what I believe.
OXFORD CITIZEN derstand that plan, but I still have to believe there’s a plan. The thing is, you hold on to your faith and you move on. I don’t really know what else to do or say about that. You just reach out where you can and just handle it the best you can.
GREEN: Since you’ve been in office, Oxford has experienced unprecedented growth. How has it being dealing with that? PATTERSON: That’s certainly been one of the biggest challenges. Our assessed valuation has gone up $100 million in the last four years. That gives an indication of just how fast we’ve grown. Now, the actual population, despite all the commotion, actually hasn’t grown that rapidly. Around 2007 and 2008, we annexed about 5,000 people. So, while we are seeing a big push in growth from the university, the actual population just hasn’t quite exploded as much as people think. I think the city will continue to grow, and I am not trying to minimize that, we’ve grown very GREEN: Some bad rapidly, but the university things have happened in has experienced tremenOxford this year. What are dous growth. some examples of times when you had to work as GREEN: What kind of mayor to bring the city to- challenges has that gether through challeng- brought to your office? ing times? PATTERSON: Well, infraPATTERSON: I think the structure challenges, obincidents where people viously. We have very little lose their lives are the state help with the roads most disturbing, not only and no federal help. We’ve to the community, but to kind of been left on our the police department own to do some very exand our first responders. tensive projects. We’ve got There’s always tragedies some funding in place in every town, but partic- and we’ve been able to ularly in college towns, fully work with the unithere seem to be a few versity and county for the more. I remember the first time in decades to get brother and sister that some funding in place for were killed out on the by- roads. I think the city, pass and the three fresh- county and university remen that were killed a few lationship is in a better years ago on their way up place than we’ve ever from Jackson. Those been. things always affect your community. They, for me, GREEN: What do you are always the most diffi- want the next person who cult to deal with. The fi- takes this job to know? nances and the political PATTERSON: Like I said, side of things, I can deal this is a service job. If with. Any time a situation you’re not ready to get involves people, espe- stopped on the street, cially young people, los- stopped at the bank, the ing their lives, it hurts. grocery store and asked I’m pretty Presbyterian questions and asked for about things, and you can help, do not do this job. quote me on that. I believe there’s a plan, and chaning.green@journalinc.com sometimes we don’t unTwitter: chaningthegreen
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OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
JOHN DAVIS
Deputies with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department delivered meals to residents just in time for Christmas dinner.
Sheriff deputies help give back to families in need BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN
Members of the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department, along with some help from Ken and Debbie Hewlett of Taylor Grocery Catering, brought some extra joy to some county residents before the holidays. Deputies delivered six holiday meals, complete with all the trimmings, just in time for Christmas dinner. Interfaith Compassion Ministries helped provide the names of fam-
ilies, while Taylor Grocery provided the bill of fare. Scott Mills, the chief deputy for the sheriff's department, thanked everyone involved. “It's a great opportunity for us and our department and we're just thankful for Interfaith Ministries and for Taylor Grocery catering for providing the food,” Mills said. “We're providing the wheels but it was great to work in conjunction. They called and asked if we were interested in participating. Major Hill had spoken with them and
he told that we would love to participate. We always love to be involved in things like that. It's just a good, positive thing all the way around.” Deputies see families in need all the time, and people in times of despair, so bringing a joyful moment is welcomed, Mills said. “There are some families that don't get to see us except in times of crisis. There are some families that almost have weekly problems with a drug addicted person in the family or a habitual domestic
offender or something like that,” Mills said. “They have to see us in that light so it's great to go out in a giving light and let them know we're here to help you, we're not here for bad problems. We think this is just as important as going out on the call. The other is absolute urgency involved with a call, but I think the deputies enjoy going out and do something giving, and nice.” Mills added that the deputies do get a lot of compliments, and that Sheriff Buddy East is al-
ways proud when he gets those reports back from the public. “He likes to hear that his deputies tried to treat people fairly and like human beings. That's what most people want, they want to be treated like human beings,” Mills said. The 2016 calendar is coming to a close and Mills said it was a good year, but one filled with a lot of fear and tension at the same time with everything going on around the country. “We had a couple of ac-
tivities here that went well and were very well organized. People were very respectful on both sides and I was very proud of that,” Mills said. “I think we can be an example for other places on how our community acted and how our officers responded in kind. It was just a good feeling. We have a new year and hopefully we'll all make it through this year and we look for a bigger and brighter year.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
OXFORD CITIZEN
Oxford preparing for pre-k registration BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The Oxford School District is preparing to open pre-k registration to the public on January 16 at 8 a.m. The district only has 112 spots available in the program, so district officials are encouraging everyone to complete the application process as soon as possible. The limited number of positions available in the program is due it being completely funded by federal money. There are 7 classes consisting of 16 students in each class. This is an increase from just a couple years ago with the program could only accommodate 95 students. Children chosen to fill the 112 spots are chosen through an evaluation process determining the academic and socioeconomic needs of children applying for the program. A designated school district official will evaluate each child based on federal Head Start guidelines. Superintendent Brian Harvey said that he is a firm believer in the value of early childhood education and how it can improve lives for the better. Harvey cited research that shows early childhood ed-
ucation, like a well-maintained pre-k program, is usually directly indicative of success later in life. “There’s a lot of research that shows that for every dollar you spend on pre-k education, that's a dollar you don’t spend later having to rehabilitate people,” he said. “I think that money spent on prevention is much better than money spent intervention.” The program lasts an entire school day and is held at Bramlett Elementary School. Transportation via school bus is available for children enrolled in the program. Registration for the OSD pre-k program begins January 16 at 8 a.m. and closes on Friday, January 20 at 4 p.m. Children who reside in the district and will turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2017 qualify for the pre-k program. Parents must complete the registration online at www.oxfordsd.org/preK. Computers will be available at the OSD Student Registration Office at 409 Washington Ave. from Tuesday, January 17 to Friday, January 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day for those who need them. After the online registration is complete, the dis-
trict requires certain documents to be dropped off at the OSD Student Registration Office. These must be dropped either January 19 or January 20 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Registration will be incomplete without these documents. The OSD is requiring parents submit the child’s original birth certificate, an updated immunization record and income verification, such as a 2016 W-2 or recent check stub. Parents must also submit one of the following: mortgage document, a property deed, a filed Homestead Exemption application form, lease document with an expiration date or any other document that clearly shows that the parent or guardian of the child resides within the district. In addition to those, two documents must be provided showing the parent or guardian’s name and address. These could be utility bills, a drivers license, a document showing a visit was made by a designated school district official or anything else meeting the aforementioned criteria. For a complete list of qualifying documents, visit www.oxfordsd.org/preK. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
CHANING GREEN
Chef Jasper Alexander converses with Square Books owner Richard Howorth last month during the Chef’s book signing that was held at Off Square Books. His new cookbook “The Hattie's Restaurant Cookbook, Classic Southern and Louisiana Recipes” went on sale earlier this year.
Chef Jasper Alexander showcases his new book in Oxford BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER
Jasper Alexander’s new cookbook has been touring around many Southern states. The chef and his wife own and operate Hattie’s restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New Alexander has York. worked in Seattle and New York’s finest restaurants. Hattie’s was opened in 1938 by Hattie Mosley, but Alexander has owned it 17 years out of its almost 80 year history. Hattie’s is known for its Southern inspired Cajun Creole type comfort foods. The restaurant is best known for its fried chicken. “Hattie’s is a very beloved restaurant in our town-it’s an old resort town and the oldest horse racing track is here,” he
said. “Saratoga Springs is an old resort town and the oldest horse racing track is here. Hattie’s has the southern hospitality in a lazy upstate New York Victorian town and a playground for the ultra wealthy. We also have a strong working class as well, but everyone is put at ease and welcome. We have both kings and paupers eating in the restaurant.” Alexander signed copies of his cookbook, called “The Hattie’s Restaurant Cookbook, Classic Southern and Louisiana recipes” at Square Books on his stop in Oxford. “The cookbook is very approachable, we broke down the restaurant technical aspects and spent a lot of time making the tone of the book conver-
sational, so that people aren’t intimidated by recipes,” Alexander said. “We included a story before each recipe, tips on cooking the dish, which I really think enhances the book and gives readers a background of the food and what makes it all work.” According to Hattie’s website, “Since its establishment in 1938, the words, “Hattie’s” and “Saratoga Springs” are often mentioned in the same breath. Serving fine Southern home cooking in a friendly, down-home atmosphere to legions of fans, Hattie’s is an institution in Saratoga and well beyond. Born to Harry and Lydia Gray, Hattie was raised in Saint Francisville, Louisiana, near Baton Rouge. As a young
woman, Hattie left Saint Francisville for New Orleans where she went to school and lived for several years. From New Orleans, Hattie went to visit her sister in Chicago. It was there she met and worked for the A.E. Staley family “The Starch King”. With them, she traveled to Miami in the winters and Saratoga in the summers. Hattie went back and forth for many years, saved her money and opened Hattie’s™ Chicken Shack in 1938.” With the restaurant’s rich history, the cookbook features over 100 recipes, including fried green tomatoes, cajun coleslaw, andouille, crawfish boil and cheddar stuffed mushrooms. Also featured are recipes for recreating Hattie’s famous
desserts, drinks, and appetizers. “Southern cuisine can be found outside of the South. We enjoy keeping the traditions alive,” Alexander said. “We’ve made the top lists for our fried chicken, even competing against known southern restaurants like Gus’s in Memphis. People can even up North have a taste of home.” A fun fact is that Alexander beat Bobby Flay on an episode featuring fried chicken of the Food Network show “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.” The New York Times was quoted as saying “There is a really authentic, lazy, slow Southern feeling in Hattie’s…that’s why all the horse people from millionaires to stable boys love it.”
While on the stop to Oxford, Alexander enjoyed his visit. “Oxford is an absolutely lovely town. In some ways it reminds me of Saratoga Springs,” he said. “It is really fantastic and unique. We enjoyed our afternoon at Square Books, followed by a great lunch at Ajax. Everyone was so welcoming with hospitality and we had a blast.” The cookbook also chronicles the Alexander’s path from taking the iconic restaurant and creating it into what they have today. “I don’t necessarily have a favorite dish to make, because bringing people soul-satisfying comfort food and them leaving happy is what makes cooking as a whole,” Alexander said.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
OXFORD CITIZEN
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Tannehill announces candidacy for mayor BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Robyn Tannehill, Ward II Alderman, has officially announced her candidacy for mayor. Tannehill sent out a press release Wednesday morning to share the news with the community. Tannehill has been a part of the Oxford community for the last 28 years. She describes herself as blessed for being able to experience Oxford from so many different
perspectives over the nearly three decades she has lived here. She was a student, a university employee, volunteer, a small business owner, a parent and more. “We need a mayor with a vision for Oxford’s future who has experience working in these areas, and can creatively solve problems and work as a consensus builder with county, university and state officials,” Tannehill said in her press release Wednesday morning. “I
have spent many years serving this community, the past four as alderman, and believe that I have demonstrated my ability to serve effectively and fairly.” Tannehill’s announcement to run comes just a week after Mayor Patterson’s announcement that he would not be running for reelection in 2017. “I do not see myself as a politician, but as a community advocate,” she said in the release. Citing the fact that Ox-
ford is the fastest growing community in the state, Tannehill said that she sees this as “an excellent problem to have.” She said that Oxford’s leaders will soon be facing difficult decisions regarding the city’s future. Logistics, infrastructure, taxes, finances, city services and many other facets of what it takes to run an efficient and effective municipality will have to be addressed unlike ever before as the Oxford area continues to experience
unprecedented growth. Tannehill believes she is the best person to serve the Oxford community through this period. “Four years ago, I believed that entering public service was a natural progression for my work in our wonderful community,” the mayoral candidate went on to say. “I feel the same way about running for mayor. God has blessed our community so richly, and I want to serve as Mayor of Oxford to continue the
dedicated work of Mayor Pat Lamar, Mayor Richard Howorth and Mayor Pat Patterson, as well as the existing Board of Aldermen and our city employees.” Tannehill ended her announcement by thanking current Mayor Pat Patterson for his service to the city as an alderman, member of the Tourism Council and as mayor. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
BRIEFING Salvation Army The Salvation Army is currently in need of children and infant winter clothes to help get little ones in need through the coming winter months. Donations can be dropped off
between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at their location on West Oxford Loop. They will be closed on January 2, and ask that people wait until they are open during business hours to drop off do-
nations to ensure they are safely received.
And The Echo at Proud Larry’s And The Echo will be ringing in the new year at
Proud Larry’s Saturday night with a special concert featuring never before heard songs from the upcoming album, due to be released early February. The show kicks off around 9:30 and will have a $10 cover.
Yoknapatawha Arts Council The Yoknapatawha Arts Council is seeking artists to contribute to the Yokna Sculpture Trail. Works must be original and com-
pleted within the last 5 years by artists 18 years of age or older. Application deadline is January 27. There is no application fee due to support from the Mississippi Arts Commission.
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John Davis Sports Editor
2016 was a fantastic one for local HS sports
H
igh school sports in our area had a tremendous 2016. Everything started with Oxford's Lady Chargers winning the state title in soccer, a first for the school. The year then wrapped up with Lafayette winning the state championship in football, its third title in school history. Championships have defined both high schools over the years, and 2016 was a very, very good one from a competition standpoint. It's not often that a school district can brag about a title in tennis, baseball and track in the same month, but for Oxford, this past May brought three championships overall. That doesn't include the win in powerlifting that happened in April for Oxford, which also had both basketball teams make it to Jackson to take in the state tournament. One of the most fun moments of the year came in early November when the Oxford volleyball team won its second state title, and first since 1998. Coach Tara Ross capped her 10-year tenure in style to say the least. Lafayette's Lady Commodores were a win away from a second straight title in soccer. The loss to West Lauderdale was the most disappointing of all to cover because of how special that team was. Still, a north half championship is nothing to be ashamed about. Lafayette's Lady Commodores also made it Jackson State for the state tournament in basketball, while the baseball and softball teams gave us all more to write about in the spring with appearances in the playoffs. Both schools will finish up competition in their respective classes this coming year. Oxford is moving up to Class 6A in August. Lafayette is also moving up from 4A to 5A. Each of the moves bring a new set of challenges, but both districts have great coaching staffs to get the athletes prepared for the moves up. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming year. Oxford's Lady Chargers are one of the best soccer teams around and in great position to win a second straight title. The Chargers have also been strong in soccer so far this season, so January should be interesting to see how they fare on the field. Lafayette should be one of the better powerlifting teams, on both sides. Sandra Smith does a great job with her teams, while Jason Russell coming over to Lafayette improves the Commodores tremendously. As the weather gets warmer, we have baseball to look forward to. Oxford has a chance to win a third Class 5A title, despite the loss of a TURN TO 2016 SPORTS PAGE 21
KENTUCKY ATHLETICS
JOSH MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS
Ole Miss men's basketball coach Andy Kennedy, right, and his Rebels host No. 8 Kentucky and coach John Calipari tonight at The Pavilion. It is the SEC opener for both teams.
SEC Showdown Rebels host No. 8 Kentucky to open league play BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
A needed break for Christmas for the Ole Miss Rebels has come and gone. Now it's time for coach Andy Kennedy to see how improved his team really is as they host the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats tonight at The Pavilion. Ole Miss (9-3 overall) defeated South Alabama a week ago to end the first half
of the season. There were moments for Kennedy to be proud of. His Rebels scored a season-high 92 points. Point guard Cullen Neal had his best game as a floor general, while Sebastian Saiz and DeAndre Burnett continued to flash their scoring ability as a viable 1-2 punch. With the high-flying ability of Terence Davis added to the mix, the Rebels have four starters averaging 12.3 points or more per game
heading into the start of SEC play. “We had moments where we looked like a good basketball team. We still have too many breakdowns for my taste,” Kennedy said after the South Alabama game. “We came out with great intensity. We got a lot of different guys minutes, which I thought was important. Breein Tyree continues TURN TO SHOWDOWN PAGE 20
VS. Oxford vs. Kentucky Tipoff: 7 p.m. TV: ESPN2 Radio: 93.7 FM
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
PAGE 15
Defensive Charger Junior Josh Fulton plays key role for OHS soccer team BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
Junior Josh Fulton doesn't get a ton of chances to score goals for the Oxford Chargers. So when he does, they become memorable. Fulton is a defender by trade and he is a vital part of an OHS defense that has been rock solid so far this season. For the record, Fulton has scored two goals this year. One came against Ridgeland, in the pouring rain, and it was a volley off his chest of all places. “It kicked off into the air, hit the post and went in,” Fulton recalled. Left defensive back is the position Fulton mans for the 10-2 Chargers, who return to action Jan. 6 against Saltillo. There are no midfielders on the outside of the formation, so that means instead of just defending, Fulton pushes up and helps the offense when he can. “I try to pass it down the line and give them an option,” Fulton said adding that he and Davis Carwyle, the other defensive back, enjoy playing with each other. “Davis is awesome. He is one of my best friends. We have an awesome connection. We know who is going to go up and we know who is going to switch. Our whole defense is like that. We all have great chemistry together.” The entire defense has impressed Fulton. Oxford has only allowed two goals all season long, and the starters have not allowed any to be scored during regulation. Starkville defeated Oxford 1-0, while Tupelo defeated Oxford on penalty kicks after not scoring during the first 80 minutes. “It's amazing, it's a blessing,” Fulton said about the effort of the defense, which has six straight shutouts under its belt. “To be honest, I
didn't expect that many shutouts but I'm not surprised seeing how well our defense has done. Coach Adam (Trobaugh) and Coach (Charley) Sabatier coming in, they both have worked on our defense and helped us out a lot. I knew the team was going to be good this year with Cole (Calhoon) and Neil (Chandler) and Preston (Huggins) and Sean (Brown). Those are four amazing seniors that we are lucky to have. I thought we would be pretty good with them. I didn't think we would be one of the top teams in the state. This is a blessing, just awesome.” Calhoon said that Fulton was “probably the craziest little fullback in the world.” “He is just everywhere on the field and he is great to have on the field,” Calhoon added. “He is winning every 5050 ball, anything in the air. He is barely 5 foot, but he plays like he is 8 feet tall, 300 pounds. He is as fast as lightning. He is always doing something for us, pumping us up. He is a great person to have on this team.” Fulton returned the favor to Calhoon, adding that he was one of the best players he's seen play in this state. “He can do anything and he is a great leader, too,” Fulton said. Soccer is a sport that Fulton has been playing since he was age 6. He started playing at the club level when he was 13, and the extra competition has helped make him better for the Chargers. In the second half of the season, the Chargers have to stay focused, Fulton said. “We can't get off hand but still have fun with things because we are a team and a family, too,” Fulton said. “Everybody is good friends with each other.” JOEY BRENT
john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
Oxford defender Josh Fulton is full of energy and a vital reason why the Chargers have been so stingy on defense so far this season.
OXFORD CITIZEN
PAGE 16
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Important Role Shinall's ability gives OHS a second scoring threat BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
A break for Christmas has been the only time in the last five to six months that Ally Shinall has been able to sit down and not have to worry about competing in something. The junior forward has literally been running since the summer, weeks before school started. Shinall helped Oxford to a second-place finish at the MHSAA Class 5A cross country meet and then turned right around and started playing soccer for the 9-0 Lady Chargers. In seven games played, Shinall has seven goals scored and six assists, good for 20 points overall. She is a vital member of the team, and her overall athletic ability makes it hard for teams to clamp down on scoring machine Morgan O'Connor because if they spend too much time there, Shinall can make teams pay. “I'm really proud of how we've been working, especially coming off a state championship last year,” Shinall said. “We're not too cocky and settling in well. It was difficult preseason because I was at cross country and I couldn't do anything. Ever since I came back, these girls have stepped up.” There is a difference between last year's team and this year, Shinall said. The 2015-16 Lady Chargers had a few more vocal leaders in Zoe Scruggs and Jordan Repka, just as an example. Shinall called them the moms of the team. Each and every match is a tough one for the Lady Opposing Chargers. teams always play them well, and this year, following a title win, means more of a challenge. “We always have a target because we're Oxford. And with us winning state, it bumps it up even more. People want to beat us even more,” Shinall said. “I like it, it's a lot more competition.” Shinall is in shape when
she hits the soccer field because of cross country. She used to be a center midfielder a few years back, and that's when the extra running really paid off. “You run so much at center mid. Forward is different. You have more sprints instead of long distance running but I think it helps,” said Shinall, who was changed because coach Hunter Crane sees her more in an attacking role. “I'm on the outside so I can play Mo the ball and she scores pretty much every shot she takes. Me and Mo get to use our speed to our advantage, especially her, she is really fast and that's a threat against other teams.” Shinall credited the midfielders for playing her the balls that allow her to score. She added that scoring is “definitely fun.” “It's great but getting assists, too, I feel is equally great. It feels just as good and that you contributed to the team,” she said. It doesn't look like the Lady Chargers will be challenged until the playoffs begin. And even when they begin, if the Lady Chargers remain focused, it will be tough for another team to beat them. “I don't want us to get too cocky. Even though Germantown lost some people this year, we can't take them any less serious because that was the state championship game last year,” Shinall said. “We had to beat them. Once we beat them, we knew in the back of our heads that it would be easier. That was one of the toughest games of the season last year. We're a really young team, so the focus needs to be there. Sometimes it's not and that's really our biggest letdown. We have all the skill in the world. It can win us another state championship.” At the start of the season, Crane said that ShiJOEY BRENT
TURN TO SHINALL PAGE 17
Oxford junior Ally Shinall has scored seven goals so far this season for the 9-0 Lady Chargers.
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
PAGE 17
Shinall
Rebels host Arkansas to open up SEC play
FROM 16
nall and O'Connor had a little competition going on how many goals they could score. He added that they work very well together, and that they feed off each other. “When somebody is keying on one, it just opens things up for the other,” Crane said. “That junior class is really special. Just about all of them have started for me since last year. Ally and Mo up top are dynamic for us. They have great speed and ball handling ability and to have them up there together is something special to watch.” Soccer is the top sport for Shinall, and Crane said she always had a soccer ball at her feet when she is not running with the Lady Chargers. “She plays some club soccer here and there in between cross country meets, so she stays in pretty good soccer shape,” Crane said. “When she gets with us, it's more about rhythm than it is her skill set because she works so hard at her craft.”
BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
JOEY BRENT
john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
Ally Shinall always stays in shape, whether it's playing soccer during the summer or running cross country in the fall.
Home has been a good place for the Ole Miss women's basketball team this season. Heading into the Christmas break, the Rebels were a perfect 9-for9 at The Pavilion. Ole Miss also already had as many wins (10) as it did all of last season before hosting Mississippi Valley State and the start of SEC play. The Rebels have a real chance to build on a strong start to the season with a win over Arkansas in the SEC opener on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 4, and the game can be seen on the SEC Network. Ole Miss will have two straight games on the road following the game with Arkansas. After traveling to Alabama and Auburn, the schedule gets even tougher as the Rebels host Tennessee, and then travel to play at Mississippi State and
South Carolina, two teams that are both in the national rankings. Defense has been the key to success for the Rebels. They were only allowing 51.9 points per game before giving up just 38 points to Austin Peay. The most points allowed this season for the Rebels were the 66 they gave up to West Virginia on the road. Former Oxford High standout Erika Sisk is one of four Rebels scoring in double figures. She is also the leading assister on the team. Madinah Muhammad leads Ole Miss with a 14.6 points per game average. Arkansas enters Sunday's game with an 11-2 record. The Razorbacks have one of the top six scorers in the SEC in Jessica Jackson, who is averaging 16.8 points per game. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
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OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Rebels’ revived Davis makes his case BY PARRISH ALFORD DAILY JOURNAL
Usually the straightforward approach is best. When Terence Davis’ flashy 360-degree dunk attempt didn’t drop for him he heard about it. The next time the athletic Ole Miss sophomore was speeding uncontested to the rim he was successful with the more traditional one-handed dunk option. “Yeah, I heard something about the every day,” said Davis, who also starred in football at Southaven High School. That momentary lapse in judgment for Davis came against Memphis on Dec. 3 in a game the Rebels trailed by one with less than 7 minutes to play. Fortunately, he was fouled on the play and hit both free throws to give the Rebels the lead anyway. One person Davis heard from in the days to follow was Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy, but it wasn’t a peel-the-paintfrom-the-walls conversation that some might
expect. “He was like, ‘What if we’d have lost by one?’ I’d have hurt,” Davis said. The Rebels are 9-3 with an RPI ranking of 31 according to ESPN. That ranks fifth in the SEC as conference play arrives this week. Ole Miss is at home Thursday night at 7 against No. 8 Kentucky. It will be the first visit to The Pavilion for the SEC’s most recognized program. While the Rebels search for a lead man on the perimeter, Davis – who last year thought about giving up basketball – is stating his case. Davis, at 6-foot-4, is known for his energy and leaping ability. He’s shooting 47 percent for the season, and it’s not only about the dunks. Davis, a starter in the last five games, hit just five 3-point shots in the Rebels’ first eight games. He’s hit five in the last four. He played sparingly last season, appearing in just 20 games and averaging 1.8 points.
The leave or stay question is a struggle for many freshmen who don’t get on the floor immediately, Davis said. “When we opened up The Pavilion in SEC play (last year) it was crazy. I’m just like, ‘Man, I want to play.’ One time on the bench, I slick wanted to cry. It was crazy. You want to play so bad,” he said. A conversation with assistant coach Bill Armstrong helped Davis decide to stay. “Sometimes you just have to wait your turn,” he says now. Davis goes into SEC play averaging 12.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. He hit 12 of 21 field goal attempts (57 percent) in last week’s wins over Bradley and South Alabama. He’s gone from questioning his future to seeing himself as a legitimate scoring option but just one of many. “Any given night anybody can lead us in scoring. I really like that.” parrish.alford@journalinc.com Twitter: @parrishalford
JOSHUA MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS
Terence Davis has become a reliable scorer for coach Andy Kennedy and the Ole Miss Rebels.
2016 All-Daily Journal Football Team FIRST TEAM JETT JOHNSON Junior, LB, Tupelo Height: 6-3, Weight: 220 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. The inside linebacker recorded team-high 145 tackles, 102 solo, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 7 tackles for loss. PETER GRAY Junior, OLB, Tupelo Height: 6-4, Weight: 230 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. The outside linebacker recorded 105 tackles, 68 solo, 6 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 13 hurries, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 fumbles. JESSE NABORS Senior, RB, Calhoun City Height: 5-10, Weight: 180 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Rushed for 1,358 yards, 24 TDs. Finished
with 1,466 all-purpose yards. Recorded 62 tackles at linebacker for the 2A state champions. JACOB CARTER Senior, QB, Pontotoc Height: 6-1, Weight: 185 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Completed 200 of 322 passes for 2,947 yards (61 percent), 33 TDs, 5 INTs in leading Warriors to the 4A state semifinals. JAMARCUS QUARLES Junior, RB, Lafayette Height: 5-10, Weight: 205 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Rushed for 2,140 yards (6.8 ypc) and scored 19 TDs for the 4A state champion Commodores. MARCUS MURPHY Junior, RB, West Point Height: 6-1, Weight: 190 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection and 5A Of-
fensive Player of the Year. Rushed for 1,756 yards (7.2 ypc) and scored 25 TDs to lead the Green Wave to 5A state championship. MONTERIO HUNT Senior, ATH, Walnut Height: 6-1, Weight: 185 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Versatile player rushed for 1,153 yards, 12 TDs and had 673 yards receiving, 10 TDs. A Mississippi State commitment. COLTON SKIDMORE Senior, OL, Oxford Height: 6-2, Weight: 290 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Talented center started 59 straight games during his playing career. Played in the MississippiAlabama All-Star Classic. JIMMY TYES Senior, DL, Baldwyn Height: 6-2, Weight: 310
The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. Played in Bernard Backwell All-Star Game. Recorded 124 tackles, including 73 solo, 4.5 sacks for Bearcats, who reached 2A state semifinals. East Mississippi signee. XAVIER CULLENS Senior, RB/DB, North Pontotoc Height: 6-2, Weight: 205 The Buzz: Second-team MAC All-State selection. Two-way player totaled 1,968 all-purpose yards, including 1,754 yards rushing, 24 TDs. Recorded 94 tackles, 1 INT. University of Memphis commitment. JOHNTA WALKER Senior, DL, Houston Height: 5-9, Weight: 195 The Buzz: First-team MAC All-State selection. The undersized noseguard recorded 73 tackles, including 13 sacks for the 4A Hilltoppers.
SECOND TEAM QB ZATORIOUS GATES, Amory, Sr.: Passed for 2,024 yards, 19 TDs, rushed for 402 yards, 4 TDs. DL TERENCE CHERRY, West Point, Jr.: Recorded 79 tackles, 18 sacks. RB GABE HARMON, Pontotoc, Soph.: Rushed for 1,974 yards, 21 TDs. WR/DB/K FELIX HAYES, Baldwyn, Sr.: Had 925 yards receiving, 10 TDs. Recorded 100 tackles, 3 sacks. Kicked 59 of 65 PATs. WR/DB BEAU LEE, Kossuth, Sr.: Had 896 yards receiving, 12 TDs. Recorded 76 tackles, 2 INTs. DB/WR TYLER WILLIAMS, Lafayette, Sr.: Early MSU signee recorded 795 yards receiving, 9 TDs, had 43 tackles, 2 INTs.
RB JOEL WILKINSON, East Union, Soph.: Rushed for 2,443 yards and scored 31 TDs. RB JALEY ADAMS, Kossuth, Sr.: Despite nagging injuries, rushed for 1,662 yards, 16 TDs. LB QUENTIN WILFAWN, Oxford, Jr.: Led team with 171 tackles, including 13 TFL and 2.5 sacks. RB DEE MOORE, Smithville, Sr.: Rushed for 1,793 yards, 28 TDs, but missed postseason with an injury. DL/RB VINCENT MCINTOSH, Shannon, Sr.: Two-way brusier rushed for 644 yards, 11 TDs, recorded 42 tackles. ATH BRANDON WASHINGTON, Vardaman, Sr.: Recorded 1,807 all-purpose yards – 913 receiving – 30 TDs.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
OXFORD CITIZEN
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LAUREN WOOD/DAILY JOURNAL
Lafayette sophomore Brandon Turnage turned a lot of heads with his play in 2016, including how well he played in the MHSAA Class 4A state title win over Poplarville.
Lafayette's Turnage a targeted recruit for OM, other schools BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
Brandon Turnage has grown up an Auburn fan. Earlier this month, with the Commodores Lafayette playing Poplarville in the MHSAA Class 4A state title game, Turnage turned heads with his play-making ability at Mississippi State's Davis-Wade Stadium. The Lafayette sophomore finished the 2016 season with seven interceptions. He also caught 23 passes for the Commodores on offense. In the title game, he scored a touchdown as he stepped in front of a Poplarville player who was set to receive a lateral. He has speed and size, and two more years to improve his skills before signing with a school. Ole Miss has already offered Turnage, who said he expected the
offer to come this past fall after being in close contact with Matt Luke. Turnage was invited to attend the Georgia Southern game, and not long after, he received a text from his former Lafayette teammate, Eli Johnson, who asked the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Turnage to call Luke since coaches can not call him directly based on his grade in school. “He told me I had a full ride to Ole Miss. I was excited,” Turnage said. “I try to go out and play my hardest every game. Coach Luke said they love my film and they told me to keep up the good work and putting in a lot of effort.” Ole Miss wants Turnage as a cornerback for the 2019 class. Turnage is rated as the No. 1 defensive back for that class, and No. 9 overall, according to the early rank-
ings for that class. Turnage said he likes Ole Miss but he really loves Auburn. This summer should be a busy one for Turnage. He is planning to attend the camp at Oklahoma, and he was expecting to be invited to the camp Rivals.com puts on. This spring, Turnage plans to return to the track where he will run the 400 and 800 meter runs as well as high jump. He will also likely run on the 4x800 relay team for his final event. Turnage said track helped him on the football field in 2016. “It helped my stamina. I don't get tired as fast as I used to,” Turnage said. “I break a sweat, but I can go out here and play a whole game and it won't affect me.” LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
Lafayette's Brandon Turnage, scored a touchdown in the MHSAA Class 4A title game, is set to compete for the Commodores in track this spring.
OXFORD CITIZEN
PAGE 20
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016
Clinton's Akers picks Florida State over OM, others BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
Florida State delivered the first of seven losses in football to the Ole Miss Rebels in the 2016 season opener. Four days before the calendar turned to 2017, the Seminoles and coach Jimbo Fisher and gave the Rebels and coach Hugh Freeze another setback when Clinton's Cam Akers picked FSU. The 5-foot-11, 212pound Akers decided that Florida State was his best option to play college football in the future, instead of staying closer to home and playing for the Rebels. Akers is the top-ranked running back in the nation for the 2017 class, and virtually every recruiting analyst feels like Akers is one of the top 10 best players in the class, regardless of position. Before Akers, who led the Clinton Arrows to the MHSAA Class 6A state title this year, did the Seminole War Chop, he picked up his red FSU hat off a table he was seated behind at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday night. His decision was streamed live on the High School Football network, which had over 20,000 people view it, and attended by a host of media eagerly anticipating the end result.
on the table, along with one from LSU and Tennessee and Georgia. Ole Miss was also heavily in the mix with Akers, who hosted Freeze, running backs coach Derrick Nix and Matt Luke at his family's home on Dec. 4. The U.S. Army All-American, who was named the Mississippi Association of Coaches Player of the Year, finished his senior season with over 5,200 yards. He threw for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns and then rushed for over 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. In his first three seasons, Akers accounted for just over 8,000 yards and 84 touchdowns. In an interview the week leading up to the Arrows playing in the state championship, his coach, Judd Boswell, raved about how much of a leader Akers has been during his tenure. “He's going to compete at a high level. That's not going to change,” Boswell said. With Akers picking the Seminoles, Ole Miss will have to look a lot harder to find a back that come close to what Akers offered from a skill standpoint. The ANGIE LEDBETTER Rebels are losing Akeem Judd, while Jordan Wilkins Clinton running back Cam Akers decided he wanted to play at Florida State over Ole Miss Tuesday night. and Eugene Brazley are “Florida State just offered candidate Dalvin Cook at family down there and it's Akers was a one-time both seniors next season. the best position to me,” tailback for the Seminoles. not to far from home. All commitment to Nick Saban said Akers, who is projected “I can go and work for a the arrows were pointing at and the Crimson Tide. John.davis@journalinc.com to replace Heisman Trophy starting position. It's like Florida State.” There was an Alabama hat Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
ing plays in the open court. Defensively, we’re getting better and better. I think FROM 14 we’re improving. It’s time to get better and better. to improve.” One of the things the Cullen had his best floorgame of the season, mak- Rebels have gotten better
Showdown
with over the past few games is defense. They kept Bradley and South Alabama both under 60 points after having six straight games of 70 or more allowed.
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“We’ve made some adjustments to some things just based on rotations. We were in unnecessary rotations just because we thought we were supposed to. We’ve cleaned some of that up,” Kennedy said. “We cleaned up the way that we’re in ball screens at times. We’re trying to change our looks to keep people off-balance. We’re trying to figure out it out. After 12 games, we have a better feel of what this team is capable of doing defensively. We’re going to try to put them in position to do that. Then, they have to go make plays.” Kentucky (10-2) has played one of the best schedules in the nation, and feature several of the nation's best players like they have every season under the direction of John
Calipari. The Wildcats own a win over North Carolina, as well as wins over Michigan State and Arizona State. Both losses have come to other ranked teams in UCLA and Louisville. The Wildcats also have four players that average 12 points or more per game. Malik Monk leads the way with his 21.4 points per game average. Against Louisville, in Kentucky's 73-70 loss just before the Christmas break, Monk was just 1-for-9 from behind the 3-point arc. De'Aaron Fox is second on the team, averaging 16.3 points per game, while Edrice Adebayo leads the Wildcats in rebounding per game at 8.0. Kentucky enters the game with the Rebels averaging 93.1 points per game as a team.
Calipari wasn't happy with his team's discipline in the setback to the Cardinals and chalked it up to a chance to teach. “If we don’t become more of a disciplined team, then we’re just OK,” Calipari said. “They have to go through these kind of growing pains, and then I've gotta be able to see what I have to do as a coach.” TIP-INS Kentucky defeated Ole Miss 83-61 in last season's SEC opener. Kentucky has won seven straight games over the Rebels and holds a 104-13 advantage in the series. Calipari is 12-4 against Ole Miss all-time, while Kennedy is 2-11 against the Wildcats. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
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lot of great players like Jason Barber, Houston Roth, Thomas Dillard and Grae Kessinger. Lafayette has always been competitive on the baseball diamond under the direction of Greg Lewis, so expect the same this year. Tennis at both schools has been fantastic, and both have two of the best coaches in the state. The Chargers are working on a ninth straight title. It's been an amazing run for Louis Nash to say the very least. And the Lady Commodores have some strong players that Debbie Swindoll can continue to mold. The 2016 calendar was kind to us locally, and the start of 2017 could be just as pleasing. Titles are special, special things to cherish. So are the moments that these great athletes and teams give us. So here's hoping for a lot more special moments, just like we had in 2016. Happy New Year. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
COURTESY
The 7-8 Oxford Buccaneers will take part in the Mississippi Prospect Game at Southern Mississippi Saturday and Sunday. Cory Robinson, the coach of the 7-8 Bucs, will be of the coaches in the game. Players taking part in the game are first row, l. to r., No. 2 Daylon Long G/DE (third grade), No. 3 Kaleb Dunn QB/S (third grade) No. 1 Ellis Lankster Jr RB/C (fourth grade), No. 44 Demaire Frierson Jr RB/LB (third grade), No. 21 Nelson Barr Jr T/DE (fifth grade), No. 15 Cameron Williams FB/LB (fifth grade), No. 27 Jaidyn Young RB/S (sixth grade) and Second row l. to r. Marquaveion Holmes QB/SS (seventh grade) and Johnathon Elliott QB/DE (seventh grade). Not pictured is Elliott Chaney (third grade) LT/OL.
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