2 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 3
Letter From
Sports Editor
Loyal readers of the Pontotoc Progress
for both alumni and resident fans from the We are thankful to have outstanding community. school systems in Pontotoc with Pontotoc Pontotoc County is fortunate that it has City Schools and the Pontotoc County a high level of success year-round from School District. Along with outstanding its high school athletic teams, and these academic instruction, the schools also “winter� sports that are previewed in the have excellent sports programs for stufollowing pages have been as successful dents to participate in. Athletics represent as any. Teams have recently contended an important part of the overall educationfor state championships in basketball, al experience for many kids. Through athsoccer and bowling, and the possibility is letics kids can learn to develop, as well as there for that to happen once again this understand the importance of, consistent season. worth ethic, discipline, perserverance, We hope you enjoy reading about the and other character traits- things that will teams and student athletes in this magacontinue to be invaluable throughout their Jonathan Wise Sports Editor zine, and we also hope you take the time lives. High school sports are also extremely important in a to come out and support them whenever you can. Here wider sense. In a small town, relatively rural setting at the Pontotoc Progress we will try to provide our such as ours, high school sporting events represent a readers and subscribers with the best possible coverage critical link of involvement with the various schools of all of these teams.
4 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Table of
Contents
4 Letter from the Editor 6 Pontotoc Warriors Men’s Basketball 8 Pontotoc Warriors Women’s Basketball 10 North Pontotoc Vikings Men’s Basketball 12 North Pontotoc Vikings Women’s Basketball
14 South Pontotoc Cougars Men’s Basketball
20 Pontotoc Warriors Men’s Soccer 22 Pontotoc Warriors Women’s Soccer 24 North Pontotoc Vikings Men’s Soccer 26 North Pontotoc Vikings Women’s Soccer
28 South Pontotoc Cougars Men’s Soccer 30 South Pontotoc Cougars Women’s Soccer
16 South Pontotoc Cougars Women’s Basketball
34 Pontotoc Warriors Bowling 37 North Pontotoc Vikings Bowling
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On The
Cover Rayna Russell and the Lady Cougars hope to break through to a 1A/2A/3A state championship this season. Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Pontotoc Title Loans/Pontotoc Check Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Renasant Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Rick’s Auto Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Ricky Ferguson - Chancery Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Shannon & Graham Eye Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Torrance School Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Trent’s Portrait Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 True Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Young’s Tire Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Jonanthan Wise, Sports Editor Will Ruff, Sports Writer Galen Holley, Sports Writer
Writers & Photographers
Trent’s Portrait Design Steve Montgomery for the photos.
A Special Thanks To
Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 5
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors
Men’s Basketball
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 Pontotoc basketball Warriors are (front row left to right) Dartayveus Buggs, J.J. Washington, Dajerious Scott, Cortavius Shelton, John Fleming, Kourtland Armstrong, Manoj Nickson, Parker Blansett, (back row) Whit Franklin, Cade Armstrong, Rock Robinson, Latres Vaughn, Caleb Hobson, Ralph Dunn and Miles Galloway. Not pictured: Jermarkus Whitefield. 6 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Warriors take to the court with young squad Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
The Pontotoc Warriors are undergoing a transition this season. They lost one of the best players in program history in Ty Jones, now at Charleston Southern, as well as four other key seniors. Now PHS has 12 freshmen and sophomores and only four upperclassmen. “It’s going to be different. I’ve never really had to deal with this much inexperience,” said head coach Chris Vandiver. “We lost some good players that did a lot for us and were a part of a bunch of wins, but that happens and you have to move on, and I am excited about it.” Pontotoc will look to its two key returners- senior forward John Fleming and senior guard Cortavius Shelton- to lead the team. “They have both been major contributors and played a lot for
us in the past,” Vandiver said. “We expect the majority of our points and rebounds to come from those two. They are, at this point, our two most talented and capable players. What happens with us will depend a lot on how they play.” “John is our biggest body and most physical player. He had some 30-point games last year, so he has the ability to score it. He has added another level to his game with his outside shooting. So where in the past he was just an undersized post player, now he can score on the block and go out on the perimeter and score. He can also handle the ball better now, so he is a real versatile player. Hopefully he can cause some mismatch problems. “Cortavius is our best athlete and really explosive. He is tough to keep in front of you, and he is adding a jumper to his game. Hopefully he will develop into one of better defenders as well.
"I think they will both be tough to guard." Multi-sport players Ralph Dunn and Caleb Hobson, both guards, are expected to be important pieces of the squad as well after joining the team from football. “Caleb played a lot at the end of last year,” Vandiver said. “This summer he improved on his mid-range game, whereas everything he got as a freshman was just athleticism. I hope as the year goes on he will be a true three-level player, where he can shoot the three, pull-up and shoot, and get to them rim as well. He is definitely athletic enough, but I don’t his skill set has quite caught up with his athleticism yet. I think in time it will and he will be special player.” “Ralph had a good summer. We are expecting both of them to come right off the football field and help us.” Kourtland Armstrong will
also play in the backcourt. “Kourtland has had a good fall,” Vandiver said. “He works really hard and wants to be a good player." As far who else will be in the team's rotation, that is still up in the air. Vandiver says that there a number of players in the mix, but he is anxious to see who will step into big roles once the Warriors start playing games. “We have three freshmen we think can play, and there are a couple of sophomores in the mix as well,” Vandiver said. “I would say last year we were really top-heavy, where there was a big gap between our top guys and the next level. This year that is not the case. We have about ten guys we feel comfortable playing right now, but we can’t play that many with the style we want to play and it be advantageous to winning, so we just need to have some guys to step up and separate themselves.”
2017-18 Pontotoc Warriors Basketball Schedule
Date 11/11 11/20-21 11/28 12/1 12/5 12/9 12/12 12/15 12/19 12/29 1/4 1/5 1/9
Opponent Lafayette (Bank of Pontotoc Classic) @ Ingomar Tournament @ Kossuth Tupelo Ripley @ Baldwyn Amory* @ Bruce @ Houlka @ Booneville Kiwanis Classic @ New Albany Biggersville (Tangle on the Trail) @ Shannon*
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Date 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/27 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/12-16
Opponent @ Itawamba* @ North Pontotoc Shootout Mooreville* @ Caledonia* @ Amory* Shannon* Robertson’s Sportswear Tournament Itawamba AHS* Caledonia* @ Mooreville* Division Tournament @ ICC
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 7
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors Women’s Basketball
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 Lady Warrior hoops team includes (front row left to right) Janiya Buchanan, Sloan Sansing, Emily Walker, Jadyn Spears, Mary Kate Butler, Amber McCoy, Anna Grace Ritchie, Jasmine Smith, (back row) Angela Middleton, Olivia Gray, Rossie Beth Robinson, Abigail Anderson, Sky Vaughn, MaKayla Boyd and manager Keyasha Smith. 8 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Lady Warriors have loads young talent, potential Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
First-year Pontotoc head girls basketball coach Kyle Heard is excited about the future of his program, but fans coming to watch the Lady Warriors this season will notice they look a lot different than this time a year ago. The Lady Warriors return a lone starter from last season, and they face the challenge of replacing the vast majority of their scoring. “I feel really good about our young girls; I think there is a ton of talent there,” Heard said. “We are going to be playing a ton of ninth and tenth graders, and they are going to have go out there and figure things out as they go. We lost most of our offense from last year, so we are really going to focus on defense-first with our lineup until we figure out who we can count on to score.” Senior guard Mary Kate Butler is the biggest returning contributor. The other member of the
Lady Warriors’ senior class is Rossie Beth Robinson, who brings a lot of defensive energy. “Mary Kate is the best defensive player on the team,” Heard said. “She shoots the ball well also, and I expect her scoring to increase this year. She brings a lot of energy on the court and does everything she is asked to do. She leads by example." Sophomore Amber McCoy had perhaps the biggest role beyond the starters last season, as she was consistently one of the top players off the bench and produced some important baskets. “Amber is very athletic, and she has the quickness to get to the rim,” Heard said. “I expect her to take a step this year.” Another player who played a lot of minutes last year is sophomore Emily Walker, an effective outside shooter will be counted on even more. Sophomore Jadyn Spears steps in at the point (guard). “Jadyn is developing into a nice leader for us,” said Heard.
“She has made maybe the biggest jump of anyone. She had a nice spring, and then in the summer she got thrown in there and was being pressured by some really athletic teams. She did a good job of not turning the ball over and getting it where it needed to go. She has also worked hard and improved defensively.” Sky Vaughn is an athletic freshman that is expected to have a big impact. Sloan Sansing has missed a year and a half with injury, but Heard expects her to have a substantial role as she works her way back. PHS has a big hole to fill with the graduation of standout center Mackenzie Lane, who is now a member of the Blue Mountain College program. Sophomore Abigail Anderson and freshman Angela Middleton look to step in down low. "Abigail is very physical defensive player who just gets after it," Heard said. "Angela is the sleeper of the group. She scores it well and
rebounds it well." With a such a young core consisting of 15 of 17 players who are sophomores or younger, the Lady Warriors are poised for big things in the next few years. Heard believes great deal of success can be achieved this season depending on how the youthful team improves throughout the season. “Our biggest asset is that everybody on the team plays hard,” Heard said. “We don’t have to worry about anybody not giving it their all. Internally, our expectations haven’t changed. We are still shooting for a division championship and playoff wins. We may have to take a different path to get there though. "I've got great expectations for this young group once they get some experience under their belt. We have the pieces to keep the program heading in the direction its been going for a number of years, but the unknown is how soon they realize how good they can be.”
2017-18 Pontotoc Lady Warriors Basketball Schedule
Date 11/9 11/11 11/20-21 11/28 12/1 12/5 12/9 12/12 12/15 12/19 12/27-28 12/29 1/4 1/6
Opponent Houlka (Bank of Pontotoc Classic) Corinth (Bank of Pontotoc Classic) @ Ingomar Tournament @ Kossuth Tupelo Ripley @ Baldwyn Amory* @ Bruce @ Houlka @ Columbus Christian @ Boonville Kiwanis Classic @ New Albany New Site (Tangle on the Trail)
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/27 1/30 2/2 2/6 2/12-16
Opponent @ Shannon* @ Itawamba* Mooreville* @ Caledonia* @ Amory* Shannon* Robertson’s Sportswear Tournament Itawamba AHS* Caledonia* @ Mooreville* Division Tournament @ ICC
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 9
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Men’s Basketball
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 North Pontotoc basketball Vikings include (front row left to right) Tyler Ford, Jake Hall, Jacoree Westmoreland, Bo Haygood, Kyle Sappington, Perez Dilworth, Kenaan Lockridge, Clay Matthews, Ty Roberson, Trey Miller, Gavin Dyer (back row) Will Simmons, Jake Reeder, Jermey Bradley, Ethan Dyer, Mitch McCord, Cameron Randle, Jaquez Berry, Jordan Meaders, Sam Dowdy, Canaan Lockridge and Clark Mills.
10 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Senior-laden Vikings aiming high Will Ruff
Sports Writer
It was an up and down season for the North Pontotoc boys in 2016-17, who finished below .500 overall, but the Vikings showed flashes of promise and scored at will at times. The consistency to put things together for long stretches was what was lacking. The future looks bright, however, as North returns 3 starters and a core of players who saw a lot of minutes, a result of head coach Chris Parman rotating 10 players last year. That experience and depth will pay dividends this year, as Parman thinks the Vikings have a shot to get to the division championship game and win it; which would be something that hasn’t happened at North Pontotoc since the Reagan administration. “I think we can get there,” he said. “That is our expectation, and it is something that has not
been done here in decades.” It is not like North Pontotoc has not had a shot at doing that in the past. The have had rosters filled with college players and Division 1 athletes on and off for the past decade, but a division title has remained elusive. Expecting a program defining moment like that and believing it is attainable has created some buzz around the second year coach’s program, and getting to a division championship game will be determined by how well his group of seniors play. Clark
Mills, Canaan Lockridge, Perez Dilworth, and Jeremy Bradley will head up that group, with Jaquez Berry and Cameron Randle getting meaningful minutes as well. “(Clark) Mills will score for us in different ways,” said Parman. “He is smart and a good leader on the court. Lockridge is a great athlete and gives us a little bit of everything. Perez is a pit bull, hates to lose, and will be our best defender. Bradley can score from anywhere.”
Other players who are in the mix to contribute include juniors Ethan Dyer and Jake Reeder, sophomore Kenaan Lockridge, and freshmen Ty Roberson and Jordan Meaders. To win Division 1-3A the Vikings will need to beat out perennial favorites Booneville and Belmont, and that is something the Vikings feel is within their grasp as long as the team comes together plays its best basketball at the right time of the year. The squad will not have nearly the size of the last few years, but the coaching staff thinks solid fundamentals will make up for that. The team didn't get out rebounded once in 15 games of action this summer. “If we can mesh as a team and play well in late January we will be alright,” said Parman. “To do that we will need to play bigger than we are. We will get better as the season goes along and meet our goals and expectations.”
2017-18 North Pontotoc Vikings Basketball Schedule
Date 11/9 11/11 11/13 11/17 11/20-21 11/30-31 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/18 12/21
Opponent @ Smithville Amory @ Pontotoc Tournament Houlka Pine Grove New Albany Tournament Myrtle Tournament @ Smithville Shootout South Pontotoc Walnut East Union @ Ingomar @ Mooreville Myrtle
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Date 1/2 1/9 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 2/2 2/6 2/8
Opponent Tremont @ Kossuth* @ Falkner North Pontotoc Shootout Mantachie* Belmont* @ Alcorn Central* Tupelo Christian Prep @ Tremont @ Booneville* Blue Mountain
*Division game
Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 11
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Women’s Basketball
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 Lady Viking basketball team includes (seated left to right) Taylor Bishop, Belle Ross, Precious Jenkins, Zykeria Ford, Katelyn Matthews, Shemiah Hadley, Maddie Guerin, Tiffany Bishop, Anna Grace Coomer, McKenzie Garrett, (back row) Lexi Roberson, Payton Bailey, Maggie Garrett, Breanna Nowlin, A'Jalauh Caldwell, Riley Mitchell, Macey Lane Moorehead, Haisley Coker and Anna Morgan Beckham.
12 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Lady Vikings look to make their mark in loaded Division 1-3A Will Ruff
Sports Writer
The North Pontotoc Lady Vikings are coming off of a successful season a year ago that saw them finish second in Division 4-3A to Aberdeen and host a first round playoff game. With a new year come new challenges and a new division. North is now in Division 1-3A, a division that coach Matt Waldrop is familiar with. North spent two years playing in it from 2013-2015. With hill country hoops powerhouses Belmont and Booneville in the division along with non-division games against defending state champions Ingomar and Pine Grove, the schedule is loaded with great games and opportunities to gain valuable experience against high level competition. “This is the toughest girls division in the state,” said Waldrop. “If we are going to play basketball late in the year we have to make it out of the division tournament and doing that will take us peaking at the right time, in late January.” Returning is a group of upperclassmen with experience, and it is one that coach Waldrop thinks could make some noise if
they are able to make it out of the division. Senior Katelyn Matthews, last season’s Division 4-3A Player of the Year, will be relied upon early and often to lead the Lady Vikings. Waldrop knows exactly what he will be getting from her every time she steps on the court. “She is the ultimate competitor and always finds a way to get it done," he said. Also returning is senior Maggie Garrett, who was an all division player a year ago. “She brings a relentless, focused demeanor,” said Waldrop. “She keeps her head in the game, is a good defender, and finds a lot of different ways to score.” Another player to keep an eye on this season for North is junior Zykeria Ford. “She has a motor that never quits," said coach Waldrop. “She is relentless.” The Lady Vikings will also need to rely on some younger players to fill in gaps left by graduation. “We are going to be fun to watch this year," said Waldrop. "If we get better as the season goes on, are able to fill in some gaps with younger girls, and play our best ball at the right time, I think we will still be playing basketball in late February."
2017-18 North Pontotoc Lady Vikings Basketball Schedule
Date 11/9 11/13 11/17 11/2 11/30-31 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/18 12/21 1/2
Opponent @ Smithville Houlka Pine Grove vs. Amory @ Ingomar Myrtle Tournament @ Smithville Shootout South Pontotoc Walnut East Union @ Ingomar @ Mooreville Myrtle Tremont
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Date 1/6 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 2/2 2/6 2/8
Opponent vs. Nettleton @ Houston @ Kossuth* @ Falkner Mantachie* Belmont* @ Alcorn Central* Tupelo Christian Prep @ Tremont @ Booneville* Blue Mountain
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 13
2017-2018
South Pontotoc Cougars
Men’s Basketball
Photo courtesy of Steve Montgomery
The 2017-18 South Pontotoc basketball Cougars include (from left) Haydon Billingsley, Cade Jones, Skylar Holloway, Will Reeves, Maleik Below, Carson Newell, Brandon Higgason, Treylyn Berry, Kainan Mohorn and Alex Collins. Not pictured: Eric Barnes, Eddie Ivy, Brett Riley. Head coach is Shane Murphree.
14 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Veteran Cougars poised for successful season Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
The South Pontotoc boys basketball team made big strides last season, improving their win total by double digits from the year before. In 2017-18, head coach Shane Murphree thinks the Cougars have the potential to take the next step. "I think the key to building on last season is going to be doing the little things like trying to get better in practice every single day and trying to improve on our intangibles,” Murphee said. “We were a lot better last year, but I thought we could have won several more games. It is important that we respond better when things go bad during a game.” South returns its two biggest scoring threats in post player Maleik Below and point guard Eddie Ivy. “Maleik is a very effective scorer, and he can put the ball in the net in a lot of different ways,” Murphree said. “I feel like teams are going to try hard to take him out of the offense, so he is going to have to learn to play better without the ball. Hopefully he will bring it every night and be more consistent.
“Eddie is going to be the main ball handler for us and get us into our offense. Hopefully decision making will be improved for him this year, and he can build on what he has done. We are looking for him to get the ball where it needs to be and not try to do too much. He’s is also one of our best energy guys.” Murphree is excited about the development of 6’6 Brett Riley down low, as he is hoping the junior will provide a second dangerous scoring threat in the post that will lessen opponents’ concentration on Below. “Brett has been a role player for us, but I think this is Brett’s year to make a big jump
if he continues to mature,” Murphree said. “He has gotten a lot better offensively, and we want him to take more shots on offense, because he has a pretty good chance of making it when he does. He’s no doubt our best player on defense, and he gives it everything he’s got when he is in the game.” Other important returners are guards Carson Newell and Brandon Higgason. “Brandon has gotten better every year, and we are hoping he can give us a little bit of inside-outside game,” Murphree said. “He will see big minutes playing one of the wing spots. Carson is a very good shooter, and hopefully he can add some more things to his repertoire." One of the most important goals this summer was to build depth, and the Cougars have a number of other players in the mix for valuable playing time, including Alex Collins, Will Reeves, Kainan Mohorn and Treylyn Berry. “I think talent-wise we definitely have the most since I have been here, and we return most of the guys who played big minutes for us,” Murphree said. “I think we will be able to match up with most people on our schedule. If we keep improving and play good team basketball we can be pretty good.”
2017-18 South Pontotoc Cougars Basketball Schedule
Date 11/9 11/10 11/11 11/17 11/27 11/28 12/1 12/5 12/8 12/15 12/22 1/2 1/5 1/9
Opponent @ West Union Tourney @ West Union Tourney @ West Union Tourney Bruce Houlka Amory New Site @ North Pontotoc @ East Union Kossuth vs. East Webster (@ Knightstown, IN) Falkner @ Mooreville @ Tupelo Christian Prep
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Date 1/12 1/13 1/16 1/19 1/23 1/26 1/27 2/2 2/6 2/9 2/13-16
Opponent Choctaw County* North Pontotoc Shootout Aberdeen* @ Hatley* @ Houlka @ Houston* @ Hotbed Classic (New Albany) @ Nettleton* @ Blue Mountain Vardaman Division Tournament at Nettleton
*Division game
Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 15
2017-2018
South Pontotoc Cougars
Women’s Basketball
Photo courtesy of Steve Montgomery
The 2017-18 South Pontotoc Lady Cougars are (front row sitting left to right) Logan Forman, Brianna Jamison, Ella Gaspard, Aniyah Reed, Mattie Washington, (second row) Lexie Ward, Kaylee Ray, Haylee Grubbs, Mary Kate Harmon, Kinzi Ellis, Ashley Brasher, Abbey Montgomery, Mattie Pilcher, Arnicha Cherry, Kendal Houpt, (back row), head coach Bill Russell, Rebecca Pilcher, Alexis Hurst, Madison Bagwell, Maisy Canerdy, Secora Weeks, Leah Pennington, Anna Catherine Roye, coach Brandy Higgason, and coach Jeff Harmon. 16 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Russell looks to instill winning culture at South Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
South Pontotoc made perhaps the biggest offseason news in Northeast Mississippi High School basketball in May, when it announced the hiring of Bill Russell to lead its girls program. Russell, a well-known fixture in the high school basketball scene, has won 655 games and two state championships in 28 seasons as a head coach at Senatobia and Pontotoc High School. Russell, a graduate of South, seeks to reestablish the Lady Cougars as a perennial winning program. "My first goal was to change the mentality, change the expectations," Russell said. "I think you have to believe you can win before you can win consistently. Your expectations of yourself carry you a long way. I have
Date 11/9 11/10 11/11 11/17 11/27 11/28 12/1 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/15 12/18 12/19 12/22
been pleased with the way they have responded and the way they have worked." The Lady Cougars return some players with notable playing time and starting experience, but it will still be a learning process to gain experience playing Russell's pressure style. "We have kids with a lot of minutes, but they don't have playing time under their belt the way I want to play and in my system," Russell said. "They are new to me, and I am new to them, so it is a learning process for both of us." In the post South will look to seniors Kinzi Ellis, who Russell said gives the Lady Cougars some good athletic ability down low, and Ashley Brasher for production, as well as sophomore Anna Catherine Roye and freshman Secora Weeks. "Those four will anchor the
post position for us," Russell said. On the perimeter transfer sisters Mattie and Rebekah Pilcher, Abbey Montgomery and Lexie Ward will play big minutes, with versatile senior Mary Kate Harmon playing guard and forward. Freshman Aniyah Reed is also set to get some minutes after getting her feet wet in varsity action as an eighth grader a year ago. Russell says all of them shoot the ball effectively. "Those are the ones that have, at this point, solidified themselves as our top ten," Russell said. "Also (junior) Arnicha Cherry is right there as well; she shoots it really well, but she just has some work to do in other areas. "I think depth will be a positive for us. We've got a lot of kids where there is not much difference between them. I think
we will be able to play the style I like to play, just because of our numbers. I am looking forward to it." Russell recognizes the challenges of taking over a team that won 7 games last season, but he also thinks it is pointless to not set high goals. "You have to be realistic when you're goal setting, but you also have to set expectations that your kids have to work to achieve," Russell said. "We are playing a schedule where I think we can win some games. Our first goal is to win 20, and let the rest of it take care of itself. That is going to be a tough thing to do, but I believe it is realistic and we can achieve it. As I said, the most important thing is changing their mentality and their expectations, and the wins and losses will take care of themselves."
2017-18 South Pontotoc Lady Cougars Basketball Schedule
Opponent @ West Union vs. Pine Grove @ West Union vs. East Union @ West Union Tourney Bruce Houlka Amory New Site vs. Vardaman @ Houston @ North Pontotoc @ East Union Kossuth H.W. Byers North Delta vs. East Webster (@ Knightstown, IN)
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/2 1/5 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/20 1/23 1/26 2/2 2/6 2/9
Opponent Falkner @ Mooreville @ Tupelo Christian Prep Choctaw County* Aberdeen* @ Hatley* vs. Hickory Flat @ Aberdeen @ Houlka @ Houston* @ Nettleton* @ Blue Mountain Vardaman
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 17
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Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 19
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors
Men’s Soccer
Photo by Trent’s Portrait Design
The 2017-18 Pontotoc Warrior soccer team includes (bottom row left to right) Carlos Aguilar, Freddy Porter, Jolan Mills, Bryan Gonzalez, Robert Ramos, (middle row) Spencer Bass, Dylan Shipton, Blayze Haynes, Brandon Gonzalez, Paul Yat, Dylan Gunter, Kevin Cruz, Shaun Christenson, (top row) Leo Gonzalez, Nate Criswell, Reed Emison, head coach Tyler Moore, coach Kyle Walker, Marco Gasca, Branden Harris and Ross Mathews.
20 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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Deep Warriors have momentum for 2017-18 season Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
The Pontotoc Warriors finished with a .500 record a year ago with a young team fielding a lot of players that were thrown into the fire. This year the team can very much be considered a veteran group with only one departure due to graduation. With a successful summer under their belt and confidence from last season's battles Pontotoc has high hopes for the upcoming campaign. "I am pleased with the effort the guys put in over the summer," said head coach Tyler Moore. "We had a winning record, but of course summer records are skewed, because you don't ever really have all your guys and other teams don't either. We are coming back with pretty much our whole squad, just with a little bit more game experience. I think we have built a good bit of momentum heading into our season." Pontotoc returns its top scorer in versatile junior midfielder/forward Kevin Cruz. "Kevin is very talented," Moore said. "We can use him at multiple positions on the field. He is just a natural soccer player. However, the kids around Kevin are who I am really excited about. We have a lot of skillful guys around him that are approaching his talent level just by how hard they have worked and how much better they have gotten."
This year the Warriors are still young from a roster perspective, with only two seniors in forward Bryan Gonzalez and defender Dylan Gunter, but both will be important to the squad's success. "Bryan (Gonzalez) is an offensive threat; he is fast, he checks hard to the ball, and he works harder than anybody," said Moore. "Dylan (Gunter) has put in a lot of effort in the offseason, and I am excited to see what he can do for us in the back end."
Anchoring the Warrior defense along with Gunter will be Nathan Criswell, Carlos Aguilar and Ross Matthews. Sophomore Jolan Mills is slated to be the starting goalkeeper, with fellow sophomore Shaun Christenson backing him up. The Warriors should be able to put a number of players into the game that can contribute. "I am excited about our depth," Moore said. "I can throw a lot of guys in there that all can play. This is the first season since I have been coaching here that we have the kind of depth and experience that we have." That will be important, as PHS will be facing a tough slate as try to advance to the postseason out of Division 1-4A. "We are facing some really competitive and well coached teams in our division," Moore said. "Every game is going to be crucial. We are going to have to fight in every division battle to have a chance to win, but I think we are up the challenge. I am excited to see how that unfolds throughout the season." Moore thinks his squad now has a better understanding of why doing the little things matter, as the difference between a win and a close loss can be extremely small. "They are starting to figure that out through our leadership," he said. "We've got some experienced guys now that set a really good example of showing up every day to practice and giving it your all."
2017-18 Pontotoc Warriors Soccer Schedule
Date 11/11 11/14 11/16 11/17 11/27 12/1 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/18
Opponent Corinth @ North Pontotoc @ Center Hill @ Nettleton @ Lake Cormorant @ Caledonia @ South Panola Amory* @ Itawamba AHS* New Albany* @ Ripley North Pontotoc
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/5 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/20 1/22 1/23
Opponent @ Senatobia Itawamba AHS* @ Mooreville* @ New Albany* @ Amory* Mooreville* Tishomingo County Tupelo Christian Prep @ South Pontotoc
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 21
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors
Women’s Soccer
Photo by Trent’s Portrait Design
The 2017-18 Lady Warrior soccer team includes (top row left to right) Lauryn Spates, Anna Rials, Maddie McGregor, head coach McKinley Holland, Sarah Whitt, Sydney Shelton, Hannah Fletcher, (middle row) manager Eliza Hamill, Jaleesha Dandridge, Maria Castaneda, Brook Hendrix, Megan Linley, Olivia Mask, manager Joanna Browner, (bottom row) Caroline McAuley, Katie Munlin, Katie Hogue, Abby Feathers and Jorden Owen.
22 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
Lady Warriors look to build off late season run Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
The Pontotoc Lady Warriors got off to a slow start last season, but they ended on a high note by winning seven of their last eight regular season games, including the final six. They fell in the opening round to powerhouse Florence 5-0, a score that was deceptive. "I was as proud of that group last year as any I have ever coached, including the team that played for North Half," head coach McKinley Holland said. "Not taking anything away from our kids, but Florence was much better soccer team. The fact that we held them scoreless for 70 minutes and executed the exact game plan we wanted to, that says a lot about our kids. We just ran out of gas." Holland hopes the team's strong end of the season and playoff game will give the squad some confidence. Pontotoc will compete in what looks to be an ultra-strong Division 1-4A with New Albany, Itawamba AHS, Amory, and last year's 1A-2A-3A North Half run-
ner-up Mooreville, who moved up in the recent reclassification. "A 4-4 or 5-3 record might win it," Holland said. "I've got an awful lot of respect for all the teams. If you take an off night in this division you're going to be in trouble. It is going to come down to some extent to who catches the breaks." The Lady Warriors will rely heavily on a five-player senior class- forwards Sarah Whitt and Maddie McGregor, midfielders Sydney Shelton and Anna Rials, and midfielder/defender Lauryn Spates. "They have all been doing this a long time; they know what to expect, and I know what to expect out of them," Holland said. "All of them do a really good job for us." PHS returns capable scoring threats in Whitt, an Itawamba Community College commitment, and McGregor. "Sarah (Whitt) is a great player for us," Holland said. "We know that teams are going to try to key in on her and take her out of our offensive game plan, so it is really going to be important for Maddie (McGregor) to take some
of the pressure off of her. If we can do that we can be very dynamic offensively. They are going to score most of the goals, so that is something I don't have to guess about. They know that is their role." The midfield looks to be strong as well with Shelton, Rials, Spates and Katie Munlin. "I don't know if we have had a kid that has had the kind of improvement Sydney (Shelton) has over four years," Holland said. "She understands the game, and she is going to be playing somewhere in the middle of the field." Munlin returns as center midfielder after a very productive freshman season. "Katie (Munlin) has been our center midfielder for a year and half now," Holland said. "She is only a sophomore and is still going to make young mistakes, but she is a big part of what we do. She plays that role very well." Junior Brook Hendrix returns at goalie. "That is something I am excited about that I haven't had much over the years, a returning goalkeeper," Holland said. "Brook
kept us in a lot of games, some of which we probably had no business being in. She took over for an injured player last year and was big for us. We are happy to have her for two more years." Junior Jaleesha Dandridge returns at defender and will anchor PHS's back end. Players that will be tasked with more important roles this season are juniors Caroline McAuley and Maria Castaneda. Sophomore Katie Hogue played heavily as an eighth grader and is back after missing last season with an injury. Athletic track standout Jorden Owen has also joined the team. "She (Owen) has really started to pick up what is we are doing," Holland said. "She is still extremely raw as a soccer player, but she is as athletic a kid as you will find. I think she is going to be valuable for us defensively." With a small roster this season, it will be all hands on deck. Abby Feathers, Megan Linley, Hannah Fletcher and Olivia Mask round out the rotation. "We pretty much to have to (play everybody)," Holland said. "They are all going to be counted on to play a role."
2017-18 Pontotoc Lady Warriors Soccer Schedule
Date 11/11 11/14 11/16 11/17 11/27 12/1 12/2 12/5 12/8 12/12 12/15 12/18
Opponent Corinth @ North Pontotoc @ Center Hill @ Nettleton @ Lake Cormorant @ Caledonia @ South Panola Amory* @ Itawamba AHS* New Albany* @ Ripley North Pontotoc
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/5 1/9 1/12 1/16 1/19 1/20 1/22 1/23
Opponent @ Senatobia Itawamba AHS* @ Mooreville* @ New Albany* @ Amory* Mooreville* Tishomingo County Tupelo Christian Prep @ South Pontotoc
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 23
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Men’s Soccer
Photo by Jonathan Wise
Members of the 2017-18 North Pontotoc Viking soccer team include (first row) Victor Guerrero, Juan Perez, Jesus Tovar, Alex Barnes, (second row) Christian Najera, Ahiezer Bueso, Tristan Hester, Carlos Guerrero, Brian Meza, (third row) Gavin Dyer, Brendon Fields, Taylor Ray, Carlos Tovar, Samuel Franco, Luis Guerrero, Erik Gonzalez, (fourth row) Christian Mounce, Collin Copeland, Hayes Malone, Omar Alzobiry, Ali Fadil, Brian Frias, Alexis Romero, (top row) Javier Ramirez, Jaden Ezell, West Sutton, Jesus Juarez, Jesus Romero, Luis Herrera and Kevin Rodriguez. Not pictured: Braxton Sudduth. 24 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
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North boys have a chance for special year Will Ruff
Sports Writer
A season ago North Pontotoc’s boys soccer team finished as division runner up on a tie breaker. The Vikings made it to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Southeast Lauderdale for the third year in a row. It is safe to say the program has come a long way under head coach Donnie Sellers' tutelage, and it has experienced a lot of success. North has made playoff appearances in three straight seasons. Postseason soccer is something the Vikings have grown accustomed to, and this year should be no different as coach Sellers' expectations remain high for his team. “I expect us to win the division and make it to state,” said Sellers. “If we can stay healthy and play together as a team, we can make a run.” The Vikings return nine starters from a year ago, with an experienced midfield that will help make them one of the more
versatile teams in the division. North will rely heavily on Braxton Sudduth and Kevin Rodriguez to distribute the ball and find space on a nightly basis. “They are two great ball handlers," he said. "They can put it where it needs to be, and if they are open in space they can take it all the way as well.” North returns striker Carlos “G” Guerrero, a player coach
Sellers says can “put it on the goal, every inch of the frame, and he moves well in traffic; he can get open with his great ball skills and consistently score.” Guerrero has averaged double digit goals for three consecutive seasons. Juan Perez will be relied upon defensively to keep things in order on the back line. “He is a bull in a China shop,” said coach Sellers. “He
is stout, hard to get around, versatile and will take a few shots for us too.” North will play in the same region and district as last year with South Pontotoc, Tupelo Christian Prep, Vardaman, and Nettleton. Coach Sellers also discussed his philosophy of scheduling “up” in non-division games, as this season the Vikings play stout non-district opponents such as Pontotoc, Oxford, Center Hill and New Albany. He believes that is one of the only ways to get the most out of his team. “Wins and losses do not matter outside of the division,” he said. “I schedule 'up' to help my guys gain confidence, because we need confidence in each other to play as a team.” He says the only thing keeping them from making a run is losing focus on playing together, stressing that “if we can look past each other’s mistakes and pick each other up instead of playing like we are a man or two down, we will be playing soccer as long as we want this season.”
2017-18 North Pontotoc Vikings Soccer Schedule
Date 11/10-11 11/14 11/17 11/28 12/4 12/5 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/14 12/15
Opponent @ Oxford Tournament Pontotoc @ Lafayette @ Mooreville @ Oxford Center Hill Tupelo Christian Prep* Oxford @ Caledonia @ Vardaman * Nettleton*
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/5 1/9 1/11 1/13 1/15 1/18 1/19
Opponent New Albany @ Nettleton* Caledonia South Pontotoc* @ South Pontotoc* @ Tupelo Christian Prep* @ Pontotoc Vardaman*
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 25
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Women’s Soccer
Photo by Jonathan Wise
Members of the 2017-18 North Pontotoc Lady Viking soccer team include (first row) Citlali Garcia, Paige Chism, Chianne Townsend, Brittany Mathis, Kristen Berryhill, Aveonna Wright Jay Jay Stegall, (second row) Madison Inmon, Liz Tovar, Lexi May, Karley Robbins, Yesica Romero, Yaquelin Tovar, Destiny Jones, (third row) Naomy Campuseco, Rose Serano, Yeraldi Gonzalez, Brianna Mathis, KiLeigh Berryhill, Hope Culpepper, Stephanie Guerrero, Tania Gonzalez, (top row) Jenna Schaefer, Lizzy White, Vanessa Lopez, Chloe Pina, Karen Tinajero, Maria Tinajero and Laura Gonzalez. 26 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
Lady Vikings seek to become a fixture in postseason soccer Will Ruff
Sports Writer
A season ago the North Pontotoc Lady Vikings soccer team finished second in Region 1, District 1 of the 1A/2A/3A classification and made the playoffs, falling to state semifinalist Mooreville in the first round. This season new head coach Donnie Sellers' expectations remain the same. “I want to make a run at the division and make the playoffs again,” he said. “We are going to be young, but we have some girls with some experience and some athletes, and they know what to do with the ball.” Coach Sellers will look to seniors Kristen Berryhill and Brittany Mathis to lead this year’s squad. “Berryhill is an experienced defensive player and good with the ball too,” Sellers said. “Mathis won’t be able to contribute much until around Christmas, due to an injury, but she will still be needed as a leader. When she does get
back, she will be one of our most talented scorers and will be expected to find the net on a nightly basis.” Sophomore Brianna Mathis might be an underclassman on paper, but she has three years of experience and will be relied upon in the middle to distribute the ball. “She will play the middle for us,” said coach Sellers. “She does a good job distributing the ball and getting it to open space.” The Lady Vikings will need to get some key contributions from young players, but Sellers thinks that only means his girls need to get a few games under their belts. He thinks that as more opportunities to get better present themselves they will improve steadily. “We need to play and gain experience so we can get them used to the speed and physicality at the high school level,” said Sellers. “The quicker we learn on the fly and adjust the quicker we will experience success.”
2017-18 North Pontotoc Lady Vikings Soccer Schedule
Date 11/10-11 11/14 11/17 11/28 12/4 12/5 12/7 12/8 12/9 12/14 12/15
Opponent @ Oxford Tournament Pontotoc @ Lafayette @ Mooreville @ Oxford Center Hill Tupelo Christian Prep* Oxford @ Caledonia @ Vardaman * Nettleton*
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/5 1/9 1/11 1/13 1/15 1/18 1/19
Opponent New Albany @ Nettleton* Caledonia South Pontotoc* @ South Pontotoc* @ Tupelo Christian Prep* @ Pontotoc Vardaman*
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 27
2017-2018
South Pontotoc Cougars
Men’s Soccer
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 South Pontotoc Cougar soccer team includes (sitting) Braxton Ratcliff, John Brian Waldo,Salvado Diaz, Joshua Fernandez, Marcus Holley, (back row) Eric Garcia, Juventino Bejarano, Armando Rangel and Alex Bejarano. Not pictured are Will Fleming, Elesio Fernandez, Jamison Powell, Oscar Venagas, Ivan Martinez, Caleb Tuggle, Colton Byars and Logan Rainwater. 28 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
Defending division champs hope to continue success Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
South Pontotoc's boys soccer team had a successful year in 2016-17, as the Cougars won a division championship and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, where they were eliminated by Forest for the second consecutive year. The Cougars improved by 7 wins from the previous year and received the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's 1A3A Boys Soccer Team of the Year award at the publication's Winter/Spring Sports Banquet. The Cougars should be a solid team once again with multiple returning starters, including Eric Garcia, Logan Rainwater, Juventino Bejarano, Jamison Powell, Armando Rangel, and Oscar Venegas. Garcia, a senior, is a pivotal returnee as one of the team's starting forwards. "He is a senior that we expect a lot out of," said head coach Horace Kitchens. "He is a really talented offensive player." Sophomore Armando Rangel is a multi-year starter who will
Date 11/10 11/11 11/13 11/18 11/30 12/1 12/2 12/8 12/16 12/19
also be looked to for important offensive contributions at midfielder and forward. "He is a good player who is only going to get better," Kitchens said. The Cougars have a major hole to fill at goalkeeper, where the Cougars lost standout Mario Lopez. Lopez was a wall in the net, but Kitchens think the
Cougars have players who will be effective there this season as well. Will Fleming looks set to man that spot after the school football season has ended, with Alex Bejarano seeing playing time as well. Kitchens has confidence that the defense will be stout, led by senior defenders Logan Rainwater, Juventino Bejarano and Jamison Powell,
who will also be playing some outside midfielder. "They will be counted on to lead our defense," Kitchens said. "They are all seniors who are experienced." South will also look to young players for key contributions, as several newcomers to the team will hopefully provide depth as they get playing time under their belts. "We are going to have a number of younger players," Kitchens said. "But I think we have some good kids that have come out." If the Cougars get the kind of production from their returners as they have in the past and both their veterans and youth continue to improve, prospects are good for successful year. There is a lot in flux at this point, as several key players will not even begin practicing until football ends (at press time). "We expect to have a good season," Kitchens said. "Right now it is still a work a progress. It is going to come down to how hard they work and how much they want it. We just want to try to get better every game."
2017-18 South Pontotoc Cougar Soccer Schedule Opponent @ Oxford Tournament @ Oxford Tournament @ Olive Branch South Panola @ Senatobia @ Tupelo Tournament @ Tupelo Tournament DeSoto Central @ Jackson Tournament Nettleton*
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/6 1/8 1/11 1/13 1/16 1/18 1/23
Opponent Vardaman* @ Vardaman* @ Tupelo Christian Prep* @ North Pontotoc* North Pontotoc* @ Nettleton* Tupelo Christian Prep* Pontotoc
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 29
2017-2018
South Pontotoc Cougars
Women’s Soccer
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 South Pontotoc Lady Cougar soccer team includes (front row) Perla Diaz, Ashley Smith, Chelle' Corder, Sallie Blake Fleming, (middle row) Breanna Nix, Fatima Rangel, Kassidy Young, Judith Mills, Rayna Russell, Layne Tedder, Maggie Ross, (back row) Pamela Bejarano, Serena Williams, Gabi Reynolds and Morgan Ellis. Not pictured: Belle Mills, Lana Holley, Alanis Duke, Hannah Akers, and Leah Montgomery. 30 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
Lady Cougars shooting for elusive state title Jonathan Wise
Pontotoc Progress
South Pontotoc's girls soccer program has enjoyed as dominant a run as any high school sports program in North Mississippi in recent years. South has won five consecutive 1A/2A/3A North Half Championships. Still, the one thing that has alluded head coach Horace Kitchens is a state championship, as the Lady Cougars have fallen in five straight title games. "I don't know if anyone has ever done that, but at the same time I really would like to win that thing," Kitchens said. No public school has ever captured the 1A/2A/3A girls crown, but South has been as close as anybody, including a four-overtime loss to in Sacred Heart 2016. The Lady Cougars have only lost 11 games over the past three years, a mere eight in the regular season. They have sent a large contingent of players to the collegiate level, but there are always new kids that step in make up for the lost production. This year is no different. South lost four key seniors, including two that are playing at the next level, but they will still field a team with loads talent and championship mettle. "I'm excited about the girls; I think all around we are going to have a good team," Kitchens said. "We are probably going to have to be in better condition than we ever have been in before, because we aren't going
to be very deep. But the ones we have are going to be pretty good." Senior midfielder Judith Mills has been a standout player for years and will again be a key cog in the lineup. "Judith is very talented," Kitchens said. "She scored 47 goals as an seventh grader against some very good competition, which was a state record at the time. She is a sixth year senior now, and she has played in a lot of big games." Other dangerous returning scorers include forward Rayna Russell and forward/midfieler Lana Holley.
"Rayna is always a threat," Kitchens said. "She is one of the best ball handlers I've ever seen." An up and coming player who Kitchens expects to make an impact is Serena Williams. "She is probably one of the fastest eight graders I have ever had," Kitchens said. "I am going to move her up to forward, and she is going to be a threat and keep those defenders backed up. "Those four are going to be my offensive threats." Other returning starters include senior Kassidy Young, who will lead the defensive unit, junior Belle Mills, senior Fatima Rangel, 8th grader Sallie Blake Fleming, and junior goalkeeper Layne Tedder, who helped the Lady Cougars record 10 shutouts. "Layne has a year of experience, and she should be even better this year," Kitchens said. "I expect to have a real strong defense." As always the goal is get back to Clinton and win it all. South will have a tough road to get there, but they are the clear favorites once again in the 1A/2A/3A North. Mooreville, who returns nearly their entire squad from a team that took the Lady Cougars to a shootout in the state semifinals last January, has moved up to 4A. "I think they have a chance (to get back to state)," Kitchens said. "We need to stay healthy and find us a few subs to help us out."
2017-18 South Pontotoc Lady Cougar Soccer Schedule
Date 11/10 11/11 11/13 11/18 11/30 12/1 12/2 12/8 12/16 12/19
Opponent @ Oxford Tournament @ Oxford Tournament @ Olive Branch South Panola @ Senatobia @ Tupelo Tournament @ Tupelo Tournament DeSoto Central @ Jackson Tournament Nettleton*
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Date 1/4 1/6 1/8 1/11 1/13 1/16 1/18 1/23
Opponent Vardaman* @ Vardaman* @ Tupelo Christian Prep* @ North Pontotoc* North Pontotoc* @ Nettleton* Tupelo Christian Prep* Pontotoc
*Division game Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 31
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Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 33
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors
Men’s Bowling
Photo by Jonathan Wise
Members of the 2017-18 Warrior bowling team are (front row) Gavin Chunn, Johnny Kelly III, Will Porter, Carson Long, Cooper Parmer, (back row) Cameron Chunn, A.J. Osborne, Dustin Brock, Aaron Littlejohn, Logan Chunn and Cameron Lavigne. 34 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
2017-2018
Pontotoc Warriors Women’s Bowling
Photo by Jonathan Wise
Members of the 2017-18 Lady Warrior bowling team are (front row) Jada Jamison, Layla Tutor, Lauryn Spates, Jakaria Naylor, Tierra Zinn (back row) Sara Kitchens, Bree Porter, Maddie Moorman, Tia Thornton and Caitlyn Kelly. Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Fall Sports 2017 | 35
Warrior bowling teams seek to continue success under new head coach Galen Holley Sports Writer
High expectations surround the Pontotoc High girls and boys bowling teams as they enter the 2017-18 season under new head coach Curt Sparks. “We have a good group of kids, including several returning students, and we expect to compete at a high level,” said Sparks. Close to 100 students tried out for the boys and girls teams, Sparks said, with the squad eventually trimmed to 10-11 bowlers for each team. Sparks likes what he has seen so far on the lanes. “Last year they didn’t get to practice as much, but this season we’ve weighted the beginning of the season with matches so that, as we get closer to finals, we can devote more time to practice and to fine-tuning some things,” Sparks said.
Sparks, 29, a Belmont native, takes over for coach Edgar Sorto. Sparks previously coached basketball, baseball, and cross country at Tremont, as well as golf at Choctaw County. He inherits a program that has enjoyed a lot of recent success. The Pontotoc boys won the Class I state championship in 2009 and were the Class II state runner-up in 2010 and 2011. The boys were also regional champs in 2012 and 2014. Last year they were again tops in the region and finished third at state. PHS's girls were regional champs in 2014 and brought home third-place honors at state. This year the Warriors will compete in the Class II North division along with Center Hill, Corinth, Itawamba AHS, Lafayette, Lewisburg, New Albany and Olive Branch. Experience always helps, Sparks said, adding that this
year the Warriors return several competition-tested bowlers. On the boys side, senior Logan Chunn, an All-Region Team bowler last year, is expected to provide leadership, along with senior Cameron Lavigne. Both Chunn and Lavigne competed at state last year. Also returning is junior Gavin Chunn, sophomores Dustin Brock, Aaron Littlejohn, and Will Porter, and freshman Cameron Chunn. Senior Caitlyn Kelly will help anchor an experienced girls’ team, along with returning bowlers Jada Jamison, a junior, sophomore Tierra Zinn and freshmen Bree Porter and Sara Kitchens. Both Zinn and Porter were All-Region tournament bowlers last season. “Our main goal for the girls is to qualify for state,” Sparks said. “They don’t have as many matches as the guys, and we’re really looking to grow the program.”
The Warriors open the season Nov. 15 against what Sparks described as a tough Tupelo Christian Preparatory team. “We wanted to schedule some good teams at the beginning of the year because we wanted our kids to see some good competition,” Sparks said. He pointed to a Dec. 11 matchup against Corinth as another important test. “We’ll also face some good competition in the holiday tournament,” Sparks said. That tournament is scheduled for December 16 in Tupelo. As a way of fully engaging and motivating his bowlers, Sparks has made them a part of different aspects of team development, he said, such as allowing them to select their own uniforms. “We’re all very excited about the season and look forward to competing well and having a good time,” said Sparks.
2017-18 Pontotoc Bowling Schedule
Date 11/15 11/28 11/30 12/6 12/7 12/11 12/16 12/18
36 | Fall Sports 2017
Opponent Tupelo Christian West Union Tupelo Tremont Nettleton (Boys Only) Corinth/East Union Holiday Tournament Mantachie
Location Tupelo Tupelo Tupelo Fulton Tupelo Tupelo Tupelo Tupelo
Date 1/8 1/9 1/18 1/22
Opponent Itawamba AHS New Albany Nettleton (Boys Only) North Pontotoc
Location Fulton New Albany Tupelo Tupelo
*Venues for bowling matches will in Rebel Lanes in Tupelo, Thunder Bowl in Fulton and Action Lanes in New Albany pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Men’s Bowling
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 North Pontotoc Vikings bowling team includes (first row) coach Bob Wingo, Austin Carwile, Jed Fitts, Auston Whitten, Myles Owen, (second row) Hunter Carwile, Evan Funderburk, Nick Cooper, Britt Cooper, Nic Clements, (third row) Blake McGloflin, Clayton Collums, Ryan Owen, Richard Alexander, Jonathan Ferguson and James Clay McGregor. Not Pictured: Jsyn Bolton, Jackson Harlow, Richard Henry and Ellis Tate. Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 37
2017-2018
North Pontotoc Vikings
Women’s Bowling
Photo by Jonathan Wise
The 2017-18 North Pontotoc Lady Vikings bowling team includes (first row) coach Bob Wingo, Ashlyn Thomas, Maly Mae Fitts, Lillian Angle, (second row) Caitlin Hattaway, Marlee Schaefer and Tishuna Blanch. Not Pictured: Jade Bridgman, Shay Howell, Brianna Page, Amari McShan, Riley Sappington and Maggie Turnage. 38 | Winter Sports 2017-2018
pontotoc-progress.com • Pontotoc Progress
Vikings hope to grow young program Will Ruff
Sports Writer
The North Pontotoc bowling program has plenty of room for improvement in 2017, but coach Bob Wingo thinks with more practice and a focus on growing his young players and their scores, success will come. “We have a lot of young players this year and our girls program is back as well,” said Wingo. “I want us to go out and place higher in the regional tournament.” The Vikings have 14 bowlers who are in middle school, 8 boys and 6 girls, and 17 who are in high school, 11 boys and 6 girls. Coach Wingo is focused on growing the program from the ground up and having that many young bowlers could help him develop a very competitive program down the road. Returning this season for the boy’s team are seniors Nick Cooper and Britt Cooper. Both have been bowling since the 7th grade. “I expect them to put up good, consistent scores for us this season," Wingo said. Also returning is sophomore Evan Funderburk, who coach Wingo thinks has improved greatly and will contribute due to his experience on the lanes. While the girls team didn’t
have the numbers to play last season, they do this year, primarily due to the recruiting efforts of senior Caitlin Hattaway. “She was upset last year and took to the halls to make sure we were able to put a team
together,” said Wingo. “It also helps that she is a great bowler and will be relied upon for consistent scores all season long. "Marley Schaefer will be a name to watch for as well,” said coach Wingo. “She is new to bowling but has put up consis-
tent scores so far in practice. “I will have a better idea of where we are mid-season and how we would do in the regional tournament, but right now I think we have as good a shot this year as we have any of the previous seasons.”
2017-18 North Pontotoc Bowling Schedule
Date 11/13 11/28 12/4 1/4 1/9
Opponent Nettleton New Albany Myrtle/Alcorn Central Corinth Nettleton
Pontotoc Progress • pontotoc-progress.com
Location Tupelo New Albany New Albany Tupelo Tupelo
Date 1/11 1/22
Location New Albany Tupelo
Opponent East Union Pontotoc
*All matches scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Winter Sports 2017-2018 | 39