Spring 2016 | Vol. 35, No. 1
The Official Publication of the Mississippi Association of Coaches
MAC’s 2015–2016
All-Star Games
Announcing MAC’s 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees Plan Now to Attend the Mississippi Multi-Sports Clinic, July 19–22
Spring 2016 | Vol. 35, No. 1
The Official Publication of the Mississippi Association of Coaches
features
departments 5
MAC Officers
6
President’s Message (Andy Richey)
6
Executive Director’s Message (Johnny Mims)
8 10
Upcoming Event
MAC’s 2015–2016 All-Star Games
18
15
MAC Hall of Fame
18
2016 Mississippi Multi-Sports Clinic, July 19–22
Cover Story
2016 Inductees Announced for Banquet on June 24
Dates to Remember 2016 Index of Advertisers
The Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Mississippi Coach, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or MAC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bi-annual publication. Copyright ©2016 by The Mississippi Association of Coaches. Mississippi Coach is published bi-annually. Subscriptions are complimentary to MAC members. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Mississippi Coach allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MAC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524.
4 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
MAC Officers //
Mississippi Coach is the official publication of: The Mississippi Association of Coaches Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1194 Clinton, Mississippi 39060-1194 Street Address: 600 East Northside Drive Clinton, Mississippi 39056-3437 Tel: (601) 924-3020 Fax: (601) 924-3050 www.mscoaches.com Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com MAC Staff: Executive Director Johnny Mims jmims@mscoaches.com Office Manager Sara Angelo sangelo@mscoaches.com Creative Designer/ Web Master Lindsey Koestler lkoestler@mscoaches.com MAC Officers: President Andy Richey Vice President Gina Skelton Immediate Past President Bill Ward Executive Committee Jonny Bolen Brad Breland Karen Green Shane Sanderson Randy West Tony Woody
2015–2016 MAC Officers President – Andy Richey, Wheeler Vice-President – Gina Skelton, Quitman Immediate Past President – Bill Ward, Pelahatchie Executive Director – Johnny Mims Office Manager – Sara Angelo Creative Designer/Web Master – Lindsey Koestler
Class 1A/2A District
Coach
School
Term
1 2
Larry Gann Karen Green
2017 2016
3 4 5 6 7 8
Derrick Hooker Brad Gray Brad Breland Chris Courtney Brian Smith Mike Meyers
Vardaman Marshall Co. School District South Delta Ethel Union Pelahatchie Salem OLA
Coach
School
Term
Shane Sanderson Richard Russo Richard Horton Kevin Pullen Danielle Haney Burrell Leach Rickey O’Quinn Tony Woody
New Albany Independence Humphreys County Kosciusko Quitman McLaurin Franklin County Moss Point
2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017
Coach
School
Term
Johnny Bolen Paul Hayden Kenneth Kable Randall Montgomery Todd Breland Randy West Tommy Clopton Bryan Caldwell
Saltillo DeSoto Central Greenville Columbus Laurel Brandon Brookhaven Gulfport
2016 2017 2017 2016 2016 2017 2017 2016
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2017
Class 3A/4A District
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Class 5A/6A District
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
* Bold Italics indicates Executive Committee
Honorary Board Members
Herman Sanders, Wingfield Scott Huskey, Brandon High School Allen Lunceford, Clinton High School www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 5
// President’s
Message
// Executive
Director’s Message
Thanks for Your Continued Support!
Teaching Life Lessons
We’ve
just wrapped up the 2015–2016 school year. I would like to congratulate all of the state championship teams. I hope that you’ve all had successful seasons this spring. Remember, it’s not all about winning or losing — we must also teach life lessons to have successful student athletes. I would like to recognize Johnny, Sara and Lindsey on all of their hard work for the MAC! They guide and give coaches a voice for the greatest coaching association in the world. I am honored to be your president for the MAC this year! May God bless each of you!
Andy Richey
A
big thanks to the MAC board of directors for all of the hard work and support that you give to this association. To the individual-sport committee members, please know that all you do for the MAC does not go unrecognized. Please continue to use our new website as a source of information. Also, don’t forget to follow us on twitter @MACoaches to keep up with all of the upcoming events and deadlines. The MAC continues to be viewed as the best coaches association in the country. Your support of our organization is overwhelming, and the MAC staff is grateful for that. I hope all of you have had a great year, and we look forward to seeing you at the All-Star events and the Clinic.
Johnny Mims
2015–2016 MAC President
MAC Executive Director
Thanks to Our Sponsors! Air National Guard
Jackson Coca-Cola Bottling
Mississippi Sports Medicine
American income life
Max Preps
BankPlus
Miller Net co.
MS State Dept. of Health – Office of Tobacco Control
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five Star Sports howard industries
Mississippi Power
6 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
Russell Athletic Wilson World Class Athletic Surfaces
// upcoming
event
2016 Mississippi Multi-Sports Clinic
n, MS so k c a J l te o H n to il H • 6 1 0 2 July 19–22, (Speakers Confirmed as of 5/5/16)
Football • Hugh Freeze, Head Coach, University of Mississippi • Dan Werner, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, University of Mississippi • Corey Batoon, Assistant Coach, Defensive Backs, University of Mississippi • Dan Mullen, Head Coach, Mississippi State University • Greg Knox, Special Teams Coordinator, Mississippi State University • Peter Sirmon, Defensive Coordinator, Mississippi State University • Jay Hopson, Head Coach, University of Southern Mississippi • Shannon Dawson, Offensive Coordinator, University of Southern Mississippi • Tony Pecoraro, Defensive Coordinator, University of Southern Mississippi • Tony Hughes, Head Coach, Jackson State University • Brad Peterson, Director of Player Personnel, Mississippi State University • Rod Gibson, Recruiting Specialist, Mississippi State University • Patrick Austin, Recruiting Specialist, Mississippi State University • Ryan Earnest, Head Coach, Ridgeland High School • Shawn Raney, Head Coach, Spain Park High School (Birmingham, AL) • Chris Yeager, Head Coach, Mt. Brook High School (Mountain Brook, AL) • Todd Mangum, Head Coach, Wayne County High School • Ricky Woods, Head Coach, Starkville High School • Tavares Johnson, Head Coach, Simmons High School
• Tyrone Shorter, Head Coach, Noxubee County High School • Barney Farrar, Assistant Athletic Director for HS & JC Relations, University of Mississippi • Lee Wilbanks, Coordinator of Recruiting Development, University of Mississippi
Basketball • Wayne Brent, Men’s Head Coach, Jackson State University • Rahim Lockhart, Men’s Head Coach, Jones County Junior College • Wes Flanigan, Men’s Head Coach, University of Arkansas – Little Rock • Jim Boone, Head Coach, Delta State University • Jordan Dupuy, Head Women’s Coach, Northwestern State University • Scott Fletcher, Head Women’s Coach, Pearl River Community College • Joye McNelis, Head Coach, University of Southern Mississippi • Mark Slessinger, Head Coach, University of New Orleans • Tim Wise, Head Coach, Millsaps College
Softball • Beth Torina, Head Coach, Louisiana State University • Wendy Hogue, Head Coach, University of Southern Mississippi • Leigh White, Head Coach, Pearl River Community College • Glenn Lucas, Southern Athletic Fields
Baseball • Wes Johnson, Assistant Coach, Mississippi State University • Mike Kinnison, Head Coach, Delta State University
8 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
• Wes Thigpen, Assistant Coach, Hinds Community College • Chris Curry, Head Coach, University of Arkansas – Little Rock • Tony Robichaux, Head Coach, University of Louisiana – Lafayette • Chris Rose, Head Coach, East Mississippi Community College • Lee Boyd, Head Coach, New Hope High School
Soccer • Gray Massey, Women’s Head Coach, East Central Community College
Powerlifting • Jason Russell, Head Coach, Oxford High School
Volleyball • David McFatrich, Head Coach, Mississippi State University
Track & Cross Country • Houston Franks, Head Cross Country Coach, Mississippi State University • Andre Scott, Associate Head Coach, University of Mississippi • John Smith, Associate Coach, University of Mississippi • Chip Gayden, Head Coach, Meridian Community College • Woody Barnett, Pearl High School
Tennis Mississippi Tennis Association
Bowling • Brian Browning, Head Coach, East Union High School • Kevin Hartigan, Head Coach, Tupelo Christian Prep School
Swimming • Clark Garner, Swimmer, University of Alabama
must receive your CEU registration forms and payment in our office no later than Tuesday, July 12. Please be mindful of this deadline! There will be no exceptions.
Coaches’ Social Get ready for this year’s Coaches’ Social on Thursday, July 21! A deejay and a karaoke contest will be included again this year. Prizes will be presented for “Best Talent.”
• Kaylin Burchell Garner, Swimmer, USA National Team
Coaches’ Golf Tournament at Canton C.C./Lake Caroline
• Brian Ware, Head Coach, Madison Central High School
When: M onday, July 18 – Tuesday, July 19
Archery
8:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Shotgun start both days or 1:00 p.m. ONLY if fewer than 50 teams.
• David Berber, Head Coach, Lawrence County High School
Where: Monday — Canton C.C.
• Waldo Cleland, NAST Coordinator
Type: 2 -man scramble, 1 or 2 rounds
• John McDonald, AIMS Coordinator
Cheer • Kelsey Cooper, State Director, MS UCA • Will Emmons, Head Instructor, NCA • Mike Nordengren, AACCA
Motivational Speaker • Mitchell Williams, Pine Belt Area Director of FCA
Athletic Directors • Bracky Brett, Senior Associate AD, Mississippi State University • Jim Southward, Director of Athletics & Activities, MACJC • Jim Keith, Attorney, Adams & Reese LLP
CEU Information Continuing Education Units will again be available at the Multi-Sports Clinic in July for a registration fee of $70. You must have paid your 2016–2017 membership dues in order to register for CEUs. If your school pays your membership, it is your responsibility to see that it has been done prior to your CEU registration. A confirmation email will be sent to all CEU registrants, so please provide an email address that you check on your form. PLEASE NOTE: We are not able to accept CEU registration at the Clinic. This must be taken care of in advance. We
Tuesday — Lake Caroline
4-man scramble, 1 round
Cost: $220 team pre-registration for
2-man 2 rounds $110 team pre-registration for 2-man 1 round either day $220 team pre-registration for 4-man 1 round either day (Registration by July 5 Postmark) Tournament registration forms are online under “Clinic” online at www. mscoaches.com.
Important check-in information If you plan to attend the Clinic, your Membership Renewal (see below) must be received in office by Wednesday, July 13. An email confirmation will be sent to the email address provided on your application. Be sure to check your email to verify that your membership has been received and processed. Your receipt and your 2016–2017 membership card will be held in the MAC office until the 2016 Multi-Sports Clinic in July. If you attend the Clinic, you will pick up your card and receipt at registration; if you will not be in attendance, your card and receipt will be mailed to the address provided on your application in early August. ** If you wait until you get to the Clinic to register, you will be assessed a $20 processing fee on top of your membership dues. Please try to take care of this in advance, and pre-register by the deadline. It will save you money and save us time!
Membership Renewal Membership Renewal for the 2016–2017 membership year is now available. To renew your membership online, go to our website, and click on the “Join or Renew Online” tab on the left side of our homepage. We have made changes to try to make the online renewal process as easy as possible, but if you have trouble, please don’t hesitate to give us a call (601-9243020). The paper application is still available under the “Membership” tab, if you prefer to mail in a hard copy.
If your school pays for your membership To avoid problems when you check in at the Clinic when you think that your school has paid for you, please be sure to do the following: • Check with your school to be sure that your membership renewal form was mailed prior to the deadline: Wednesday, July 13. • Fill out your membership form completely and accurately. Be sure to include your address, your school, your coaching positions, your phone number and your email address (the one that you check!). Incomplete membership forms cannot be processed. This means you will not appear in the Coaches’ Directory or get any emails or mailings from the MAC office. • Check with our office by Wednesday, July 13, to be sure that your application has been received and processed.
Questions? If you have any questions about Membership Renewal, please give us a call at 601-924-3020. Being prepared in advance will make check-in less chaotic for us all.
Clinic Hotel Information Hilton Hotel I-55 at County Like Road Jackson, MS (601) 957-2800 or (888) 263-0524 We have placed a link on our website uncer the “Clinic” tab for our coaches to conveniently make reservations at the Hilton. A block rate will be available to anyone who books his/her room before June 23. Make your reservation as soon as possible — the rooms go quickly! R
www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 9
// cover
story
MAC’s 2015–2016
All-Star Games All-Star Slow Pitch Softball Games
October 31, 2015 • Newton County High School • Decatur, MS
The 30th annual MAC slow pitch softball games were held at Mack Fanning Field at Newton County High School in Decatur under the format change that began in 2014. In the first game, the North 1A/2A/3A team defeated the South 1A/2A/3A squad 22–5 in 6 innings by the 10-run rule to increase the North’s series lead to 5–1–5. In game two, the North 4A/5A/6A squad bested the South 4A/5A/6A team 16–14 to add to the North series lead that is now 7–2–2. In the series of the larger schools versus the smaller schools, only one game was played, as game three featured the South 4A/5A/6A team defeating the South 1A/2A/3A squad 16–5 in 6 innings due to the 10-run rule. Game 4 was cancelled because of inclement weather after one inning, with the North 4A/5A/6A team leading the North 1A/2A/3A by a score of 5–4. Since game 4 was not official at the time of the weather, the game was declared a no contest, leaving the series tied at 1–1–1.
star history, the game was halted after 6 innings because of the 10-run rule. The North overpowered the South in the early innings and built a 19–4 lead after 4 innings. Kristen Devers of Kossuth led the North with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate, including 2 home runs and 5 RBI. Bailey Springfield (East Webster), Hailey Hughey (Smithville), Tianna Castillo (East Union) and Ashton Wright (Hatley) all hit solo homers for the North. The South scored on 2 RBIs from Hanna Moak (West Lincoln) and Amanda Agee (Bay Springs). Courtney Hatcher (Eupora) pitched the distance for the win on the mound, while Tiara Joe (Choctaw Central) absorbed the loss.
CLASS 1A/2A/3A
North MVP: Tianna Castillo (East Union) South MVP: Amanda Agee (Bay Springs)
For the first time in MAC slow pitch all-
North Coaches: Head Coach Josh Blythe
(East Union) and Assistant Coach Charlie Porch (East Union) South Coaches: Head Coach Scott Leggett (Bogue Chitto) and Assistant Coach Denise Leggett (Bogue Chitto)
CLASS 4A/5A/6A The North came back from an 11-run deficit to clip the South 16–14. The South held an 11–0 lead after 2 innings, with the damage coming in the 2nd frame on a 2-run double by Morgan Fellows (Purvis) and a 3-run homer by Kaley Lambert (Poplarville). The North plated 7 runs in the 4th and 7th innings to complete the comeback. Abbe Bates (West Lauderdale) had a 3-run homer, while Carley Westbrook (Amory) added a solo shot in the 4th to jumpstart the offense for the North. In the 7th frame, the North capped off another 7 runs by hitting 4 consecutive home runs. The homer barrage marked the first time in all-star history that 4 consecutive home runs had been hit in a game. Savannah Nelson (Amory) was the winning pitcher, while Brook Smith (Wayne County) took the loss for the South. South Coaches: Head Coach David
Entrekin (Purvis) and Assistant Coach Andy McCarter (Purvis) North Coaches: Head Coach Chris Pace (Amory) and Assistant Coach Jason Cobb (Amory) South MVP: Kaley Lambert (Poplarville) North MVP: Abbe Bates (West Lauderdale)
1A/2A/3A VERSUS 4A/5A/6A Game 1 — For only the second time in
Slow Pitch All-Star Coaches 1A/2A/3A (seated, left to right): North Assistant Coach Charlie Porch and Head Coach Josh Blythe, with South Head Coach Scott Leggett and Assistant Coach Denise Leggett. Slow Pitch All-Star Coaches 4A/5A/6A (standing, left to right): North Assistant Coach Jason Cobb and Head Coach Chris Pace, with South Head Coach David Entrekin and Assistant Coach Andy McCarter. 10 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016
all-star history and the second time for the day, an all-star slow pitch game ended in the 6th inning on the 10-run rule. The South 4A/5A/6A squad was paced by Kaley Lambert (Poplarville), who was 4-for-4 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. Lambert’s 2nd home run of the game was a 3-run blast in the bottom of the 6th inning that ended the game on the 10-run rule. Brook Smith (Wayne County) was the winning pitcher while Haley Morgan (Union) took the loss on the mound. Game 2 — Cancelled and declared no contest due to weather after 1st inning, with North 4A/5A/6A leading the North 1A/2A/3A 5-4.
29th Annual Mississippi/ Alabama All-Star Football Game
December 12, 2015 University of Southern Mississippi • Hattiesburg, MS Score: Mississippi 28, Alabama 21 Mississippi overcame an early 7–0 deficit and broke open a tie game to claim a 28–21 win over Alabama in the 29th Annual Mississippi Alabama All Star football classic played in Hattiesburg on December 12, 2015. The Magnolia State victory ended a 7-game winning streak by Alabama in the first game of the series ever played in the state of Mississippi and cut the Alabama series lead to 21–8. Mississippi trailed 7–0 after Alabama MVP Ben Davis (Gordo) returned an interception 76 yards in the first quarter. From that point, Mississippi Co-MVP wide receivers D. K. Metcalf (Oxford) and A. J. Brown (Starkville) took over the game. Mississippi QB Keon Howard (Laurel), who set a series records for most passing yards (304) and touchdown passes (4), connected with D. K. Metcalf for a 69-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 7–7. Alabama took a 14–7 lead on a 10-yard pass from T. J. Simmons (Clay-Chalkville) to Tyler Johnston (Spanish Fort), but Mississippi answered to tie the contest at 14–14 as Howard connected with A. J. Brown on a 35-yard scoring pass just before halftime. Howard then threw another TD pass to Brown from 17 yards out on the last play of the 3rd quarter to give Mississippi a 21–14 lead. Howard tossed his fourth TD pass in the 4th quarter as he again hooked up with D. K. Metcalf for a 32-yard TD and a 28–14 Mississippi lead. Alabama scored with 39 seconds left in the game as Simmons threw a 21-yard TD pass to Tyrrell Pigrome (ClayChalkville) to close the scoring at 28–21. D. K. Metcalf finished the game with 5 catches for 151 yards and 2 TDs, while A. J. Brown concluded his game with 9 catches for 137 yards and 2 TDs.
Mississippi Coaches Seated (left to right): Steven Bynum, Jeff Breland, Todd Mangum and Todd Breland. Standing (left to right): Tommy Clopton, Brad Breland, Randal Montgomery, Henry Johnson and Ashley Kuhn.
Celebrating Mississippi’s first win over Alabama in eight years.
Mississippi Coaches Head Coach: Jeff Breland (Lake) Offensive Coordinator/QB & RB Coach: Todd Breland (Laurel) Wide Receiver Coach: Randal Montgomery (Columbus) Offensive Line Coach: Tommy Clopton (Brookhaven) Outside LB Coach: Henry Johnson (Clarksdale) Defensive Line Coach: Ashley Kuhn (Grenada) Defensive Coordinator/Inside LB Coach: Brad Breland (Union) Secondary Coach: Steven Bynum (Quitman) Scout Coach: Todd Mangum (Mangum) Mississippi Co-MVPs: D.K. Metcalf (Oxford) and A.J. Brown (Starkville) Cotton Robertson Award: Tre’veon Nelson (Simmons)
67th Annual Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game • December 19, 2015 • Gulfport High School • Gulfport, MS Score: North 25, South 16 The North upended the South 25–16 by scoring 19 4th-quarter points at Joseph Milner Stadium in Gulfport, MS, on December 19. The North victory snapped a four-game winning streak by the South. North Offensive MVP Otis Cross Jr. (Kemper County) led the scoring with 3 catches for 24 yards and 2 TDs. The South Offensive MVP was Jeriko Morris (Crystal Springs), who led all receivers as he snared 5 catches for 97 yards and 1 TD.
North Coaches Front row (left to right): Chris McCrory, Doug Jones, Pat Byrd (Head Coach) and Kris Pickle. Back row (left to right): Scott Martin, Tim Shramek, Matt Wallace and Chris Jones.
North Coaches Head Coach: Pat Byrd (Saltillo) Assistant Coaches: Chris Jones (Kemper County), Scott Martin (Charleston), Chris McCrory (Saltillo), Kris Pickle (New Hope), Tim Shramek (Germantown) and Matt Wallace (DeSoto Central) Scout Coach: Doug Jones (Corinth) North Offensive MVP: Otis Cross Jr. (Kemper County) North Defensive MVP: Lorenzo Dantzler (Starkville) North Bill Stewart Award: Dalton Bradfield (Germantown) South Coaches Head Coach: Lance Mancuso (Bassfield) Assistant Coaches: Ryan Higdon (Bassfield), Brad Duncan (West Marion), Chris Fortenberry (Richton), Mario Lane (Forest Hill), Stephen Rice (Crystal Springs), Jeff Stockstill (Raleigh) and Eddie Wayne Whitehead (St. Martin)
South Coaches Front row (left to right): Mario Lane, Lance Mancuso (Head Coach), Jeff Stockstill and Eddie Wayne Whitehead. Back row (left to right): Ryan Higdon, Stephen Rice, Brad Duncan and Chris Fortenberry.
South Offensive MVP: Jeriko Morris (Crystal Springs) South Defensive MVP: T.J. Gray (Lake) South Bill Stewart Award: Juwan Adams (North Pike) www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 11
Cover Story/continued
21st Annual All-Star Girls’ Soccer Game 33rd Annual All-Star Boys’ Soccer Game Saturday, February 13, 2016 Clinton High School • Clinton, MS Sponsored by Baptist Rehab Services
GIRLS • Score: South 1, North 1
The two teams finished the contest tied at 1–1, which snapped the South’s 6-game winning streak. With the tie, the North leads the series with a 10–8–3 record. The South took a 1–0 lead on a goal by Harley Johnson (George County) 8 minutes into the second half. The North tied the game 9 minutes later when Aubree Patterson (Richland) scored on a pass by Tay Cavette (Madison Central). Goalkeeper Karsen Gildea (Ocean Springs) was outstanding for the South as she prevented the North from scoring on numerous shots. Girls’ South Head Coach: Brittain Dean (George County)
All-Star Soccer Coaches Seated (left to right): Melinda Scruggs, Steve Wies, Brittain Dean and Jeff Long. Standing (left to right): Gene Anderson, Justin Mitchell and Stephanie McCormick. Not pictured: Tyler Williams.
Girls’ South Assistant Coach: Tyler Williams (George County) Girls’ North Head Coach: Melinda Scruggs (Lafayette) Girls’ North Assistant Coach: Gene Anderson (Lafayette) Offensive MVP: Tay Cavette (Madison Central) Defensive MVP: Jordan Dillon (Brandon) Coca-Cola Student Athlete Award: Caitlin Barnes (Center Hill)
BOYS • Score: South 2, North 1
Despite being outshot 21–14 during the game, the South escaped with a 2–1 win over their North opponents. The South increased their series lead to 14–11–7 with the win. Jeff Bruni
(Gulfport) scored 2 goals in a five-minute span in the first half to stake the South to a 2–0 lead at halftime. The North tallied 13 minutes into the second half as Brian Leyva (Lafayette) scored on a rebound to cut the South lead in half. South goalkeeper Travis Harper (Ocean Springs) made 10 saves to preserve the win. Boys’ North Head Coach: Steve Wies (Cleveland) Boys’ North Assistant Coach: Justin Mitchell (Cleveland) Boys’ South Head Coach: Jeff Long (Franklin County) Boys’ South Assistant Coach: Stephanie McCormick (Franklin County) Offensive MVP: Jeff Bruni (Gulfport) Defensive MVP: John Gonzalez (North Pontotoc) William Winter Student Athlete Award: Zack Bailey (Madison Central)
2016 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Basketball Games
Friday, March 18, 2016 •A.E. Wood Coliseum • Mississippi College • Clinton, MS
GIRLS Score: Mississippi 78, Alabama 77
Mississippi MVP Nique Cherry (Heidelberg) and Savannah Jones (St. Martin) combined on offense and defense in the final seconds of the game to topple the Alabama All-Stars by a slim 78–77. With the win, Mississippi evened the series with Alabama at 13 wins apiece. Cherry scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds, 1 block and 3 steals to seal the MVP award and led Mississippi from a 10point 4th-quarter deficit to the 1-point win. With 39.8 seconds left and Alabama leading 77–75, Mississippi’s Savannah Jones drained a 3-pointer that would be the deciding basket and her final points on an 11-point night. On the ensuing possession, Cherry came up with her 3rd and most critical steal of the game with 5.5 seconds to end an Alabama scoring threat and close out the win. Head Coach: Jason Thompson (H.W. Byers) Assistant Coach: Sherri Cooley (South Jones) Administrative Coach: Donny Fuller (Gulfport)
BOYS Score: Mississippi 85, Alabama 83
Mississippi MVP Taze Moore (Southaven) raced the length of the court for a layup as the buzzer sounded to lead Mississippi to an 85–83 win over the Alabama All-Stars. The Magnolia State win snapped a 4-game winning streak for Alabama and sliced the Alabama lead in the series to 14–12. Moore scored a game-high 26 points and added 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. He scored 6 of Mississippi’s final 8 points in the final 2:30 of the game. Tyson Carter (Starkville) scored 14 points and made critical free throws for Mississippi down the stretch, while Stacee St. Julian (St. Martin) added 11 points. Head Coach: Hilton Harrell (McComb) Assistant Coach: Clay Norton (Clinton) Administrative Coach: Ernie Watson (Hattiesburg) Mississippi MVP: Taze Moore (Southaven)
Mississippi MVP: Nique Cherry (Heidelberg) 12 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
Mississippi Coaches Girls’ Coaches (seated, left to right): Administrative Coach Donny Fuller, Head Coach Jason Thompson and Assistant Coach Sherri Cooley. Boys’ Coaches (standing, left to right): Administrative Coach Ernie Watson, Head Coach Hilton Harrell and Assistant Coach Clay Norton.
52nd Annual All-Star Girls’ Basketball Game & 62nd Annual All-Star Boys’ Basketball Game March 25, 2016 • A.E. Wood Coliseum Mississippi College • Clinton, MS Sponsored by Mississippi Sports Medicine
GIRLS • Score: North 79, South 70
The North overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the South 79–70, and with the victory, the North extended its series lead to 29–23. The South had managed to lead at halftime 42–38, but the North caught the South in the 3rd quarter and led the game entering the final frame by a 57–54 margin. The North’s Myah Taylor (Olive Branch) had a game-high 22 points with 2 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and was named Offensive MVP. The South’s Jailin Cherry (Pascagoula) was selected as the game’s Defensive MVP as she scored 11 points with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. For the North, Adallice Young (Booneville) captured the girls’ and overall three-point contest in the skills competition and was honored with the Michael Crouther Sportsmanship Award. Shaniya Buford (Lafayette) won the girls’ freethrow shooting contest. In an upset in the slam-dunk contest of the skills competition, the South’s Nyah Tate (Terry), who had won the girls’ portion of the contest, won the overall competition.
BOYS • Score: South 111, North 106
In a fast-paced game, the South ended the North’s 2-game winning streak with a 111–106 score, increasing the South’s series lead to
Coaches Seated (left to right): Girls’ North Coaches Devin Hill (Itawamba AHS) and Tangela Banks (Murrah), with Girls’ South Coaches Alphaka Moore (Natchez) and Crisla Herchenhahn (Petal). Standing (left to right): Boys’ North Coaches Anthony Carlyle (Velma Jackson) and Tori Harris (Horn Lake), with Boys’ South Coaches Milton Ray (West Harrison) and Marcus Price (Laurel).
39–23. The game marked only the fourth time in all-star history where both teams scored over the 100 mark (2016, 2014, 2010 and 2009). The South’s Troymain Crosby (Laurel) was chosen as the game’s Offensive MVP, as he poured in 20 points with 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. The North’s Nick Weatherspoon (Velma Jackson) received the Defensive MVP award, as he had a game-high 24 points with 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal. Quieran Gray (West Harrison) was awarded the Michael Crouther Sportsmanship Award. The North’s Tyeus Jones (Pontotoc) claimed the boys’ and overall free-throw contest in the skills competition. Kassim Nicholson (Callaway) won the boys’ three-point shooting contest. while Nick Weatherspoon (Velma Jackson) captured the boys’ slam-dunk competition.
D.M. Howie Mississippi High School All-Star Baseball Games Saturday, June 4, 2016 Trustmark Park • Pearl, MS Sponsored by Crossroads Diamond Club
1A/2A • Score: North 14, South 3 North MVP: Thomas Moore (East Union) South MVP: Noah Pogue (Enterprise-Clark) Best Offensive Player: Trip Benson (Pine Grove) Best Defensive Player: Isaiah Eiland (Nanih Waiya) Randy Makamson Award: Luke McKnight (French Camp)
1A/2A North Coaches: Dustin McMillin and Scott Collier.
1A/2A South Coaches: Nathan Wright and Jared Britt.
3A/4A North Coaches: Andy Deaton and Kary Bridges.
3A/4A South Coaches: Kelly Greer and Bo Long.
5A/6A North Coaches: Chris Baughman and Mark Monaghan.
5A/6A South Coaches: Jordan Rogers and Neil Walther.
3A/4A • Score: North 11, South 10 South MVP: Logan Walters (East Central) North MVP: Denver McQuary (Houston) Best Offensive Player: Jacob Wilcher (Kossuth) Best Defensive Player: Tanner Elders (Newton County) Philip O’Brien Leadership Award: Drake Wallace (Amory) 5A/6A • Score: South 6, North 4 South MVP: Ty Barnes (Petal) North MVP: Ian Ladner (Northwest Rankin) Best Offensive Player: O’Rrion Bailey (Hattiesburg) Best Defensive Player: Thomas Dillard (Oxford) Mark Vinson Memorial Award: Drew Windham (Ocean Springs)
www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 13
All-Star Fast Pitch Softball Games Saturday, June 4, 2016 Jones County Junior College • Ellisville, MS
Inclement weather shortened the annual series to one game each for all classifications. 1A/2A/3A • Score: South 10, North 5 The South toppled the North 10–5 to increase their series lead to 5–3–3. The South scored 3 runs in the 1st, 4 runs in the 3rd and 2 runs in the 4th to take a commanding lead in the game. The South was paced with 2 hits each by Terrah Nelson (Bogue Chitto), Dallas Blaker (Our Lady Academy) and Alyssa Davis (Philadelphia). South MVP: Alyssa Davis (Philadelphia) North MVP: Katie Bell Williams (Smithville) 4A/5A/6A • Score: South 7, North 1 The South defeated the North 7-1 in a game shortened to 5 innings by the weather conditions. With the win, the South took control of the series lead at 4–3–4. The South tallied 3 runs in the 1st inning and added 4 more in the 3rd frame for all the runs the team would need. The North managed to score 1 run in the top of the 5th inning. South MVP: Megan Dudenhefer (Picayune) North MVP: Natalie Erwin (Ridgeland) Coach Morris Hunter Sportsman Award: Karley Nichols (Brandon)
All-Star Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Seated 1A/2A/3A (left to right): Joseph White (South Assistant), Ryan Hodge (South Head), Jana LaBarreare (North Head) and Rebecca Sloan (North Assistant). Standing 4A/5A/6A (left to right): Tracy Rogers (South Assistant), Brittany Rogers (South Head), Bruce Thornton (1A/2A/3A South Assistant), Kayla Watkins (North Head) and Kaitlyn Perry (North Assistant).
MAC “Fid” Jones Memorial Golf Tournament
July 18–19, 2016 Canton Country Club • Canton, MS, and Lake Caroline Golf Course • Madison, MS Registration forms are online at www.mscoaches.com under the “Clinic” tab.
20th Annual All-Star Tennis Tournament Thursday, June 16, 2016 Parham Bridges Tennis Center • Jackson , MS
Matches begin at 1:00 p.m. Admission: free (the public is invited to attend).
12th Annual All-Star Volleyball Tournament
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Hangar Dome • Millsaps College Jackson , MS Players report on Tuesday, July 19.
North Coaches: Louis Nash (Oxford) and Debbie Swindoll (Lafayette) South Coaches: Chad Bond (Newton County) and Monna Burns (Pearl) R
14 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
(Left to right): South Head Coach Scott Fitzgerald (Columbia) and North Head Coach Margaret Falatko (DeSoto Central).
cover story/continued MAC Hall of Fame //
Meet MAC’s MAC’s Meet
Hall of Fame Inductees for 2016 KENNETH BEESLEY
• KENNETH BEESLEY •
Coach Kenneth Beesley was an outstanding championship football and baseball coach for 36 years at Natchez Cathedral High. A native of Natchez and a two-year baseball letterman at Natchez Adams County High, he was a three-year letterman, outstanding senior player and an All-SEC Western Division baseball star for Mississippi State. He launched his successful coaching career in 1970 and served his first eight seasons at Cathedral as an assistant coach. He worked 29 years as head football and baseball coach and led the Green Wave football team to 7 district titles, 1 Capital Athletic Conference crown in 1980 and 1 South State championship in 1993. Coach Beesley guided the baseball squad to 18 district titles, including a 12-year run from 1988 to 1999. His Green Wave diamond team won South State titles in 1984, 1988 and 1997 and state championships in 1982 and 1995. Overall, his football teams had a record of 203–112–1, while his baseball teams racked up 401 wins, 184 losses, and 1 tie. An eight-time Star teacher, Coach Beesley was named MAC Coach of the Year for baseball in 1982. Coach Beesley served in the Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game as an assistant coach in 1994 and as head coach in the 1998 game. He was an assistant coach in the 1996 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Football Classic. A MAC member since he joined the profession, he received the Amateur football award from the MS/LOU Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame in 2002. He was also inducted into the Crossroads Diamond Club Hall of Fame in 2002 for his outstanding service to the high school all-star baseball contest.
HERMAN SANDERS
• HERMAN SANDERS •
Coach Herman Sanders, who hails from Shaw, was a multi-sport athlete and an AllAmerican All-SWAC track star at Mississippi Valley State University where he helped lead the school to NAIA national track and field championships in 1980 and 1981. He began his 36-year coaching career at Leflore County High where he led the track team to a district title and North State championship. At Grenada High, he served as head boys’ track coach and an assistant for girls’ track, football, baseball and boys’ basketball and paced the Chargers’ track team to four district titles and a 1986 North State championship. Coach Sanders arrived at Wingfield High in Jackson in 1993 and turned the Falcons into a basketball and track powerhouse. During his career, he coached the Grenada Chargers and Wingfield Falcons boys’ hoops teams to 7 district titles, 2 South State crowns, 2 South State runner-up finishes and a state championship. Coach Sanders has paced the Falcons boys’ track squad to district titles, a South State runner-up finish and a state runner-up. In his 18 years as head coach of Wingfield’s boys’ basketball, his Falcons have a record of 370–193. During his career, his boys’ track teams have won eight district crowns, four North State titles, two South State runner-up finishes and a state runner-up, while his girls’ track teams have captured six district titles, four North State crowns and three state championships. He coached the South boys in the 2007 Mississippi All-Star Basketball Game and served as assistant coach, then head coach, in the 2011 and 2012 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Basketball Games. Coach Sanders has won numerous Coach of the Year honors during his career and has served the MAC in many capacities, including in 2007–08 term as president. His community involvement has been extensive, and he has given back to his profession by speaking at clinics across the South. Herman was inducted into the MVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and into the SWAC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 in track and field. www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 15
// cover
story
GINA SKELTON
• GINA SKELTON •
Gina Skelton has been a championship basketball coach for 35 years, guiding successful programs at Quitman, Forest, Wayne County and Carthage. Born in Meridian, Gina was a four-year letterman who was all-division and all-conference in track and basketball at Waynesboro Central High and played for the South in the 1977 Mississippi High School All-Star game. She continued playing basketball at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. After completing her college education at MUW and Mississippi State, she started her coaching career at Pickens High in Alabama before arriving at Carthage, Forest, her alma mater at Wayne County and Quitman. Coach Skelton has coached basketball, track and cross country during her illustrious career, and her girls’ basketball teams have earned 826 wins and 274 losses. She is the first female coach in Mississippi prep history to lead a boys’ team to the state
16 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
tournament, as she guided the Forest Bearcats boys’ team to a record of 19–10 and an appearance in the Final Four of the state hoops tournament. During her tenure at Forest, she originated the girls’ slow pitch and cross country programs, and in one season, she coached nine different athletic teams at the school. Her legendary girls’ hoops teams have won 19 district titles and 11 North/South crowns, made 28 playoff appearances with 16 state tournament finishes, captured 4 state runner-up trophies, appeared 8 times in the state semi-finals and claimed 4 state championships with 2 at Wayne County, 1 at Forest, and 1 at Quitman. Her teams have been ranked in the top 10 teams in the state on 14 occasions, and one of her teams was ranked as high as 12th in the nation. Gina’s cross country teams won 12 division titles, 2 state runner-up finishes, 2 state championships and 3 individual state champions. Her girls’ track teams won five division crowns, one South State title and one state runner-up trophy, with five individual state champions. Coach Skelton has been named Coach of the Year an amazing 19 times by various groups, including the Jackson Clarion Ledger, the Meridian Star, the MAC, MHSAA and the NFHS. She also has the unique distinction of being named Scott County Boys’ Coach of the Year for her efforts with the Forest boys’ team. She has been selected four times as an All-Star coach for the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Basketball Classic and the Mississippi High School All-Star game. Gina has served as administrative coach for the MS/AL games on three occasions. Each one of Coach Skelton’s teams earned Scholar Athlete designation, and all of her players have graduated from high school, with 95% of her players continuing their college educations. In 2011, Gina received the Southern Miss Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence in Women’s Sports. As a member of the MAC board of directors, she has served on the Basketball and Executive Committees and is the incoming president for 2016–2017.
cover story/continued
LARRY WEEMS Coach Larry Weems has been an outstanding football coach at Meridian, Jackson Prep, Biloxi and Pearl. Born in Union, he was raised in Jackson and is a graduate of Forest Hill High. He was an All-State defensive back at Hinds CC in 1971 and received college degrees at Mississippi State and Southern Miss. He launched his 39-year career in 1975 as an assistant coach at Jackson Prep and Meridian. Coach Weems was on the staff of the 1977 Jackson Prep state title team and back-to-back Big Eight championship Meridian squads. After working as an assistant for one year at Ole Miss, he served as head coach at Biloxi and Pearl before returning to Meridian in 2006. Larry guided the Meridian Wildcats to South State titles in 2006 and 2010 and the 2008 Class 5A state championship. He coached his teams to eight region or division crowns, and he has been a part of six state championships teams. His football teams have a record of 164–74–0, for a 69% winning mark. A nine-time region Coach of the Year, Larry was named MAC Football Coach of the Year in 2008 and the NFHS Mississippi Coach of the Year in 2009. Coach Weems was an assistant coach in the 2004 Bernard Blackwell Classic All-Star Football Game and an assistant coach in the 2006 Mississippi/Alabama all-Star Football Classic, served as scout coach in the 2010 Mississippi/ Alabama game and returned as head coach of the Mississippi squad in 2011. Coach Weems has given back to his profession and has spoken at numerous clinics throughout the state and the South. Larry was inducted into the Hinds CC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.
• LARRY WEEMS •
RICKY WOODS One of the most accomplished championship football coaches in Mississippi history, Coach Ricky Woods guided gridiron programs at Ethel, Eupora, Ackerman, South Panola, Northwest CC, Bainbridge (GA), Peabody (Trenton, TN) and Starkville. Ricky hails from Choctaw County and received his college degree at Mississippi State in 1982. Coach Woods has been a member of the coaching profession for 34 years. After serving as head football coach at Ethel, he arrived at Eupora, where he coached from 1990 to 1994, leading his 1993 team to South State runner-up finish. He led the Ackerman program from 1995 to 2001, where his Indians had state runner-up finishes in 1996 and 2000 and won two Class 2A state championships in 1997 and 2001. In 2002, he was named head coach at South Panola and built a football dynasty that continues to dominate Mississippi high school football to this day. Coach Woods led his Tigers to an amazing 74–1 record, including an unprecedented 60-game winning streak from 2002 to 2006. His gridiron squads claimed Class 5A state championships with perfect 15–0 records in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006, with USA Today national rankings each season. In 2007, Coach Woods moved to Bainbridge High in Georgia, where he guided his squad to the state quarterfinals one short season. He returned to Mississippi in 2008 where he coached the Northwest CC Rangers football teams to a 35–13 record in 5 seasons, including 2 North Division MACJC titles, an unbeaten regular season in 2010 with a #6 national ranking and the team’s first bowl win in 20 years years. At Peabody High in Trenton, Tennessee, he led his team to the 2014 Class 2A state championship with a 14–1 mark. Coach Woods returned to Mississippi in 2015 and guided the Starkville Yellowjackets to the Class 5A state championship with a 14–1 ledger and a USA Today national ranking. Overall, Coach Woods has paced his gridiron squads to 284 wins and 63 losses, earning 13 regional or district titles, had 17 playoff appearances with 3 state runner-up finishes, 3 South State crowns and 7 North State titles and an incredible 8 state championships. Coach Woods has received numerous coaching awards during his career as he is a five-time MAC High School Football Coach of the Year and a two-time Jackson Clarion Ledger Coach of the Year. Other coaching honors include the MHSAA, the MACJC, the George Sekul CC Coach of the Year, the Gerald Ford All-American High School Coach of the Year, the Schutt Sports SW Region, the EA Sports National Coach of the Year and the NFHS Mississippi Coach of the Year. Ricky has the rare distinction of being named the Clarion Ledger Coach for the Decade for the span of 2000 to 2010. R
• RICKY WOODS •
www.mscoaches.com – spring 2016 – M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h 17
// Dates
to Remember 2016
June 15
All-Star Tennis Players Report for Practice Hinds Community College Raymond, MS
June 16
All-Star Tennis Tournament Parham Bridges Tennis Center, Jackson, MS
June 24
Hall of Fame Banquet Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS
July 18–19
“Fid” Jones Memorial Golf Tournament Lake Caroline, Madison, MS, and Canton Country Club, Canton, MS
// Index
of Advertisers
July 19–22
Agri-AFC,LLC.........................................3 www.agri-afc.com
July 19
Institute for Education & Workforce Development..................18
July 20
Leadinge Edge Communications.........Inside Back Cover www.leadingedgecommunications.com
MS Multi-Sports Clinic Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS
All-Star Volleyball Players Report for Practice Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
All-Star Volleyball Games Millsaps College, Jackson, MS
July 21
Mississippi Sports Medicine Coaches’ Social Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS
Lineturf................................................16 www.lineturf.com
MS Coaches Wives Association..........16 www.mississippicwa.com
Southern Athletic Fields............ Inside Front Cover www.safdirt.com
Spectrum Scoreboards.......................14 www.spectrumscoreboards.com
State Department of Health, Office of Tobacco Control......................7 www.mscoaches.com
Wilder Fitness Equipment.....Back Cover www.wilderfitness.com
18 M i ss i ss i pp i C oac h – spring 2016 – www.mscoaches.com
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