Fall Sports Preview 2017

New Albany • East Union • Ingomar • Myrtle • West Union

2017

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Inside Cover: Claudia Hill, East Union High School, Jenny Thompson, West Union High School, Meadow Golden, New Albany High School, Kristen Young, Myrtle High School. Lindsay Hall, Ingomar High School, was also chosen for the inside cover but was unable to participate.

Front Cover: (front row) Josh Basil, East Union High School, Mason Phillips, New Albany High School, Jordan Lipsey, New Albany High School, (back row) London Erby, New Albany High School, Caleb Stephens, East Union High School, Noah Ford, East Union High School, Eli Keener, New Albany High School, Joel Wilkinson, East Union High School.

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2017 Fall Sports Preview 8 New Albany Football 9 New Albany Cheer 10 NEw Albany Band 12 East Union Football 13 East Union Cheer 14 Union County Band 18 East Union Softball 19 Ingomar Softball 20 Myrtle Softball 21 West Union Softball 22-27 It’s Game Day! 31 New Albany Cross Country 32 East Union Cross Country 33 Ingomar Cross Country 34 Myrtle Cross Country 35 West Union Cross Country 41 Ingomar Swim 42 New Albany Volleyball Special Thanks Jake Hill, Kevin Walton, Jill Robbins, Ashley Garrett, David Hopple, Andy Hall, Lisa Browning Photography, Josh Blythe, Andy Wilbanks, Marty Cook, Lisa Bogue, Scotty Shettles, Nathan McLellen, Alyssa Kelly, Chris Greer, Jenny McCullough, Jennifer Pannell, Reid Gann, and Shane Sanderson. Additional thanks to Obsessions Salon and Boutique, Two Doors Down, Bellissimo, and The Bead Shack for supplying clothing and accessories for the Game Day photo shoot, as well as the athletes from Union County and New Albany High schools who participated in the photoshoots for this publication. Additional thanks to New Albany High School, Ingomar High School, and the New Albany Park Commission for use of their facilities for the cover photo, table of contents photo and Game Day feature.

Articles written by Donica Phifer, Sports Editor, and Dennis Clayton, Sportswriter. Cover Photo/table of contents/Game Day feature by Donica Phifer. Advertising sales by Dennis Clayton and Rachel Mitchell. Ads designed by Sonny Harrison.

New Albany Gazette 2017 Fall Sports Preview

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New Albany Football

Bulldogs excited for new challenge in 2017 New Albany head football coach Jake Hill and the Bulldogs are back for another season on the gridiron after an off-season that Hill thinks is the most successful that his team has had in his three-year tenure.

“The team has been working hard.

They’re competitive, they’re involved in every practice and just ready to play,” Hill said.

The Bulldogs will be led by junior quarterback Loden Bolen who enters his second season under center. Bolen spent most of the 2016 season as the starting QB after senior Sam McMillin sustained a broken foot in an early season game.

“It’s always rough for a first-year kid to be thrown into that position,” Hill said of Bolen, “But Loden is back and he is making strides everyday. I’ve got a lot of confidence in him and excited to have him back.”

Bolen will be protected by an offensive line that features four seniors, including Corey Duke who spent last season on the defensive side of the ball.

“Corey is a guy that we’ve pulled over to help our other linemen, he played some offense last season as our backup center so it’s not completely new to him, but we’re counting on him to do a lot for us,” Hill said.

Duke will be joined by classmates London Erby, Mason Phillips and Artavious Nugent all of whom started the season on the offensive line last year.

Suiting up at running back will be sophomore Bryson Prather who Hill believes is due for a breakout year.

“He’s got the size, the strength, the work ethic, and we just expect big things from him,” Hill said.

Prather will be joined by Reno Montgomery who returns to the field for his junior season after sitting out his sophomore year. Montgomery will play on both sides of the ball, lining up at safety

while starter N’Shaun Cameron recovers from an injury that will force him to miss the first couple of games.

Another face that will play both sides of the ball will be senior Jordan Lipsey.

Lipsey proved the dominant force for the Bulldogs in 2016 and will now pull double duty by lining up at cornerback and at running back for New Albany.

“That guy is just a beast. He’s such a good athlete that we’re gonna use him on both sides. He’s starting at cornerback but we will get him touches on the ball offensively, too,” Hill said.

The wide receiving corps will be led by senior Dajuan Jones as well as sophomores Zack Ball, Kalob Adair and Andrew Ellis.

The Bulldogs will also field a couple of freshman at WR in Isaiah Cohran and Ramaryon Crawford. Both players enter their high school careers with a crop of classmates that will see playing time on both sides of the field.

“I’m confident in these kids, they are gonna get into the game on Friday nights and they’re gonna help us out,” Hill said.

On defense, the Bulldogs are looking for the right mix of athletes the make up the front line but Hill expects seniors Aaron Estes and Eli Keener to lead the team on and off the field.

“They are both great athletes and threeyear starters, so we are going to look to them to lead us,” Hill said.

Keener and Estes will both line up at linebacker and be joined Adrian Garcia.

Garcia will be marking his first year at linebacker, a position that will require a few growing pains, Hill said.

“He is a very capable kids that it’ll take a little time to get comfortable, but I have no doubt that he will,” Hill said.

Rounding out the defense will by senior Camryn Turner at safety and Jeremiah Gardner at cornerback.

Head Coach Jake Hill Third season at New Albany

Assistant Coaches: Shane Ard, Rob Criddle, Brandon Cutrer, Tyrone Foote, Zach Matkins, Evan Pounds.

Athletic Trainer: Chase Wilkerson On special teams, Payton Synder will return for his senior season with a leg that provides Hill a lot of confidence.

“If we are inside the 35 yard line, I have no problem kicking a field goal and feeling confident about it,” Hill said.

Synder will also serve as the Bulldogs’ punter in his last year with a “next level” talent that has drawn a bit of interest from Division I schools.

“As a coach, having someone that can flip the field like he does is such a weapon,” Hill said.

New Albany will mark the first season as a member of Division 1-4A where the team adds Tishomingo County and Corinth to their division play.

The Bulldogs will also face off against Union County rival East Union for the first time in either program’s history.

“No matter the game, we have to be ready to play. We can’t take a game off,” Hill said.

New Albany 2017 Schedule

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August

September

October

11 North Panola (@ Pontotoc Jamboree) 18 Baldwyn 25 @ Itawamba

01 08 15 22 29

06 13 20 27

2017 Fall Sports Preview

Pontotoc Amory @ Kossuth East Union @ Senatobia *

@ Byhalia* (HC) @ Tishomingo County* Corinth* (Senior Night) Ripley*

* denotes Division 1-4A game

NEW ALBANY FOOTBALL Lisa Browning | Lisa Browning Photography

2017 New Albany Bulldogs Football Team: Kalob Adair, Reno Montgomery, Jeremiah Gardner, Hunter Hodges, Bryson Prather, Jaiden Deaton, BB Mason, Camyrn Turner, Dajuan Jones, John Wright Welborn, Zack Ball, Loden Bolen, Payton Synder, Ramaryon Crawford, Jackson Formsma, Shamarquces Smith, Qt Sanders, Eli Keener, Miles Lang, Jordan Lipsey, Isaiah Cohran, Mason Simmons, Amaudric Frazier, Adrian Garcia, Andrew Ellis, Eli Parks, Alex Mirfield, N’Shaun Cameron, Peyton Reeves, Lewis Creekmore, J’Von Host, Aaron Estes, Dylan Stout, Dayton Hall, Eli Rodgers, Tyler Lipsey, Liam Neely, Chris Haynes, Chris Rogers, London Erby, Peyton Jolly, Noah Gray, Kylein Mullins, Adam Conlee, Jason Taylor, Francisco Guerrero, Dustin McGraw, Mason Phillips, Robert Mason, Corey Duke, Artavious Nugent, Jared Ligon, Parker Formsma, Dalton McDaniel, Dayvon Russell, Trey Dean, Michael Roby, Uriel Aguirre, Alex Shackleford, Will Palmer, Benton Simmons, Ricardo Zuniga. Assistant Coaches: Shane Ard, Brandon Curter, Rob Criddle, Zach Matkins, Tyrone Foote, Evan Pounds. Head Coach: Jake Hill.

New Albany Cheerleaders

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 New Albany Cheerleaders: (Front Row, left to right) Riley Alred, Molly Beth White, Payton Robbins, Avery Grace Shaw, Carey Beth Doyle, Rachel Rainey, Audrey Littlejohn, Hannah Harris, (Back Row, left to right) Annalyn Hogue, Jodi Parks, Laura Ruth Welborn, Gracie Stanford, Leah Robbins, Anna Tarrant, Mary Claire Shaw and Chloe Cobb. Not Pictured: Meredith Prescott and Maggie Scott.

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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New Albany Seniors

Bulldogs Class of 2017

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 New Albany Seniors: (Front Row, left to right) Rachel Rainey, Avery Grace Shaw, Carey Beth Doyle, Payton Robbins, Audrey Littlejohn, (Second Row, left to right) Peyton Jolly, N’Shaun Camerson, Jordan Lipsey, Camryn Turner, BB Mason, Jarred Ligon, Dajuan Jones, (Back Row, left to right) Aaron Estes, London Erby, Payton Synder, Eli Keener, Artavious Nugent, Mason Phillips, Corey Duke.

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 Pride of New Albany Seniors: Hailey Adsit, Evan Blissett, Jose Castro, Patricia Cook, Maggie Creekmore, Brady Dean, Katelin Denham, London Erby, Aaron Estes, Allison Fernandez, Ishmon Foster, Casey Garrett, Sanders Goode, Karina Graham, Kylie Harrison, Chris Hatch, Marcus Jones, Ivy Jordan, Madison Jordan, Will Morton, Charles Payne, Kennedy Rogers, Joseph Rutherford, Amanda Scales, Jenna Tate, David Taylor, Jonathan Tucker, Hakeem Williams.

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

Pride of New Albany High School Band Pride of New Albany Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017-2018 Pride of New Albany Band Members: Crystal Calvin, Elly Strockbine, Hailey Adsit, Haley Bullock, Allison Villanueva, Amariz Tellez, Roxana Guzman, Bailey Wommack, Lilly Faith Childs, Allison Fernandez, Claudia Jeter, Jayla Ligon, Shea Russell, Shomai Barry, Ashanti Jones, Laken Fooshee, Marlie Williams, Grace Wages, Madison Jordan, Amber Joyner, Zoie Thomas, Hailey Prince, Christiana, Ashley Payne, Amanda Scales, Elliot Pullman, Analisa Cheairs, McKenzie Parker, Evan Blisset, Ishmon Foster, Miranda Maldanado, Elizabeth Whitehead, Chris Hatch, Logan Henry, Jose Castro, Madison Cotton, Charles Payne, Pacey Kelly, Nayley Urzua, Joseph Rutherford, Janiya Rutherford, Grant Richey, Joshua Montgomery, Jake Moore, Conner Mathis, Haley Holston, Matthew White, Hayes Richey, Thobi Smith, Alexis Shackleford, Jenna Tate, Adam Gray, Elizabeth Whitten, Annea Scales, Caden Johnson, Aaron Estes, Drew Darling, London Erby, Matthew Taylor, Chance Roberts, Will Morton, Dillon Richey, Randy Trullet, Hakeem Williams, Jasmine Sanders, Jason Taylor, Aaron Scales, Brady Dean, Francisco Riveria, Nylan Blisset, Joshua Paul, Jonathan Pegues, Karina Graham, Ruth Montgomery, Eli Young, Collin Paul, Maggie Creekmore, Marcus Jones, Trevor Roaton, Jay Tucker, Ivy Jordan, Elaysha Hatch, Colby Elder, Trey Roaton, Haven Wood, Mentora Woods, Colin Hughes, Tyler Lipsey, Anna Bullock. Auxiliary: Kylie Harrison, Sanders Goode, Katelin Denham, Jaylee Ragsdale, Layla Stewart,Hannah Holt, Madison Foster, Kennedy Rogers, Jocelyn Urzua, Anna Austin, Hailey Hogue, Gia Vainisi, Bailey Robertson, Lindsay Delashmit, Brittney Robinson, Anniston Hodges, Taylor Vaughn, Micah House, Nicole Young, Katie Evans, Hannah Spencer, Catherine Truemper, Patricia Cook, Breana Elder, Montana Bullwinkle. Drum Major: Ahlaeya Judon.

2017 Halftime Show

La Furia Del Fuego Songs:

MalagueÑa Habenera from ‘Carmen’ Children of Sanchez Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 Pride of New Albany Drum Major: Ahlaeya Judon

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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East Union Football

Urchin offense to lean heavily on run Game The 2017 East Union offense will most likely pattern itself after the 2016 version as Joel Wilkinson returns to carry the weight of the offense with his ground game.

Wilkinson had a huge season in 2016 as he rushed for 2,443 yards on 219 carries for an average of 11.2 yards per carry.

Wilkinson had 31 rushing touchdowns on the year.

“We’re excited to have Joel back for his junior season, he had a really good sophomore year,” East Union head coach Kevin Walton said. “It will be hard for him to top what he did last year, but we are going to be running the same offense and he will carry the load again. Also, his leadership is going to be key for us.”

The evidence of Wilkinson’s dominant contribution to the Urchin offense is highly visible in rushing yards. East Union averaged 343 yards per game and Wilkinson was responsible for a 204 average. Wilkinson finished the 2016 campaign with 3,151 all purpose yards or an average of 263 per game.

Josh Basil will join Wilkinson in the Urchin backfield as the starting quarterback. Basil played tight end for the team in his two previous seasons.

“Josh has converted to quarterback and did a really good job this summer,” Walton said. “He’s catching on to the system and is very smart. He has a very good arm, so hopefully we can throw the ball more this year with Josh playing quarterback.”

Wilkinson and Basil will be joined in the backfield by Colton Plunk, a ninth grader. Walton is expecting Plunk to make serious contributions to the Urchin offense in his first varsity year.

“We are going to be expecting a lot out of Colton on offense also,” Walton said.

“He’s going to have to carry the ball some and we are going to be using him a lot at receiver.”

Another younger player that Walton will utilize on offense will be DeJuan Hubbard, a talented 10th grader that can play multiple skill positions.

“Dejuan will be one of our key receivers and a key player on offense as well,” Walton said.

The Urchin offensive line will play a critical part in the success of the running game again this season. The Urchins averaged 390 yards per game and scored 57 offensive touchdowns.

“Anchoring our offensive line will be Caleb Stephens, our center,” Walton said.

“He will be a senior and is a good leader.

He does a good job of leading our offensive line. Eli Hodges will be counted on in our offensive line as well as Chandler Moody.

Micah Ellis will be our starting tight end for us.”

Walton plans to use several new faces in the offensive line for 2017, but thinks the Urchins will be fine and is expecting his offense to do well behind their line.

Noah Ford will be a returning starter from 2016.

Defensively the Urchins will switch to a three-man front this season and more than likely will run a 3-3 stack according to Walton.

Colton Wooten will anchor the defensive line and is expected to make an impact for the Urchins. Wooten had 66 tackles and 15 tackles for loss last season.

Hodges will play on both sides of the ball and will move into the middle linebacker spot.

Wilkinson will lead the Urchin secondary again as he recorded 68 tackles and 17 tackles for loss during 2016.

Jared Cunningham will handle the kicking duties again, having connected on 43 extra points and one field goal last year.

Cunningham also handled the punting duties for half of the 2016 season.

The key game in non-division play

Head Coach Kevin Walton Third season at East Union

Assitant Coaches: Kendall Murphy, Steven Basil, Chris Lucius, Pregon Staples

Athletic Trainer: Jeremy Dorrough this year will be Sept. 22 as the Urchins will play New Albany in the first-ever meeting between the schools in varsity football.

“It’s the first year for us to play New Albany, I’m excited about it, the boys are excited about it and maybe we can develop a rivalry out of that,” Walton said. “Our non-division schedule is going to be tougher than it’s ever been. We added New Albany (4A), South Pontotoc (3A) and Mooreville (4A). It’s just going to be tougher and we are going to be very young. A lot of young guys are just going to have to step up and play. We’ve just got to get them better and coach them up.”

East Union will compete in Division 2-1A with Baldwyn, Walnut, Bruce and Strayhorn.

“We are going to fight, play hard and hopefully the fact that we work hard with great attitudes will carry us through to the end,” Walton said. “I hope we can finish stronger than we started.”

East Union 2017 Schedule August 12 Marshall Academy (@ Oxford Jamboree) 18 Falkner 25 @ Ashland

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

September

October

01 @ South Pontotoc 08 Mooreville 15 Alcorn Central (HC) 22 @ New Albany 29 Bruce *

06 @ Walnut * 13 New Site * 19 Baldwyn * (Senior Night) 27 @ Strayhorn * * denotes Division 1-2A game

East Union Cheerleaders

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 East Union Cheerleaders: (Front Row, left to right) Maggie McVey, Mary Kate Nobles, Annalise Bailey, Kiersten Hitt, (Second Row, left to right) Karley Conwill, Brooklyn Goad, Gentry Gibson, Sylvie McVey, Katie Gentry, (Back Row, left to right) Cameron Hollimon, Audrie Randle, Claudia Hill, Madison Shelton, Jessie Roberts, Savannah Greer.

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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East Union Football

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 East Union Urchins Football Team: (Front row, left to right) Team Manager Isaiah Sheffield, Ethan Brooks, Bradly Hampton, Jackson Hill, Paxton Gordon, Micah Fulgham, Edgar Zapata, Dillon Rakestraw, Eli Pannell, Team Manager Alejandro Valles, (Second Row, left to right) Jesse Crump, Josh Basil, Joel Wilkinson, Eli Hodges, Zach Rhodes, Dejuan Hubbard, Colton Plunk, Kolby Gray, Creighton Armstrong, Connor Johnson, (Third Row, left to right) Assistant Coach Chris Lucius, Head Coach Kevin Walton, Brian Hall, Jarod Cunningham, Chandler Moody, Sam Murray, Micah Ellis, Noah Ford, Dylan Flake, Kaleb Harper, Tay Vance, Noah Watts, Assistant Coach Kendall Murphy, Assistant Coach Pregon Staples, Assistant Coach Steven Basil. Not Pictured: Caleb Stephens.

East Union Seniors

Urchins Class of 2017

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 East Union Seniors: (Front Row, left to right) Jared Cunningham, Noah Ford, Creigthen Armstrong, (Back Row, left to right) Audrie Randle, Claudia Hill, Gentry Gibson, Cameron Hollimon, Madison Shelton. Not Pictured: Caleb Stephens.

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 Union County Band Seniors: (Front Row) Allana Hamblin, Elayna Ramsey, Annemarie Fetter, Bella Laird, Logen Ellis, (Back Row, left to right) Hannah Gullick, Michael Sheppard, Joshua Crane, Jeremy McIntosh. Not Pictured: Cameron Dawe.

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

Union County Band

Union County Band Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 Union County Band Members: (Front Row) Drum Major Mikayla Rakestraw, (Second Row, left to right) Lexi Smith, Savannah Griffin, Joshua Crane, Haley Grubbs, Annemarie Fetter, Nydia Nesbit, Olivia Porch, Molly Porter, Hannah Gullick, (Third Row, left to right) Macie Little, Elayna Ramsey, David Heson, Mary-Colston Warren, Savannah Fryar, Allana Hamblin, Kacie Arnold, Maddie Flake, (Fourth Row, left to right) Katie Gullick, Michael Sheppard, Drew Kelly, Logen Ellis, Bella Laird, Anna Mims, Aidan Garrett, Konnor Little, Savannah Wildman, (Back Row, left to right) Emma Smith, Jeremy McIntosh, Tyler Chadwick, Claire Jackson, Bradley McBrayer, Emily Richey, Anna-Clare Weeden, Cade Crane, Shyann Clark. Not Pictured: Delani Akin, Dustin Clark, John Johnson, Jaxon McDowell, Kai Stewart.

2017 Halftime Show The songs of

Queen Fat Bottomed Girls Bohemian Rhapsody Crazy Little Thing Called Love Don't Stop Me Now Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2016 Union County Band Drum Major: Mikayla Rakestraw

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

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East Union Softball

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 East Union Softball Team: (Front Row, left to right) Lane Easterling, Olivia Elder, Emma Boatner, Maggie Hawkins, Harleigh Wheelington, Mia Hutcheson, Edie Beatty, Carrie Wilkinson, (Second Row, left to right) Bryanne Dill, Jorja Robertson, Maggie McVey, Cayley Johnson, Kylie Rackley, Callie Smith, Jessie Roberts, Sylvie McVey, (Back Row, left to right) Baylee Pannell, Claudia Hill, Emily Coggin, Hannah White, Maggie Meinz, Jaley White, Kaitie Boatner, Raelee Bell, Hope Robbins. Not Pictured: Colby Stafford.

Lady Urchins must blend experience with youth The East Union have good news in the fact that they return a lot of experience, however the Lady Urchins must replace five long-time starters for the 2017 campaign.

Coach Josh Blythe enters his seventh year at the helm of the Lady Urchins softball program, averaging over 20 wins per season.

“Raelee Bell is a junior that has had a remarkable career for us and senior Claudia Hill has been contributing in slow pitch for years now,” Blythe said. “Kaitie Boatner and Hannah White are tenth graders that have started since the

seventh grade and Emily Coggin, a ninth grader, is coming off one of the best years in the state. We will be counting on these kids to lead us all year.”

Offensively the Lady Urchins will look to Coggin, Hill and Bell to set the tone at the plate.

“Don’t count out White and Boatner offensively,” Blythe said. “They’re much bigger and stronger, the ceiling is the limit.”

Defensively East Union will look to Boatner, Coggin, Bell and White to solidify the defensive side of the diamond

according to Blythe.

The Lady Urchins hope their experience of playing at a high level over the past several years will be one of the intangibles they need early on while they play and look at younger players.

“Jessie Roberts looks to take over at pitcher,” Blythe said. “We’ve been grooming her the last three years and I’ve got complete confidence in her ability.”

The Lady Urchins will face the likes of Mooreville, Tupelo and Nettleton in their nondivision slate. The revamped

division which combined 1A and 2A teams, features the always powerful Lady Seminoles of Smithville to provide a stiff competitor for the Lady Urchins.

“Our strength will be our top five, our weakness will be how quickly we can bring along these young kids. In order to be successful, we’ve got to get our young kids moving along quickly.”

The Lady Urchins were defeated in the 2016 North Half Championship by East Webster and finished their season at 28-8.

East Union 2017 Schedule August 12 East Union Classic Tournament 15 Mooreville 17 @ New Site * 18-19 Union County Tournament (@ West Union)

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22 Pine Grove * 24 @ Tupelo 29 @ Wheeler * 31 Thrasher *

September 05 @ Jumpertown * 07 Smithville* 07 South Pontotoc

2017 Fall Sports Preview

12 New Site * 14 @ Pine Grove 16 @ Robertson’s Sportswear Tournament 18 @ Nettleton 21 Wheeler * 23 @ Corinth Tournament 26 @ Thrasher *

28 Jumpertown * (Senior Night)

October 02 @ West Union 03 @ Smithville * *denotes division 1-IIA game

Ingomar looks to feature power at the plate The Ingomar Lady Falcons hope to build on their 2016 offensive success at the plate as they return most of their starters back this fall.

“Offensively, we’ve kinda got a good game plan,” said Ingomar head coach Andy Wilbanks. “Defensively, there will have to be a shuffling of the deck, so we are just trying to work through that. That’s the big question mark right now, how are we going to align that defense to be successful.”

Maggie Smithey returns for her senior season to lead the Lady Falcons in the outfield.

Juniors Lauren Thompson, Gara Beth Self, Alex Wilhite, Carson Grisham and Abby Deaton are returning starters that Wilbanks will look to make major contributions at the plate and in the field as well as serving as team leaders with Smithey.

“They are coming back with a lot of experience, so they will be the load-toters,” Wilbanks said. “We are trying some of the young kids out to determine who can fill two holes that we have to fill in the lineup. They are up for grabs and we haven’t made a decision on what’s going to

happen.”

Ingomar will be the newly aligned softball division of Class I Region 2 with county rivals Myrtle and West Union which will prove to be a highly competitive for the teams.

“I don’t guess it (division) is necessarily a bad thing, it makes scheduling easier with such big divisions,” Wilbanks said. “It’s kinda the same folks that we’ve always been playing. It widens the field out and you’re going to have some really good teams. The divisions will definitely be more competitive.”

The Lady Falcons will need

to consistently hit from top to bottom to be successful according to Wilbanks.

“Last year, we hit it really well at times and when we hit it, I felt like we were as good as anyone that we played,” Wilbanks said. “In slow pitch, the name of the game is scoring runs and making the outs that you are supposed to make. We are very talented, but we’ve just got to figure out how to win those games late in the season. We’ve got to figure out how to push through that and be the last team playing.”

Ingomar 2017 Schedule August 12 @ West Union Classic 14 Vardaman 17 @ Nettleton 18-19 Union County Tournament (@ West Union)

22 @ Mooreville 31 Blue Mountain*

September 05 @ Blue Mountain * 07 Myrtle * 12 @ Myrtle * 14 Falkner *

16 Robertson’s Sportswear Tournament 19 @ Walnut * 21 West Union* 22 Pine Grove 26 @ West Union * 28 Walnut *

October 03 @ Falkner * *denotes division 1-IIA game

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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Ingomar Softball

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 Ingomar Softball Team: (Front Row. left to right) T’nya Jones, Katherine Smith, Addison Pickens, Lydia Haynie, Katie Beth Hall, Lindsay Dillard, Cadence Collier, (Second Row, left to right) Camleigh Ball, Alex Wilhite, Kaily Edwards, Kortney Parker, Lauren Wooley, Sarah Darracott, Hailey Wicker, (Back Row, left to right) Abby Deaton, Carson Grisham, Maggie Smithey, Patience Golden, Lauren Thompson, Sanaa Finley, Gara Beth Self, Ashley Forrester, Madison Willard.

Myrtle Softball

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 Myrtle Softball Team: (Front Row, left to right) Courtney Page, Maggie Moody, Sarah Kate Thompson, Beth Medlin, Megan Lowrey, Kinsley Gordon, Haleigh Jamison, Mia Stewart, (Second Row, left to right) Jessica Pickens, Ava Jones, Keragen McCullough, Olivia Decanter, Lily Jeter, McKenzie Jones, Mollie Moody, Ally Kizer, Mackenzie Kizer, (Third Row, left to right) Gracie Martin, Kylee Hudson, Madelyn Woodson, Ashley Roark, Ally Smith, Breanna Smith, Cailyn Rape, Lexi Hutcheson, Kelly Smith, (Back Row, left to right) Amanda Watkins, Karlie Bolden, Tyesha Bills, Kristen Young, Sara McDonald, Kinzie Watts.

Lady hawks focusing on defensive game Last season ended with heartbreak for Myrtle as the Lady Hawks missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

“I think that’s left a bad taste in their mouths, especially the seniors,” Myrtle head coach Marty Cook said.

The Lady Hawks had a good year offensively, averaging eight runs per game, but the team struggled on the defensive side with errors and miscues allowing 11 runs per game in 2016.

“The message for this season is really that we have to improve our defense,” Cook

said. “That’s the challenge that [Assistant] Coach [Kelly] Robbins and I have, finding the right defensive mix.”

Junior Haleigh Jamison will be tapped to replace Heather Smith inside the circle as Smith graduated in May. “Haleigh has worked at getting a lot more arch on the ball. That makes us a better team if she can get arch on the ball and throw strikes,” Cook said.

Jamison will be backed up with plenty of experience in the infield as seniors Sara McDonald, Kristen Young, Karlie

Bolden, and Tyesha Bills will all play key roles.

Bills will be behind the plate, while Bolden plays at shortstop and McDonald at first base.

Young will split time between second and third base with sophomore Sarah Kate Thompson playing at second when Young isn’t.

Another senior, Megan Lowrey, will anchor the outfield for her final season as the Lady Hawks center fielder.

Lowrey will be joined by eighth grader Kinsley Gordon in left field, and a pair of fresh-

man in Keragen McCullough and Breanna Smith. Smith will play at right-center while McCullough will be in right field.

The Lady Hawks will also play their first season under the new scheduling format with Class 1A and 2A schools sharing the same division.

Myrtle will suit up against Union County rivals Ingomar and West Union in division play, as well as Blue Mountain, Falkner, and Walnut.

“We will play ten division games, and will really be tested in division, which should help in the playoffs,” Cook said.

Myrtle 2017 Schedule August 12 @ West Union Classic Tournament 15 Corinth 17 Itawamba AHS 18-19 Union County Tournament (@ West Union) 22 @ Vardaman

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28 @ Falkner * 31 West Union *

September 07 @ Ingomar * 08 @ Pine Grove * 11 @ Blue Mountain (DH)* 12 Ingomar * 16 @ Robertson’s

2017 Fall Sports Preview

Sportswear Tournament (@ BNA Bank Park) 18 @ West Union * 21 Falkner * 23 @ Corinth Tournament 25 Walnut * 29 @ Walnut * 30 @ Mantachie Tournament

October 02 Pine Grove * (Senior Night) *denotes division 2-IIA game

Lady Eagles looking for the right mix of players After a three year hiatus, longtime West Union softball coach Lisa Bogue has returned to the field.

“I missed it tremendously.

I missed the girls and the interactions and the softball,” Bogue said. “It’s good to be back.”

Bogue also brings two familiar faces to the coaching ranks as 2014 West Union graduates, and former players for Bogue, Julianna Garner and Bailey Bogue will assist in coaching the Lady Eagles this season.

“Both Julianna and Bailey have given up their senior sea-

sons in college to coach, and I’m grateful to have them,” Bogue said.

Garner played basketball at Blue Mountain last season, while Bailey played fast-pitch at BMC. This season, the Lady Eagles will replace two athletes due to graduation and two more due to a pair of players moving away, leaving some question marks on the field as the season approaches.

“We are looking for Katie Wallace and Anna Carwyle to fill the role at pitcher for us,” Bogue said, “They’ve both been working hard and we are

going to use both of them.”

The infield positions remain up in the air as Bogue shifts players to find the right match ups, with upperclassmen all the way to seventh graders in the mix for playing time.

“They’re young, energetic and eager to learn. They’ve been an amazing group to work with so far,” Bogue said.

In the outfield, junior Jenny Thompson will anchor the team with experience and leadership. Thompson will be joined by Emma Callicut.

This year the Eagles will also juggle the challenge of a new format as they move into

Division 2, Class II softball, combining both 1A and 2A schools and pitting the Eagles against Union County rivals Myrtle and Ingomar.

Blue Mountain, Walnut and Falkner round out the division.

“They’ve put 1A and 2A together and that puts a lot of teams in the mix,” Bogue said, “But we’ve always scheduled bigger schools anyway. We would play whoever in order to get better. So we’re just going to battle it out and the chips will fall wherever they land.”

West Union 2017 Schedule August 12 West Union Classic Tournament 14 @ Mantachie 17 Mantachie 18-19 Union County Tournament (@ West Union)

21 @ North Pontotoc 28 North Pontotoc 31 @ Myrtle *

September 05 Falkner * 07 @ Falkner * 09 @ Shannon

11 Walnut * 14 @ Walnut * 15 @ Blue Mountain (DH)* 18 Myrtle * 21 @ Ingomar * 22 @ Tremont 29 @ Pine Grove *

October 02 East Union (Senior Night) *denotes division 2-IIA game

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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West Union Softball

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 West Union Softball Team: (Front Row, left to right) Alana Martin, Chloe Wright, Molly Jackson, Anna Jackson, Mary Greer, Carly Frazier, (Second Row, left to right) Sophie Hooker, Macy Whittington, Claire Dowell, Emma Carwyle, Ella Kate Taylor, Emma Callicut, Anna Carwyle, (Back Row, left to right) Head Coach Lisa Bogue, Assistant Coach Julianna Garner, Josie Baird, Eden Conlee, Hailey Steen, Jenny Thompson, Anna Grubbs, Katie Wallace, Mackenzie Morris, Assistant Coach Bailey Bogue.

IT’S GA

The New Albany Gazette partnered with several boutiques in Downtown New Albany to Make

located on West Bankhead and modeled by upperclassmen from all five schools in Union County.

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

MEDAY! this feature possible. Inside it’s pages are outfits and accessories from four stores These athletes represent every sport that will be played this Fall.

Photos by Donica Phifer 2017 Fall Sports Preview

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Avery Grace Shaw [from Bellisimo Boutique, Peach Love Blue Floral Dress $42.95], Madison Shelton [from Two Doors Down, Yahada crisscross red top $21.99, Ces Femme Navy Shorts $23.99, Outwoods Shoes $29.99, White ball earrings $14.99, White beaded bracelet $19.99, Red beaded braclet, $9.99], Cameron Hollimon [from Bellisimo Boutique, My Beloved Blue Mixed Maxi Dress $36.95], Payton Synder [from The Beadshack, Properly Tied Navy Striped Polo $70.00], Colton Wooten [from Two Doors Down, Burlebo Grey button-up shirt $38.99], Noah Ford [from Two Doors Down, Burlebo Grey USA t-shirt $32.99, Burlebo Navy Shorts $43.99], Aaron Estes [from The Beadshack, Properly Tied coral polo $64.99, Prop-

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

erly Tied aqua shorts $45.99, Sanuck slip-on shoes $60.00], Carey Beth Doyle [from Obsessions Boutique and Salon, Entro red coldshoulder floral dress $42.95, Get Charmed gold circle pendant necklace $29.95], Yeti Roadie 20’ Cooler in Desert Tan [$199.99 at The Beadshack]. (Page 24 Bottom Left Photo) Emma Myers [from Obsessions Boutique and Salon, Bell Amie red and white t-shirt dress $36.95, Blue beaded necklace $22.95], Emma Blakemore [from Bellisimo Boutique, After Market blue gingham cold shoulder dress $39.95, Fleur de lis pearl necklace $26.00], (Page 24 Bottom Right Photo) Katie Wallace [from Obsessions Boutique and Salon, Mitto Shop Maroon off-the-shoulder dress, $39.95, Get Charmed gold tooth necklace, $22.95, Get Charmed geometric gold earrings $16.95], Jenny Thompson [from Obsessions Boutique and Salon, Ces Femme maroon off-the-shoulder bow dress $38.95, AB Jewels pearl hoop earrings $24.95] (Top photo, this page) Clayton Fulgham [from Two Doors Down, Live Oak coral t-shirt $29.99, Burlebo navy shorts $43.99], Caroline Greer [from Two Doors Down, Umgee teal crisscross dress, $34.99, Pierre Dumas black wedges $31.99, Black beaded necklace $24.99, Black beaded bracelet $9.99, Black and gold wire bracelet $24.99, Black ball earrings $14.99] Laykin Dulaney [from The Beadshack, Cooper Park t-shirt $24.95, three-stack bracelet set $6.50, Rainbow Calafia t-strap sandals $57.95 Cole Windham [from The Beadshack, Oxford Game Day navy t-shirt $39.99| (Bottom left photo, this page) Lindsay Hall [from Bellisimo Boutique, Naked Zebra red cold-shoulder halter top $32.95, Kancun white skinny jeans $36.95, Da Vinci bracelet (blue) $16.00, Famina bracelet (white) $16.00, Famina bracelet (red) $16.00, Wild Flower white drop earrings $16,00] Aniston McClellen (from The Beadshack, Beadshack white t-shirt $24.95, Barry Diff sunglasses 75.00, Maddie Lon stud earrings $16.00, Giving Key necklace $48.95, RG bracelet cuff $12.99].

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

New Albany Gazette

Young Bulldogs working towards new season New Albany’s season will begin in ten days, but while the Bulldogs are a young squad, head coach Scotty Shettles is hoping for a lot of energy from his runners.

“We really are young this year,” Shettles said. “It’s early days in our season and in our practice so we are just looking for kids to step up and really go hard.”

Most of the team is made up of underclassmen, including a few junior high runners, and nearly everyone on the

team is a first-time runner, Shettles said.

One returning face is junior Maria Favela who proved the leader for the Lady Bulldogs in her sophomore season in 2016.

Favela will be joined by McKenzie Parker, Anna Walls, Abby Laney, Summer Whiteside, Marlie Williams, and another runner with a familiar name - Maria Favela (‘21) who is entering her freshman year.

The boys will be rounded

out by Esteban Contreras, who also plays soccer for the Bulldogs as well as Alex Rodriguez, Montgomery Owen, Carlos Romero, Jesse Nicholson, Max Spencer, Trey Roten and Jonathan Tucker II. New Albany will spend much of their season running along the trails of the BNA Tennis and Soccer complex as the Bulldogs will attend the Myrtle Invitational on Aug. 26 and host their own Dawg Trails Invitational at BNA on Sept. 9.

New Albany will also run in the annual Tallahatchie River Run on Oct. 7 and host the Division 1-4A cross country meet at BNA later in October.

“My main goal for this year is for us to be better at the end of the season than we were at the start of the season,” Shettles said. “If we can do that then I think we will have a good year. Sometimes it’s not about wins and losses but about making the kids better.”

New Albany 2017 Schedule Aug. 26 @ Myrtle Invitational Sept. 9 Dawg Trails Invitational Sept. 30 @ Oxford Invitational

Oct. 7 @ Tallahatchie River Run Oct. 21 @ South Pontotoc Invitational

2017 Fall Sports Preview

31

New Albany Cross Country

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 New Albany Cross Country Team: (Front Row, left to right) Maria Favela (‘21), McKenzie Parker, Maria Favela (‘19), Anna Walls, Abby Laney, Summer Whiteside, Marlie Williams, (Back Row, left to right) Alex Rodriguez, Esteban Contreras, Montgomery Owen, Jonathan Tucker II, Carlos Romero, Jesse Nicholson, Max Spencer, Trey Roten.

East Union Cross Country

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 East Union Cross Country Team: (Front Row, left to right) Sarah Duley, Abbie McLellen, Emma Akins, Chance McLellen, Noah Roberts, Micah Fulgham, Jeremy Rakestraw, Peyton Wages, Clayton Fulgham, (Second Row, left to right) Elana Rowzee, Raven Watson, Tristan Dye, Rachel Gentry, Andrew Pilcher, Brandon Goolsby, Kala Hatfield, Elena Smith, Kiersten Hitt, (Back Row, left to right) Hope Robbins, Madison Croft, Laura Cobb, Justin Comans, John Briggs, Will Duley, Carter Phillips, Keith Goolsby, Braden Pierce, Mary Kate Nobles.

Urchins look to defending champion for leadership East Union will have the luxury of 2016 2A boys state champion Clayton Fulgham returning to lead the youthful Urchins. Clayton had a winning time of 17:18.40 to win by 16 seconds over the second-place finisher.

Clayton and his running mates hope to improve on their third place finish in team competition after losing only one runner to graduation.

“Clayton is the team captain, he leads vocally and by example,” East Union coach Nathan McLellen said. “Izaiah Rich and Will Duley need to help as leaders as well.”

The Urchins will look to

Duley, Rich and Micah Fulgham to keep improving and move into All-State positions.

Micah placed 16th and Duley was next at 17th in the boys 2A state meet as the pair ran sub-20 minute times.

“The Goolsby twins, Brandon and Keith, are seventh graders that we expect to be really fast if they work hard,” said McLellen.

Although the Urchins are relatively young, they do return five of their top six boys runners from the state competition as well. Jeremy Rakestraw rounds out the top runner group from 2016 as a freshman.

East Union girls placed second overall in 2A state competition and were narrowly defeated by Potts Camp.

“Sarah Duley is the girls captain and our only senior,” McLellen said. “She is the defending bronze medalist and like Clayton, she does it all.

Rachel Gentry and Mary Kate Nobles will help in our leadership roles.”

Gentry and Nobles were top 20 finishers for the girls in the state championship meet.

“Gentry, Nobles, Tristan Dye and Kiersten Hitt return with experience,” McLellen said. “Karley Conwill is new to cross country, but had a

good year in track and could have a big year.”

The girls team will return four of their top seven runners from the state championship which placed five runners in the top 16.

East Union will again feature a competitive schedule of meets to prepare for another run at the 2A title in November.

“Our strengths are that we are hard-workers and have great leadership,” McLellen said....It is also really important that we stay healthy and become a family to be successful.”

East Union 2017 Schedule Aug. 26 @ Myrtle Invitational Sept. 02 @ Brooks Twilight Classic Sept. 16 @ Saltillo Challenge Sept. 23 @ Southertees Challenge

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

Sept. 30 @ TCPS Invitational Oct. 07 @ Watson Ford Invitational Oct. 14 @ Pontotoc Invitational Oct. 28 @ 1-2A Regional Championship

Falcons blend hard work with fun in running Ingomar Cross Country Coach Alyssa Kelley begins her first fall with the Falcons and see a perfect blend of hard working runners that mix in fun as a group.

“They are willing to do any type of training like doing long distance or speed work,” Kelley said. “I think I would describe them as fun and hardworking, they enjoy coming to practice and they are always willing to run at any time.”

Ingomar will have sophomore Thomas Floyd back to lead the boys team in 2017.

Floyd finished fifth overall in 2016 with a time of 18:22.20.

“Thomas placed fifth last

year and he will definitely be our top boys runner this year,” Kelley said. “Luke Roberts should be right there behind him as our top runners. He’s been training really hard and has been running since the seventh grade.”

Roberts placed 14th overall in Class 2A with his time of 19:15.10 and will be also be a sophomore for the Falcons.

Ingomar boys ran to an eighth place finish in 2A team competition in 2016 at the state championships.

Abbie Williams returns for her senior season and will be counted on to be another leader for the team. Williams

placed 30th at the 2A girls state championships with a time of 24:52.60.

Lexi Campbell is a freshman that enjoyed success at the state championships with a 28th place finish and time of 24:45.80.

“Abbie will be a senior and will probably be our second top runner,” Kelley said.

“Lexi is definitely going to be a strong runner, she’s very positive and upbeat. She is going to be someone to look at.”

Kelley plans to run her Falcons in several of the competitive meets in the area, beginning with the Myrtle Invitational on August 26.

“Myrtle is the first one we will compete at and we will run at Saltillo on September 16, which is where I’m from and I’m excited about that,” Kelley said. “To be successful in cross country you have to have perseverance and that’s what is going to get you to that number one spot. A lot of our runners have that and are very determined.”

Ingomar 2017 Schedule Aug. 26 @ Myrtle Invitational Sept. 16 @ Saltillo Invitational Sept. 23 @ Southerntees Challenge

Oct. 14 @ Pontotoc Invtiational Oct. 28 @ 1-2A Regional Championship

2017 Fall Sports Preview

33

Ingomar Cross Country

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 Ingomar Cross Country Team (Front Row, left to right): Rylie Ozbirn, Trinity Enis, Lexi Campbell, Ansley Ladner, (Back Row, left to right) Head Coach Alyssa Kelley, Luke Roberts, Thomas Floyd, Ty McDonald, Neilen Morgan. Not Pictured: Abbie Williams.

Myrtle Cross Country

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 Myrtle Cross Country Team : (Front Row, left to right) Harlie Madonna, Maggie Moody, Hailey Brown, Ava Grace Jones, Paige Hall, Victoria Mejia, (Second Row, left to right) Jessica Pickens, Haleigh Jamison, Caroline Greer, Laykin Dulaney, Avery Lollar, McKenzie Jones, Kylee Hudson, (Third Row, left to right) McKinley Lindsey, Nate Gaines, Drew Covington, Ethan Neal, Peyton Ligon, Caleb Sullivan, Will Greer, Dylan Gaines, Hunter Page, Colt Hall, (Back Row, left to right) Cole Windham, Blake McNeal, Hunter Brown, Cade Hutcheson, Daylon Jones, JT Jones, Elijah Thompson, Evan Gann, Hunter Hall, Hunter Bailey, Hunter Baggett. Not Pictured: Taylor Wages, Mary Lee Lollar, Caylie Streich, Raykiah Strickland, Rebecca Medlin, Colby Gray, Elijah Craig.

Hawks focused on fun for upcoming season The Myrtle Hawks are back and ready for another year of cross country with a difficult schedule of meets slated for 2017.

“We are going to some big runs,” Myrtle head coach Chris Greer said. “We are hosting one at BNA Park to open the season and then we are going to the Jesse Owens Invitational in Oakville, Ala. It’s the first time we’ve been.”

Myrtle returns a host of runners for the 2017 season and will also field a group of young runners.

The girls team will be led by seniors Caroline Greer and

Laykin Delaney, two returned varsity runners that have plenty of experience.

“We’ve added two girls in Avery and Mary Lee Lollar and we are expecting big things from the both of them,” Greer said.

With Caroline coming off of a late-season track injury, it will be up to the other runners to carry the load until she is back to full speed, Greer said.

“We are expecting big things from Caroline once she’s healthy, but we also have Maggie Moody, Hailey Brown and Ava Jones that will run for

us.”

On the boys side, Greer expects for Elijah Thompson to have a breakout season as he juggles cross country and football.

While Thompson is a first time runner for Myrtle, Blake McNeal, Hunter Baggett and Dylan Gaines will all be stand out athletes that the Hawks will count on for the season.

Evan Gann and Daylon Jones will join the team and split their time between cross country and football with Thompson, but both are expected to contribute this sea-

son.

“We also have Hunter Bailey and Hunter Hall, they’re both two guys that have been around for a long time and bring a lot of experience to the team,” Greer said.

Hall, Bailey and Cole Windham will all compete in their senior season for the Hawks and Greer expects the trio to step forward as the leaders on the team as the season progresses.

“I really think for this team that if they’ll work we could have a big year. But it’s just about having fun. That’s what we want to do,” Greer said.

Myrtle 2017 Schedule Aug. 26 Myrtle Invitational Sept. 02 @ Tupelo Invitational Sept. 16 @ Saltillo Invitational Sept. 23 @ Southerntees Challenge

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

Sept. 30 @ Lafayette Invitational Oct. 7. @ Jesse Owens Invitational Oct. 14 @ Pontotoc Invitational Oct. 21 @ Regional 2-1A Championship

Eagles season to be fueled by youth, new coach West Union will have a new coach at the helm to start the 2017 season as three-year veteran coach Lisa Bogue transitions back to the softball field.

Jenny McCullough will lead the Eagles this year, stepping back into coaching shoes that she earned while teaching and coaching at Cleveland High School.

“It’s been a little while since I’ve coached cross country,” McCullough said, “But I am excited to be here and thankful for the opportunity to work with these kids.”

The Eagles will be a young team once again, largely made up of underclassmen, and some junior high athletes.

Most of the team will be first time runners, eager to try out a new sport.

“Coach Bogue has told me what great kids these returning runners are, how hard they’ve worked,” McCullough said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

David Greer III will be one of the upperclassmen on the team this season, with returning runner Matthew Moorman also in the ranks for the

Eagles.

The Lady Eagles will be made up largely of first timers to cross country with Anna Carwyle one of the few returning runners for the girls team.

“We really just want to have fun this year,” McCullough said. “That’s my goal for these kids, to be better at the end of the year than they were in the beginning and for us to have fun and enjoy ourselves as a team.”

West Union will compete this year in the expanded Division 1-2A which features twelve teams from across

North Mississippi.

The Eagles will pay visits to the annual Southerntees Challenge at BNA Park, as well as run in the annual Tallahatchie River Run in downtown New Albany on Oct. 7.

West Union 2017 Schedule Sept. 16 @ Saltillo Invitational Sept. 23 @ Southerntees Challenge Oct. 7 @ Tallahatchie River Run

Oct. 21 @ South Pontotoc Invtiational Oct. 28 @ 1-2A Regional Championship

2017 Fall Sports Preview

35

West Union Cross Country

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 West Union Cross Country Team: (Front Row, left to right) Katelyn Kelon, Anna Carwyle, Emma Carwyle, Robin Elgin, (Second Row, left to right) Christopher Smalley, Jacob Russell, Joseph Crawley, Daesean Pulliam, Max Smithey, (Back Row, left to right) Dawson McCuller, David Greer III, Miguel Ramirez. Not Pictured: Braden Childers, Zack Howell, Austin Walls, Stephen Hankins, Taylor Rumsey, Matthew Moorman.

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Ingomar swim team experiences growth and depth The 2017 version of Ingomar Swim has nearly doubled in size from the previous year and for the first time ever, the Falcons will have competitors in the boys division.

“We have added males to the team this year for the first time,” Ingomar Swim Coach Jennifer Pannell said. “This will allow us to have a better team score because in the smaller meets we had trouble placing as a team because we were missing the male

scores.”

Ingomar will return senior Aniston McClellan, who competed in two events at the state swim competition in 2016.

McClellan swam in the 50 meter free in Class 1 and made the final eight in the 100 meter breast stroke, finishing eighth with a time of 1:20.18.

Other returning seniors include Kenzie Shook and Ashlyn Saxon who will be experienced leaders for the Falcons.

The Falcon relay team of

McClellan, Shook, Saxon and Anna Beth Gandy competed in the 200 meter freestyle relay at the state championship.

“Since we’ve added seven new swimmers this year, the older swimmers will have to step up and help the new members make improvements and strive for quicker times in their individual events,” Pannell said.

Ingomar normally participates in six to eight meets during the season with venues at

Oxford, Starkville, Amory and Tupelo. North Half competition for 2017 will be held at Delta State and the state meet will be held in Tupelo.

“Our team consists of several athletes that are working hard, learning proper techniques, conditioning and improving breathing while increasing individual times,” Pannell said. “We are building a tradition one stroke at a time.”

2017 Fall Sports Preview

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Ingomar Swimming

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2017 Ingomar Swim Team (Front Row, left to right) Hailee Alexander, Emma McMillen, (Second Row, left to right) Riley Ozbirn, Kenzie Shook, Makenzie Bowen, Anna Beth Gandy, Savanna Shook, Tori Chandler, (Back Row, left to right) Head Coach Jennifer Pannell, Brady Hall, Ashlyn Saxon, Ryan Hodges, Aniston McClellan, Cole Means, Mallory Russell.

Donica Phifer | Gazette Staff

2017 New Albany Lady Bulldogs Volleyball Team: (Front Row, left to right) Meadow Golden, Emma Blakemore, Avery Grace Shaw, Emma Myers, Sydney Collier, (Second Row, left to right) Gracie Stanford, Maleah Parker, Janae Shackleford, Miriam Tiravero, Maggie Moore, Breshonda Starks, Katherine Gonzalez, Dalay Hernandez, (Back Row, left to right): Assistant Coach Olivia Dunham, Bella Fernando, Baleigh Bowers, Rosalee Roberts, Brooke Dowell, Greta Blakemore, Endya Worship, Whitney Carroll, Alexis Mirfield, Lexi Page, Head Coach Reid Gann.

New Albany Volleyball

Lady Bulldogs looking for big things in 2017 The 2016 season marked the most successful one in program history for New Albany.

This year, the Lady Bulldogs hope to build off that momentum and do something they’ve never done - make the playoffs.

“Last year was a heartbreaker,” Head Coach Reid Gann said, “We were knocking on the door [to the playoffs] and just couldn’t get it done. But we don’t live in the past, we’re gonna learn from the past and use it as motivation.”

New Albany finished 2016

with a 17-5 record, missing the playoffs by a pair of points in a third-set tiebreaker with Tishomingo County.

This year, the Lady Bulldogs will be led by their five seniors, with all but one marking their third year as starters for the varsity club.

Team Captains Emma Blakemore and Emma Myers will anchor the team offensively, using their height as a dominate force at the net.

“They are going to get their hands on a lot of balls at the net. They are the feature of our offense,” Gann said.

Meadow Golden, who led the team in aces in 2016, will play as a setter as will classmate Avery Grace Shaw who trades in her defensive libero role from 2016 to play on the right side.

Maggie Moore, a freshman, will take the libero spot and be joined by classmate Greta Blakemore who will fill a void on the right side for the Lady Bulldogs as a setter and hitter.

“That is a position where we’ve struggled in the past, but Greta has come in and filled that spot very well,” Gann said.

Senior Sydney Collier will play in the back row and specialize in passing which Gann describes as “significant and important role for us”.

In the rotation, Collier will be replaced in the front by either Maleah Parker or Rosalee Roberts to play on the left side while sophomore Janae Shackleford will also be in the mix and frequently rotate into positions.

New Albany’s season includes marquee matches against heavy hitters such as Lafayette, Oxford, and division rival Corinth.

New Albany 2017 Schedule August 05 Bulldog Bash Tournament 08 @ Olive Branch 10 Pontotoc 12 @ Lafayette 15 @ South Panola 17 @ Alcorn Central

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19 @ Center Hill (JV) 22 South Panola 24 @ Tupelo 29 Lafayette 31 Oxford

September 05 Ripley* 07 @ Byhalia*

2017 Fall Sports Preview

09 Alcorn Central 12 @ Pontotoc 14 Corinth* 19 @ Tishomingo County* 21 Olive Branch 26 @ Ripley* 28 Water Valley

October 02 Tishomingo County* 07 @ Starkville Tournament 10 @ Corinth* 12 Byhalia* (Senior Night) * denotes division games

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2017 Fall Sports Preview

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2017 Fall Sports Preview