Spring Sports Preview 2018

2018

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

NEW ALBANY | EAST UNION | INGOMAR | MYRTLE | WEST UNION Spring Sports New N ew 2018 Albany G Preview a z e t t e1 az

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

On the cover: Front row - Maggie Smithey, Ingomar, Tripp Mills, New Albany, Morris Kelly Clayton, New Albany, Cade Bell, East Union, Brooke Moody, New Albany. Back row - Hailey Steen, West Union, Jacob Kent, Myrtle, Jaley White, East Union, Ryder Willard, West Union, Megan Lowrey, Myrtle.

Table of Contents photo: Hailey Steen, Morris Kelly Clayton, Cade Bell, Maggie Smithey, Ryder Willard, Megan Lowrey, Tripp Mills, Jaley White, Jacob Kent, Brooke Moody.

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

Table of Contents 8 New Albany Softball 9 New Albany Baseball 12 East Union Softball 13 East Union Baseball 14 Ingomar Softball 15 Ingomar Baseball 18 Myrtle Softball 19 Myrtle Baseball 20 West Union Softball 21 West Union Baseball 23 State Champs 26 New Albany Track 27 East Union Track 28 Ingomar Track 29 Myrtle Track 32-33 Archery Team 36-37 Golf Teams 38 New Albany Girls Tennis 39 New Albany Boys Tennis 40 Girls Spring Sports Schedules 41 Boys Spring Sports Schedules

Special Thanks Evan Pounds, Cory Keyes, Josh Blythe, Chris Basil, Justin Weeden, Andy Wilbanks, Marty Cook, Robert Gordon, Lisa Bogue, Ashley Russell, Bert Anderson, Zach Matkins, Charlie Porch, Alyssa Kelley, Chris Greer, Heidi Brock, Sherrie Little, Leslie Gaines, Brad Bogue, Shane Sanderson, Mike Conway, Suzy Bowman and all the athletes from New Albany and Union County High Schools that made this publication possible with their participation.

Articles written by Dennis Clayton, Sports Editor, Gene Phelps, Sarah Duley. Cover Photo by Dennis Clayton. Layout/Composition by David Johnson. Advertising sales by Dennis Clayton and Rachel Mitchell.

Ad design by Sonny Harrison.

New Albany Gazette

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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NEW ALBANY SOFTBALL

David Johnson/Gazette Staff

2018 New Albany Lady Bulldog Softball Team: Front row left - Kenshayla Bridgeforth, Alea Hudson, Bailey Roberts, Payton Henry, Anna Tarrant, Gracie Stanford, Charlsie Stacks, Grace Wages. Back row left - Rosalee Roberts, Kelsey Ledbetter, Brooke Moody, Savanna Johnson, Elizabeth Phillips, Megan Whiteside, Payton Robbins, Meadow Golden, Alexis Mayo, Caroline Truemper, Alexis Mirfield.

Lady Bulldogs hope to build winning attitude

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here will be a new face in the Lady Bulldog softball dugout this season as Coach Even Pounds takes over the head coaching position. Pounds wants to instill in his team an attitude of winning as one of his primary goals.

“This is my first year as head coach of the Lady Dogs, I want to build a culture where winning is an expectation,” Pounds said.

Some key components for a successful season revolve around some of the experienced players that return for New Albany. Pounds began with a couple of his upperclassmen that he looks to lead his team.

“Alexis Mayo is a junior catcher for us,” Pounds said. “She is making the transition to catcher from middle infield, therefore it has been a learning curve there for her. Alexis is a competitor and works hard, and we need players to feed off of that

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

competitive drive.”

Another player that will be an impact player for the will be senior Meadow Golden.

“Meadow Golden is one of the vocal leaders on the team,” Pounds said. “She played a major role in the volleyball division championship, so she knows what it takes to be successful. Her success and leadership qualities that she experienced in volleyball have helped tremendously in softball this year.”

The Lady Bulldogs will have a couple of newcomers that are expected to make a contribution, Savanna Johnson at pitcher and Alexis Midfield in the outfield. Pounds expects Johnson to be a key offensive player at the plate and lists sophomore Kelsey Ledbetter as a top defensive player who primarily plays first base.

New Albany will again participate in the Union County tournament after

a two year hiatus. Pounds says the Union County Tournament is going to be full of key games for the Lady Bulldogs and that his girls have been working hard and looking forward to playing in it all year.

“We have five seniors and three juniors on the team that are hungry for success,” Pounds said. “These girls have been working hard all year to make the most out of their season.”

When asked what he considered to be a weakness of the team, Pounds said “Throughout our short season, our biggest challenge been deepening knowledge of the game. We have been working everyday on how to play the game successfully and it has been a learning curve so far for several of our players.”

“We have a lot of talent on this team, we just need a little success to make the girls believe that they can be successful.”

NEW ALBANY BASEBALL Photo courtesy of Kellie Owens

2018 New Albany Bulldog Baseball Team: Front row left - Mitchell Shettles, Drew Vance, Tucker Owens, Lewis Creekmore, Parker Clayton, Zack Ball, Mason Simmons, Kalob Adair, Tyler Lipsey, Jacob Benefield, Channing Grissom. Back row left Adam Conlee, Caden John-son, Ruston Adams, Loden Bolen, Tripp Mills, Artavious Nugent, Peyton Jolly, Cody Roberts, Will Norwood, Brayden Yarbrough. Not pictured: Collin Paul.

Juniors, Seniors dominate New Albany lineup *Editors’s note: At the time of this writing Cory Keyes was the coach of New Albany baseball, but is now no longer with the program.

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ew Albany’s Bulldogs, who finished 17-12 a year ago, bring back a junior/senior dominated lineup for the 2018 baseball season.

The infield features senior Tripp Mills at first base, senior Will Norwood at second, juniors Cody Roberts and Loden Bolen at shortstop, and senior Peyton Jolly at third base.

Mills is coming back from Tommy John surgery and has been moved from the middle infield to avoid the longer throws.

The catcher is a three-year starter in senior Ruston Adams, who has battled injuries during his career. “We’re glad

he’s back there. He’s a good vocal leader,” said now-departed coach Cory Keyes in the preseason.

In the Bulldogs’ outfield junior Zach Ball in left and sophomore Drew Vance in center, are set. The right fielder’s job will go to Bolen or a freshman, Collin Paul, who plays solid defense and has good speed.

On the pitcher’s mound, junior Tucker Owens, along with Roberts, Norwood, junior Tyler Lipsey, freshman Louis Creekmore and a lefthander, Vance, are all expected to see duty.

“Vance still isn’t throwing like he’s capable,” Keyes said. “He has a shot to be a good pitcher. We’re still trying to figure out our main guys. Very few of them have had varsity experience.

They’re being baptized by fire.”

Offensively, despite a slow start,

the Bulldogs should be productive at the plate.

“I really think we’re going to be able to hit the ball,” Keyes said. “I don’t think we have any sure-enough outs in our lineup. Bolen has really hit well early. Vance, Ball and (designated hitter) Artavious Nugent have the capabilities to hit. Nugent gives us a home run threat in the lineup.”

Keyes believes this team, which competes in Division 1-4A along with Byhalia, Corinth, Ripley, Senatobia and Tishomingo County, have a shot at making the postseason.

“I think we have a good chance to be a playoff team,” he said. “I want to have a positive team. I want a team that will compete for seven innings every game. That’s a key factor for us this season.”

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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EAST UNION SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 East Union Lady Urchin Softball Team: Front row left - Maria Cabellera, Olivia Elder, Carrie Wilkinson, Harleigh Wheelington, Savannah Greer, Karley Conwill, Jessie Roberts. Second row left: Kylie Rackley, Mia Hutcheson, Jorja Roberson, Jaley White, Emma Boatner, Maggie Hawkins, Kaitie Boatner, Abbie Nieminen, Kelsey Grubbs. Back row left: Hope Robbins, Bryanne Dill, Emily Coggin, Maggie McVey, Colby Stafford, Hannah White, Raelee Bell, Baylee Pannell, Sylvie McVey, Edie Beaty, Callie Smith.

Lady Urchins return young, battle-Tested

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ast Union lost four starters from last season’s team that lost in the Class 2A state semifinals, but the Lady Urchins’ cupboard is not bare for 2018.

This season’s squad returns a young and experienced lineup, who contributed to last year’s 18-6 record and a Division 1-2A championship.

“We’ve got a mixture of youth, but they’ve been battle-tested,” East Union coach Josh Blythe said. “I feel like that although we are young, these kids have had some success.

“These young ladies have been a part of winning four Union County championships in a row.”

Freshman pitcher Emily Coggin returns as part of a two-man rotation, along with sophomore Savannah Greer. They give the Lady Urchins a one-two punch of power and finesse.

“Coggin is going to be our horse in the circle,” Blythe said. “Last year we clocked her in the upper 50s … 57.

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

She’s a power pitcher.”

Sophomore Colby Stafford, a starter since the seventh grade, returns behind the plate.

“She’s a natural back there. She sees the game, she understands the game,” Blythe said. “She takes pride in blocking the ball, takes pride in throwing runners out.”

The Lady Urchins’ infield features sophomore shortstop Kaitie Boatner and former outfielder Raelee Bell, who was moved to second base. Coggin and sophomore Hannah White are the first basemen. Eighth grader Harleigh Wheelington will play third base.

“Raelee Bell and Kaitie Boatner may be the best up-the-middle combo in the state, especially in 2A,” Blythe said. “They are two of the best athletes you’ll find anywhere in the middle infield.”

Boatner and Bell are also being counted on to supply plenty of pop at the plate. Boatner batted .421 last

season with 21 RBI. She also stole 30 bases.

The coach calls Wheelington the “wildcard” in the infield.

“She’s going to fill a big role for us,” he said. “Our infield may be as good now as it ever has been.”

The outfield features a blend of youth, including freshman Maggie McVey, senior Jaley White, eighth grader Jorjia Roberson and sophomores Hannah White, Sylvie McVey, Jessie Roberts and Baylee Pannell.

“We’ve got some really good young players out there,” Blythe said.

Of that group, Maggie McVey is considered the most improved player in the outfield.

“She’s a tremendous athlete,” Blythe said. “She’s 100 percent no matter what’s she’s doing. She’s got the tools to be a really good outfielder.”

EAST UNION BASEBALL Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 East Union Urchin Baseball Team: Front row left - Jace Basil, Haygen Richey, Josh Basil, Jake Patterson, Kye Roberts, Preston Crump, Joel Wilkinson. Second row left - Rudy Baldwin, Gavin Hall, Carter Philips, Andrew Pilcher, Taylor McDonald, John Logan Duran, Bradley Hampton, Rhett Johnson. Third row left - Head Coach Chris Basil, Coach Chris Lucius, Hayden Roberts, Ethan Hitt, Thomas Gentry, Cade Bell, Kaegan Garrison, Coach Zane Treadaway. Not pictured Chandler Moody.

Urchins’ success depends on deep Pitching

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ast Union will never rest on its past successes in baseball, not as long as Chris Basil’s in the Urchins’ dugout.

“I’d like to think out tradition would help,” said Basil, who is entering his 26th season as skipper. “We’re not good enough to read the newspaper and be somewhere at the end. We have to work. Our kids want to get better. They want to be pushed.”

That “somewhere” would be Trustmark Park in Pearl, where the Urchins won the MHSAA Class 2A state championship in 2016 and finished runners-up to Loyd Star last season. However, the south state team’s championship was revoked by the MHSAA for using ineligible players.

East Union’s quest to reach Trustmark will depend on quality production from its deep pitching staff.

Juniors Cade Bell (8-0, 1.84 ERA, 67K) and Joel Wilkinson (8-4, 1.97

ERA, 66K) give the Urchins a solid one-two punch from the hill. Two other juniors, Josh Basil and Thomas Gentry, sophomore Kagan Garrison, freshman left-hander Carter Phillips and 8th grader Ethan Hitt will see duty.

“Pitching wise, we’re as good as we’ve ever been,” Basil said. “We’re going to try and let our big boys rest.

It’s important for them to be there at the end.”

Garrison’s usual position will be catcher, where he saw action last season.

“He had improved tremendously,” Basil said. “He wants to be great. We need him to be our catcher and help our defense.”

A junior, Jake Wood, will likely start at first base. Junior Preston Crump will play second, Bell shortstop and Josh Basil or Hitt at third. Hitt, who started as a seventh grader, can also play second and the outfield. He’s projected as the lead-off batter.

In the outfield, Wilkinson, Gentry, Hitt, eighth grader Hayden Roberts and junior Haygen Richey are expected to play.

Offensively, Bell (.478 avg., 43 RBIs, six home runs) returns as the leading hitter. Wilkinson (.413 avg., 33 RBIs, three home runs) had a solid season at the plate.

“I think we’ll be solid offensively,” Basil said. “We’ve got to cut our strikeouts. We’ve got to have more quality at-bats, put pressure on the defense, score more runs.”

Basil’s also excited about his younger players who are contributing.

“This school’s baseball program is going to be talked about the next six or seven years,” he said.

Basil also credits his assistants – Zane Treadaway (pitchers) and newcomer Chris Lucius (catchers) – for the team’s success.

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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INGOMAR SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 Ingomar Lady Falcon Softball Team: Front row left - Lila Stanton, Lindsey Dillard, Cadence Robbins, Kaily Edwards, Kathryn Smith, Lydia Haynie, Addison Pickens, Lexie Campbell, Katie Beth Hall, Rylee Reeves, Emily Stinson. Back row left - Alex Wilhite, Camleigh Ball, Ashley Forester, Lindsay Hall, Lauren Thompson, Gara Beth Self, Maggie Smithey, T’nya Jones, Savana Mendoza, Olivia Robbins.

Lady Falcons transition from hoops to hits

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he start to Ingomar’s fast pitch season has been delayed the last two years. The same story by be true again this spring.

That’s a good thing, Lady Falcons’ coach Justin Weeden says. A late start means Ingomar’s girls basketball likely won a state championship. Five of those players start in softball.

“Monday of spring break will be our first full practice,” Weeden said.

“It’s the nature of the beast here.

Defensively, we’re going to be really good. We need to get in some cuts with the bats before our first game.

“We’ll do two-a-days during spring break. In the mornings all we do is hit.

In the afternoons we come back and do defensive drills.”

One of the basketball players is Ingomar’s top softball player – senior outfielder Maggie Smithey, an ICC

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

softball signee. She batted .533 last season with 33 RBIs. “Maggie’s the real deal,” Weeden said. “She’s a softball player who’s really good at basketball. She led us in almost all of our categories. She’s a leader.”

Joining Smithey in the outfield is senior basketball player Lindsay Hall, a Northwest basketball signee. She’s quite the softball player, too, Weeden said. Hall batted .418 last season.

“She doesn’t know how good she could be in fast pitch,” the coach said.

“Basketball is her sport, but she’s so athletic and so strong. I can’t wait to see how well she will do this year.”

Three basketball players make up a talented infield – second baseman Ashley Forester, shortstop Gara Beth Self and third baseman Lauren Thompson. The talented Self batted

.453 and Thompson .481 with 16 RBIs last year.

“Thompson had to pitch some last year, but we’re weaker defensively when she’s not at third base,” Weeden said. “When she plays third base we are a solid defensive team.”

Kathyrn Smith, an eighth grader and left-hander, will be the starter in the circle. A junior, right-hander Alex Wilhite, returns to pitch. Kaily Edwards, a freshman, returns at catcher. She caught the second half of the season last year.

Two eighth graders, Katie Beth Hall and Camleigh Ball, will play first base or in the outfield.

“Our three eight graders are going to get a lot of playing time this year,” Weeden said. “One thing, all the positions are open until we get a lot of our players back.”

INGOMAR BASEBALL Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 Ingomar Falcon Baseball Team: Front row left - Reed Huffstatler, Spencer High, Tyler Pickens, Carson Gault, Hunter Gammel, Zack Cummings, Brady Hall. Back row left - Ryan Hodges, JD Gault, Nyheim Jones, Zack Koon, Jordan Hill, Kelton Hall, Kelon Hall, Cole Means.

Seniors to play big part in Falcons’ season

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he positions “utl” and “p” are listed by the name Kelton Hall on Ingomar’s baseball roster.

P stands for pitcher. Utl for utility. In otherwords, the Falcons are counting on the senior to play numerous roles this season.

“He has to do it all,” Ingomar coach Andy Wilbanks said. “We put a lot of things on Kelton. He has adjusted well to it. He knows the responsibility that’s going to be on him. It’s almost unfair.”

Hall, who will pitch, catch, play short stop and third base, batted a team-high .467 last season. He had 10 doubles, eight home runs and 36 RBIs. On the mound, the hard thrower was 5-4 with a 2.14 ERA and 44 strikeouts.

Hall, a six-year starter, signed to play baseball next year for Northwest Mississippi Community College.

“He does a tremendous job toting

the load,” Wilbanks said. “He is probably one of the most unselfish athletes I’ve watched or coached. He truly wants his teammates to do as well as he does. He understands that’s where our success will be.

“We know what we’re going to get from Kelton. He elevates the other kids on our team to raise their level of play.”

Hall, a right-hander, will share the pitching duties with junior righthander Zack Koon. He was 5-3 with a 2.66 ERA and recorded 25 strikeouts last season.

“Zack will definitely be the No. 1 pitcher,” Wilbanks said. “He’s had a lot of experience. At start of the year he will get a majority of the innings.

He’s a finesse guy with a really good change-up.”

The catching will be handled by committee, with Hall, Koon and senior Jordan Hill behind the plate.

Senior Cole Means will play first base. Second could be freshman Spencer High, junior Reed Huffstatler or Koon. The shortstop will be Hall or J.D. Gault. Third base could be Hall or freshman Carson Gault.

In the outfield, junior Kelon Hall, senior Brady Hall, senior Elijah Edwards and Hill are expected to play. Edwards, a left-hander, will also see some pitching duty.

The Falcons, who play in Division 1-2A, finished 22-11 last season and reached the state semifinals for the third consecutive year. They’ve lost to eventual state champion East Union the last two seasons.

“Hopefully we can duplicate the success we’ve had in the past,” Wilbanks said. Last year we put five kids on the field who had not been starters. That experience should carry some weight this year.”

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MYRTLE SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 Myrtle Lady Hawk Softball Team: Front row left - McKenzie Jones, Mia Stewart, Olivia Decanter, Jessica Pickens, Kinsley Gordon, Megan Lowrey, Caylie Streich, Mollie Moody, Ally Kizer, Courtney Page, Christina Graham, MacKenzie Kizer. Middle row left - Gracie Martin, Keragen McCullough, Ashley Roark, Ally Smith, Madelyn Woodson, Haleigh Jamison, Hayden Jordan, Ava Jones, Sarah Kate Thompson, Lily Jeter. Back row left - Sara McDonald, Breanna Smith, Joanna Black, Kelly Smith, Amanda Watkins, Karlie Bolden, Cailyn Rape, Lexi Hutcheson, Kinzie Claire Waits, Kristen Young.

Lady Hawks hope depth will lead to success

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yrtle coach Marty Cook may need some extra time filling out his lineup card this spring.

“We’ve got a lot of depth this year,” Cook said. “It’s a good problem to have … who I’m I going to play today.

I have some options in the outfield and the infield.”

The Lady Hawks, 15-10 a year ago in Class 1A, have four seniors returning as potential starters, including pitcher/outfielder Megan Lowrey. She is joined by infielders Sara McDonald, Karlie Bolden and Kristen Young.

Lowrey posted an 11-3 record with a 1.66 ERA and recorded 61 strikeouts last season. She also batted .286 and plays center field when she’s not in the circle.

“She’s got a lot of spin to her ball,” Cook said. “She’s not overpowering, but I like to say, ‘She misses a lot of

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

bats.’ It’s hard to square up against her.”

Eighth grader Caylie Streich is expected to join Lowrey in the pitching rotation.

“She’s worked really hard,” Cook said. “She’s sneaky fast. She hits her spots really well. She’s going to give us relief during non-division games.”

McDonald, a first baseman, impressed Cook with her bat during fall slow pitch play. He hopes to see it continue this spring. Bolden, shortstop, and Young, third base, bring experience to the infield.

The young group features eighth grade catcher Kinsley Gordon, who batted .408 last season with 22 RBIs as a seventh grader.

“Kinsley is one of the best catchers in north Mississippi,” Cook said. “She can play anywhere, but she’s the best we’ve got to put behind the plate. She does a super job back there.”

Sara Kate Thompson, a freshman, is slated to play second base. She has impressed Cook with her speed and ability to slap hit. Another freshman, Jessica Pickens, will see infield duty.

The outfielders are junior Ally Smith and freshmen Amanda Watkins and Breanna Smith.

Offensively, Cook expects production. The Lady Hawks scored 19 runs in 10 innings of classic game play this spring.

“We’ve have three or four kids who slap hit,” he said. “That puts pressure on a defense. I’ve got a lot of speed in the top of the order. I’ve got some kids, if they square it up, can hit really well.

“Our goal is to score a run an inning.

If you score seven runs a game, and have decent pitching and defense, you ought to win a lot of ballgames.

MYRTLE BASEBALL Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 Myrtle Hawk Baseball Team: Front row left - JP Patterson, Mason Cook, Hunter Baggett, Jaden Taylor, Lane Bishop, Paxton Gordon, Ethen Hunt, Jackson Mayer, Nate Gaines. Middle row left - Tyler Bramlitt, Eli Russell, Dalton Galloway, Luke Gaines, AI Nugent, Bennett McCullough, Caden Hutcheson, Hunter Brown, Dylan Gaines, Gabe Medlin. Back row left - Conner Coleman, JT Jones, Dillon Kennon, Hunter Thompson, Jacob Kent, Hunter Matkins, Trace Thompson, Jeremy McIntosh.

Myrtle depends on Pitching to bring wins

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yrtle coach Robert Gordon knows what didn’t go right for his Division 2-1A Hawks in last year’s 14-loss season.

He doesn’t want a repeat in 2018.

“It was a tough year,” he said. “We couldn’t get it together on the mound.

Offensively, we didn’t put enough runs up. We just couldn’t get it together.”

This season’s fortunes could hinge on how well the pitching staff performs. Gordon is excited about what he has coming back.

Senior left-hander Jacob Kent returns after suffering through arm troubles last season. Another senior, right-hander Lane Bishop, is back.

They’ll be joined by sophomore Paxton Gordon and eighth graders Jaden Taylor and another lefty, Jackson Mayer.

“We’ve got more pitching than we’ve had,” Gordon said. “Kent has built up his arm. He could really be good if he remains healthy. He gives

us a chance to win if he throws strikes.

Bishop mixes his pitches well. He’s a bulldog and throws strikes.

“Mayer has a live arm. He’s going to log a lot of innings on the mound.

We’ve got to get him some varsity experience.”

All of the pitchers will also play positions in the infield and outfield.

Kent batted .400 with nine doubles last season. He’ll likely hit No. 3 or No. 4 in the batting order. Taylor started as a seventh grader.

The catchers will be junior Chandler Moody and sophomore Hunter Baggett. Junior infielder, outfielder, Dylan Maharrey returns, along with seniors Hunter Thompson, an infielder, and Dillon Kennon, an outfielder/relief pitcher.

“Thompson has made great strides offensively in the preseason,” Gordon said. “Kennon hit clean-up last season.

He’s really cleaned up his mechanics pitching.”

Juniors Hunter Matkins, outfield, and Bennett McCullough, infielder, are back. Others expected to see duty are sophomore Trace Thompson, utility, and freshman Conner Coleman, first base.

Others in the hunt for playing time are: senior utility player Jeremy McIntosh, junior infielder Hunter Brown, freshmen infielders/pitchers Mason Cook, A.I. Nugent and Luke Gaines, and eighth grade infielders/ utility players Dalton Galloway, Dylan Gaines and Caden Hutcheson.

“I think we’ve got decent team speed. We want to see if we can put pressure on the defense,” Gordon said. “Offensively, we don’t have any sluggers, but we’ll be OK. We’re going to put the ball in play.

“I want to see us be as scrappy as we can be. I want to see us more unified as a team. I want them to have fun playing this game.”

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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WEST UNION SOFTBALL

Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor

2018 West Union Softball Team: First row left - Ella Kate Taylor, Sophie Hooker, Jenny Thompson, Mackenzie Morris, Claire Douell. Second row left - Molly Jackson, Josie Baird, Eden Conlee, Annie Orman, Emma Callicutt, Alana Martin Third row left - Chloe Wright, Hailey Steen, and Anna Grace Jackson.

Bogue returns to lead winning Lady Eagles

L

isa Bogue knows about success in fast pitch softball. Her West Union teams won 101 games in five seasons (2010-14) and played for a state championship in 2011.

Bogue returns to the field to lead the Lady Eagles this season after a three-year absence. She’s thrilled about her talented young players and the opportunity to coach again.

“I’m excited about the young group of girls and the talent they have, the energy level that is there,” she said.

“We want to get out there and get it going, because we were rolling there at one time.”

West Union’s quest to return to success starts in the circle where freshman pitcher Annie Orman returns. She recorded 87 strikeouts and had seven victories last season.

“Annie doesn’t pitch for her travel team. She knows we need her to pitch and she’s competitive,” Bogue said.

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

Orman is joined by freshman Eden Conlee and eighth graders Josie Baird and Emma Callicutt. Conlee will also play second base and shortstop while Orman can play shortstop and in the outfield.

Orman batted .506 last season as an eighth grader and produced 20 RBIs, 10 doubles and two home runs.

Conlee batted .260 with 14 RBIs. Callicutt batted .293 with 16 RBIs. Bogue has three catchers who could log playing time – junior Jenny Thompson, eighth grader Claire Douell and seventh grader Ella Kate Taylor.

“All three have a great softball IQ,” the coach said. “I want somebody who’s able to take charge, take control.

We may have to use two or three catchers depending on the chemistry between the pitcher and the catcher.”

The remainder of the infield will have freshman Mackenzie Morris at

first base and senior Hailey Steen at third base.

“We should be very versatile with the infielders we have,” Bogue said.

“Who plays depends on some of the pitchers we have. We will go with the defense that will line up with the pitching style at the time.”

Callicutt, Thompson, Orman and freshman Sophie Hooker will play in the outfield. All of the candidates have the speed and arm strength needed.

Bogue’s main concern is how her new players will respond to her coaching.

“I don’t know how our chemistry will play out,” she said. “I know they’re talented and smart. I want them to think for themselves, not just in softball, but everything … develop that higher level of thinking. If that comes through, the wins are going to happen.”

WEST UNION BASEBALL Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor

2018 West Union Baseball Team: Front row left - Luke Jennings, Benjamin Carter, Cohen Russell, Kaiden Gaines, Noah Ingle, CJ Shirley, Omar Ramirez. Second row left - Braden Willard, Sam Callicutt, Wesley Harrell, Clay Jennings, Brandon Phillips, Dylan Gates, Josh Kent, Boo Robertson, Cole Phillips. Third row left - Chance Bogue, Reed Schiele, Luke Willard, Jared McDonald, Jayden Carwyle, Ryder Willard, Gunnar Carwyle, Assistant Coach Nathan Tidwell, Head Coach Ashley Russell, Assistant Coach Jake Kent.

Eagles look to be the best in North Mississippi

W

est Union baseball has experienced success the last three seasons: back-to-back 21-win records, 59 total victories.

Ashley Russell, who’s entering his 12th season in the Eagles’ dugout, would like to see the wins continue to mount.

In one preseason ranking, West Union was ranked the state’s No. 4 Class 1A team, behind two of its North Mississippi foes – Smithville and Tupelo Christian Prep.

“We are definitely looking forward to the season,” he said. “We want to be the best team in the North, but we’ve still got to beat those two (Smithville, TCPS) and Myrtle. You’re always climbing up a hill to catch up with those guys.

“If we continue to work hard and improve, we could be a pretty good

team.”

West Union welcomes back one of its top players in junior pitcher/ outfielder Cole Phillips. He batted .486 last season with nine doubles, a homer and stole 19 bases. The lefthander was 5-3 pitching with a 1.58 ERA and 76 strikeouts.

“He’s one of those special ones,” Russell said. “We going to depend on him to win the big games (pitching).

When he pitches our kids feel like we’re going to win.

“Cole’s also a good defensive outfielder and one of our better hitters.”

Junior right-hander Ryder Willard returns after posting a 3-1 record, a 2.28 ERA and 50 strikeouts in more of a closer role last season. He will play shortstop when he’s not pitching.

“He’s going to have to throw more

innings this season,” Russell said.

“He’s become a really good player.”

Three sophomores – Jerod McDonald, Boo Robertson and Braden Willard – will add to the pitching depth. McDonald plays third base, Robertson second abd Willard in the outfield. Robertson batted .377 with 15 RBIs last year. Willard batted .353.

Luke Willard, a sophomore, returns at catcher. He hit .397 last season with nine doubles and 27 RBIs. Chance Bogue, a junior, will fill a utility role, including catcher and DH. He batted .329 with 18 RBIs. “Luke is as good defensively as any catcher you’ll see,” Russell said.

“He receives the ball well, handles the pitchers well. We’re expecting him to have a big year offensively.”

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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Photo courtesy of Jamie Clayton

Five members of the New Albany Bulldog Tennis team won 4A State individual titles. Pictured from left - Grayson Godbold, 4A boys single champion, Greta Blakemore and Morris Kelly Clayton, 4A girls doubles champions, Rachel Rainey and Jackson Christ, 4A mixed doubles champions.

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

East Union Urchins were the 2A baseball champions for 2017. Pictured front row left - Ethan Hitt, Aaron Walters, Andrew Pilcher, Dalton Haynes, Kolby Gray, Preston Crump, Madison Croft, Rett Johnson, Hayden Roberts, Chandler Moody.

Second row left - Taylor McDonald, Bobby Darren Stafford, Jacob Raines, John Logan Duran, Haygen Richey, Kagan Garrison, Joel Wilkinson, Josh Basil, Zane Wilkinson. Back row left - Jace Basil, Head Coach Chris Basil, Assistant Coach Bo Garrett, Cade Bell, Thomas Gentry, Ty McDonald, Key Roberts, Jacob Wood, Drew Edwards, Assistant Coach Zane Treadaway.

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

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NEW ALBANY TRACK

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 New Albany Bulldog Track Team: Front row left - Anna Walls, Maria Favela, Madison Whitehead, Abbey Laney, Deja Hasan, Ahlaeya Judon, Madison Shackleford, Tyneya Finley, Precious Harris. Second row left - Q. T. Sanders, Jeremiah Gardner, Stacia Massey, Janae Shackelford, Akayla Martin, Kenidi Sanders, Shamarquces Smith. Third row left - Kyelin Mullins, Francisco Guerrero, Bryson Prather, Rama’yonn Crawford, Amaudric Frazier, Isiah Co-hran, Jonathan Tucker.

Fourth row left - Adrian Garcia, Andrew Ellis, London Erby, Eli Parks, Noah Gray, Joseph Rutherford. Not Pictured: Victoria Brown, Ana Rose Hamblin, Jon Luke Hamblin.

New Albany track Team on the rebuild

N

ew Albany track participation numbers had dwindled in the past, but Coaches Bert Anderson and Zach Matkins have experienced a resurgence in athletes for the past two years and hope are that the program can return to the prominence of years past.

The New Albany girls will be led by Stacia Massey and Victoria Brown, athletes that have enjoyed success in the past. Massey competes in the throwing events while Brown is a sprinter for the Bulldogs.

“For the field events Stacia Massey is coming back, two years ago she qualified for state, then last year she got put out at North Half,” Anderson said. “We expect her to be back in the hunt for the state title again.”

Brown competed at the 4A State Championships in 2017 and medaled in the 100 meters, finishing second and was just off the podium with a fifth place in the 200.

“Victoria has been to state the last

26

2018 Spring Sports Preview

two years,” Anderson said. “We are expecting big things from her after she comes back from a non-track related injury.”

Other runners that Anderson expects to contribute for the girls include Kenidi Sanders, Deja Hasan as well as Tyneya Finley who is recovering from injury.

“We also have a good group of younger girls coming out, so we hope they can pick up from the older girls as to how to run and help with relays,” Anderson said.

The New Albany boys numbers are way up and Coach Matkins hopes this can translate into success for the Bulldogs.

“We’ve got Eli Keener back and this is actually only the second year that he’s thrown,” Matkins said. He’s going to throw the disc for us and can throw in the 130 to 140 range, so hopefully he can improve there.”

Adrian Garcia and Andrew Ellis are a couple of younger throwers that can

help the team according to Matkins.

“In the shot we have Mason Phillips, who is a returner and Bryson Prather who is more of a skill guy, but he can throw the shot really well plus London Erby,” Matkins said.

Jeremiah Gardner will compete in the long jump event and Kalob Adair will compete in the triple jump.

Isaiah Cohran, QT Sanders and Rama’yonn Crawford will participate in the sprints and relays for New Albany and Gardner can compete in both sprints and distance.

Mid-distance runners for the Bulldogs are BB Mason and Joseph Rutherford.

“We’ve got some distance guys out that we’ve never had, John Luke Hamblin, Joe Rutherford, Eli Parks and Jay Tucker,” Matkins said.

Both coaches are optimistic that the Bulldogs will have what it takes to compete in 4A.

EAST UNION TRACK Photo by Sarah Duley

2018 East Union Urchin Track Team: Front row left - Clayton Fulgham, Peyton Wages, Mary Kate Nobles, Micah Fulgham, Annalise Bailey, Abbie McLellen, Kirsten Hitt, Tristan Dye. Middle row left - Conner Johnson, Chase Brown, Caleb Stephens, Keith Goolsby, Liz Hall, Laura Cobb, Jessie Crump, Lauren Jane Whitenton, Paxton Jordon, William Duley, John Briggs, Eli Hodges, Caleb Harper, Cayley Johnson, Rachel Gentry, Thad Bell, Jessley Wages. Back row left Luke Laird, Connor Bishop, Brandon Goolsby, Callie Smith, Thay Vance, Ramen Joseph Yaeger III, Emma Wages, Peyton Wildman, Sam Murry, Scottie Elder, Chloe Hutcheson, Zach Rhodes.

East Union track team has high Hopes

T

he East Union track and field team is just kicking off the scheduled season, but the multifaceted sports team is already in full swing. Returning head coach Charlie Porch, along with assistant coaches Nathan McLellen and Heather Duley, has high hopes for the team.

“We have a lot of young, new kids on the team,” Porch said. “They’re inexperienced now, but there’s a lot of potential talent.”

Some of team’s talent, however, has already been realized. Returning seniors Clayton Fulgham and Sarah Duley, both distance runners, lead their younger and more inexperienced teammates by example. Fulgham has won multiple state titles, and Duley has also medaled in various events; both hope to exceed their past accomplishments, however, and are already making strides towards their

goals.

Fulgham is a returning 2A state champion in the 3200 meters as he won last year’s event with a time of 10:28.55 which was 14 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. Fulgham narrowly missed the podium in the 2A boys 1600 meters, placing fourth overall.

Duley finished third in the 2A girls 3200 meters at the state championships with her time of 12:55.29.

When asked about Duley and Fulgham’s contribution to the team, Porch claimed that “They really hold the team together and keep the distance runners on their toes.”

When it comes to short distance, the runners are lead by first-time runner and high school junior, Thay Vance.

Vance participates in multiple events and hopes to have attained a school record before the season is up.

The field events (including such things as pole vault, high jump, discus throw, etc.) also feature returning talent. Senior Lauren Jane Whitenton, a state champion and medalist, will be returning in high jump and is looking forward to whatever the season brings.

Whitenton jumped 4-10 at the 2017 state championships in 2A girls high jump which earned her a third place finish.

Micah Fulgham, a returning freshman, is off to great start in pole vault; similarly, Emma Wages, a seventh-grade rookie, shows great promise as a pole vaulter despite being so new to the world of field events.

“This season is sure to be a good one,” Porch stated. “No matter how we do, it’s really just a fun group.”

2018 Spring Sports Preview

27

INGOMAR TRACK

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 Ingomar Lady Falcon Softball Team: Front row left - Lila Stanton, Lindsey Dillard, Cadeeana Robbins, Kaily Edwards, Kathryn Smith, Lydia Haynie, Addison Pickens, Lexie Campbell, Katie Beth Hall, Rylee Reeves, Emily Stinson. Back row left - Alex Wilhite, Camleigh Ball, Ashley Forester, Lindsay Hall, Lauren Thompson, Gara Beth Self, Maggie Smithey, T’nya Jones, Savana Mendoza, Olivia Robbins.

Falcons look to Floyd to provide leadership

T

homas Floyd returns to the Ingomar Falcon track program as the experienced man, having finished third in the 2A 3200 meters at the MHSAA State Championships in Pearl in 2017. New Falcon track coach Alyssa Kelley hopes that his experience will benefit the remainder of the team.

“Thomas Floyd is our main guy, he’s the leader of the team and will be running the two mile (3200 meters) and one mile (1600 meters) and he will be the one to look for,” Kelley said. “He got second in state in 2A cross country this past year, so he’s definitely going be our top guy.”

A new addition to the Falcons in the long distance events will be Gage Enis, who moved in from South Pontotoc.

“He’s going to be another twomiler and one-miler, this is his first

28

2018 Spring Sports Preview

year running track, but I think he’s going to perform really well,” Kelley said.

Over on the girls side, Kelley will be looking at some younger faces to lead the team.

“I would say Trinity Enis, who is an eighth grader and is really strong and competitive will be our one miler and half miler,” Kelley said. “She will be one to look for. We will have a strong relay team of Trinity (Enis), Ansley Ladner, Cadeeana Brown and Sanaa Finley. They are going to be a really good relay team.”

The quartet will compete in the 4 x 800 really event.

Kelley has one lone thrower, Neilen Morgan, at the present, but hopes to have more once basketball season is over.

Finley will compete in the jumping events for the Falcons, competing in

the long jump primarily.

The Falcons will not have any athletes in the pole vault or high jump this season.

“We have Cadeeana Brown and Jalazja McDonald competing in the sprints and Ansley Ladner running the hurdles,” Kelley said. “They are our only sprinters and hurdlers.”

The best way to describe this year’s Falcon team would be young according to Kelley since she only has a couple of experienced athletes.

“We are very young, this is a lot of people’s first year,” Kelley said. “We have a lot of eighth grader this year that have never run before, but I think they are going to be really good once they realize what it takes to perform and race well.

This will be Kelley’s first year as track coach after serving as cross country in the fall of 2017.

MYRTLE TRACK Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 Myrtle Hawk Baseball Team: Front row left - JP Patterson, Mason Cook, Hunter Baggett, Jaden Taylor, Lane Bishop, Paxton Gordon, Ethen Hunt, Jackson Mayer, Nate Gaines. Middle row left - Tyler Bramlitt, Eli Russell, Dalton Galloway, Luke Gaines, AI Nugent, Bennett McCullough, Caden Hutcheson, Hunter Brown, Dylan Gaines, Gabe Medlin. Back row left - Conner Coleman, JT Jones, Dillon Kennon, Hunter Thompson, Jacob Kent, Hunter Matkins, Trace Thompson, Jeremy McIntosh.

Youthful Hawks work hard to compete

C

oach Chris Greer returns to lead the Myrtle track program and says this year’s team will be young, but they are working hard to compete.

“In boys track, our strengths will be in pole vault, the 4 x 800 relay and maybe the distance races, two mile, one mile and 800 meters,” Greer said.

‘We are young this year and we are working hard, getting a lot of people in events, so hopefully some will get better. They are good kids, so we hope for the best.”

Hunter Hall and Cole Windham will be key to Myrtle’s success in the pole vault, having competed at the 1A state meet previously.

“Drew (Hollywood) Covington is a young boy that’s getting better in the pole vault,” Greer said. “Blake McNeal, Payton Ligon and Will Greer are working hard in the distance races.”

Hunter Brown, Dylan Gaines, Elijah Thompson and Carl Graham are other athletes that are doing well in the early stages according to Greer.

Dylan Byers and Greg Woods will be competing in the throwing events for the Hawks.

“We are pretty lucky and we are pretty good in everything except the 100 for the girls,” Greer said.

“Some seventh graders that I want to talk about are Elizabeth Gipson and Raykiah Strickland who are going to really help. Raykiah will be doing the 400, some jumps and the relays and Elizabeth is doing pole vault, some jumps and hurdles. Victoria Mejia will help us in the pole vault.”

Veterans Caroline Greer and Laykin Delaney return, although Caroline is recovering from an injury, she is still an integral part of the team and helps with coaching her teammates.

Dulaney will again be running in the

distance races and will be joined by the current 1A girls cross country champion, Maggie Moody.

Avery Lollar is being counted on to help when she returns from injury as well as Megan Lowrey who will run in the relay events and Kinsley Gordon who will compete in the jumps and run mid-distance.

“Tyesha (Bills) and Mykailla (Foster) are great throwers and Charlize Williams, who is an eighth grader, is also a great thrower,” Greer said. “We’ve got a chance if everything works out, to be real competitive because we can score points in the field, in the distance, in the relays and running.”

Greer thinks the future is bright for the Hawks as he has 44 athletes on this year’s team and thinks 85 percent are seventh and eighth graders.

2018 Spring Sports Preview

29

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

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ARCHERY

2018 Archery

Photo by Peyton Taylor

2018 East Union Urchin Archery Team: Front row left - Alex Gregory, Savannah Wildman, Hillary McBrayer, Rachel Rich, Alyse Backlin, Regan Thomas, Levi Pannell. Second row left - Emma Dunlap, Lexi Smith, Carley Hitt, Felicia Daniel, Elizabeth Hardin, Carson Boone, Will Coleman.Third row left - Skyler Hunt, Bryant White, Noah Nieminen, Aaron Hall, Isaiah Sheffield, Michael Cooper. Fourth row left - Logan Akins, Noah Roberts, Jeremy Rakestraw, Ross Cochran, Greyson Blair, Chance McLellen, Bradley McBrayer. Top row left - Coach Kayela Harpole, Coach Heidi Brock, Coach Jason Rakestraw. Not pictured - Coach Amy LaVanway.

Photo by Peyton Taylor

2018 Ingomar Falcon Archery Team: Front row left - Ethan Moody, Morgan Nance, Abbie Williams, Amber Rakestraw, Mallory Nance, Konner Little. Middle row left - Caleb Starnes, Robert Richardson, Haley Duke, Gabby Parker, Wade Baker, Jacob McDowell, Cody Bridges. Back row left - Stormy Weathers, Gage Enis, Cooper Hall, Kyle Robertson, Owen White, Noah Downs, Weston Byrd. Coach Sherrie Little.

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

2018 Archery

ARCHERY Photo by Peyton Taylor

2018 Myrtle Hawk Archery Team: Front row left - Michael Roberts, Brayden Kiddy, Joe Brown, Isabella Robinson, Kelly Smith, Jayden Bishop, Christina Graham, Cailyn Rape. Second row left - Beth Medlin, Amanda Watkins, Katelyn Senn, Brody McCammon, Savannah Fryer, Colt Hall. Third row let - Austin Ketchum, JT Hudson, Tyler Bramlitt, Evan Gann, Austin Hall, Hunter Hall, Kyler Brazil. Back - Coach Leslie Gaines.

Photo by Peyton Taylor

2018 West Union Archery Team: Front row left - Christopher Smalley, Eli Edwards, Aaliyah Windham, Lacy Raines, Valerie Kitchens, Jackson Pounders, Easton Bogue, Andrew Sanford, Madi Hill. Second row left - Galen Mitchell, Cora Dyer, Molly Porter, David Clayton, Riley Cooper, Keilee Owens, Elisabeth Bailey. Third row left - Rees Gullick, Jacob Isbell, Matthew Moorman, Stephen Hankins, Baleigh Bray, Brayden Childers, Austin Walls. Back row - Coach Brad Bogue.

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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NEW ALBANY GOLF

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 New Albany Lady Bulldog Girls Golf Team: From left - Caroline King, Elena Thompson, Laura Ruth Welborn, Coach Shane Sanderson.

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 New Albany Bulldog Boys Golf Team: From left - Miles Cox, Liam Neely, Jack Herrington, Andrew Fennell, Caleb McDonald, Coach Shane Sanderson.

36

2018 Spring Sports Preview

INGOMAR GOLF Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2018 Ingomar Falcon Golf Team: From left - Anna Kennedy, Bauer Bishop, Caleb Ball, Kelsey Whitehead, Thomas Wall, Coach Mike Conway. Not pictured Cameron Killinger.

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4/10 vs. Northwest (2) ................................ 3:00 PM

4/18 vs. Holmes (2)..................................... 2:00 PM

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Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

NEW ALBANY GIRLS TENNIS

2018 New Albany Lady Bulldog Girls Tennis Team: Front row left - Rocio Lemus, Jill Gafford, Gracie Mason, Maggie Creekmore, Morris Kelly Clayton, Sarah Robbins, Taylor Willis. Middle row left - Rachel Rainey, Natalie Creekmore, Maggie Scott, Allyson Chapin, Lillie Faith Childs, Isabella Aldridge. Back row left - Alex Herring, Emma Laney, Lexie Kent, Emma Blakemore, El-lie Myers, Greta Blakemore, Molly Scott, Mary Spencer. Not pictured: Madilyn Morris.

Bulldogs to feature experience plus youth

T

he 2018 version of New Albany girls tennis will feature a blend of experience plus some youthful faces as they strive to win another 4A state title after coming up short in 2017.

The Bulldogs lost to Newton County in the state championship which snapped a winning streak of five for New Albany.

“No doubt I have built my squad around Morris Kelly Clayton and Maggie Creekmore,” New Albany coach Suzy Bowman said. “I have placed them all into different positions in order to have my lineups strengthened throughout. It makes my job easier to have them fill various positions so that we are always in a position of winning as a team.”

Both players have signed with colleges to further their playing

38

2018 Spring Sports Preview

careers, Clayton signed with Millsaps and Creekmore with Itawamba Community College.

Other returning varsity players who fill big positions are senior Rachel Rainey who is the returning mixed doubles state champions with Jackson Christ while sophomore Greta Blakemore is a returning doubles champion who paired with Clayton last season.

Other players that are expected to be impact players for the girl team include 2017 varsity starters Lexie Kent and Maggie Scott.

“Up and coming players who will see a lot of varsity playing time are Emma Blakemore, Jill Gafford, Ellie Myers, Isabella Aldridge,” Bowman said.

A tough non-division schedule will help prepare the 2018 edition of the

Bulldogs for another run at the 4A state title.

“Our toughest non-division opponents and friendly rivalries will be Tupelo and Oxford,” Bowman said. “We have come to close to beating both squads in my time here, losing 4-3 to both Tupelo and Oxford in past seasons.. I feel great about the chances we have to produce wins over these tough opponents this year.”

2018 marks the fourth year for Bowman to lead the New Albany tennis program and she has an impressive resume for her work, two state team titles and one runner-up. Bowman is optimistic about this team’s chances to return for the state championship saying she’s hopeful another one is on the way.

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2018 New Albany Bulldog Boys Tennis Team: Front row left - Will Boyington, John David Nel-son, Conner Greer, Conner Mathis, Montgomery Owen, Joseph Fennell, Logan Blakemore, Jo-seph Durrett. Back row left - Lane Mitchell, Colin Williams, Jackson Christ, Mason Richey, Grayson Godbold, Luke Bolen, Sam Wiseman.

G

rayson Godbold has been a fixture for the New Albany boys tennis team and the senior returns for his final season in which Coach Suzy Bowman hopes will be a trip back to the state championships.

New Albany lost the team title in 4A by a narrow 4-3 decision after winning the championship five consecutive years. Godbold, a Millsaps College signee, along with Morris Kelly Clayton and Maggie Creekmore on the girls team have been instrumental in the past successs of the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs were state runnerups in 2017 with an overall record of 17-5 and an undefeated 8-0 division and playoff record.

“No doubt I have built my squad around Morris Kelly Clayton, Maggie Creekmore, and Grayson Godbold, all seniors this season and all college signees,” Bowman said. “These three

have been staples in the program since they were as young as seventh graders.

It makes my job easier to have them fill various positions so that we are always in a position of winning as a team.”

Mason Richey is a three year starter who has signed with Itawamba Community College for his collegiate career that will be counted on to make major contributions to the 2018 version of the Bulldogs.

Joseph Fennell and Luke Bolen are other starters from 2017 to return this season for New Albany.

“John David Nelson, Sam Wiseman, Montgomery Owen, Conner Greer, and Joseph Durrett are up and coming players who will see a lot of varsity playing time,” Bowman said. “This team is deeper even than the names I have mentioned here. That is what is exciting about the future of the

program. Our local tennis academy and teaching pro, Bo Bowman, continues to build the program from the ground up.”

The future appears to be bright for the Bulldogs and the hope are high for an immediate return as the top team in 4A. “This squad lost 11 seniors (boys and girls) two years ago and with a lot of hard work, we made it back to the title match last season, just falling short to Newton County in a third set tiebreaker, 4-3,” Bowman said. ‘I know we can get back to the state championship match this year. We want to earn back that title!

If they continue on the path of hard work, without letting up, we will set ourselves up for that rematch in May in Oxford.”

2018 Spring Sports Preview

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NEW ALBANY BOYS TENNIS

Bulldogs look to Godbold to lead team

East Union Fast PitcH

Ingomar Fast Pitch

Myrtle Fast Pitch

March 01 Tupelo 02 Mooreville 05 @ Potts Camp 08 @ West Union 09 Strayhorn 10 @ Mooreville 15 @ Ripley 15 @ Pine Grove 16 @ North Pontotoc 16 @Houlka 20 @ Ingomar 22 Ingomar 23/24 Union County Tournament 27 Baldwyn 29 @ Baldwyn

March 17 Hatley 19 Potts Camp 20 East Union 22 @ East Union 23/24 Union County Tournament 26 New Site 27 @ New Site

March 01 @ Oxford 02 @ Potts Camp 03 @ Oxford Tournament 05 West Union 08 Houlka 09 Oxford 10 @ Hickory Flat Tournament 19 @ West Union 22 @ Hickory Flat 23/24 Union County Tournament 26 Pine Grove 29 Falkner

GIRLS SCHEDULES

April 03 @ New Site 05 New Site 10 @ Walnut 12 Walnut 16 @Strayhorn

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April 02 Vardaman 03 @ Strayhorn 05 Strayhorn 06 Myrtle 07 Robertson Tournament 09 @ Vardaman 10 Baldwyn 12 @ Baldwyn 13 @ South Pontotoc 14 @Potts Camp 16 @ Walnut

April 02 @ Falkner 05 Independence 06 @ Ingomar 09 @ Pine Grove 13 Hickory Flat 16 Vardaman

New Albany Fast Pitch

West Union Fast Pitch

New Albany Tennis

March 02 Baldwyn 06 Booneville 08 Wheeler 09/10 South Panola Tournament 16 NEMCC Tournament 20 @ Ripley 22 Corinth 23/24 Union County Tournament 27 Senatobia 29 @ Byhalia

March 02 Falkner 05 @ Myrtle 06 @ Mantachie 09 Shannon 15 @ North Pontotoc 16 NEMCC Tournament 20 @ South Pontotoc 22 Smithville 23/24 Union County Tournament 27 @ TCPS 29 Tremont

March 01 @ Corinth 03 Grenada 03 Germantown 06 Tishomingo County 08 Senatobia 08 TCPS 20 Oxford 22 Ripley 23 DeSoto Central 26 Pontotoc 27 @ Tupelo 29 Lafayette

April 03 Tishomingo County 05 Ripley 06 @ Pine Grove 10 @ Corinth 12 @ Senatobia 13 Pine Grove 17 Byhalia 19 @ Tishomingo County

April 03 @ Smithville 06 @ Shannon 10 @ Tremont 12 TCPS 13 @ Falkner 16 North Pontotoc 19 Independence

April 04 @ Lafayette 04 @ Oxford 05 Tupelo 06/07 Northwest Rankin Tournament 09 Oxford

2018 Spring Sports Preview

East Union Baseball

Ingomar Baseball

Myrtle baseball

March 02 North Pontotoc (at Pontotoc) 02 @Pontotoc 03 Pine Grove (at Cherokee Ala.) 06 @ Ingomar 09 Ingomar 10 @ Booneville 10 @ Kossuth 15 West Union Tournament 16 Smithville 17 Hickory Flat 20 Strayhorn 23 @Strayhorn 24 @ Hickory Flat 24 @ Ripley 27 Walnut 29 @ Walnut 31 West Union

March 02 Myrtle 03 Falkner 06 East Union 09 @ East Union 12 Corinth Tournament 16 Center Hill 17 Kossuth 20 @ Walnut 23 Walnut 24 @ TCPS 27 New Site 29 @ New Site 31 Smithville

March 02 @ Ingomar 03 @ Vardaman 06 @ Blue Mountain 09 Blue Mountain 10 Baldwyn 10 Biggersville 16 Corinth Tournament 20 @ Hickory Flat 23 Hickory Flat 24 Alcorn Central (at Marshall Academy) 24 @ Marshall Academy 27 @ Ashland (DH) 29 Sterling Newman (at Millington, TN)

April 03 Baldwyn 06 @ Baldwyn 07 @ Smithville 07 Booneville 10 @ New Site 13 New Site 16 Hatley

April 03 @ Strayhorn 06 Strayhorn 07 @ West Union 10 @ Baldwyn 13 Baldwyn 14 Hickory Flat 14 TCPS 16 West Union

April 02 Thrasher 03 HW Byers (DH) 07 West Union 10 Potts Camp 13 @ Potts Camp 14 Byhalia 14 Marshall Academy 16 Baldwyn 17 Mantachie

New Albany baseball

West Union baseball

New Albany tennis

March 01 Booneville (at Pontotoc Tournament) 03 North Pontotoc (at Pontotoc Tournament) 03 @ Pontotoc 06 Tishomingo County 09 @ Tishomingo County 20 @ Ripley 23 Ripley 24 Rosa Fort 24 North Pontotoc 27 Corinth 29 @ Corinth 31 Pontotoc

March 03 @ Baldwyn 03 @ Booneville 06 @ TCPS 09 TCPS 15 West Union Tournament 16 West Union Tournament 20 Smithville 23 @ Smithville 24 North Pontotoc 27 Houlka 29 @ North Pontotoc 31 @ East Union

March 01 @ Corinth 03 Grenada 03 Germantown 06 Tishomingo County 08 Senatobia 08 TCPS 20 Oxford 22 Ripley 23 DeSoto Central 26 Pontotoc 27 @ Tupelo 29 Lafayette

April 03 @ Byhalia 06 Byhalia 07 @ Kossuth 10 @ Senatobia 13 Senatobia 16 @ IAHS

April 03 @ Tremont 06 Tremont 07 @ Myrtle 10 @ Water Valley 14 Kossuth 16 @ Ingomar

2018 Spring Sports Preview

BOYS SCHEDULES

April 04 @ Lafayette 04 @ Oxford 05 Tupelo 06/07 Northwest Rankin Tournament 09 Oxford

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2018 Spring Sports Preview

rail T t o o f le

Civic Center

Tang

BNA Pa

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Welcome to New Albany, the Heart of the Heritage Hills

R

iverFest

Tanglefoot

Trailhead Plaza

Tennis C ourts 2018 Spring Sports Preview

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2018 Spring Sports Preview