Spring Sports Preview 2019

2019

SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW

NEW ALBANY | EAST UNION | INGOMAR | MYRTLE | WEST UNION Spring Sports New N ew 2019 Albany G Preview a z e t t e1 az

Your One Stop Body Shop In Business Since 1991 Clean, Friendly Atmosphere Lifetime Warranty on Repairs Claim Filing Assistance Partnered With All Major p Insurance Companies Direct Repair Facility For Most Insurance Companies p Garmat Professional Paint Booth with Bake Cycle for Added Durability Tow Service Available

Robbie Windham -Owner

2

FREE Estimates 818 West Bankhead New Albany, MS Monday-Friday 8:30 - 5:00 2019 Spring Sports Preview

3

2019 Spring Sports Preview

4

2019 Spring Sports Preview

5

2019 Spring Sports Preview

2019 Spring Sports Preview

On the cover: Center left kneeling - Cade Bell, East Union, Ryder Willard, West Union. Standing from left - Haleigh Jamison, Myrtle, Gara Beth Self, Ingomar, Jenny Thompson, West Union, Zack Koon, Ingomar, Jackson Christ, New Albany, Bennett McCullough, Myrtle, Tyler Lipsey, New Albany, Raelee Bell, East Union, Savanna Johnson, New Albany.

Table of Contents photo: Bennett McCullough, Jenny Thompson, Zack Koon, Raelee Bell, Tyler Lipsey, Jackson Christ, Gara Beth Self, Ryder Willard, Savanna Johnson, Haleigh Jamison, Cade Bell.

6

2019 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 Champions of 2018 26 New Albany Track 27 East UnionTrack 28 Ingomar Track 29 Myrtle Track 32-33 Archery Teams 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, Buddy Hall, Josh Blythe, Chris Basil, Justin Weeden, Andy Wilbanks, Brooke Gordon, Robert Gordon, Lisa Bogue, Ashley Russell, Austin Epting, Bert Anderson, Nathan McLellen, Sherrie Little, Chris Greer, Heidi Brock, Michael Vierheller, Kim Clayton, Shane Sanderson, Mike Conway, Suzy Bowman, our athletic directors and all the athletes from New Albany and Union County High Schools that made this publication possible with their cooperation and participation.

Articles written by Dennis Clayton, Sports Editor and Gene Phelps. Cover Photo and Table of Content Photo by Dennis Clayton. Layout/ Composition by David Johnson. Advertising Sales by Tracie Callicutt.

Ad Design by Sonny Harrison.

New Albany Gazette

2019 Spring Sports Preview

7

NEW ALBANY SOFTBALL

Photo by Lisa Browning Photography

2019 New Albany Lady Bulldog Softball Team: Front row left - Addison Mayo, Kenshayla Bridgeford, Kelsey Ledbetter, Savanna Johnson, Alexis Mayo, Tyneya Finley, Gracie Stanford, Anna Tarrant, Peyton Henry. Back row left - Assistant Coach Kaitlin Bradley, Jordan Brooks, Grace Wages, Charlsie Stacks, Alexis Mirfield, Christy Phillips, Hannah Hughes, Assistant Coach Josh Curbow, Head Coach Evan Pounds.

Lady Bulldogs need young players to step up

C

oach Evan Pounds begins his second year at the helm of New Albany Lady Bulldog softball and he hopes to build on the foundation that was laid in 2018 with a blend of experience and youth.

Pounds will look to a couple of senior starters to lead his team.

“We’ve got Savanna Johnson coming back in the circle for us,” Pounds said. “She recently signed with Jackson State Community College, so we fully expect her to be on top of her game this year and have a good senior year.”

Another senior starter coming back will be Alexis Mayo and she will transition to another position in the field for the Lady Bulldogs.

“We’re going to move Alexis from the outfield to shortstop and I figure she’ll do well for us,” Pounds said.

“Tyneya Finley is another senior and

8

2019 Spring Sports Preview

I look for her to come in and make an impact.”

Another starter to watch for will be Kelsey Ledbetter who played first base during the 2018 campaign.

“Kelsey Ledbetter is another returning starter that we hope does a lot for us this year and we count on her quite a bit,” Pounds said.

Pounds will use several younger players to fill the void left by the 2018 graduating class.

“Gracie Stanford will be behind the plate, she’d going to be a sophomore and Alexis Mirfield is probably going to be our starting centerfielder and is also a sophomore,” Pounds said.

“Both of them got a little bit of playing time last year and they are going to be our starters this year. We will count on them being pretty good players for us.”

Mirfield will also see some innings

in the circle as back-up pitcher and Pounds wants to get her some quality innings as she may be counted on to pitch next year for the Lady Bulldogs.

New Albany hopes to return to the 4A playoffs again this season. The 2018 Lady Bulldogs were eliminated in the first round by New Hope by close scores of 2-1 and 3-1.

“We have a lot of girls that this is going to be their first year of playing varsity ball, so they are going to have to step up,” Pounds said. “They are going to have to accept the challenge and get the job done for us.”

The Lady Bulldogs will once again compete in a tough Division 1-4A with Corinth, Senatobia, Tishomingo County, Ripley and Bylahia. New Albany finished last year with a 5-5 record in division.

NEW ALBANY BASEBALL Photo courtesy of New Albany Baseball

2019 New Albany Bulldog Baseball Team: Front row left - Channing Grissom, Joshua Paul, Jacob Brooks, Ray Bright, Braydon Yarbrough, Parker Clayton, Tucker Owens, Tyler Lipsey, Zach Ball, Lewis Creekmore, Kalob Adair, Mason Simmons, Jacob Benefield, Nolan Brooks. Back row left - Charlie Lott, Adam Conlee, Drew Vance, Mavryck Zinzer, Cody Roberts, Loden Bolen, Caden Johnson, Collin Paul, Preston Shaw, Micah Reed, Ramaryon Crawford.

Seniors class to lead the Bulldogs in 2019

N

ew Albany will look to their six seniors to provide leadership and experience for this year’s edition of of Bulldog baseball “We’e got six seniors, Cody Roberts, Tucker Owens, Caden Johnson, Loden Bolen, Zack Ball and Tyler Lipsey,” New Albany coach Buddy Hall said. “We will depend a lot on those guys, they’ve got a lot of experience. Fortunately, this year with those guys, there are a lot of them that can pitch which is big. We are really counting on those guys to lead us this season and hopefully get us to the playoffs.”

A new face for the Bulldogs this season will be Charlie Lott who played with 2A state champion Madison St. Joe, who defeated East Union in the series championship. He will be one of the underclassmen that Hall expects

to make contributions to the team.

“Charlie Lott, who is our Athletic Director Todd Lott’s son, moved in, he’s got a great arm and he’s going to be a big help for us in our pitching rotation,” said Hall. “Drew Vance, who’s a junior, is going to be our number four guy as far as hitting.

He hits the ball really well, is a good leader.”

Hall also will look to Lewis Creekmore as another arm on the hill and Hall likes the consistency that Creekmore has shown with his pitching.

“We are going to look for those guys to step up as underclassmen and help us out,” Hall said.

Parker Clayton will start in left field for the Bulldogs as a sophomore and Collin Paul will be in right field.

“We expect great things from

Parker and feel he will be a really good ballplayer when gets to be a junior and senior,” Hall said. “Collin will be a backup guy as well as a left-handed arm for us and he’s a sophomore.

We’ve got some good young guys that are just on the verge of being really good backups players for us this year and will step up going into next year in advancing our program.”

New Albany will play in the highly competitive Division 1-4A with Ripley, Corinth, Senatobia, Tishomingo County and Byhalia so each series will be critical in terms of post-season implications.

“Our division in 4A baseball has always been a good division and all are good baseball schools,” Hall said.

“I think that everybody is pretty even, so it’s going to be a tossup, I really think that.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

9

QUALITY EYE CARE, QUALITY EYE WEAR

New Albany Vision Clinic • 484 W. BANKHEAD, NEW ALBANY 534-0101 •

Helping you stay comfortable since 1974 120 Snyder Street, New Albany, MS 38652 (662) 534-9611 • www.riddleair.com 10

2019 Spring Sports Preview

CROSSROADS

206B Oxford Road New Albany, MS

REHABILITATION

(662) 534-4445

PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES, INC.

2019 Spring Sports Preview

11

EAST UNION SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 East Union Lady Urchins Fastpitch Softball Team: Front row left - Olivia Elder, Bella Roberts, Madison Treadaway, Katie Sherwood, Addison Clayton, Alex Gregory, Dakota Hines, Chloe Greenhill, Edie Beaty, Maggie Hawkins. Second row left - Kirsten Hall, Mario Caballero, Avalee Stephenson, Emma Boatner, Carrie Wilkinson, Abbie Nieminen, Kylie Rackley, Kaitie Boatner, Savannah Greer, Harleigh Wheelington. Third row left - Callie Smith, Bryanne Dill, Emily Coggin, Hannah White, Hope Robbins, Raelee Bell, Maggie McVey, Baylee Pannell, Mia Hutcheson, Colby Stafford, Jorja Roberson, Abby Patterson.

Lady Urchins feature strong experienced infield

E

ast Union’s slow-pitch softball team brought home the MHSAA state championship trophy during the fall season. Lady Urchins coach Josh Blythe hopes they can repeat their success this spring in fast-pitch play.

“I think we can compete in 2A,” Blythe said. “We’re coming off a state championship. That’s got to help in some capacity. I know it’s what drives us. The experience there helped these kids.”

The Lady Urchins are led by sophomore pitcher/infielder Emily Coggin, who batted a team-high .536 with nine doubles, two triples, a home run and 50 RBI. In the circle, she finished with a 20-4 record with a 2.61 ERA and recorded 122 strikeouts.

She hopes her team’s success and confidence gained in slow-pitch will carry over to its play in fast-pitch.

“We just have to have the same

12

2019 Spring Sports Preview

determination,” Coggin said. “We want to be hard working; we want to go out with a bang.”

She played with a United States fastpitch travel team in the Netherlands during the winter.

East Union also welcomes back the “Killer Bs” in senior second baseman Raelee Bell and junior shortstop Kaitie Boatner.

Bell batted .547 with eight doubles, two triples, 23 RBI and stole 26 bases.

Boatner batted .456 with four doubles, three triples, three home runs and 17 RBI. “That’s an infield,” Blythe said. “I can’t name a better infield in the state.

Boatner is as intense as they come; she’s a gamer. Bell’s a leader and an elite multi-sport player. She’s the smartest base runner I’ve coached.”

First baseman Hannah White returns after batting .339 with two doubles and 18 RBI. Harleigh Wheelington

returns at third base. Colby Stafford, a junior who’s started since the seventh grade, returns at catcher.

In the outfield, sophomore slugger Maggie McVey will play center. She batted .327 with three homers and 20 RBI last spring. Jorja Roberson, a freshman, returns in left and freshman Carrie Wilkinson will play right.

Other infield candidates are Bryanne Dill, Hope Robbins, Baylee Pannell and Emma Boatner. Savannah Greer and Robbins will also pitch.

Blythe is also looking for freshman Kirsten Hall and three seventh graders – Dakota Hinds, Kaite Sherwood and Addison Clayton – to contribute.

“Last year’s group went 23-4 in the regular season and exceeded my expectations,” Blythe said. “We’ve got a strong schedule (Houston, Tupelo, Pontotoc) this season. We’ll be tested.”

EAST UNION BASEBALL Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 East Union Urchins Baseball Team: Front row left - Jake Patterson, Chris Clayton, Rett Johnson, Hayden Roberts, Bradley Hampton, Rudy Baldwin, Jace Basil, Nic Lamontagne. Second row left - Taylor McDonald, Chandler Moody, Ethan Hitt, Collin Stephens, Kagan Garrison, Gage Fellows, Josh Henderson, Carter Phillips, Andrew Pilcher. Back row left - Head Coach Chris Basil, Assistant Coach Zane Treadaway, Jake Wood, Haygen Richey, Josh Basil, Thomas Gentry, Joel Wilkinson, Preston Crump, Cade Bell, Assistant Coach Chris Lucius.

Urchins Seek return to fourth championship series

E

ast Union’s baseball team hasn’t made its 2019 reservations for Pearl, but who could blame them if they’ve considered it.

The Urchins have played in three consecutive MHSAA Class 2A state championship series at Trustmark Park and won two. They lost to Madison St. Joe last season. “(Our players) feel like they belong … that’s half the journey,” said coach Chris Basil, who’s entering his 27th season at the Urchins’ helm.

East Union returns a lineup loaded with talented players from last season’s 29-8 team that finished unbeaten in Division 1-2A play.

Senior outfielder/fielder pitcher Joel Wilkinson, the Daily Journal’s 2018 Player of the Year, returns. He finished 12-0 with a 0.66 ERA and recorded 113 strikeouts last season.

He batted .439 with 17 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 38 RBI.

“Joel’s a tremendous competitor,” Basil said. “He wants the ball. Nothing affects him.”

The team also welcomes back senior shortstop and leading hitter Cade Bell, who missed the postseason to undergo Tommy John surgery. He batted .451 with eight doubles, five homers and 39 RBI. “He’s the prototypical D1 player, the player everybody wants,” Basil said. “He runs extremely well and can play infield or in the outfield. We’re glad to have him back.”

The third senior returning is third baseman/pitcher Josh Basil, who was 5-3 pitching with a 2.61 ERA and recorded 50 strikeouts last spring. He batted .412 with seven doubles and 47 RBI. “He’s probably the best third baseman I’ve ever coached,” Chris Basil said. “He’s swinging the bat with some authority. I’m looking

for him to put up some big numbers offensively.”

The probable starting infield will find Jake Wood at first base, Ethan Hitt at second, Bell at short and Basil at third. Kagan Garrison is the starting catcher and Wilkinson is the backup when Garrison pitches.

Garrison was 4-1 last season with a 0.50 ERA and recorded 25 strikeouts.

Wilkinson, Hayden Roberts, Haygen Richey, Thomas Gentry, Rhett Johnson and Carter Phillips will play in the outfield. Phillips will also pitch. He was 7-2 with a 2.30 ERA and posted 51 strikeouts last spring.

Newcomer Josh Henderson will pitch and play first base. Preston Crump will DH and play the infield.

“We have pitchers we feel confident in,” Basil said. “We’ve got to throw strikes and give our defense a chance to be successful. When we do that we’re pretty good.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

13

INGOMAR SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 Ingomar Lady Falcons Fastpitch Softball Team: Front row left - Emily Stinson, Lindsey Dillard, Addison Pickens, Va’shawna Fleming, Madeline McMillen, Allyson Beard, Quinshala Atkinson, Taylor Stout, Mollie Grace Sheffield, Cadence Robbins, Olivia Robbins. Back row left - Savannah Mendoza, Kathryn Smith, Camleigh Ball, Katie Beth Hall, Gara Beth Self, Lauren Thompson, Alex Wilhite, Kaily Edwards, Lexie Campbell, T’Nya Jones, Anna Lauren Glasson, Lila Stanton.

Not pictured Lydia Haynie.

Lady Falcons return experience, talented athletes

I

ngomar’s success on the basketball court the last five years usually slows down the start of fast-pitch softball season.

This year will likely be no exception.

Ingomar’s girls basketball team entered the postseason as a three-time defending state champion. However, they lost in the state quarterfinals this season.

Lady Falcons coach Justin Weeden accepts that fact of life and patiently waits and hopes for the opportunity to fill his roster with the basketball team’s talented athletes.

“I’m happy for them, but it does put you behind,” Weeden said. “If everybody (the basketball players) comes back, we’ll be solid.

“If we have success in basketball, and that’s what I’m hoping for, we’ll have about eight days to get ready

14

2019 Spring Sports Preview

before we play our first game.”

Three of those starters penciled in from the basketball team are seniors Gara Beth Self (third base), Lauren Thompson (shortstop) and Ashley Forester (second base).

Self, who bats lead-off, returns as the team’s leading hitter. She batted .443 last season with five doubles and 9 RBI. Thompson batted .322 and Forester hit .323 with 12 RBI. “We have a lot of experience at the plate with Gara Beth, Lauren, Ashley and Alex (Wilhite),” Weeden said.

“We’re expecting a lot of big things from Kaily Edwards, too.”

Edwards, a sophomore, will start at catcher. She hit .305 last season.

Wilhite, who led the team with five pitching wins last season, batted .255 with three doubles and a home run.

Wilhite will be joined in the circle by

freshman Kathryn Smith. Thompson, who pitched in the postseason last year, can help there if needed.

“It always comes down to pitching,” Weeden said. “Alex being an experienced senior will help. She’s in the upper 40s and can go 50, 51 if necessary. Smith has been hitting 52, 53. The key for both is consistency.”

The outfield is young, but talented.

Three freshmen – Kaitie Beth Hall, Camleigh Ball and Lydia Haynie – will play. An eighth grader, Lindsey Dillard, will also see action.

Weeden also expects help from eighth grader Candance Robbins, freshmen Addison Pickens, T’Nya Jones and Lexi Campbell, and junior Whitney McMillan, who hasn’t played the last two seasons.

“If everybody comes back we’ll be rock-solid,” Weeden said.

INGOMAR BASEBALL Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 Ingomar Falcons Baseball Team: Front row left - Joel Smith, Sam Huffstatler, Tyler Pickens, Cooper Hall, Mekal Green, Zachary Cummings, Spencer High. Back row left - Zack Koon, Kelon Hall, Carson Gault, J.D. Gault, Zack Mims, Mikey Bedford, Hunter Gammel. Not pictured Reed Huffstatler.

Falcons want to compete and out-play opponents

I

ngomar baseball coach Andy Wilbanks must replace five starters, including standout Kelton Hall, but he’s optimistic about the team he’ll field this season.

He’ll start with five key returnees – senior pitcher/infielder Zack Koon, junior pitcher Tyler Pickens, senior infielder J.D. Gault, sophomore catcher Carson Gault and senior outfielder Kelon Hall.

“We’ve got a lot of guys back in the top of the order this year,” said Wilbanks, who’s entering his 13th season with the Falcons. “There will be some pressure on those guys to succeed and do a good job … to carry the load. Hopefully, we can get some of the guys on the bottom of the order, get them on base, and let the top do their job and drive them in.

“I think we’ll compete and out-play

people. We’re not going to out-talent people.”

Koon returns as the team’s leading hitter. He hit five home runs, collected 34 RBI and batted .403 last season for the Falcons, who finished 16-8 and second in Division 1-2A behind East Union.

As a pitcher, Koon, a right-hander, was 6-5 and posted a 2.96 ERA. Wilbanks’ plan is to use him sparingly and rest his arm for the postseason.

Pickens, who was 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA last spring, is expected to pitch a lot of innings under Wilbanks’ plan.

“He logged a lot of innings last year, some meaningful innings,” Wilbanks said. “We’ll look to Tyler to start a lot of games. We’re looking for him to start, maybe go three to four innings, maybe go two times a week.

“We’ll pitch by committee and

try to set up three to four guys per game.”

The infield will have senior Reed Huffstatler at first base, sophomore Spencer High at second, Koon at short, J.D. Gault at third and Carson Gault behind the plate. Koon will also play catcher and senior Hunter Gammel will play third base.

In the outfield, Hall will start in center, freshman Sam Huffstatler in left and freshman Zack Mims in right. Cooper Hall, a freshman, and sophomore Zack Cummings, will also see time out there.

“Our infield coming back is pretty solid,” Wilbanks said. “We’ll start three new outfielders this year. When Pickens is on the mound, we’ll set our best defense behind him.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

15

Welcome to New Albany, a great place A to call home.

Back row left: Rachel Pugh Ray, Charlain Nolen, Pam Mathis Middle row left: Sonya Dendy, Sarah Brock Farr, Constance Gilley Front row left: Phyllis Gay, Frankie Prescott

225 Starlyn Avenue, New Albany 662.534.5025 www.FiveStarRealtyMS.com We buy steel, cars, catalytic converters, aluminum, aluminum cans, brass, copper, starters, alternators, batteries, motors, lead, power steering pumps, transmissions, compressors, etc.

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8 – 4:30 Saturday: 8 – 11:30 Closed for lunch daily: 12 - 1

Best wishes to all athletes!

You can’t hide that Eagle pride!

16

2019 Spring Sports Preview

Serving Northeast Mississippi since 1959 111 McGill Street New Albany, MS 38652 662-534-6846 (8-4:30 M-F) 662-507-2607 (after hours) www.wright-glass.com Specializing in: Store fronts, Windows/doors & related locks/hardware, Canopies/awnings, Window screens, Sun screens, Framed shower enclosures, Unframed heavy glass shower enclosures, All types of glass.

Braces Botox Dentures Crowns & Bridges Implants

Invisalign Root Canal Veneers Cleanings & Prevention

196 Starlyn Ave., New Albany, MS 38652

(662)534-5252 www.mercierdental.com

2019 Spring Sports Preview

17

MYRTLE SOFTBALL

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 Myrtle Lady Hawks Fastpitch Softball Team: Front row left - Elly Gaines, Ava Jones, Keragen McCullough, Haleigh Jamison, Breanna Smith, Kinsley Gordon, Ally Smith, Jessica Pickens, Caylie Streich. Middle row left - Lily Jeter, Madisyn Hall, Aubrey-Ella Henderson, Emma Mayer, Amanda Watkins, Lexi Hutcheson, Kinzie Claire Waits, Sarah Kate Thompson, Hayden Jordan, Kelly Smith, Ally Kizer. Back row left - Dream Carnell, Mallory McDonald, Olivia Decanter, Mollie Moody, Mia Stewart.

Lady Hawks want to return to state championship

M

yrtle, a Class 1A state finalist last season, will have a new coach this year – former assistant Brooke Gordon. She’s looking forward to leading the Lady Hawks’ successful program.

“I’m really excited about our younger group coming up,” Gordon said. “They want to get better; they want to get back (to state). This time they want to bring home first (place).

“It’s going to be a journey. We are fairly young, but we have a bright future. We’ve got some positions to fill. We lost a big group and senior leadership.”

Last season, under former coach Marty Cook, they finished 20-7, won Division 2-1A and lost to Hamilton in three games in the MHSAA state championship series at Mississippi State. The Lady Hawks lost four infield starters from that team.

Myrtle’s seasoned experience comes from two of its younger players

18

2019 Spring Sports Preview

– catcher Kinsley Gordon and pitcher Caylie Streich, both freshmen.

Gordon, the coach’s daughter, batted .518 last season with nine doubles, four triples, four home runs and 19 RBI. She’s equally effective calling the shots behind the plate.

“She controls the running game so well. She sees the field,” Brooke Gordon said. “I would like for her to play a little shortstop as well, but to control the running game, I have to have her back there.

“She’s aggressive offensively, especially on the bases. She’s a very strong stick.”

Streich split duties on the mound last season and finished with a 12-4 record and a 3.79 ERA. She recorded 17 strikeouts in the team’s opening win this season.

“Caylie’s worked hard in the offseason,” Gordon said. “She’s stepped up last year and held her ground.”

A freshman, Emma Mayer, is also

expected to pitch.

Sarah Kate Thompson, a sophomore second baseman, returns as the lone infield starter. She batted .413 last year. Dream Carnell, Lily Jeter and Mia Stewart will be backups.

Claire Waites and Olivia Decanter are candidates for first base.

Thompson, Gordon and Carnell will play shortstop. Ally Smith, a senior who batted .384 last season, is at third, along with Waites, Decanter, and Ally Kizer.

A seventh grader, Aubrey Henderson, could be Gordon’s backup at catcher.

Keragan McCullough, Breanna Smith, Lexie Hutchenson, Haleigh Jamison, Jessica Pickens and Amanda Watkins are slated for outfield duty.

Others in the mix are: Mollie Moody, Madison Hall, Elly Gaines, Mallory McDonald, Hayden Jordan, Kelly Smith and Ava Jones.

MYRTLE BASEBALL Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 Myrtle Hawks Baseball Team: Front row left - Jacorion Patterson, Haiden Shoops, Braiden Jordan, Nate Gaines, Joe Kizer, Barrett Waits, Jeffery Vanzant, Dylan Gaines, Blake McNeal, Tyler Bramlitt. Middle row left -Eli Brown, Preston Richardson, Cameron Thomas, Ethen Hunt, Jaden Taylor, Luke Gaines, Caden Hutcheson, Trace Thompson, Jackson Mayer. Back row left - Mason Cook, Hunter Brown, Eli Russell, Bennett McCullough, Dalton Galloway, Paxton Gordon, Hunter Baggett, Hunter Matkins, AI Nugent, Conner Coleman.

Hawks to experiment to find right position players

M

yrtle won 18 games, went undefeated in 2-1A play and reached the second round of the state playoffs last season, but that team lost four starters, including its top two pitchers.

The No. 1, 3, 4 and 5 batters in the Hawks’ lineup have also graduated.

Still, head coach Robert Gordon takes an optimistic approach to the 2019 season.

“I’m hoping we’ll compete in every game we play,” said Gordon, who is beginning his 22nd consecutive season as the Hawks’ skipper. “I’m expecting good things out of these players. I know the work ethic they have.

“It’s going to be a really fun bunch to coach.”

Two seniors return in infielder Bennett McCullough and outfielder Hunter Matkins.

Myrtle also returns four of its top hitters from last season – infielder/

outfielder A.I. Nugent (.355 avg.

15 RBI), infielder/outfielder/pitcher Paxton Gordon (.345 avg., 15 RBI, 14 steals), infielder Hunter Baggett (.300 avg., 10 RBI) and pitcher/shortstop Jaden Taylor (.330 avg., 19 RBI, 18 steals.)

“I’m counting on a lot of guys to come through offensively,” Gordon said. “We’re not seeing a lot of live pitching (in the preseason), but we’ve seen some and we’re looking pretty good.”

Gordon will do a lot of experimenting early in the season to find the right position players.

Nugent, McCullough, Connor Coleman, Cameron Thompson and Luke Gaines are candidates for first base. Baggett should start at second, but Hunter Brown, Mason Cook and Gordon could play there. Taylor will start at shortstop when he’s not on the mound. Gordon, Baggett and Nugent will back him. McCullough, Gaines,

Trace Thompson and Nugent will play third.

The catchers are Dalton Galloway, Dylan Gaines and Ethen Hunt.

In the outfield, Thompson, Jackson Mayer, Gordon, Baggett, Nugent and Gaines will see duty.

“We’re not going to have a lot of experienced players in those big games,” Gordon said. “That’s something we’ve had in the past. We need people to be role players.”

Myrtle lost 90 percent of its pitching production from last season. Gordon plans to use as many as eight pitchers this spring, including Mayer, a lefthander, Taylor, Gordon, Thompson, Baggett, Luke Gaines and Mason Cook.

“We’re going to have to have as many arms as we can with the pitch count (rule),” Gordon said. “Our arms have gained a little more velocity. We need for them to throw strikes and be efficient.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

19

WEST UNION SOFTBALL

Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor

2019 West Union Lady Eagles Fastpitch Softball Team: Front row left - Haley Richardson, Maggie Dix, Alana Martin, Laina Corder, Ella Kate Taylor, Emma Callicutt. Second row left -Cailin Walls, Crissa Goodwin, Claire Douell, Anna Grace Jackson, Chloe Wright, Zoey Wright, Molly Jackson. Third row left - Sophie Hooker, Eden Conlee, Mackenzie Morris, Jenny Thompson, Annie Orman, Josie Baird.

Lady Eagles look for pitching depth to carry them

W

est Union’s last trip to the state championship series was in 2011. Could this be the year the Lady Eagles return?

“This team, if they stay focused, is very capable,” head coach Lisa Bogue said.

This experienced young team will be led once again by sophomore utility standout Annie Orman.

Orman pitches, plays shortstop, third base and in the outfield. Last season she was the go-to pitcher in the circle. At the plate, she batted a team-best .569 with eight doubles, five triples, four home runs and 29 RBI. She was also tied for the team lead with 17 stolen bases.

“Annie’s a multi-tool player,” Bogue said. “She’s a competitor.

She’s definitely a team player. She’ll play where we need her. Pitching is

20

2019 Spring Sports Preview

not her favorite, but she’s good at it.

She pitches because we need her to.”

The other player who led the team in steals with 17 returns – senior catcher Jenny Thompson. She batted .364 with 15 RBI, but her work behind the plate with the pitchers is what sets her apart.

“Jenny’s got a good sense for the game,” Bogue said. “We’re good to go with her back there. She helps keep our pitchers in rhythm.”

Other players expected to see duty in the circle are sophomore Eden Conlee and freshmen Josie Baird and Emma Callicutt.

“We’ve never had four pitchers like these four,” Bogue said. “We’re excited. “I’m comfortable with any of the three (after Orman) in the circle.”

The infield will see Baird or sophomore Mackenzie Morris at

first base. Ella Kate Taylor, an eighth grader, will start at second base, but can play catcher. Orman, Conlee and Taylor will play shortstop. Orman, Conlee, Taylor and seventh grader Laina Corder can play third. Claire Douell, a freshman, will also see duty at catcher.

In the outfield, sophomore Sophie Hooker, junior Chloe Wright, Orman, Callicutt and Thompson will see innings.

Taylor batted .466 with four doubles, six triples and 24 RBI. Conlee batted .410 with six doubles and 16 RBI. Hooker batted .279, Callicutt .277 and Morris .245 last season.

“We have the potential to be a very explosive team offensively,” Bogue said. “They’ve got to be willing to work at it. They’ve got to realize you take one pitch at a time.”

WEST UNION BASEBALL Photo courtesy of Karen Taylor

2019 West Union Eagles Baseball Team: Front row left - Kaiden Gaines, Reid Schiele, Sam Callicutt, JQ Brewer, Stone Whaley, Boo Robertson, Brandon Phillips, Gunnar Carwyle, Greer Manning, Cohen Russell. Back row left - Clay Jennings, Braden Willard, Chance Bogue, Jerod McDonald, Dylan Gates, Ryder Willard, Cole Phillips, Luke Willard.

Phillips, Willard to lead Eagles on the mound

W

est Union dominated in Division 4-1A last season, winning all eight regularseason league games. The problem came in the postseason.

The Eagles dropped a best-ofthree series to their division rival, Smithville, just missing a trip to Pearl for the state championship series.

“That’s added excitement for us to get started,” said West Union coach Ashley Russell, who begins his 13th season with the program. “We made it to the North finals (state semifinals) last year. We’ve got a solid lineup back.”

The reason for all the optimism is the return of an experienced lineup.

It all starts on the mound, where senior left-hander Cole Phillips and senior right-hander Ryder Willard return. Phillips was 6-3 last season with a 2.41 ERA while Willard, who was a Game 2 winner against

Smithville in the North half, was 5-2 with a 2.66 ERA. “Pitching is a strength of our team,” Russell said. “Cole is a competitor.

He gives us a chance to win when he’s on the mound. He’s pitched so many big games for us. Ryder is more of a power pitcher. He won four playoff games last year.

“I’m confident those two can beat anybody.”

Juniors Luke Willard, Jerrod McDonald and Sam Callicutt, along with sophomore Dylan Gates, are scheduled to be in the pitching rotation.

“Getting valuable innings from the others is a key,” Russell said. “We need our third and fourth guys to step in for those non-division games. We’ve got to develop a Game 3 starter.”

Luke Willard, a junior and starter since the seventh grade, returns at catcher. “He’s the motor,” Russell

said. “He gets everybody going. He’s one of the reasons our pitchers are so successful. He’s calls the game and makes everything run smooth.”

Willard batted second on the team last season with a .375 average, five doubles, one homer and a team-high 31 RBI. Phillips led the team last season with a .421 average, four doubles, two homers and 27 RBI. Junior second baseman Boo Robertson batted .359 with four doubles, two triples, one homer and 16 RBI. Ryder Willard batted .354 with five doubles, a homer and 13 RBI. Reed Schiele, a junior, returns to play first base. Ryder Willard plays shortstop, McDonald third and Callicutt is a utility infielder.

Phillips, Gates and Brandon Phillips and Braden Willard will play in the outfield. Chance Bogue and Clay Jennings will DH and pinch hit.

2019 Spring Sports Preview

21

NEW ALBANY ANIMAL CLINIC

918 HWY 30 W. NEW ALBANY, MS 38652

662-534-5176

R.D. CHILDERS, D.V.M. D.M. HUNT, D.V.M. M.A. THOMPSON, D.V.M. D.A.C.T.

Brittany Clark, FNP-C

HOURS: 8:00 TO 5:30 MONDAY - FRIDAY

Heather Bishop, FNP-C

Melinda Quinn, FNP-C | Shelly George, FNP-C Walk-ins or Appointments Welcome • All Insurance Accepted • Affordable Self-Pay Pricing

FAMILY CLINIC OF NEW ALBANY 474 WEST BANKHEAD STREET, NEW ALBANY, MS 38652

662-534-7777 Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 7 A.M. - 6 P.M. • Saturday: 8 A.M. - 2 P.M. • Sunday: 1 - 4 P.M.

22

2019 Spring Sports Preview

State Champions for Spring of 2018

file photo

file photo

New Albany won the 4A state team tennis championship with their 5-2 decision over Newton County. Pictured from left New Albany Head Coach Suzy Bowman, New Albany Tennis Pro and Volunteer Assistant Bo Bowman, Maggie Scott, John David Nelson, Rachel Rainey, Jackson Christ, Grayson Godbold, Lexie Kent, Mason Richey, Maggie Creekmore, Morris Kelly Clayton, Luke Bolen, Greta Blakemore, Assistant Coach Mark Robbins, Joseph Fennell.

2019 Spring Sports Preview

23

2017 STATE CHAMPIONS

file photo

Kinsley Gordon of Myrtle won the 1A Clayton Fulgham of East Union won Stacia Massey of New Albany won the Girls triple jump with her top jump the 2A Boys 3200 meters, successfully 4A Girls shot put with her top throw of of 32-10.75 which came on her first defending his title form 2017. attempt.

35-10 coming on her final throw. file photo

GO WITH THE HOME TEAM

Lamar Hines, Jacob Bagwell, Justin Kirk, Lee Bullock, Tiffanie Stout, Hilton Richey (Agency Manager), Ann Gray

142 W. Bankhead St. New Abany, Mississippi 38652

662-534-4771

®

Softball & Baseball Indoor Training Facility Facility Rental for Team Practice & Birthday Parties

Delivering Lunch & Dinner from great local restaurants to your Home or Business

Angela & Scott Orman

Serving New Albany, Pontotoc and the Surrounding Areas:

Cage Rental & Training Area

Workout Training Area

- Pitching & Hitting Lessons - Tee work - soft toss - Pitching Mounds - Bow/Wall ball Nets - Pitching Machine - Infield Area

- Row machine - Crossover Bands - Jump & Heavy Rope - Assault Bike - Pull Up Bars - Box Jump Boxes - Treadmill & Weights

1515 State Hwy 30 West, Myrtle, MS Phone: (662)507-1272 | Cell: (662)316-5142 24 2019 Spring Sports Preview

• Blue Mountain • Blue Springs

• Dumas • Ecru

• Etta • Hickory Flat

• Myrtle • Sherman

You Order... We Deliver... You Eat! It’s That Easy!

New Albany Restaurants: • Ciao Chow • Mannings BBQ • Tallahatchie Gourmet • El Agave • Gonzo’s Grill • McAlister’s Deli • The Vintage Market

• The Warehouse • 2 Sister’s Diner • Mi Pueblo • Tokyo

& More Coming Soon!

Pontotoc Restaurants: • Old Master • Fiesta Grill • Happy Day Cafe • Sydnei’s Kitchen • Lep’s BBQ • Hometown Pizza

• A&T Crawfish Company • Blacksmith BBQ • Butcher Block

& More Coming Soon!

To order, visit NAFoodDash.com or download our app for Apple & Android devices Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10:30 A.M. - 2 P.M. | 4:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Closed Sundays

Annette M. Hickey Union U i County C t Chancery Ch Clerk Cl k • Domestic D ti Relations R l ti Cases C • Land L d Records R d • County Financial Information • Prior Year Taxes 109 East Main Street, New Albany 38652

P: (662) 534-1900 • F: (662) 534-1907 ahickey@unioncoms.com Monday - Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Dr. Michael Weeden, Optometrist

“Eye care because WE care” It’s not just our slogan, it’s our passion.

Accepting all major medical insurances and many vision plan insurances.

Call and our staff will be able to discuss your insurance needs.

Weeden Eye Clinic

717 Coulter Drive, New Albany, MS 38652 | 662-539-7801 weedeneyeclinic.com • @weedeneyeclinic

2019 Spring Sports Preview

25

NEW ALBANY TRACK

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 New Albany Bulldog Track Team: Front row Left - Breshunda Starks, Akayla Martin, Janae Shackelford, Abby Laney, Maria Favela, Rosa Lopez, Madison Shackleford, Bella Fernando, Ashunti Fox, Annea Scales. Middle row left Alex Shackleford, Pedro Gutierrez, Jackson Formsma, Jeremiah Gardener, Dorian Hurd, Darnnell Riley, Thomas Floyd, Donovan Boyd. Back row left - Kylein Mullins, Francisco Guerrrero, Jadien Deaton, Eli Parks, Noah Gray, RJ Rutherford, Adrian Garcia. Not pictured: Madison Whitehead, Kenidi Sanders, Ahlaeya Judon, Jameien Terry.

NA Track hope numbers translate into success

N

ew Albany track hopes to continue to build on everincreasing numbers as they strive to get the program back to the prominence they enjoyed in years gone by.

Union County native Austin Epting comes in as coach of the New Albany boys, having spent a couple of years at Center Hill and Coach Bert Anderson will be returning in girls track.

New Albany girls had two girls that competed at the 4A State Championships and both Stacia Massey and Victoria Brown have moved on due to graduation and will be sorely missed.

“In the past we have always had Victoria for the track events and Stacia for the field events, replacing them is going to be tough this year,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of young girls that

26

2019 Spring Sports Preview

are coming out and I’m anxious to see how they run together as a team.”

Anderson is looking to get more girls involved in the field events in hopes of earning some much-needed team points there.

Maria Favela will be counted on to contribute in long distance for the girls after a successful year in cross country.

Epting will have some upperclassmen at his disposal that he will look to lead the boys program.

“Definitely Jeremiah Gardner, he’s been a leader out on the field and in the jumps,” Epting said. “He’s also been a leader as far as sprints and just gettin things done. We also look for him to experiment in hurdling and if he’s able to knock down the skill in the field events, we’re confident that he can be successful in the hurdles.”

Epting thinks the Bulldogs will have a good distance corps with Jamien Terry, who had an excellent cross country season and he looks for him score some points in the 800 and 400 meters.

“Eli Parks has improved so much in his distance in the discus throw during practice this year and we’ve got plenty of football players that have come out and given good work ethic in the shot,” Epting said. “We will have a good core in throwing and distance plus hurdling.

It will be a mix of experience and inexperience, but in a way, we are creating a culture and as Coach Anderson said, it has been improved from years past and it’s been a good step one since I’ve been here.”

EAST UNION TRACK Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 East Union Urchins Track Team: Front row left - Brianna Courtney, Sydney Sanford, Tristan Dye, Karley Conwill, Kirsten Hitt, Annalise Bailey, Jessie Roberts, Briley Lesley, Rachel Gentry. Second row left - Gracie Hill, Jessley Wages, Emma Kay Wages, Aryanna Hattix, Laura Cobb, Maggie McVey, Peyton Wages, Mary Kate Nobles, Sylvie McVey, Cayley Johnson, Kaitlyn Watson. Third row left - Jordan Mears, Chance McLellen, Colton Plunk, Ty Walton, Luke Laird, Micah Zane Fulgham, Thad Bell, John Briggs, Madison Croft, Joseph Yaeger, Peyton Wages, Parker Rogers. Back row left - Eli Hodges, Eli Pannell, DeJuan Hubbard, Gabe Rakestraw, Edgar Zapata, Brandon Goolsby, Keith Goolsby, Zach Rhodes, Cole Nichols, Alejandro Valle, Bryce McLellen.

McLellen returns to lead Urchin track Team

C

oach Nathan McLellen will return to lead the East Union track program for 2019 after serving as an assistant for a couple of years. The Urchins have a large number of athletes coming out to participate in both the track and field events and McLellen’s team should be able to translate that into points come the postseason.

“We are going to be strong with girls in distance with Karley Conwill and she will lead us in that,” McLellen said. “In hurdles we have Peyton Wildman returning. Our throwers will be all new talent so we are working with them.”

Pole vaulting will have Emma Wages returning as the leader and the speed relays should have several competitors with this year’s group.

“We are going to try to be wellrounded as a team,” McLellen said.

“Karley Conwill was a state qualifier last year and she should do some good things in the distance. Emma Wages qualified in pole vault, but we’ve got a lot of young ones that we are trying to get them there, so we’ve got a real young group and don’t have a senior on the girls team. Mary Kate Nobles will also help us in the distance races.”

The Urchins will be without the services of two-time state champion Clayton Fulgham in the 2A boys 3200 meters with his graduation. However, his brother, Micah Fulgham does return for the Urchins after earning a silver medal in the 2A boys pole vault in 2018 and McLellen hopes for a big year for him.

“Madison Croft is going to lead us in mid-distance since he’s a senior,” said McLellen. “Joseph Yeager is going to help us in mid-distance and

high jump. He made it to North Half last year.”

McLellen says he has a handful of throwers that are really young, but they have a lot of potential, including Bryce McLellen, Eli Hodges, Caleb Harper, Eli Pannell.

“Powerlifting has helped every program at East Union including track and field, even with the runners, my sprinters are powerlifters and they are really strong and fast. A lot of our throwers are powerlifters as well, they are really strong because of Coach Duley and Coach Walton.

“We’ve added some new kids this year, Colton Plunk and DeJuan Hubbard are pretty good athletes and they have come out, so we had a really good group last year and we’ve added some more athletes that are going to make us a stronger team.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

27

INGOMAR TRACK

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 Ingomar Falcons Track Team: Front row left - Matthew Raines, Cadeeana Brown, Madison McCurdy, Jalazia McDonald, Jayla Smith, Alexis Beltran, Audrey Melton, Aidan Holcomb. Back row left - Skylar Tucker, Ansley Ladner, Sanaa Finley, Patience Golden, Tylandist McDonald, John Frank Robbins. Not pictured - Paige Aldridge, Dalton Seely, Amber Rakestraw.

Ingomar track loaded with many new faces

I

ngomar Track Coach Sherrie Little may be the ultimate multi-tasker as she will not only be handling the track duties, but Little is doubling up and coaching Ingomar Archery this spring too.

Little will inherit a track team that may be a bit short on numbers, but have a blend of experience and youth.

“I just want them to do the best they that they can because at this point, that’s all that we can do,” Little said.

Leaders for the Falcons will include Cadeeana Brown, Madison McCurdy and Tylandist McDonald who return from last year’s version of Ingomar track.

“I look for them to lead us in everything, they are the veterans and I am going to lean highly on them,” said Little.

Most of the Falcon runners will

28

2019 Spring Sports Preview

compete in the distance races, but Little does have a few runners that she feels can help in the sprints.

“I have a couple that will compete in the 100 meter and 200 meters, but most of them will run distance in the 1600 and the 3200,” Little said.

“Tylandist will run in the sprints, Jalazia McDonald is running in the sprints and Cadeeana. Ansley Ladner will be running hurdles. The rest of our team will be running distance.”

Patience Golden and Sanaa Finley will throw the shot for the Falcons.

Neither will compete in the discus, but will concentrate on shot put only.

Finley has previous experience in throwing, but this will be the first year for Golden.

Ingomar track will feature high school and junior high athletes and will be a blend as far as age.

“It is kind of a mix, we’ve got a lot

of seventh and eighth graders, we’ve got some juniors, so they are a young team and I expect them to do the best they can.”

Ladner competed at the MHSAA State Track Championships in 2018 and placed sixth in the 300 meter hurdles as an eighth grader. McCurdy made it to North Half for the Falcons, competing in both the 3200 and 1600 meter run events as a seventh grader.

“We hope they will do as good this year as they did last year,” Little said.

“I’ve got a couple of new boys running that are young like Aidan (Holcomb) and John Frank (Robbins) plus Skylar Tucker.

“I want the kids to have a good time, I want us to do well representing Ingomar and hopefully one day getting a state title out of this from somebody,” Little said of her hopes for the track program.

MYRTLE TRACK Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 Myrtle Hawks Track & Field Team: Front row left - Curtis Nugent, Ethan Neal, Hunter Page, Kylie Hudson, Sarah Kate Thompson, Kinsley Gordon, Aubrey Henderson, Dream Carnell, Victoria Mejia, Sidney Turner, Drew Covington, Jonah Merritt. Second row left - Jenna Sampson, Lakin Bullock, Elizabeth Gipson, Maggie Moody, Raykiah Strickland, Promyss Foster, Charlize Williams, Tri Miyah Gray, Trinity Ennis, Lexie Senn. Third row left - Jativious Mills, Kentarius Milsap, Greg Woods, Caden Hutchison, Emanuel Newton, Gage Enis, Dylan Byers, Jacob Holcomb, Peyton Ligon, Will Greer. Not pictured Kaitlyn Senn and Elijah Thompson.

Myrtle girls track ready to challenge the best

C

hris Greer has a huge number again for Myrtle track for the 2019 and he hopes that will translate into a successful season for the Hawks.

Returning for the Hawks is 1A state champion Kinsley Gordon, winner of the girls triple jump in the 2018 meet at Pearl with her top jump of 3210.75.

“Kinsley Gordon is going to have a weird mix, she is going to do the long jump, triple jump, discus and the 400,” Greer said. “We’ve got Raykiah Strickland doing the triple jump, long jump and both hurdles.”

Greer said the first time that Gordon picked up the discus this spring, she threw it 85 feet.

“I’ve been doing this (track) for 20 years and the farthest that anyone has jus picked it up and thrown it was like 60 feet,” said Greer. “The girls

sorta got aggravated like she could do anything, but she can do anything.”

A former state champion in 1A girls cross country, Maggie Moody, will run in the distance races as well as the 4x800 and the 4x400 relays.

Dream Carnell, Lexie Hutcheson, Trinity Ennis and Aubrey Henderson will also compete with Moody in the distance races while Sarah Kate Thompson will be counted on in the relay events.

“Charlize Williams will do the shot put and discus for us,” said Greer. “All of these above should score points for us and you can tell that we are pretty deep.”

Myrtle has always had a good balance with their track and field events as their throwers and jumpers have had success in the past.

Victoria Mejia will work as a pole vaulter and distance runner while

Elizabeth Gibson will compete as a pole vaulter and hurdler.

“Lakin Bullock will also be key, she helps us with the relays as well as Jenna Sampson who is a senior and a great hurdler,” Greer said. She also helps me coach the hurdlers and she’s a great kid.”

Myrtle boys will look to Will Greer and Payton Ligon to run the distance races while Gage Enis and Caden Hutcheson will lead the Hawks in the middle distance races.

“We’ve got Drew “Hollywood” Covington who will do the pole vault and we have four good throwers, Gregory Wood, Dillon Byers, Jacob Holcomb and Kentrius Milsap,” Greer said. “I’m thinking that in boys track, it will be a rebuilding year, but they are working hard for it. In girls, we should challenge to be the best.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

29

JULIE C. BROCK OPTOMETRIST

218 South Thomas St., Suite 105, Tupelo, MS 38801

662-844-4833

109 ST. HWY 15 South New Albany, Mississippi 38652 (662)534-9288 eyes2seenewalbany@gmail.com

Sam Creekmore, M.D. Lyndie Scott, FNP-C Correal Garrison, FNP-C Heaven Robbins, FNP-C Brad Scott, D.O. Hailey Davis, FNP-C 30

216 Oxford Rd., New Albany, MS 662-534-9042 • www.creekmoreclinic.com

2019 Spring Sports Preview

Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. Thursday: 8 A.M. - 8 P.M. Friday: 8 A.M. - 12 P.M.

DECK Your

Yard & More

1751 Hwy 178, Myrtle, MS | (662) 266-9909

Collins Insurance Agency

100 Oxford Road PO Box 969 New Albany , MS 38652-0969 662-534-7676

Best of luck to all the Union County teams during the spring sports season!

Your Yard is your canvas

Riverside Traffic SSystems ystems IInc. nc.

1283 State Highway 178 West • (662) 534-8257 2019 Spring Sports Preview

31

ARCHERY

2019 Archery

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 East Union Urchin Archery Team: Front row left - Felicia Daniel, Emma Dunlap, Sallie Humphreys, Lexi Smith, Hillary McBrayer. Second row left - Will Coleman, Regan Thomas, Alyse Backlin, Carson Boone, Rachel Rich, Elizabeth Hardin. Third row left - Kaleb Pannell, Greyson Blair, Isaiah Sheffield, Noah Nieminen, Levi Pannell. Fourth row left Noah Roberts, Aaron Hall, Logan Akins, Mason Timmons, Jeremy Rakestraw.

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 Ingomar Archery Team: Front row left - Fatima Falcon, Whitney McMillen, Hannah McElroy, Amber Rakestraw, Mallory Nance, Madilyn McMillen. Second row left - Caleb Starners, Elijah Tutor, John Frank Robbins, Dalton Seely, Dalton Ayers, Bryson Volyles. Thrid row left - Alan Servin, Stormy Weathers, Owen White, Kyle Robertson, Clayton Bridges, Wade Baker, Joel McMillen. Fourth row left - Noah Downs, Konner Little, Ethan Moody, Ridge Duke, Jaxon McDowell, Zac Shelton.

32

2019 Spring Sports Preview

2019 Archery

Photo submitted by West Union Archery

2019 West Union Eagles Archery Team: Front row left - Matthew Moorman, Valerie Kitchens, Aaliyah Windham. Second row left - DJ Greer, Jacob Rossell, Christopher Smalley, Keilee Owens, Cora Dyer, Lacy Raines. Third row left - Elisabeth Bailey, Reece Gullick, Madi Hill, Jenna Moffatt, Riley Cooper, Easton Bogue. Fourth row left - David Clayton, Stony Wooten, Solomon Cooper, Riley Porter, Cooper Crawley, Jackson Pounders, Austin Hardin.

2019 Spring Sports Preview

33

ARCHERY

Photo by Brooke Gordon

2019 Myrtle Hawks Archery Team: Front row left - Tye Hale, Christina Graham, Jayden Bishop, Isabella Robinson, Cailyn Rape, Journey Turner, Madisyn Hall, Amanda Watkins, Kaitlyn Senn, Hannah Fortner, Paige Hall, Savannah Fryar.

Back row left - Jonah Merritt, Barrett Waits, Marc Lewis, Brody McCammon, J.T. Hudson, Jayden Garrison, Austin Ketchum, Gage Enis, Bryson Treadaway, Joseph Brown, Jacob Kirk, A.J. Nugent, Colt Hall. Not Pictured, Levi Smith, Tyler Bramlitt, Kelly Smith.

YOU NEED IT? WE RENT IT!

Greer and Greer EQUIPMENT SALES AND RENTALS WE RENT SKID STEERS, MINI EXCAVATORS, TRENCHERS, ELECTRIC JACKHAMMERS AND OTHER LARGE AND SMALL EQUIPMENT

Ingomar Attendance Center

Myrtle Attendance Center

West Union Attendance Center

East Union Attendance Center

250 Carter Avenue, New Albany, MS 38652 (662)534-1960 • www.union.k12.ms.us

805 SOUTH CENTRAL, NEW ALBANY, MS 38652 (662) 534-8640

OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Improving Your Health One Adjustment nt at a Time.

2 Locations Available Walk-Ins Welcome!

Dr. Greg Medlin Chiropractor medlinchiro.com

Blake & Alyson Roberts

New Albany Location 132 B W Bankhead St., New Albany, MS Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday: 8 A.M. - 6 P.M. (Closed 12 P.M. - 2 P.M. for Lunch) Friday: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. (Closed 12 P.M. - 2 P.M. for Lunch) Insurances Accepted: Blue Cross, Medicare, Humana, Aetna & United Healthcare

Ripley Location Tippah County Hospital • 1005 City Ave. N, Ripley, MS 38663 Wednesday: 8 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (Closed 12 P.M. - 1 P.M. for Lunch) Insurances Accepted: Blue Cross & Medicare

WANT AFFORDABLE CHIROPRACTIC CARE WITHOUT INSURANCE? JOIN THE CHIROHEALTH USA DISCOUNT PROGRAM TODAY

INITIAL VISIT: $81 + $49 Family Membership Fee Includes: Patient Exam & Adjustment / Treatment Follow-Up Visits: $35 each In addition, members receive one 1/2 price treatment per month.

34

medlinchiro.com • 662-534-6636 2019 Spring Sports Preview

791 Hwy 15 North, New Albany, MS 38652 P: (662)539-7152 | F: (662)534-7675

INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

BACKHOE DOZER CONCRETE METAL BUILDINGS

(662) 534-0532 Fax: (662) 534-5668 808 Hwy. 15 N. New Albany, MS 38652

WWW.STEEL-CON.COM

Come see what we have to offer We service what we sell!

131 W. Bankhead St. P.O. Box 996 New Albany, MS 38652

Phone (662) 534-9718 Fax (662) 534-4594

Pam Brown Insurance Agency, Inc. 408 East Bankhead New Albany, MS 38652 Bus: 662-534-2122

We can help with that.

No one wants to pay for unnecessary extras and with our help, you won’t have to. We will help make sure you understand your options, and that you have the best coverage at the best price.

www.pambrown.org

2019 Spring Sports Preview

35

NEW ALBANY GOLF

Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 New Albany Lady Bulldog Girls Golf Team: From left - Laura Ruth Welborn, Caroline King, Cassidy Ketchum, Sylvie Russell, Elena Thompson, Leah Robbins, New Albany Golf Coach Shane Sanderson.

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 New Albany Bulldog Boys Golf Team: From left - Caleb McDonald, Matt Cherry, Andrew Fennell, Miles Cox, New Albany Golf Coach Shane Sanderson.

36

2019 Spring Sports Preview

INGOMAR GOLF Dennis Clayton | Gazette Staff

2019 Ingomar Falcon Golf Team: From left - Ingomar Golf Coach Mike Conway, Anna Kennedy, Macy Little, Cameron Killinger, Kelsey Whitehead, Bauer Bishop, Owen White.

New Albany’s leading and trusted provider in: • MTM® Clear•Aligner • Fluoride Treatment • Sport Mouth Guards • Space Maintainers • Teen Invisalign • Whitening • Cleanings • Fillings

I help safe drivers SAVE 45% or more Driving defensively and avoiding accidents can save you serious money. And savings for driving safely is just the beginning. I’ll help you find all the discounts you deserve.

• Crowns

Call me to start saving today.

• Sealants

Justin Roberts (662) 538-9777

662-534-8597 | New Albany, MS perkinsdentalclinic.com

115 State Highway 15 S. New Albany justinroberts@allstate.com DISCOUNT PERCENTAGES VARY BY STATE, include discounts for having multiple Allstate policies/products and are subject to terms and availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. Northbrook IL. © 2010 Allstate Insurance Co.

2019 Spring Sports Preview

37

71655

Dr. Jessica Perkins

NEW ALBANY GIRLS TENNIS

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

2019 New Albany Lady Bulldog Girls Tennis Team: Front row left - Mary Claire Shaw, Jill Gafford, Lillie Faith Childs, Lexie Kent, Ellie Myers, Maggie Scott, Gracie Mason, Natalie Creekmore. Back row left - Eva Aldridge, Allyson Chapin, Isabella Aldridge, Sammi Jo Doyle, Meredith Ohler, Rocio Lemus, Sami Callahan, Sarah Robbins.

New Bulldogs ready to shine for varsity

N

ew Albany girls tennis for 2018 will see a host of new faces as only Maggie Scott and Lexie Kent return from the courts that won the overall 4A State Championship.

Coach Suzy Bowman will be tasked with replacing four starters that won a lot of matches for new Albany.

“We definitely lost a big part part and heart of our team from last year, graduating Morris Kelly Clayton, Maggie Creekmore, Rachel Rainey and some of those starting seniors won a lot of state championships for us,” Bowman said. “This year we are returning Maggie Scott and Lexie Kent, so we are only returning two varsity girl starters and we’ve got four new girls who will be playing varsity for the first time this year.”

Bowman plans to use as many as seven or eight girls on her varsity team in hopes the competition will pay off

38

2019 Spring Sports Preview

with exceptional play by all.

Ellie Myers, Jill Gafford, Mary Claire Shaw, Isabella Aldridge will be key components of the 2019 team and some middle schoolers could be called upon to see varsity action including Gracie Mason, Natalie Creekmore and Sarah Robbins.

“They’ve been waiting patiently for their time to play and it’s their turn, so it’s going to be exciting” Bowman said. “We always have seven or eight girls that are competing for those top varsity spots.

“Jill Gafford will be big for us again, she started a lot for us last year along with Ellie Myers, Mary Claire Shaw, Isabella Aldridge and a lot of our middle school girls could see some starting time this year,” Bowman said.

“We will be moving some positions around, Maggie Scott played a lot of singles for us last year, but I will

definitely need her to strengthen some doubles, so the singles position will rotate a lot more this year where she’s been our set singles player for the past few years.

“Lexie Kent is versatile and play in a variety of positions, but my thought process here at the beginning of the season is to put some of these new varsity players in with veterans and let them be guided that way.

New Albany will feature their traditional non-division schedule with tough matches against 6A powers Oxford, Tupelo and Madison Central plus 5A champion Lafayette.

“We always try to load our schedule with a lot of strong 6A teams to give us the best competition going into the playoffs,” Bowman said. “The girls have got to step up for us to have a chance for a state championship this year.”

Dennis Clayton/Gazette Staff

Bulldogs return key components for boys tennis

C

oach Suzy Bowman will return several varsity starters for the boys tennis team as senior Jackson Christ is back along with Luke Bolen, Joseph Fennell and John David Nelson. All four played huge roles in the 4A Team State Championship won by the Bulldogs in 2018 and Christ also has an individual title in mixed doubles from 2017 with his resume.

“We are adding some new faces with these four, Sam Wiseman will see a lot of playing time and he’s only an eighth grader,” Bowman said. “We are a very young team again, Joseph Durrett will see a lot of playing time.

Montgomery Owen is going to be big for us this year and he’s a sophomore.

He’s been working really hard and wanting his chance to play varsity.”

Bowman will need to replace

Grayson Godbold and Mason Richey who graduated and now are playing in the college tennis ranks and will need to fill the holes left by them.

“We will probably move positions around so we can get a veteran with the younger players which is key at this point just to help them work out their nerves of playing varsity for the first time,” Bowman said. “My goal in a couple of our first big matches like Oxford and Tupelo is pairing those younger players up with some veteran players.”

Bowman believes the state championship experience for the four veterans will pay dividends in 2019 for the Bulldogs.

“Just getting that championship experience under their belt, the nerves that go into that and winning those playoff matches when it’s elimination

rounds plus feeling all that pressure is huge to have that with those returners,” Bowman said.

Christ has two state championships in team play to go with his individual title in mixed doubles which proves he is battle-tested when the stakes are highest.

“The boys are going to definitely have to come up big and some of these new players are going to have to pull out some big wins for us and in order to do that they are going to have to overcome their nerves. We are getting them as much match play experience as we can and they are playing a lot of tournaments to get that tournament experience under their belt. If the young ones can step up for us then I think we are a state championship team again.”

2019 Spring Sports Preview

39

NEW ALBANY BOYS TENNIS

2019 New Albany Bulldog Boys Tennis Team: Front row left - Montgomery Owen, Collin Williams, Gray Goode, Jackson Christ, Luke Bolen, Sam Wiseman, Dorian Hurd, Joseph Fennell. Back row left - Reed Taylor, Carter Ladner, Brayden Langley, John Davis Nelson, Jay Dowell, Ethan Jackson, Joseph Durrett, Conner Greer, Will Boyington. Not pictured Logan Blakemore and Wright Miskelly.

GIRLS SCHEDULES

East Union Fast PitcH

Ingomar Fast Pitch

Myrtle Fast Pitch

March 02 Oxford Tournament 04 North Pontotoc 05 @Booneville 08 @Baldwyn 15 @NEMCC Tournament 16 @New Albany Tournament 19 Strayhorn 21 @Strayhorn 22-23 Union Co. Tournament (Myrtle) 26 @New Site 28 New Site 29 @Pine Grove

March 16 Shannon 16 Myrtle 18 @Vardaman 19 Walnut 21 @Walnut 22-23 Union Co. Tournament (Myrtle) 26 Strayhorn 28 @Strayhorn 29 @North Pontotoc 30 Shannon

March 01 Oxford Tournament 04 @West Union 05 @Oxford 07 Mantachie 09 Corinth Tournament 16 Ingomar 16 Shannon (at Ingomar) 19 North Pontotoc 21 Oxford 22-23 Union Co. Tournament (Myrtle) 25 @Pine Grove 28 @Falkner 29 Blue Mountain 30 Hickory Flat Tournament

April 02 Ingomar 04 @Ingomar 05 Mooreville 09 Walnut 11 @Walnut 15 Baldwyn 16 Pine Grove

April 01 @Potts Camp 02 @East Union 04 East Union 05 @South Pontotoc 08 Vardaman 09 Baldwyn 11 @Baldwyn 12 North Pontotoc 15 New Site 16 @New Site 18 @Nettleton

New Albany Fast Pitch

West Union Fast Pitch

New Albany Tennis

March 01 @Shannon 07 Wheeler 08-09 South Panola Tournament 16 New Albany Tournament 19 @Ripley 21 Byhalia 22-23 Union Co. Tournament (Myrtle) 26 Corinth 28 @Tishomingo County

March 02 Oxford Tournament 04 Myrtle 07 @North Pontotoc 16 New Albany Tournament 21 @Smithville 22-23 Union County Tournament 26 TCPS 29 Tremont

March 01 Tupelo 05 Madison Central 07 Corinth 19 Hernando (at Snowden Grove) 21 Lafayette 22 Oxford 25 @TCPS 28 @Pontotoc 29 Houston 30 Northwest Rankin

April 02 Senatobia 04 Ripley 06 Wheeler Tournament 09 @Byhalia 11 @Corinth 12 @Baldwyn 16 Tishomingo County 18 @Senatobia

40

2019 Spring Sports Preview

April 02 04 06 09 11

Smithville @Bruce Wheeler Tournament @Tremont @TCPS

April 04 Falkner 08 Pine Grove 11 @Blue Mountain 16 @North Pontotoc

April 01 @Tishomingo County 02 @Tupelo 05-06 Northwest Rankin Tournament 08 South Pontotoc

East Union Baseball

Ingomar Baseball

Myrtle baseball

March 02 @Pontotoc Tournament 05 @Baldwyn 08 Baldwyn 09 @Tupelo 12-14 Battle at the Beach 19 @Strayhorn 22 Strayhorn 23 Ripley 23 West Union 26 @Walnut 29 Walnut 30 Kossuth 30 @Corinth

March 01 @Bruce 05 Walnut 08 @Walnut 09 Myrtle 09 Thrasher 14-15 Ingomar Tournament 19 @New Site 22 New Site 23 @Hickory Flat 26 @Strayhorn 29 Strayhorn 30 Potts Camp

March 01 @Marshall Academy 02 Falkner 05 @Mantachie 09 Thrasher (at Ingomar) 09 @Ingomar 14-15 Ingomar Tournament 19 Potts Camp 22 @Potts Camp 23 Pine Grove 26 @Houlka 29 Blue Mountain (DH) 30 @Baldwyn 30 Vardaman (at Baldwyn)

April 02 Ingomar 05 @Ingomar 06 @Center Hill 09 New Site 12 @New Site 13 @West Union 15 @Hatley

April 02 @East Union 05 East Union 06 @New Albany 09 @Baldwyn 12 Baldwyn 13 Hickory Flat 15 @West Union

April 02 Hickory Flat 05 @Hickory Flat 06 @West Union 09 @H.W. Byers 12 H.W. Byers 13 Marshall Academy 15 Baldwyn 16 Walnut

New Albany baseball

West Union baseball

New Albany tennis

March 01 Houston 02 @Pontotoc 05 @Tishomingo County 08 Tishomingo County 09 North Pontotoc 13-14 Saltillo Tournament 19 Ripley 22 @Ripley 23 @Alcorn Central 26 @Corinth 29 Corinth 30 Rosa Fort 30 @North Pontotoc

March 02 Falkner 05 @Smithville 08 Smithville 09 @Walnut 12-13 Oxford Tournament 23 @Nettleton 23 @East Union 26 TCPS 28 @TCPS 30 North Pontotoc

March 01 Tupelo 05 Madison Central 07 Corinth 19 Hernando (at Snowden Grove) 21 Lafayette 22 Oxford 25 @TCPS 28 @Pontotoc 29 Houston 30 Northwest Rankin April 01 @Tishomingo County 02 @Tupelo 05-06 Northwest Rankin Tournament 08 South Pontotoc

2019 Spring Sports Preview

BOYS SCHEDULES

April 02 @Byhalia 05 Byhalia 06 Ingomar 06 Alcorn Central 09 Senatobia 12 @Senatobia 13 @Kossuth 15 @Houston

April 02 Houlka 05 @Houlka 06 @North Pontotoc 06 Myrtle 09 @Tremont 12 Tremont 13 East Union 15 Ingomar

41

42

2019 Spring Sports Preview

l

Trai t o o f e ngl

Ta

Civic Center

BNA Pa

rk

Welcome Home to New Albany R 43

iverFest

2019 Spring Sports Preview

Mayor Tim Kent & the Board of Aldermen

Spray P

ark

44

2019 Spring Sports Preview