THE BEAR FACTS: MARCH 2018

Bear Facts VICTORY! VOLUME 21, NUMBER 6

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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

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SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

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FULL COVERAGE

BRUIN BOYS DEFEAT SACRED HEART, WIN STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

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OPINION

SENIOR PLAYERS SHARE THOUGHTS ON SEASON

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GAME PHOTOS

PHOTOS FROM THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

PAGE 4 PHOTO BY SYDNEY SHOEMAKER/THE BEAR FACTS

Opinion

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FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

A brotherhood of champions

tate champions.

Those were the only words that resonated through my mind as I lay on my back, rain drops falling on my face, seconds after the final whistle signaled the end of the state championship game.

Before I knew it, my friend and teammate GRANT Reed Collins was standing over me MURPHY screaming: “We’ve really done it man! We’re state champions!”

It’s crazy to think that in the summer, I was pondering not playing soccer for my senior season. Looking back, it would have been one of the worst decisions of my life.

Every team, no matter what sport, sets its sights on winning a championship every year. The difference in our team this year was that we walked the walk.

With a strong group of seniors as leaders, we made sure to turn our ragtag team of soccer players into a family.

Whether it was the silly games we played during practice, all the inside jokes we made, or every pregame dinner at Jack LeDoux’s house, everyone played his role.

From the beginning of the season, this team has been more than a group of young men on a soccer field. It has been a brotherhood. From the frigid winter practices and heartbreaking losses to an amazing playoff run capped by a state championship, every player on our team has been willing to do anything for each other.

Our view

A well-earned championship After many grueling days of conditioning and months of seemingly never-ending games and practices, St. Joe’s boys and girls soccer teams hold state titles.

The girls won their championship in 2015. The boys won theirs following an amazing season this year.

Some people think that soccer is a simple activity consisting of kicking and chasing a ball before kicking it into a massive net for a score.

But that is far from the truth. Soccer is a complex game.

Anyone who has ever actually participated in the sport knows the skill a player needs to race down the field full speed while guiding an object that has every opportunity to trip you or skid out of control.

Playing soccer can become difficult fast, especially with a player from an opposing team bearing down on you. Success at soccer requires discipline, hours of endurance training and a true passion for the sport.

Winning a state championship is a proud moment for our boys team, their parents, their families, their classmates and St. Joseph Catholic School. The Bruins’ win over Sacred Heart Catholic School and the team’s amazing record this year is nothing to be scoffed at or forgotten.

Like this school year’s other state champions from St. Joseph – the girls swim team last fall – this is an accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated. It is an accomplishment that will be kept in the hearts of players and coaches. For them, it created memories that will last a lifetime.

To the Bruin boys team, as well as to the girls on their win three years ago and their impressive season this year, we at The Bear Facts say: “Congratulations.”

We wish the boys luck when they defend their title next year. And we wish the girls luck as they aim for their own championship.

BEAR FACTS The

Blaine Turner Executive Editor

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Joe Pearson Sports Editor

Terry R. Cassreino, Faculty Adviser Dena Kinsey, Principal

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From the beginning of the season, this team has been more than a group of young men on a soccer field.”

To elaborate on the family aspect of our team, one of my favorite memories this season was forming a “big brother” relationship with the younger members of the team, Blake Miller and Reed Fry in particular.

Every day after school, Blake would come straight to my car. We would listen to music and talk about our day, then ride over to the practice field together. Blake also would ride with me to every dinner at Jack’s house. I really began to think of him as a brother and will no doubt miss the stupid British accent we used when we talked.

The main thing that this past soccer season has really brought to light was this fact: You really don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

Ever since I started my first day of seventh grade, I have been wishing my high school years away and looking forward to college. Now that my days at St. Joe are coming

to an end, I am wishing the total opposite.

I never thought that when I signed up for the soccer team four years ago that I would be in the position I am today. A sport I didn’t even know how to play turned into one of the best things that has ever happened in my life.

Without writing my name on the sign-up sheet and surviving the long hours of conditioning, I would have never experienced one of the strongest bonds I’ve ever developed with a group of guys.

I love St. Joe soccer with all my heart and will be forever grateful for all of the memories made.

As I hoisted up the golden ball for the last time on Saturday, a wave emotions rushed over me. I knew that this was a memory I was going to cherish forever, and I am beyond grateful for everyone who helped me reach that point.

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A sport I didn’t even know how to play turned into one of the best things that has ever happened in my life.”

Finding family on the soccer field

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y experience on the St. Joseph Catholic School girls soccer team changed my life.

From the time I was a seventh-grader who never touched the field to a freshman who was one of the top scorers and beyond, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the ALLIE world.

MILNER The feeling, the friends and all the memories are so very special to me.

I’ll never forget my first season playing soccer when the seniors were so encouraging and told me to not give up.

I’ll never forget winning the state championship my ninth grade year and the sense of accomplishment that came along with that. I’ll never forget all the long bus rides with Coach Dwayne Demmin singing along to Carrie Underwood.

But, most importantly, I’ll never forget the lifelong friendships that came with the endless hours of training.

If I had to pick one thing that I loved most from soccer, it would be the opportunity that I had to make friends in the grades below and above me.

As a sophomore, I became very close to the senior players that year. And as a senior, I have made great friends with the sophomores. I’m so thankful for their support, hard work and laughs throughout this season.

I had the opportunity to watch each one grow as a player

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If I had to pick one thing that I loved most from soccer, it would be the opportunity that I had to make friends in the grades below and above me.”

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I don’t have any doubt that this team will make me even more proud when I come back to watch them in the years to come.” and a person, and I couldn’t be more proud.

It is very unfortunate that we fell short of our ultimate goal of a state championship this year. But I don’t have any doubt that this team will make me even more proud when I come back to watch them in the years to come.

The Bruin team helped me develop new-found love for the sport of soccer, and they have pushed me to see the potential that I have as a player. Without them, and without the help of Coach Tripp Harkins and Coach Demmin, I wouldn’t have the chance to continue to play soccer in college. And for that, I am and will forever be grateful for St. Joe soccer and the role that it has played in my life.

It has shaped me into the person I am today by helping me develop character and integrity. I learned about hard work and perseverance. I wouldn’t be who I am without the obstacles, triumphs, defeats and friendships that this soccer program has given me.

I never would have thought that simply playing one sport could make such an impact on my life. But it truly did.

I will always remember the many people that I have come to know and play with; the time I scored the first goal in the state championship as a freshman; and Emma Dotson scoring in her first game back from surgery.

I’m devastated that such a huge part of my life is over, but so happy that I even got to experience it. St. Joe soccer – you have a huge part of my heart, and I will forever love you.

It’s more than chasing after a ball

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ost people think soccer is just kicking a ball.

Well, it’s not.

Soccer, to me, is so much more than just kicking a ball. In our society, not many people appreciate the game and how much it has evolved into what we have JULIAN today.

BROWN The reason I say this is because I have been playing soccer ever since I was 7 years old.

At the time I played numerous other sports like many kids do today.

CHANGING VIEWS Soccer was always the last sport I would choose to play simply because I saw it as just kicking a ball and running after it. As I grew older and was introduced to Select Soccer, my views and passion for the game completely changed.

I didn’t see soccer as kicking a ball and running after it anymore, and it soon became the game I loved the most.

I quickly realized that soccer is played with your mind.

Your feet are just tools.

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I didn’t see soccer as kicking a ball and running after it anymore, and it soon became the game I loved the most.”

The Bear Facts is a proud member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

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Winning a state championship this year was a perfect ending to my high school career.”

I always have looked forward to soccer season at St. Joseph. This year, our team was on a mission to win a state championship.

We had a very determined senior class and an extremely talented group of underclassmen. From the first day of conditioning, we stated what we wanted to achieve as a team – which was to win a state championship.

From then on, we all had the same focus.

FAST START We had one the fastest starts that the boys program has seen since 2011 – which, incidentally, was the last year St. Joe won a state championship.

Playing with this group of boys this year was something special. We had a bond like no other. Despite experiencing some struggles during the season, we did not let it distract us from our main goal.

Winning a state championship this year was a perfect ending to my high school career. And I am extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play the sport that I love at the collegiate level next year.

While I’m sad that my time playing high school soccer is over, I’m glad that we gave the boys something to defend next year.

The Bear Facts, the official student newspaper of St. Joseph Catholic School, is published six-eight times each the school year. All stories and photographs are copyright 2018 by The Bear Facts and St. Joseph Catholic School. Reproduction and unauthorized use of any article, photograph or graphic is prohibited without written consent. Contact The Bear Facts, P.O. Box 2027, Madison, MS 39130-2927.

Opinions expressed on this page belong solely to the author of authors and do not necessarily represent the beliefs and opinions of the staff of The Bear Facts; the staff, leadership and administration of St. Joseph Catholic School; or the staff, leadership and administration of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

Bruin News

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HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTIONS 2018 Each year, St. Joseph’s best and brightest students are inducted into honor societies.

This year, students were inducted into the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Spanish Honor Society, the National Junior Classical League, the International Thespian Society and Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists.

Honor Society Inductions 2018 TOP RIGHT: Principal Dena Kinsey begins the induction ceremony with a speech.

TOP LEFT: Sam Indest signs his name into the International Thespian Society.

SECOND ROW LEFT: Sophomore Reed Fry signs his name into the National Spanish Society.

SECOND ROW RIGHT: Sophomore Sydney Shoemaker signs her name into the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists.

THIRD ROW LEFT: Senior Jamarcus Sutton signs his name into the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists.

THIRD ROW RIGHT: Senior Caleb Welch signs his name into the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists.

All photos by Kaycee Jackson/The Bear Facts

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Bruin News

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

BOY’S SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

STATE CHAMPIONS TOP LEFT: Seniors Nick Zouboukos and Riley Cole cheer on fellow classmates with handmade signs.

TOP RIGHT: Senior goalie Grant Murphy takes a free kick.

SECOND ROW LEFT: Blake Miller, left, and Grant Murphy after failing to douse Coach Dwayne Demmin with water following the win.

SECOND ROW RIGHT: Sophomore Aidan Lipovetsky makes a pass through the defense to another mid-fielder.

THIRD ROW LEFT: Members of the girls soccer team Allie Milner, Katie Joseph and Mary Kate Hamilton cheer the boys from the sideline with a handmade sign.

THIRD ROW RIGHT: Aidan Lipovetsky, Reed Collins and Grant Murphy celebrate after the win.

BOTTOM RIGHT: St. Joseph fans cheer in the rain.

All photos by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts

Bruin Sports

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

sports line BOYS BASKETBALL ADVANCES IN TOURNEY

Senior soccer players offer advice

By AMARI WELLS The Bear Facts The Bear Facts interviewed senior soccer players, asking them what advice they have or thoughts they would like to share with others. Here is what they said.

“With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you want.”

The Bruin boys basketball team heads to the Mississippi Coliseum today for a state tournament game against Leflore County. Tip-off is noon.

The Bruins finished the regular season at 22-6 overall and 8-0 in district play. They took on Loyd Star Attendance Center in the first round of the playoffs, winning 57-31.

The following week, the Bruins defeated St. Patrick Catholic School 61-34.

BASEBALL SEASON UNDERWAY

JULIAN BROWN

“This year has been unlike any other. I have grown so close to this team, and they have become family. As for advice . . . all I can say is work together and always have each other’s backs on and off the field.”

JACK LEDOUX

“The team this year was more than just a team. It was a family. I’ll never forget what we’ve accomplished and the memories we made.”

GRANT MURPHY

“Every negative has a positive, so never give up. My favorite quote is ‘Don’t stop when you’re tired.

Stop when you’re done.’”

“‘On your wheels,’ was the quote of the season. Dedication, focus, hard work and great team chemistry is what got us where we are and will help them reach greatness in soccer.”

REED COLLINS

BRANDON DORSEY

“Because we had such a great connection between us, that helped us hold each other accountable on the field. We were able to remind each other of a goal whenever an obstacle hindered our path.”

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Members of the Bruin boys soccer team celebrate the state championship.

RODNEY SELF

“You just have to keep going even when everything is against you. You have to believe in what you’re doing and always support your team.”

UPCOMING GAMES n MARCH 3: Bruins vs. Winona Christian n MARCH 6: Bruins at Mize n MARCH 9: Bruins vs. Mize n MARCH 10: Bruins at Northwest Rankin n MARCH 10: Bruins vs. St. Benedicts at Ocean Springs

SOFTBALL KICKS OFF SEASON

“Always have more than one pair of cleats in your bag because you never know what will happen. I went through four pairs in two weeks. Your goals don’t count until the game is over. Always play like it’s 0-0.”

ANDREW DOTSON

“Get to know the girls around you who are on the team. Don’t just be teammates with them, but become friends.

It will help you trust each other on and off the field.”

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible” – Audrey Hepburn.

MACKENZIE BROWN

MARTA ANDREOLI

The Bruin baseball team kicked off the 2018 season with a preseason jamboree at Ridgeland High School, where they tied Ridgeland 4-4.

On Saturday, the Bruins defeated Canton Academy at home with a score of 24-13.

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LARISA ARMOUR

“One thing I learned is to never give up and never stop trying.

“If you enjoy the sport, nothing should ever stop you from playing it.

KATIE “I’ve been playing JOSEPH since the seventh grade, and I can tell you the feeling you get when making it to senior year is very rewarding.

“All the hard work and dedication really pays off.”

CHAMPIONSHIP, from page 6 Crusaders goalkeeper Carson Hall.

“The ball landed perfectly on my foot,” Self said.

“The next thing I knew, the ball was in the back of the net, DWAYNE DEMMIN and everyone was crowded around me, and we were celebrating because we were now up by 2 goals in the game.”

Indeed, this goal would prove to be huge later in the game. Sacred Heart pulled closer with a goal in the last 15 minutes, making the score 3-2.

The Crusaders were in striking distance, and potentially forcing overtime.

Fortunately for the Bruins, with the game winding down, they got a free kick.

REED FRY Collins stepped back, gathered himself, and calmly put a huge right kick into the ball, sending it flying through the air and into the back net of the Crusaders.

“That was the biggest moment in the game,” sophomore defender Reed Fry said. “Reed (Collins) hit it perfectly

into the bottom right corner. It sealed the game for us and put it completely out of the reach of Sacred Heart.”

An incredible game by Reed Collins and others gave St. Joe yet another title. With Demmin at the helm, St. Joe has dominated the Mississippi high school soccer scene.

With many key members of the team – such as Aidan Lipovetsky, Reed Fry, Blake Miller and Winston Kidd – returning next year, players say they are in a prime position to make a run for a second straight state title.

“Part of being on a team is having your own part and job.

Every part matters.

Even if you’re not on the field playing, you are helping the ones that start to improve and are helping yourself to get better.”

EMMA DOTSON

“Don’t give up. Keep pushing yourself and working hard. I was once a middle schooler who got benched and overlooked every single game, and ALLIE now I’m headed to MILNER be a collegiate soccer player. Don’t give up on yourself and never give up on the team.”

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Reed (Collins) hit it perfectly into the bottom right corner. It sealed the game for us and put it completely out of the reach of Sacred Heart.”

– Reed Fry, sophomore defender

PEARSON, from page 6

The Bruin softball season has so far been thwarted by weather. The jamboree, which was supposed to take place Saturday, was canceled.

The team resumes action Friday, March 2, against St. Andrew’s.

UPCOMING GAMES n MARCH 2: Bruins vs. St. Andrews n MARCH 5: Bruins at Mize n MARCH 8: Bruins at Vicksburg HS n MARCH 9: Bruins vs. Yazoo County

The tall, lanky, dark-haired kid seemed to be a step ahead of everyone in his age group. He would effortlessly move the soccer ball upand-down the field, running circles around his competition.

But Collins didn’t just use his athleticism on the soccer field. He also played quarterback for the Bruin football team.

During Collins’ sophomore season, however, he suffered a major setback.

In a blowout game on the road against the Lake Hornets, Collins was sent in to the game.

DANGEROUS INJURY “Collins! Give me Reed!” Miller Todd, the Bruins head coach that year, yelled on the sideline.

Todd searched through the ranks of freshman and other sophomores on the sideline looking for his backup

quarterback. When Todd found Collins, he threw him into the game.

Collins lined up at quarterback in the shotgun formation, called the play, and took the snap. Three Hornet defenders broke through the offensive line, chased Collins, grabbed him around the neck and threw him to the ground.

Bruin faithful gasped as Collins lay motionless on the ground. He suffered a serious neck injury. Play was stopped. And after a maddeningly long wait, an ambulance arrived and rushed Collins to the hospital.

“The hardest thing for me was in 10th grade, when I hurt my neck,” he remembered. “I laid in the hospital, thinking I would never play sports again.”

ROAD TO RECOVERY It was a long road back to the field

for Collins. He wore a neck brace for months, and rehabbed even longer.

Eventually, however, he made his return. He had an incredible junior year on the pitch and was instrumental in the deep postseason run the Bruins made that year.

For his senior year, Collins was determined to make it to a state championship – football or soccer.

He trained all summer for the upcoming football season. The Bruins were 2-2 going into a match-up against Jackson Prep.

Then, in the third quarter, Collins was injured when he went down with a sack. He twisted his leg and tore the medial collateral ligament, or the MCL, in his knee.

Yet again, intense recovery was in front of Reed. He went to rehab for the next two months.

Despite the setback, Reed had a phenomenal year at quarterback – racking up almost 2,000 yards passing with 17 touchdowns. He was named to the All-District team.

Once soccer season started, any fear that he would regress soon disappeared.

In a spectacular season, he scored 45 goals to go along with 19 assists.

“Reed has been amazing all season long,” said head soccer coach Dwayne Demmin. “He has been a goal-scoring machine.”

The most important was obviously the free kick that sealed the game for the Bruins in the state championship game.

ANOTHER SETBACK Despite all setbacks, Collins said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I thought my knee was done, and I “It all worked out for the best would never be the same,” Collins said. because we’re state champs,” he said.

GIRLS SOCCER, from page 6 step up and fill the empty leadership positions.

Despite losing many seniors, the team plans to carry what they learned into next season.

“We have a very young team, so next year I’m looking forward to being a captain and a strong leader so we can start over, rebuild our team and we can find our place,” said sophomore Bailey Miller.

So with a great postseason run this year, the Lady Bruins will build on that experience for next year.

The young players that got valuable playing time will lean on that experience next year, as they push once again for a state championship.

Photo by Walker Gosa/The Bear Facts Sophomore Bailey Miller slides for a ball in the North State Championship at Ridgeland High School. The girls battled the whole game, but came up short in the end, losing 3-1.

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We have a very young team, so next year I’m looking forward to being a captain and a strong leader so we can start over, rebuild our team and we can find our place.”

– Bailey Miller, sophomore

Bruin Sports PAGE 6

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MADISON, MISSISSIPPI

ST. JOSEPH BRUINS 4, SACRED HEART CRUSADERS 2

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Boys take first state title since 2011

Pearson: Collins’ play critical for St. Joe win

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he Bruins were leading the Sacred Heart Crusaders 3-2 for the state championship in soccer with 3 minutes to go.

JOE Senior Reed PEARSON Collins had a free sports editor kick that could seal the St. Joe Bruins victory and win the championship. The ball was set on the 16 yard line, 26 yards from the goal.

Collins stood calm and seemed unaware of the pressure – unlike his team members and a large group of Bruin fans who braved the rain to watch the biggest game of the year.

He stepped back, inhaled slowly and ran forward. With his powerful right foot, Collins kicked the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, over the wall of defending Crusaders and past a diving goalkeeper.

Fans, coaches and players erupted in cheers. Collins’ kick ensured the Bruins their first state championship since 2011.

By JOE PEARSON The Bear Facts

The St. Joseph boys soccer team is once again the state champion.

The Bruins defeated the Sacred Heart Crusaders 4-2 on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Ridgeland High School – taking the state championship for the first time in seven years.

The win capped a remarkable season for the Bruins that ended with a 20-4 record and an eighth state title for head soccer Coach Dwayne Demmin.

“The seniors and I talked about a state championship from Day 1,” senior Reed Collins said. “We knew if we bought in, we could win a title.

And that is exactly what happened.”

Sophomore Aidan Lipovetsky struck first for the Bruins. He knocked in a beautiful goal on a Collins assist early in the first half, making the game 1-0 Bruins.

After the Crusaders tied the game, Collins scored a goal to regain the lead for the Bruins. The Bruins went into the half leading by a score of 2-1.

When the second half started it was another senior, Rodney Self, who stretched the lead for the Bruins. With about 20 minutes to go in the game, the Bruins had a corner kick.

Demmin and assistant coach Tripp Harkins signaled a front post run for Self. Lipovetsky made the corner kick, and Self came around and tapped the ball in the bottom left corner of the goal, just past the outstretched arms of

LOVE OF SPORTS This moment was 18 years in the making. Ever since he could walk, Collins has loved sports and competition – especially soccer.

“My passion has been sports since I was little,” Collins said. “Whatever it was, I wanted to get on a field and play.”

See PEARSON Page 5

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker/The Bear Facts Bruin soccer players celebrate winning the state championship on Saturday, Feb. 17, by defeating the Sacred Heart Crusaders.

See CHAMPIONSHIP Page 5

Looking back on a memorable Bruin boys soccer season able feat for a 2A private school.

High School Pirates 3-1.

Six days earlier, the Bruins earned n n n a 7-1 victory against the Murrah High The St. Joseph Catholic School School Mustangs. These two victories Bruin boys soccer team crossed many gave the Bruins a 5-0 start and high Bruins vs St. Andrews, Bill Ramilestones on the way to the state hopes for the season ahead. phael Field, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018: championship. Here is a look back at The Bruins already lost to arch-rival St. some of key games from a great season.

Andrew’s 2-1 on the road on Monday n n n Dec. 4, 2017. The team had no intenn n n Bruins at Terry, Terry High tion of losing at home. Unfortunately, School, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017: One the Bruins fell again. The second loss Bruins vs. Pearl, Bill Raphael week after downing the Pearl Pirates, lit a fire in the Bruins that never let up.

Field, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017: The the Bruins extended their opening win The team never lost another game.

Bruins earned their second victory streak to 6 by defeating the Terry Bullagainst a major 6A high school in Mis- dogs on the road 4-0. This marked the n n n sissippi with this memorable home Bruins’ third win against a 6A public stand. The Bruins defeated the Pearl high school in Mississippi – a remarkNorth State Championship, BruBY RODNEY SELF The Bear Facts

land High School, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018: The entire season came down to this game – two of Mississippi’s top Catholic high schools facing off against each other for the state championship in boys soccer.

Despite a tight, tough, hard-fought game, the Sacred Heart Crusaders from Hattiesburg fell to the Bruins 4-2. The final game for the Bruins’ 2017-2018 soccer season was exactly what they had been preparing for their entire season.

It also set the stage for the 2018n n n 2019 season that starts next fall as the State Championship Bruins vs. Sa- boys will be eyeing a repeat as state cred Heart Catholic School at Ridge- champions.

ins vs. St. Andrew’s at Ridgeland High School, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018: This was the re-match the Bruins had been waiting for.

And this time, the North State Championship and a trip to the state championship game was at stake. And this time the Bruins bested the Saints 3-1.

The Bruins won just one of three games against the Saints this season, but the single win was the won the mattered.

Lady Bruins vow to return next year for another title run

By BIANCA McCARTY The Bear Facts The Bruins and Tupelo Christian were tied at 1.

With 2 minutes to go, senior Emma Dotson – who had just returned from heart surgery – stepped onto the field.

The Lady Bruins had the ball and moved it down the sideline.

She took the ball, ran past a defender, took a shot into the back of the net and broke the tie. The goal sealed the game for the Bruins, advancing them the North State Championship.

The Feb. 10 road game was the highlight of the playoffs for the Bruin girls team. Three days later on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the team lost the North State championship to St. Andrew’s and ended the year 10-8-1.

“We’ve had a group of people who have been together for a while and have been able to grow and have that camaraderie and team bonding,” Dotson said.

The 2017-2018 girls soccer team had six seniors, including Dotson. The team may not have gone on to the state championship, but players said they walked away this year with a great experience.

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This is a family that I will keep with me forever, and I hope to carry my skills of caring and leadership into the future as I go off to college.”

– Katie Joseph, senior soccer player “One of the biggest things I’ve (learned) was how to be a leader – and not only in telling people where to be on the field, but taking care of my team as well,” senior Katie Joseph said.

“This is a family that I will keep with me forever,’ she said, “and I hope to carry my skills of caring and leadership into the future as I go off to college.”

Losing so many seniors may cause problems next season, but the team is confident that younger players can See GIRLS SOCCER Page 5

Photo by Walker Gosa/The Bear Facts Freshman Mary Hazel Bellan battles for a ball against a St. Andrew’s defender in the North State Championship game. The girls beat Tupelo Christian to advance to the North State, but fell to arch-rival St. Andrew’s 3-1.