Recent Student Athletes of the Week
South Lamar's Softball Team has been through a lot in the last few years. They've been agonizingly close to a State Championship in the last three finishing as runner-up twice. This year the team hopes to breakthrough with a title, and they're working with additional inspiration.
"She's responded great the team has rallied around her and the team has said they want to win this for Lauren" said Head Coach Tony Seals.
Lauren Crimm, the girl Coach Seals referred to, was recently burned in a kitchen fire and has since been released from the hospital. Although the team will miss her production, she was the leading home run hitter before the incident, they miss her company more.
"It's amazing how we've come together as a family to pull through for Lauren so she can go through what she has to go through" said Junior Center Fielder and Lauren's best friend Jessica Wheat.
Wheat and the Lady Stallions will open up State Tournament play in Montgomery on Thursday against Kinston. Her and her teammates will be looking for their first State Championship, but they'll be thinking about their teammate.
Wheat added, "It's touched my heart in a way I can't say with her not being on the field it's different. I just miss her. She's the strongest person I've ever met in my life."
It signifies a team that has established a consistent run of success in winning championships.
There is one team in the state of Mississippi that's making a push to put themselves in that category.
On Monday, the Nettleton Tiger softball team had their daily practice moved from outside their beautiful home stadium, to inside a 70-year old gymnasium due to the downpour received earlier in the day.
In the last half decade, rain has been just about the only thing halting the Lady Tigers from the inevitable: adding more hardware to their trophy case.
"It's unbelievable to have one opportunity to win a state championship, but to win three and have a shot at four, it leaves me speechless," said Nettleton head coach Dana Rhea. "We're just tickled to death to be where we are right now."
"Our team, we work together and do everything together as a team," said senior second baseman Makenzie Hawkins. "I think that's helped us a lot. We get in struggles but we pull through together."
Nettleton doesn't have a litany of superstars that they've relied upon in recent years, and this year is much the same.
It's been tough, fundamental softball that's taken them to the top in class 3A.
"We don't have any stand-outs, we just have ten girls that really love to play the game and work hard," Coach Rhea said. "They all pull towards that common goal."
That common goal is a state championship, which the Tigers are once again vying for this season. (They'll meet Booneville in the 3A north title this week.)
Ending on a winning note would be oh so sweet for a senior class that hasn't lost a fast-pitch state championship since they began high school.
"It would mean everything to me," said senior center fielder Korie Beth Leach. "We've all worked so hard and that's what we all want to do. We just want to take it home."
"You play hard all year and that's what you always want is another state championship," said Hawkins. "It would mean a lot to go out on top."
Five state championships out of seven; it's safe to say a state title this year wouldn't put Nettleton in the discussion as a 'dynasty', they already would have earned that distinction.
HATLEY, Miss. (WCBI) -- Hatley's Jon-Michael Northington is your quintessential senior high school student athlete.
He has a love of sports, he's excellent in the classroom, and he's a leader on the diamond for the Hatley Tiger baseball team.
But one day, in June of 2011: that all changed.
A startling diagnosis revealed a rare form of cancer stemming from a brain tumor discovered by a CT scan: high-grade gioblastoma cancer.
That fateful day began the long journey of Jon-Michael fighting for his life.
"It's really hard, it's tough to be honest with you," said Jon-Michael Northington. "Once you get up there and going through this, people think they have a hard life and they get headaches and are crying and complaining about it. It's really not that bad, it could be really bad.
"What got me through it was seeing all the kids. If they'd seen I couldn't do it, what makes them think that they could be able to? Looking at someone my age and they hadn't begun even having a life yet really. It's difficult, but it's nothing I can't handle."
The scar on Jon-Michael's head: a symbol of the struggles the Tiger senior has faced in the last year.
Two different brain surgeries in the span of two months, radiation treatment two months following. Then a 12-month dose of chemotherapy in just four months.
That's two surgeries and two incredibly painful treatments in a span of 244 days. The senior's journey back to the diamond has been an inspiration for a team aspiring to win their first ever state title.
"Just him being out here and seeing his work ethic boost the morale of the guys," said Hatley head coach John Harris. "They really look at him and realize how things could be for them. They push themselves every day and I think a lot of it has to do with him."
"I couldn't imagine going through what he went through," said senior Caleb Walters, one of Jon-Michael's closest friends. "He's encouraged us as a team. It meant a lot to us for him to get back out here and be out here with us instead of up there fighting cancer."
Caleb has been with him every step of the way, and so has his baseball team; which began the season winning its first 18 games. Now that the playoffs are in full swing, Jon-Michael has already completed one of his goals.
But he still has one more to go: to win the school's first state championship.
"I missed my whole basketball season and really wanted to get back and play baseball," Jon-Michael said. "That was my goal and I made it back for the first game.
"Words couldn't describe what it would be like to win a state championship my senior year in baseball."
For now, Jon-Michael is on track to graduate on May 18th with the rest of his senior class. It will be yet another moment of triumph for the Hatley Tiger who continues to inspire us all.
That 'H' logo you see on Jon-Michael's helmet, in this case it doesn't stand for Hatley, it stands for hero.
Jon-Michael Northington was your quintessential senior high school student athlete. But now, he's your quintessential example of what it means to be a hero.
Brad Dickey is an athlete. He is a standout basketball player and tennis player, and according to his coach is a standout human being too.
"I see a determined young man that will be successful in whatever he does" said Varsity Tennis Coach Roger "Taco" James.
Dickey said he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life but is excited for his upcoming time at Mississippi State. He is sure that playing on the Heritage Academy Tennis Team was a good decision.
"The team is a lot of fun first of all" he said "I really enjoy the sport and like hanging out with my teammates."
In his spare time he likes to listen to music.
The West Lowndes Girls Track Team is having all kinds of success. They get it done on the track as evidence by their 3rd place finish up in Tupelo last weekend. They also get it done in the classroom and this Friday they'll be rewarded by the MHSAA with a certicicate.
The Lady Panthers have a team GPA greater than 3.0 and as a result are eligible for the honor. The team is also active in the community when on April 27th they'll participate in the Relay For Life to show support for their teammate, and cancer survivor Tiacara McCoy.
"Well a lot of girls on the team are close friends so it means a lot for them to be there with me and come through it with me and for them to support it is really special to me" McCoy said.
The team also finished 3rd in the District 5 1A Track Meet with 75 points. All this in spite of not having a track on the West Lowndes High School property.
"It's hard" said Junior Captain Trenyla Brewer, "we practice on the boys practice football field and do what we have to and still win so it works" she added.
It certainly does.
Caledonia senior Ashley Langford was extremely excited on Monday to be signing with Mississippi Delta Community College.
Right after the euphoria, it was back to work where she's making a name for herself: on the diamond at catcher.
"I've played travel ball since I was eight and worked real hard," Langford said. "I've always wanted to play at the next level and now that I've gotten there, it's a big accomplishment to get that feeling."
"I don't know if I can put into words what she means to this team," said Caledonia coach Robin Elmore. "It's hard to believe she's a senior. It's a sad moment but I'm definitely her biggest fan.
"I think they are getting a great athlete, a great person, and a great player. She's an amazing leader and team player."
Besides being excellent on the field, Ashley is also superb in the classroom.
Which means she's making a name for herself on the field, in the classroom, and in the dugout as a leader.
There's no wonder why she has two very proud parents.
"She's worked really hard and we're very proud of her," said Ashley's father Mike. "She always has good grades, she stays after practice to make herself better in all fundamentals of the game. That's what she's done to get to the next level."
"It's very exciting Ashley is signing with a college," said Ashley's mother Suzanne. "We're very proud of her, but we're going to miss her being away from home."
Ashley's work ethic and winning attitude has paved the way for her success with the Trojans. There's no question she'll get valuable playing time right from the start at Mississippi Delta.
"We're expecting her to jump in the lineup and be a leader," said MDCC softball coach Vanessa Farrell. "We lost a big asset last year when we lost our sophomore catcher, and right now we're starting one freshman catcher.
"One is not enough with the amount of games we play and we hope Ashley can come in and be a leader for us."
"I know our loss is going to be their gain," said Elmore. "We wish her the best and she's been a blessing for this team. I think Mississippi Delta is getting an awesome player."
Will Golsan is only a tenth grader but is plenty familiar with making significant contributions on the Varsity Baseball Team.
"You have to keep working hard and once you earn your spot you have to continue to make sure you do your job" Golsan said.
His Head Coach Lee Boyd couldn't be happier with the production of his shortstop and leadoff hitter.
"Will is a good role model his grades are straight A's and he is a person that the younger guys can look up to" Boyd said.
Will is heavily involved at the Fairview Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with his teammates on weekends.
Will is also getting it done on the diamond. According to his coach he's solid in the field and currently boasting a low-three hundred batting average at the plate.
But success is ever present with the (16-1-1) Lady Hilltoppers.
It's a talented and tough team, coached by Keith Jernigan, and he points to his three leaders being the difference makers: Zamia Mason, Avery Springer, and Blakely Wright.
"Senior Blakely wright has a good bat, and plays right field for us. Zamia Mason is our other senior, she's got a good bat, plays right and center field for us. Both are excellent students in the classroom," said head coach Keith Jernigan.
"And Avery Springer has a 3.9 GPA as an 11th grader. She plays second base for us and does a real good job hitting and also on defense."
While the Lady Hilltoppers have been dominating their opponents so far this season thanks to their talent and depth, it could be one crucial element that's taking them over the top.
"The fact that we're all really close," said Blakely Wright. "There's no arguments, we're always together, we really love each other. We're like a big family."
"Even when I'm having a bad day, I can come out here to practice and they make me smile and laugh and forget about everything that's happened throughout the day," said Zamia Mason. "We just have fun, get practice done, go home dirty, relax, come back out and do it all again together."
As the fast-pitch playoffs approach, Houston knows the pain of being so close to the title before. This year, they aren't going to let the opportunity of winning a state championship elude them.
"I know we can do it," said Avery Springer. "This is our year, no more runner-ups. This is it."
It's as simple as that: state title or bust for the Toppers, who hope to be at the top when the season is all said and done.
As the team's every day starter on the circle, it helps to have that energy to be the team's workhorse at number one.
"I've always been a hyper person," Dean said. "I've always been running around and I just like it.
"It helps me get ready for the game cause I know I will always have the energy to do what I need to do on the field."
"We've calmed her down as she's grown up," head coach Trae Embry said. "She definitely has energy, and she doesn't tire easy. That helps us just like last weekend she threw four games for us."
Amber's team duties don't end at just starting pitcher either.
Dean is one of the vocal leaders for a talented yet young Lady Eagle squad.
Having that leadership with an inexperienced team is a blessing for head coach Trae Embry.
"She (Amber) leads by example. She's not going to miss practice, she's always going to be here. You can depend on her to be here and give one hundred percent every day." said coach Embry.
"I have to lead them, maybe not in everything that we do, but I need to be a role model and not let them down," said Dean. "I have to come out here and care about everything I do on the field."
Amber also cares about being a role model off the field.
The senior stresses her academics just as much as her time on the diamond.
"My academics always come first," Dean said. "My parents stressed grades so I know that I have to make the grades. They won't let me do other things unless academics come first."
"Amber's grades have always been top-notch," said Coach Embry. "You don't have to worry about her. She's conscious about what kind of grades she's going to get. She's a great student.
With her all-around skills and talents, there's a good reason why Amber Dean has a bright future ahead of her.
And that's not just after high school, but also with her hopeful Lady Eagle softball team.
Columbus tenth grader Hunter Mullis is technically still an underclassman, but has the respect of a senior. Mullis is a captain for the Columbus Falcon baseball team and is one of their central players. He is also an excellent performer in the classroom.
"Last year he received a perfect score on his state biology test" said his Head Coach Jeffrey Cook.
However, when I asked him what he liked to do in his spare time homework was not his answer.
"I like to play XBOX and computer games like most teenage boys" Mullis said.
He also likes to play baseball, doing some designated hitting for the Falcons to go along with his pitching. He's a big reason Columbus is off to a fast start in 2012.
"Well there's no doubt he's atop the class but we look for some big things from him. He has made a big jump from his freshman to sophomore season and we look forward to bigger things next year" Cook added.
| Popular Searches
Powered by PremierGuide |