Sports / Outdoors – 5/5/2006

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 5, 2006

The Panolian: SPORTS – May 5, 2006

  From the 5/5/06 issue of The Panolian  
  
  

Little League Sign-up – Sign-up for City of Batesville Little League baseball and softball will be held each Saturday at Patton Lane Park from 9 a.m. to noon. To sign up through the week, go to the Boys and Girls Club on Highway 51 South in Batesville.
     A nominal fee will be collected. For more information call Otis Cooper at 563-2326 or Dennis Hoskins at
578-7309.
  The 2006 Track and Field Day will be held May 9 on the South Panola track.
     Excitement will fill the air as the Batesville Jr. High School band plays and the athletes parade onto the field to begin the 9 a.m. opening ceremonies, which will be followed by the invocation and welcoming remarks by Dr. Keith Shaffer, superintendent for South Panola Schools.
     P.R. Roberts will serve as the announcer for the program.
     According to Mary Bennett, director of special education for South Panola Schools, the purpose of this event is to contribute positively to the physical, social and psychological development of special children.
     The participants gain confidence and build an image associated with success rather than failure. In addition, it shows the athletes, as well as the public, what tremendous accomplishments these special students can achieve if given the opportunity, according to Bennett.
     The public is invited to attend this annual event which is coordinated by Coach Ronald McMinn, Batesville’s City Parks director.
  Summer League Baseball
Tryouts for high school summer league baseball will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, May 8 and 9, after school.
     Any students in grades 9 through 12 who would like to play should be at American Legion field when school is dismissed.
     Any upcoming ninth graders not currently playing are also encouraged to tryout.
     Those trying out must be present both days. Players should bring a glove and dress in shorts and t-shirts.
     A second tryout will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, May 16 and 17 for anyone who cannot attend the first tryout. The season will run from the first weekend of June until the middle of July.
  SP banquet
Today is the final day to buy tickets for the South Panola High School football banquet/ring ceremony.
     Tickets are $6 the for the May 13 banquet. The banquet begins at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.
     The football team will play in a scrimmage at Clinton Thursday, May 11.
  Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold a Camp Fundraiser and Coaches Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, May 18.
     The banquet will be held at the new National Guard Armory on Keating Road beginning at 6 p.m. Special speaker will be Hugh Freeze of the Ole Miss football program.
     Funds are being raised in order to send coaches and students to leadership camp. The cost of a table is $250 and will allow the sponsor to seat five guests and five coaches or students.
     "We need the support of churches, the business community and civic clubs to accomplish our goal," said coordinator Dennis Hoskins.
     Make checks payable to the South Panola Fellowship of Christian Athletes Adult Huddle (SP FCA). For more information, contact Randy Boren at 563-2772,
563-1910 or Dennis Hoskins at 578-7309, 563-4426.
Deshea Townsend, of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, has announced the dates for his sixth annual Pay it Forward Football Camp.
     The camp will be held Saturday, May 20, on the South Panola Tiger football field.
     Townsend, along with some other Steelers, will conduct the camp for children ages 6 to 18.
     There is no fee to participate in the camp, but preregistration is required. Registration forms must be turned in by Friday, May 12.
     Forms may be picked up and returned to The Panolian, 363 Highway 51 N., Batesville or the Boys and Girls Club, 630 Highway 51 S., Batesville.
     Registration forms have to be signed by a parents or guardian or the children will not be allowed to participate.
The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     For more information call Myra Bean at (662) 609-6906 or Nyanthia Townsend at (662) 654-3134.
Cheer Yard Sale – The Spirit of Cheer Booster Club will host a rummage sale on Saturday, June 3 at the Batesville Jr High gym. The sale will begin at 7 a.m. Admission is free.
     There will be an "Early Bird Special" for those who want to shop early. The admission price for the special will be $5 per person. The "Early Bird Special" will begin at
5 a.m.
     The booster club is currently accepting donations of goods to be used for the sale. Anyone who would like to donate items may bring those items to the Batesville Jr. High gym on Mondays between 5:30-8 p.m. or on Thursdays between 5:30-8:00 p.m.
The Spirit of Cheer Booster Club will host a rummage sale on Saturday, June 3 at the Batesville Jr High gym.The sale will begin at 7 a.m Admission is free.
     There will be an "Early Bird Special" for those who want to shop early. The admission price for the special will be $5 per person. The "Early Bird Special" will begin at 5a.m.
     The booster club is currently accepting donations of goods to be used for the sale. Anyone who would like to donate items may bring those items to the Batesville Jr. High gym on Mondays between 5:30-8 p.m. or on Thursdays between 5:30-8:00 p.m.    
Basketball Tournament – There will be a Big Outdoor Benefit Basketball Tournament for men and women for cancer victim George Crowder on June 4 at Enid Dam.
     Entry fee is $25 per team and a $2 admission fee for spectators. Refreshments will be available.
     For more information or to book a team, call (662) 578-0457.
There will be a Big Outdoor Benefit Basketball Tournament for men and women for cancer victim George Crowder on June 4 at Enid Dam.
     Entry fee is $25 per team and a $2 admission fee for spectators. Refreshments will be available.
     For more information or to book a team, call (662) 578-0457.    
Touchdown Club – The South Panola Touchdown Club will host a 4-man Scramble Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 17 at Mallard Pointe Golf Course.
     The tax deductible fee is $60 per person or $240 for team.
     Deadline is June 10. For more information or registration, call Buddy Gray at 563-7601 or 934-8227.
The South Panola Touchdown Club will host a 4-man Scramble Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 17 at Mallard Pointe Golf Course.
     The tax deductible fee is $60 per person or $240 for team.
     Deadline is June 10. For more information or registration, call Buddy Gray at 563-7601 or 934-8227.
 
Townsend asks for race diversity at May camp
Pegues’ troubles settled

By Myra Bean

This is just a little "this and that" to share with everyone regarding Derek Pegues at Mississippi State and the upcoming football camp hosted by Batesville native Deshea Townsend.

Derek Pegues
As for Pegues, he was involved in an off campus altercation at Mississippi State with five of his teammates and an off duty police officer.

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Though it was unclear through reported events what actually happened, Pegues and the other five players were indefinitely suspended from the team and missed the April 8 spring game.

The six pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge a couple of days prior to their May 1 court date, each paid $500 and received a six-month suspended sentence.

Though that part of the deal was settled, they still had to contend with Bulldog head coach Sylvester Croom.

Croom made them sweat a while but finally Tuesday relented and said they will be eligible to play in the first game of the season Thursday, August 31.

"The legal system has worked, and our players have been penalized by the court," Croom said in a school press release. "They have each paid a hefty fine and essentially they are on probation for two years.

"They will remain suspended from the football team through the remainder of this semester," Croom added. "When they report back to campus this summer, the suspension will be lifted."

Each is also required to participate in on-campus sensitivity counseling and training, according to the press release.

Deshea Townsend
Townsend was very candid Wednesday in an interview about his disappointment in the lack of participation in the camp from other races participating.

"It is not just for black children," Townsend said.

Batesville is a very unique town in that NFL players take time out of their busy mini-camp schedule to come here and conduct this camp.

Townsend has done it for six years now, bringing his fellow Steelers with him.

Townsend said this a great opportunity for him to come back home and give back to the community. He will be here on Saturday, May 20 to conduct the camp from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

He is well aware that it was more than the black community supporting him as he helped lead the South Panola team to its first ever state championship in 1993 and a 15-0 record. He knows of the support of everyone from this area as he played at Alabama and was drafted into the NFL. He was most aware of the support of his hometown as he and the Steelers went all the way this year and brought home the Super Bowl Trophy.

The camp is not just work. The kids have a lot and I mean a lot of fun. The players step out of their teaching roles every once in a while and just play with the participants.

Last year, one player had a group of very athletic teenage girls who ran him all over the field. They thought he was working them too hard, but every last one of them had a good time.

So no matter the race of your child, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Arab or any other one I can’t think of right now, they are welcome.

There is no charge for the camp. Water and liquids for break and lunch will be provided by Deshea. At the end of the camp, the players will be signing autographs so this is a unique opportunity for the kids to see and talk to professional athletes. Not everyone in Mississippi gets this opportunity. So parents, don’t deny your children and don’t let Deshea down on this one.

"We will be showing kids how to be successful in life and to always give back to their community," Townsend said.

You can’t argue with that.

Parents can come by The Panolian or go by the Boys and Girls Club to pick up forms and return them to either place.

In order to receive a t-shirt the day of the camp, kids must be preregistered by Friday, May 12. If the camp is not full, late registrations may be taken, but there will be no guarantees of a tee-shirt.

For more information, call Myra Bean at (662) 609-6906 or Nyanthia Townsend at (662) 654-3134.
 

Tigers garner postseason honors
By Myra Bean

Members of the South Panola baseball and softball teams were presented with post season honors this week by the Chickasaw Conference coaches.

Four year head coach Patrick Robey was tapped as the Chickasaw Conference coach of the year.

He directed the Tigers to their first playoff since 1998 and a 14-13 overall season, including playoffs.

"It’s an honor to be recognized by your peers like that," Robey said, looking a little shy about the recognition.

Players receiving All Chickasaw Conference honors were seniors Barrett Johnson, outfield and Jameson Rodgers, short stop.

Honorable Mentions were freshman David Renfroe at third base and senior Jonathan Flint in the outfield.

In softball, junior pitcher Lauren Suratt was selected the All Chickasaw Conference pitcher.

Sophomore Whitney Kiihnl was honorable mention in pitching and utility player.

The lone senior on the team, Summer Gee, was honorable mention for the outfield.
 

Herring signs with Titans
Magnolia, Ark. – Defensive lineman Chris Herring of Southern Arkansas University has signed a two-year free agent contract to play for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. Herring reported to rookie mini-camp Thursday in Nashville, Tenn.

Herring is a 6-0, 307-pound defensive tackle from Courtland, who transferred to SAU from Ole Miss.

This past season Herring was a Third Team selection on ‘s All-America team, was Daktronics Second Team All-Southeast Region, and Second Team Football Gazette All-Southeast Region picks, and First Team All-Gulf South Conference.

He was selected to play in the Division II 2006 Cactus Bowl All-Star game.

Herring had 40 tackles, 29 solos, 13.5 for 58 yards in lost yardage, 6.5 sacks for minus 37 yards, two pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick, last season for the Muleriders.
 

Johnston accepts position at Kirk
By Myra Bean

Former North Delta head football coach Rick Johnston has accepted a coaching position at Kirk Academy in Grenada.

Johnston was with the North Delta program since 1994, last four as head coach. He amassed a 40-9 record over four years, took the team to one state championship game and won three district championships.

North Delta went undefeated through the regular season in 2004 and have won 20 games in the last two years.

At Kirk, Johnston will serve as the head junior high coach and the defensive coordinator of the varsity team.

Johnston said he entertained other offers, including head coaching positions, but felt the position at Kirk will allow him to fulfill some undisclosed family obligations.

"I also took the position because I have a lot of respect for coach Scott Martin," he said. "He and I are good friends, and he is one of the good guys in this business. He has come up through the ranks like I did as a junior high coach and then he got to be the high school coach."

According to Johnston, Martin was one of the first people who called him when his situation at North Delta changed.

North Delta and Johnston had a mutual parting of the ways for undisclosed reasons, Johnston said. Johnston will finish out the semester at North Delta even though he is going to Kirk each afternoon to participate in spring practice.

Though Johnston expressed excitement about the new opportunity before him at Kirk, he did say he will miss North Delta and the kids.

"I have had some of those guys since seventh grade and we have been down a lot of roads," Johnston said. "For the most part it’s been a good ride. I have some fond memories of my time here.

"I wish the kids here the best," Johnston added. "I’ll be pulling for them except when we play each other."

North Delta and Kirk will meet on September 15 in Grenada.

"Then I’ll have some mixed emotions because I want them to do good," he said. "We have been very successful. The kids play hard. We have a tremendous football history here, and I see that staying the same. I don’t see anything happening to that."

At Kirk 36 players are on the spring roster, with most of the team returning from last year.

"We have a good group down there," Johnston said.

At Kirk Johnston is mostly working with defensive side of the ball and the skill people on offense.

"We’ve got seven or eight kids who can run the 40 under 4.7," he said. "They have a great attitude. We are big up front and athletic."

Johnston bragged on the running back he likened to North Delta’s Dustin Maples and former running back Hayden Sullivant, who holds the private school state record in touchdowns. Maples is second in that category.

"He can fly, real shifty," Johnston said.

Johnston has 10 linebackers he is working with, and he will be able to work with the junior high team a little later on.

"It’s a whole new ball game with me," Johnston said. " I have to learn a whole lot of new faces. I am just excited about the new direction and my new job."

Kirk will play Leake Academy in a spring scrimmage May 12 in Grenada starting at 2:30 p.m.
    

Batesville Panthers to sign up May 13
The North Mississippi Youth Football League Batesville Panthers will hold registration, Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Registration will be held at the old J.P. Hudson ballpark behind the swimming pool.

League director Jerry Self said to be early because registration is only open until the teams are filled.

Registration fee is $65. The cut off date for birthdays is August 1. A copy of the birth certificate and a wallet size photo is required.

Authorized uniforms are required to participate.

The teams from last year all won their league championships. The 7-8 and 9-10 year-old teams were runners up in the North half.

The 11-12 teams were North Half Misssissippi champions with an undefeated season.

For more information, call Jerry Self at
(662) 623-0505.
 

 


                                         
                         
 

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