Coaches Brooke Turner and DeDe Justice had a successful debut as North Delta fastpitch coaches with 4-1 varsity and 5-1 junior high victories Tuesday afternoon.

With scorching temperatures in the mid-90s and intermittent breezes, the Lady Green Waves kept their cool against an always tough Kirk Academy Lady Raiders.

Samantha Massoth pitched the complete game in seven innings to pick up the win in the varsity game. Mary Jane Morrow started the junior high game and pitched one and a third innings. Katelyn Still pitched one and two third innings for the save.

In the varsity game, Courtney McCullar was three for three at bats. She had a double, two singles and one RBI (run batted in).

In the bottom of the second inning, Madison Greenlee, courtesy runner for McCullar, scored on a Kathleen Snyder ground out to first base for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, center fielder Morgan Lawrence scored on a passed ball home plate for the 2-0 lead.

In the same inning, shortstop Lauren Kimzey scored on a McCullar single RBI to give the Lady Green Waves a 3-0 lead.

Kirk scored its only run in the top of the fourth inning on a single RBI.

The Lady Green Wave’s last score of the evening came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Second baseman Linsey Hebert scored from third base on a Lauren Tidwell single RBI.

In the junior high game, North Delta scored three runs in the top of the first inning and two in the bottom of the third inning. Game was called due to time when the Lady Green Waves loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning.

Laci Dubravec singled and scored on a passed ball at the plate for the first run.

Bradi Beard walked and scored on a RBI by Mary Jane Morrow for the second run. Katelyn Still scored from second base on a Britney Cole single RBI for the 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, Still walked to base and scored on a passed ball at home plate.

Cole was hit by a pitch and also scored on a passed ball to home for the final run of the evening.

The Lady Green Waves have a grueling first week of game schedule. They played Thursday afternoon at Lee Academy in Clarksdale but the score was not available at press time.

Saturday, North Delta will host a softball tournament. The time has changed and the first game will be played at 10:30 a.m.

Four varsity games only will be played. North Delta will play the first and fourth games of the day. Marshall, Marvell and Strider are the other three teams participating in the tournament.

Tuesday, August 8, North Delta will be at Magnolia Heights for games beginning at 4 p.m.

Fall football practice is in full swing for local football teams as well as teams around the state.

Though temperatures have hovered in the mid 80s to high 90s, the coaches are making sure the players are taking plenty of breaks and remaining hydrated.

South Panola took the field Monday afternoon with about 70 players vying the various positions.

Leroy Diggs is in the slot as starting quarterback. He is backed up by Mario Austin and David Conner.

Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen players linebacker Chris Strong and tailback Jeramie Griffin are leading the team in their respective positions.

The offensive line seems to have some replacement players this year who are working out hard with the starters under assistant coach Michael Fair.

Defensive tackle coach Lucius King expects big things from his tackles.

North Delta head coach Richard Russo told the team that all of the positions on the team were open to the players who practiced and worked the hardest.

About 29 players have shown up for Green Wave practice.

Junior Jim Tyler "J.T." Dalrymple got the nod for the starting quarterback position.

Britton Crawford is the center and Dakota Mabry is the fullback/linebacker.

The team will be dressed out in the first game in their new uniform, complete with new shirts and helmets.

The North Panola Cougars have undergone a radical change. Thirty players were seen on the practice field Wednesday morning.

Head coach Vincent Johnson patiently instructs the players in the various new plays and formations they have to learn.

Perry Trammell got the nod for the starting quarterback position.

Wednesday, the Cougars spent a lot of time on special teams practice.

They did the drills over and over again until the coach was satisfied the players would snap to their positions.

Practice for all teams will go on until the first game. All the teams open their season on Friday,
August 25.

North Delta is the only team which will be at home that night. They will host rival Magnolia Heights.

South Panola will be on the road to face Clarksdale, which may be their toughest team of the season.

Ole Miss’ Charles Harris, a 2003 Clarksdale graduate, said Thursday morning while moving in at Ole Miss that the Wildcats are looking for an upset.

The North Panola Cougars seem to start and end the season with their two toughest opponents.

They will travel about two hours to Booneville to take on the Blue Devils.

The Panolian’s annual Playbook 2006 will be published on August 25 and will include photos of all the teams, cheerleaders and bands.