Sports / Outdoors – 10/20/2006

Published 12:00 am Friday, October 20, 2006

The Panolian: SPORTS – October 20, 2006

  From the 10/20/06 issue of The Panolian       
SCHEDULES:          

Local gymnasts fare well at recent competition
Gymnasts from Morgan Gymnastics in Batesville traveled to Starkville to compete in the SEC Invitational September 29 and 30.

The girls competed in five different levels and 10 age groups.

In Level 2 ages 5 to 7-year-old, Lauren Grace Barbee was second all around and Tori Beth Wolfe was third all around.

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Shelby McGovern was fourth all around in Level 2, 9-10 year olds.

Meghan Munson was tops in the Level 3, 8-year-olds with first all around honors.

Morgan Gymnastics wrapped up the 9-year-olds Level 3 category with Katherine Rich, first all around, followed by Hannah Moore, second all around.

Level 3, 10 and 11-year-olds was also claimed by Morgan Gymnastics with Courtney Mitchell and Erika Tanksley respectively, claiming first and second all-round honors.

In Level 4, 9-10 year olds Maribeth Johns placed fourth all around, followed by Jessica Bridges, fifth all around and Destiny Riley, eighth all around.
In the 11 and over year olds for Level 4, Georganna Myers was sixth all around and Nikki Martin was seventh all around.

In the Level 5 category for 10-11 year olds, Kelly Major placed eighth all around and Tabitha Cook was 10th all around.

Level 5 12 and older, Cassidy Jenkins was sixth all around.

In Level 6, Kyra McCuan was third all around for ages 9-12 years old.

 
Big district game on tap with Green Waves and Bayou tonight
By Angie Ledbetter

The North Delta Green Wave (5-3 overall, 2-1 district) will be in district action tonight at home in the biggest game of the regular season when they host the Bayou Academy Colts (4-4 overall, 3-0 district) from Cleveland.

The Green Wave have been out of district play for the last two weeks playing 2A teams and won both games.

The Colts are undefeated in the district and the Green Wave are one game behind them. This game will possibly determine the winner of District 1A, even though the Green Wave still have to play the Marvell Eagles next week.

The Colts, 2000 2A state champions, on the other hand have the West Memphis Black Knights next week for their last district game and the last game of their regular season.

In district play, the Green Waves defeated Marshall Academy and West Memphis. They lost a close district game to Desoto, Ark. on September 22.

The Bayou Colts defeated Sharkey-Issaquena
55-24, Marvell, Ark. 56-16, Desoto, Ark. 30-0, and Tunica 49-0 early in the season. They have lost the last four games to four 2A schools. They lost to Manchester Academy 26-20, to Lee Marianna 34-27, to Kirk Academy 34-14, and to Delta Academy last week 34-28.

The Green Wave hold the record when it comes to winning the games between these two schools. In 2003, the Green Wave won 40-14. In 2004, the Green Waves won 54-14, and last year the Green Waves downed the Colts 54-27.

The Colts have not had a problem with putting points on the scoreboard this season. They have outscored their opponents 279 to 162 in eight games, averaging 34.8 points per game.

Head coach Richard Russo said, "You better be on your Ps and Qs, play defensive fundamentals and play your key every play. You can’t go to sleep, especially with that double wing attack. You better be looking to what is called counter flow."

The Green Wave’s scoring has been close to their opponents for the eight games played so far. They have scored 158 points, averaging 19.8 points a game with their opponents scoring 154 points.

The Colts will come into this game with 22 players on their roster which includes eight seniors, 10 juniors, one sophomore, and three freshman. They are under the direction of head coach Rodney Martin and assisted by Winn Scott, Eddy Cornelius and Wade Patrick.

The quarterback is No. 4 Caleb Reed, who was "very impressive" back in the fall jamboree, according to Russo.

"When he gets an open field, he really has an extra step," Russo said. "He doesn’t look like he is fast, but he really is."

Russo described the Colts’ offensive line as one of the biggest the Green Waves have seen this season.

Fullback Cory McLendon, No. 5, is a hard runner, Russo said.

"They also have an offensive lineman and a defensive end that is just as big as the ones from Delta," Russo added.

Assisting Russo with the football team are David Hardy, Lance Thomas, Brad Wilson and Adam Waldrup.

Russo expects Bayou to be well-coached.

"They are very physical so we better get ready to bring our ‘A’ game," he said. "Bayou runs the double wing offense which is a very good offense. They have a great quarterback who is probably even better than Delta’s quarterback when reading the option, which is awesome. I am a big option fan.

"They are probably the most dangerous team on film that I have seen all year," Russo added. "They do a lot of illegal cut blocks and drop in the back. In one game, they even had the call against them nine times. So we have got to play physical. We have got to match or even exceed their physicality in order to win this ballgame."

As far as the district is lining up, North Delta needs to win this game and then beat Marvell next week to finish with a 4-1 district record.

Then they will be tied for the district lead. The winner will be decided by the tie breaker system.

"It is super important to win," Russo said. "I would love to win the district my first year at North Delta. It would really set the tone for our program."

The pep rally for the team will be at 2:30 today in the school gym. Cheering at the pep rally and at halftime tonight will be the K/5 and 1st grade mini cheerleaders.

Tune into FM 106.9 at 7:00 p.m. for the pregame show with Russo. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. with play-by-play action live from Kirk Willingham and Mickey Aldridge.

 
Playoff consideration on line as NP hosts WV
By Myra Bean

North Panola (1-6 overall, 1-3 district) had a bye week following its first win of the season over Byhalia last Friday.

Tonight they return to action at home to host the Water Valley Blue Devils (5-3 overall, 3-2 district).

The Blue Devils are third in 3-3A following a 55-30 smackdown over Byhalia last week.

Water Valley had a 22-16 halftime lead, but scored 22 points in the third quarter to hold Byhalia at bay.

A win by North Panola would have Water Valley sitting on pins and needles for the last game of the regular season to be played to make sure they made the playoffs as this is the final district game for the Blue Devils.

There are four spots available for 3-3A teams in the playoff bracket. The teams have to win at least three district games to be eligible.

On the other hand, a win by the Blue Devils will ensure that North Panola has no chance of making the playoffs this year.

Water Valley has scored 192 points this season and held opponents to 128 points.

North Panola needs this win and a win over Senatobia (4-4 overall, 4-0 district) to secure a playoff spot. Senatobia is at Byhalia (2-6 overall, 0-4 district) tonight. Byhalia is last in the standings and will not make the playoffs this year.

Holly Springs is second in the district with a 4-4 overall, 3-1 district record and will play at Independence (3-5 overall, 2-2 district). Independence is fourth in the standings.

M.S. Palmer (3-5 overall, 2-3 district) is still in contention for a playoff spot, but will play non-district Charleston tonight. Palmer will host Independence next Friday to try to be in contention for a playoff spot.

The final regular season games for District 2A, 3A and 4A are Friday, October 27. Districts 1A and 5A will end their regular seasons on November 3.

Kickoff for these district games is 7 p.m. tonight.

 
Tigers to host much improved Southaven
By Myra Bean

"This was the best defense I have seen in three years," said Willis Wright, South Panola assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

Wright made that statement to the players in the huddle following the 35-9 defeat over Tupelo last Friday night.

The nine points Tupelo scored came on a safety and a punt returned for a touchdown.

South Panola’s defense has not allowed a point in two games, including the 42-0 shutout of Columbus.
The Tigers extended their winning streak to 53 and upped their season record to 8-0 overall, 4-0 district.

Logging some defensive stats last week were Chris Strong, five total tackles, one sack; Kevin Young, seven tackles; David Conner, four tackles; Rodney Diggs, four tackles; Marlon Wilks, three tackles; Deshun Sandridge, three tackles, one fumble recovery; Darius "Tigg" Barksdale, six tackles, one interception; Marvin Burdette, Jarred Draper and Charles Corley, two tackles each; Bud Barksdale, Demetrius Dunn, Vandell Pollard and Terrance Griffin, one tackle each.

South Panola will host district foe the Southaven Chargers (3-5 overall, 0-4 district) tonight during homecoming. The homecoming queen and court will be presented and announced during halftime festivities.

Southaven underwent a coaching change in the spring and the highly successful baseball coach Ed Rich took over the program.

Though Southaven has improved some over its 2-9 record of 2005, the Chargers are still struggling in the district, which is one of the toughest in the state.

South Panola head coach Ricky Woods (67-1 five year record) is not taking the Southaven record for granted.

"They almost beat Tupelo and they almost beat Starkville," Woods said. "They have gotten a lot better. They have a very good football team."

Against Tupelo October 6, the Chargers led 7-0 at halftime and lost 16-7. The final score against Starkville on October 13 was the score at halftime, 14-3. The Chargers held the Yellowjackets scoreless in the second half.

Even against Columbus on September 29, the Chargers came to play. They lost 14-7. Columbus had a 7-0 lead at halftime and scored again in the third quarter.

This time last year, Southaven presented a lackluster, mediocre team to the field when South Panola traveled to DeSoto County. The Charger team did not even seem to try to play a decent game.

"They underwent a coaching change and that is always hard in the beginning," Woods said. "That’s why they struggled at the beginning of the season."

South Panola has known some hard knocks at the hands of the Chargers.

Back in 2001, the Chargers’ main goal, it was reported, was to defeat the Tigers and they did 28-14. South Panola went on to record a 5-6 overall record. Woods was hired as the new Tiger coach after that season.

In national polls this week, South Panola dropped to No. 5 in the National Tony Poll. They stayed at No. 8 in the Sports Illustrated Poll and No. 17 in the USA Today Poll. They moved up to No. 13 in the National Prep Poll.

Kickoff for tonight’s district contest is 7 p.m.

The ticket booth opens at 6 p.m. General admission is $5 and reserved tickets are $7 .

Some more 1-5A games on tap tonight include Columbus (2-5, 1-3) at Horn Lake (1-6, 0-4), Tupelo (4-3, 3-1) at Grenada 6-2, 2-2), and Starkville (5-3, 3-1) at Olive Branch (7-1, 3-1).

South Panola leads the district followed by Olive Branch, Starkville, Tupelo, Grenada, Columbus, Southaven and Horn Lake.

 
National Tony Poll – Week 9
 

1. Byrnes [8] Duncan, South Carolina, 8-0
2. Lakeland [7], Lakeland, Florida, 8-0
3. Curtis [1], River Ridge, Louisiana, 6-0
4. Independence [3] Charlotte, North Carolina, 8-0
5. South Panola [1], Batesville, Mississippi, 8-0
6. Lufkin, Lufkin, Texas, 6-0
7. Carroll [1], Southlake, Texas, 6-0
8. Warren Central, Indianapolis, Indiana, 9-0
9. Oaks Christian, Westlake Village, California, 6-0
10. Hoover, Hoover, Alabama, 7-1
11. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio, 6-1
12. De La Salle, Concord, California, 6-0
13. Maryville, Maryville, Tennessee, 8-0
14. Colerain, Cincinnati, Ohio, 8-0
15. Bellevue , Bellevue, Washington, 7-0
16. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, California, 6-0
17. St. Edward , Lakewood, Ohio, 7-1
18. Jesuit, Portland, Oregon, 6-0
19. Mullen Prep, Denver, Colorado, 7-0
20. Northside, Warner Robins, Georgia, 7-0
21. C.D. Hylton , Woodbridge, Virginia, 6-0
22. West Monroe, West Monroe, Louisiana, 7-0
23. North Shore, Houston, Texas, 6-0
24. Christian Brothers, Syracuse, New York, 7-0
25. Summerville, Summerville, South Carolina, 8-0
 
Sports Illustrated
 

1. Lakeland (Fla.) (8-0)
2. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) (6-0)
3. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) (6-0)
4. Warren Central (Indianapolis) (9-0)
5. Southlake Carroll (Texas) (6-0)
6. Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) (8-0)
7. Lufkin (Texas) (6-0)
8. South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) (8-0)
Last Game: Defeated Tupelo, 35-9.
Notes: South Panola scored 35 unanswered points to come away with their 53rd consecutive win. Quarterback Leroy Diggs tossed three touchdown passes to Roderick Jefferson and ran for another score to lead the Tigers. 
9. St. Xavier (Cincinnati) (6-1)
10. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) (6-0)
11. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) (8-0)
12. Hoover (Ala.) (7-1)
13. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (7-1)
14. St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) (5-0)
15. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) (5-0)
16. Miami Northwestern (Miami) (7-0)
17. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.) (8-0)
18. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) (7-0)
19. Colerain (Cincinnati, Ohio) (8-0)
20. North Shore (Houston, Texas) (6-0)
21. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich) (8-0)
22. Summerville (Summerville, S.C.) (8-0)
23. Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) (8-0)
24. Smithson Valley (Springbranch, Texas) (7-0)
25. Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) (6-0)

 

USA Today
Analysis by Christopher Lawlor, USA TODAY

Milestone win: No. 13 Independence (Charlotte) became the second high school football team to record at least 100 consecutive victories in a 54-22 win vs. East Mecklenburg (Charlotte). The win streak is No. 2 all-time, according to the 2006 National High School Record Book. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) holds the record with 151, set from 1991-2003.

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (6-0)
2. Byrnes, Duncan, S.C. (8-0)
3. Lakeland, Fla. (8-0)
4. Lufkin, Texas (6-0)
5. John Curtis, River Ridge, La. (6-0)
6. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6-0)
7. Warren Central, Indianapolis (9-0)
8. Oaks Christian, West-lake Village, Calif. (6-0)
9. Hoover, Ala. (6-1)
10. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (6-1)
11. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (8-0)
12. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (7-1)
13. Independence, Charlotte (8-0)
14. Northwestern, Miami (7-0)
15. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City (5-0)
16. Summerville, S.C. (8-0)
17. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (8-0)
Previous: 17. Result: d. Tupelo 35-9.
Next: Friday vs. Southaven.
18. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (7-0)
19. Colerain, Cincinnati (8-0)
20. Smithson Valley, Spring Branch, Texas (7-0)
21. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (5-0)
22. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (6-1)
23. West Monroe, La. (7-0)
24. Brother Rice, Birmingham, Mich. (8-0)
25. Jesuit, Portland, Ore. (6-0)
 
Dropped out: No. 21 Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (5-1), lost to Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, 17-7; and No. 23 Mount Carmel, Chicago (7-1), lost to St. Rita, Chicago, 7-6.

 

 
Local teams compete in preseason basketball
By Myra Bean

Preseason basketball is underway. The North Delta junior high girls participated in the Delta Jamboree at Delta Academy Tuesday. They won both games.

North Delta defeated Tunica in the first game 20-0 and defeated Delta in the second game 17-6.

Against Tunica, leading scorers for North Delta were Lauren Kimzey with six points, followed by Sarah Waldrip and Laci DuBravec with four each.

In the game with Delta, Madison Greenlee led with six points, followed by Waldrip with three.

The Lady Green Waves will host a tournament next week.

North Delta has a bye for Monday and will play the winner of the Calhoun/Tunica game on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.

The North Panola ladies’ and men’s basketball teams will participate in a jamboree at Lafayette County tomorrow.

The Lady Cougars will play Hernando at 11:40 a.m. The Cougars will play Hernando at 12:30 p.m.

At 3 p.m. the Lady Cougars will take on Lafayette County, followed by the boys game at 3:50 p.m.

In this jamboree, each game will consist of two eight-minute quarters.

 
                         

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