Sports Columns

This weekend marks the opening of the Cotton States Baseball League’s fall season, and from the number of applicants for this year, it is obvious the league is succeeding in working with athletes at both the junior high and high school levels.
The high school league alone will boast 22 teams this year and over 260 athletes from North Mississippi. Many Union County athletes will also participate in this, as its the last workout they can partake in before team practices begin after the Christmas break.

If tennis hasn’t garnered a lot of attention in the past, it’s about to change. Not only was New Albany host to its second junior sanctioned tournament last weekend, but working now at the new courts is tennis pro Bo Bowman, who brings an abundance of knowledge and ideas to help the sport grow in the area.

My final week researching the Union County Tournament was a long one, as I started with 2000 and worked my way to the present (although the last four years were easy, because I covered them).

The early half of the decade was dominated by Ingomar boys, who won state in 2002, along with New Albany girls.

I was right in thinking that I’d learn a lot about West Union girls this week.
Looking at the final part of the 90’s, the Lady Eagles won three of the four county tournaments; East Union won the other in 1997. During this span, Ken Basil’s team went to the state tourmanent every year, losing in the semifinals in 1996 and 1999 and winning state titles in 1997 and 1998.