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Sports Columns

  • Previewing spring sports

    The spring sports season is underway, and I’ve enjoyed catching some of the early season action over the last two weeks.
    There’s plenty to look forward to with New Albany baseball coming off of its big win in the NEMCABB tournament last summer, and East Union also returns a talented squad that could make a run in 2A. And also in 1A, the county teams lose a lot from last year, but you can never count them out in the playoffs.
    Also, defending 1A softball north half champion, West Union, will look to make another trip to Jackson.

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  • State tournament streak comes to an end

    Eight years ago, Brinkley Taylor, then sports editor of the Gazette, wrote about the end of the playoff run for Union County basketball teams. That particular year, 2004, was the last time the county was shut out from the state tournament.
    Like Brinkley years ago, I hate to see the seasons of the county schools come to an end just shy of going to Jackson. My publisher, Wayne Mitchell, joked with me earlier this week about how I was bummed only because I’m missing my free trip to Jackson.

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  • MHSAA considers changes to basketball playoff format

    Recently, the Mississippi High School Activities Association made an initial vote to change the current format for the basketball playoffs.
    For the last few years, only two teams from the north and south have advanced to the state tournament, which is always held at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

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  • Urchins talk about upcoming basketball playoffs

    Last season, East Union set a goal to make it out of the division tournament and into the first round of the playoffs in basketball. Achieving that, but falling in the first round at Calhoun City, the Urchins came back this season hungrier than ever and have a chance to advance further this season after earning a spot in north half with a 93-26 win over Hatley on Tuesday.

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  • Support the Amanda Price Memorial 5K

    Earlier this week, I had the chance to sit down and speak with Coach Ron Price, catching up with him since the events from December.
    What I listened to that afternoon was inspiring, uplifting and it reminded me of the respect I hold for Coach Price.
    What he emphasized the most throughout our conversation was his appreciation for what the community has done for him and his family, as well as a local group that focuses on helping families who are victims of violent crimes.   

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  • Lady 'Dawg seniors talk about playoffs

    It’s been spoken of many times, the youth of New Albany’s girls’ soccer team. At any given game, at least seven freshman take the field, and it’s been that way for the last two years, which would make you think they do not have much success.
    And that’s where you’re wrong.

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  • Previewing the Hotbed Classic

    It’s the little things that make the Hotbed Classic unique and brings in some of the state’s elite year after year.
    The latest installment of the tournament, sponsored by the New Albany Kiwanis Club, will showcase some of the area’s premier teams outside of Union County, Baldwyn and Booneville, along with the five county schools and Calera from Alabama.

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  • Next step with East Union football

    The final step in dissolving the county-wide football program took place last Monday with the Union County School Board voting to move the junior high program to East Union. This follows a December vote that moved the varsity program, which faced possible 5A classification after the 2012 season, to East Union.

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  • Preparing for the UCT

    The biggest weekend in Union County is upon us once again, as West Union is set to host the 2012 Union County basketball Tournament next Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 12-14.
    Myrtle will enter the tourney as the top seed on both the boys’ and girls’ sides, with the Hawks at 11-5 and the Lady Hawks a perfect 15-0. Also on the girls’ side, three-time defending champion New Albany is the two seed at 7-6, followed by West Union (6-8), Ingomar (6-10) and East Union (0-14).

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  • Looking back at 2011

    With 2011 coming to a close, it’s a time to look back on some of the big sports headlines for the year.
    There were notable accomplishments at each school, and after much thought, I’ve put together some of my favorite memories from 2011.

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