Sluggers remind us what children can do when games are fun

"Are you going to be that kind of parent?" I don't recall who asked me the question. It was several years ago, well before my son, Austin, played his first baseball game or soccer match. But after years of umpiring at nearly every age division, I kind of knew the direction the questioner was going.

Walters Column: Mississippi Coliseum always provides memories

Even after all of these years, there is still something special about the Mississippi Coliseum.

WNIT chance for MSU women to shine

This is the first step. As much as Mississippi State women's basketball coach Vic Schaefer would like to point to a victory against No. 11 Georgia last season or a win against Vanderbilt at home this season, the announcement late Monday night that MSU (19-13) had received a bid to the Women's National Invitation Tournament was the first tangible sign of progress for Schaefer in his second season as the head coach of the program.

Vivians' next challenge will come at MSU

Vic Schaefer has next. That should be a welcoming thought for Victoria Vivians. As much as the Mississippi State women's basketball coach has earned his reputation as "Secretary of Defense," he likely won't sick multiple defenders on Vivians when she arrives in Starkville later this year to begin her career as a Bulldog.

More input needed to determine state's 'best'

Jamierra Faulkner is a great player. The same can be said for Martha Alwal and Tia Faleru. For arguments sake, you could throw in Valencia McFarland and no one would argue she isn't one of the best women's basketball players in the state of Mississippi. Which player is "the best?"

Miller brings title back to Louisville

LOUISVILLE -- At the end of the 2012 season, the cloud lifted for Louisville High School football coach M.C. Miller. Three years ago, Miller left his job as Noxubee County High's football coach to take the same position at Harrison Central High. In less than a week's time, Miller was on the move again, taking over at perennial power Louisville.

Prescott engineers MSU's comeback in Egg Bowl

In his postgame news conference, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen used words like "miraculous" and "divine intervention" after his team's 17-10 overtime victory against Ole Miss on Thursday night in the Battle for the Golden Egg.

Walters Column: Perkins still gets thrill in coaching for a championship

For Ray Perkins, it has always been about seeing a player or group of players find success.

Hamilton extends dynasty with seventh slow-pitch title

For the past 15 years or so, the future of slow-pitch softball as a Mississippi High School Activities Association sanctioned sport has been debated.

Columbus will rely on its defense to get back to playoffs

What a strange football season this has been for Columbus High School.

Walters Column: Crawford remains calm as uncertainty looms in Maben

West Oktibbeha County High School football coach Danny Crawford begins a bus route each school morning around 5:50 a.m.

Early promise turns into disappointment in rout

Entering Saturday's game against No. 10 LSU, Mississippi State's defense was a source of optimism. The Bulldogs were ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in total defense and third in pass defense. They can't say that anymore.

Minichino Column: MSU women's basketball takes step forward

LaToya Thomas and Tan White have become synonymous with Mississippi State women's basketball.

Walters Column: Change in weather means time to talk football playoffs

At the official one-third mark of the Mississippi High School Activities Association prep football regular season, some observations can be made.

Walters Column: New Hope ready to from learning how to win to winning

When New Hope High School hired its latest football coach -- Shawn Gregory back in March -- they wanted someone familiar with the program.

Victory doesn't prove a lot about MSU

For Mississippi State University football fans, it must be tempting to look at all that transpired Saturday in a 51-7 victory against Alcorn State University and pronounce MSU is fully recovered from last week's disappointing opener.

Those were (are?) the good old days

Things are never the same when you go home after being away for a number of years. Somehow, things seem smaller, less vivid than the images preserved in memory.

Getman's work in Hoover helps soccer's growth

HOOVER, Ala. -- Mike Getman gets it. As the de facto ambassador for Division I men's soccer in this part of the country, the University of Alabama at Birmingham coach couldn't help but smile. His work was done. He and a crowd of 9,242 had just watched Indiana University defeat Georgetown University 1-0 to win the Men's College Cup at Regions Park.

Tigers, Jackets get top billing

JACKSON -- Energy and effort transformed into joy twice Saturday for Greater Golden Triangle football teams.

Next steps could help transform MSU soccer

STARKVILLE -- One counter attack can change a match. For most of the past nine seasons, the Mississippi State University women's soccer team tried to become a program that did more than bunker in and absorb pressure. While MSU had admirable success in non-conference games, it often opted to play a more defensive style against Southeastern Conference opponents. That brand of soccer is what then-coach Neil Macdonald felt gave his team its best chance to be successful.

Design an Ad 2014

Best of the Triangle 2013

2014 Auto Preview