Both squads will be hosting the Center Hill Mustangs of Olive Branch at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The girls’ game is set to kickoff first.

The Yellowjackets ran through division play finishing with a perfect 4-0 record.

Although, it was an easy stretch to get in the playoffs, head coach Brian Bennett’s squad is excited about the opportunity.

“Marginal,” Bennett said of how Monday’s practice went. “I think the guys are really excited. Almost a little too excited so I hope we can get that gauge down (today) before the game.”

It has been a couple of years since SHS has squared off against the Mustangs. Bennett does not know much about Center Hill, but believes it has a young team.

“We played them a couple of years ago and I have talked to some of the coaches,” Bennett said. “I don’t know a whole lot. I hear they are pretty young. They have got a decent squad, but I am hoping our size and speed will counter any skill that they might have.”

The Yellowjacets were ousted in the second round of the playoffs last year by Madison Central. Bennett wants his squad to understand the importance of advancing past one or two games.

He believes his squad has a lot of confidence and is convinced his players will carry that the entire postseason.

“We kind of went over and talked about if we were in the same brackets, matching up with Oxford or Callaway in the second round and Hernando or whoever in the third round,” Bennett said. “They are very confident.”

The Mustangs went 7-13 this year. They are coming off a loss to Tupelo.

The Lady Jackets had to avenge a loss to New Hope to claim the top spot in the division.

After getting that win on Friday night, head coach Anna Albritton gave her team a much needed weekend off.

“We didn’t practice over the weekend,” Albritton said. “We played three games in three days and my players are physically spent. We want them to get their legs back underneath them. Practice (Monday) will be light; just some shooting.”

Like Bennett, Albritton does not know much about their opponent, but she is hoping a good game will give them the victory.

“We went up there about three years ago,” Albritton said. “They were a physical team and a good team. I have no video on them, so I really don’t know much. If we just play like we did Friday night against New Hope and stay connected, we will be just fine.”

One of the Lady Jackets’ best player, Noa Hardin, left Friday night’s game after she was injured.
Albritton said she planned not to practice her on Monday.

“We have got other girls who need to finish for us,” Albritton said. “I am going to need Noa in the later rounds, so she may not play at all.”

The games will be played at Yellowjacket Stadium.

The Lady Titans beat the Lady Timberwolves in their last meeting by one point, when West called a timeout when they had none remaining. It was a technical foul and East knocked down a free throw to win.

The Lady Timberwolves will be looking for revenge and it should be an interesting game.

The Titans were unable to hold onto a halftime lead last time these two squads met.

The Timberwolves played poorly but were able to rebound and comeback. They might not want to get behind in this one because it is on East’s territory. This may be one of the games of the year.

The boys took care of business Thursday night when they knocked off Neshoba Central 5-0.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Starkville boys coach Brian Bennett said. “We had tied for the division the last two years with Tupelo, but our motto has been leave no doubt this season, put everyone away, finish No. 1 and not let it get down to the tiebreaker. It feels so good.”

Price Day scored two goals early to leave no doubt.

The boys ended the regular season with a 10-3 overall mark and a 4-0 division record.

The girls won their title Friday on senior night.

They avenged a 2-1 loss earlier in the week to New Hope with a 3-0 victory.

Noa Hardin scored two goals and Carolina Berryhill scored the other.

“It was special,” SHS head coach Anna Albritton said. “It was especially special for me because one of them was my daughter (Ashley Albritton) who has played since four. Christine (Mazzola) and Jen(infer Henderson) I have coached since they were eight. Resheada (Doss) is the newcomer. She has been out here for us for two years. This girls have been dedicated, they have been leaders and they are here when they are supposed to be here.”

The girls finished with 10-4-1 record overall and a 3-1 mark in division play. Both squads will host the first round of the playoffs Tuesday.

Thursday morning Starkville High School senior, Nick Brooks, selected his athletic home for the next two seasons as he signed his letter of intent to play for the Lions of East Mississippi Community College.

“Man this is a dream come true for me,” said Brooks. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball. It is just something that I want to pursue later in my life. I have an opportunity to go to a school like EMCC, baseball and academically it is just a good fit.”

Brooks is a do-it-all type player who will truly help the Lions at the plate, on the bases, in the outfield, and potentially on the mound.

“He is just a phenomenal athlete,” said EMCC Head Coach, Chris Rose. “He hits for power, he’s a plus runner and he has some intangibles. He is an intelligent player, an intense player. A lot of things you’re looking for, he brings to the table. We are just very excited about getting an outstanding player from the local area.”

The Yellowjackets will open spring practice the first week of February.

For the complete story… pick up a copy of the Friday edition of the Starkville Daily News.

Pugh signed with the Wildcats Tuesday morning at the high school. On hand were assistant coaches from PRCC, his family, and SHS head coach Danny Carlisle.

PRCC assistant coach Kyle Lindsey was on hand to welcome Pugh to the Wildcat family. He was excited that Pugh decided to take the Wildcat offer.

“Nathan brings character to our program that we are trying to recruit,” Lindsey said. “He fits the mold of character and a great player. He has a chance to pitch and play a position for us as two-way (player).”

That character is seen by a lot of people associated with the Yellowjacket baseball program. Carlisle may be the one who has noticed it the most and early in Nathan’s baseball career.

“Extremely excited for Nathan,” Carlisle said. “I think they not only got an outstanding baseball player, but a great person. He has been a leader, a three year starter for us. He came in and started as a sophomore and has just done great things. He over .400 last year and pitched for us. He is just an everyday player. He is on the mound and in the field and he does good. He is a great player.”

Pugh pitches and plays a position in the field making him a two-way player.

The fact that the school is out of town and the coaching staff were the main draws leading Pugh to make the decision he did.

“I like the way they coach,” Pugh said. “They want to win, they want to win ball games. It’s kind of a little ways out of town; I kind of want to get out of town to meet some new people and grow some relationships with people. And try and spread the word of Christ, that’s my ultimate goal.”

The Lady Vols are now 20-3 and 6-0 in district.

The Vols lost a close one 47-38. Both squads will be back in action Saturday at Copiah Academy.

Starkville High School girls beat Yazoo City, while the boys dropped a three point decision for their third loss of the year. Gavin Ware did play though.

I will be at East Oktibbeha tomorrow night when the Titans and Lady Titans take on Noxapater.

I really don’t know much about Presbyterian Christian, so I do not know how the boys will do tonight. The Vols have struggled to score points lately, but they are looking to get back on track tonight.

Starkville High host Yazoo City tonight. The Jackets should have no problem, but still unsure if Gavin Ware will play.

The Lady Jackets are playing better as of late and head coach Kristie Williams will have her team ready to play.

Head coach Greg Carter said it was for disciplinary reasons. It is unclear if he will play Friday night when the Jackets host Yazoo City in their first district match of the year.

SHS did not need him Tuesday night as they blew out Aberdeen 94-61. Jacolby Mobley scored 35 points to lead the YellowJackets.

Ware is a Mississippi State signee.

I don’t think that is going to happen tonight. Pam Roberts team is very fast and very athletic. They turn the ball over a lot and that may be the only thing that keeps the Lady Tigers in the game.

I look for the Lady Titans to win by double digits tonight.

The Tigers are coming off a come from behind win over East Webster this week.

They are looking to ride the momentum into Crawford, but I don’t see that happening.

The Titans are very talented and have two explosive players in Devontae Lucious and Chris Harris. On any given night each player can score 30 points.

The Tigers had an emotional win and eighth grader Markie Johnson will keep the Tigers within striking distance, but the Titans will eventually pull away.

Starkville had no problems with Strong (Ark.) in the final game. They blew them out 74-27. Coach Greg Carter got to rest all of his starters for most of the second half.

In today’s action we have New Hope and East Oktibbeha at 3 p.m., Jackson Olin (Al.) and Columbus at 4:30 p.m., East and Strong and 6 p.m., and Carroll (La.) and Starkville at 7:30 p.m.

Should be a good day of action.