Insight and commentary on Northeast Mississippi prep sports from the Daily Journal

New episodes released on Wednesday afternoons

Prep Rally

Prep Rally

#356: Basketball player rankings; Phifer honored – 03/20/24

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Brad is joined by James on this week’s episode, and they have some updates from the diamond.

Saltillo’s baseball team was doomed by mistakes in a Region 1-6A loss to Grenada (1:25). Mantachie softball rode ace Ramsey Montgomery to a win against Saltillo (3:28).

On the basketball front, Brad breaks down his ranking of the area’s top 2025 girls players (5:57). Also, Ingomar’s Macie Phifer earned another accolade (8:00).

Finally, the Daily Journal’s All-Area soccer team is out (8:54).

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#355: Gunn starts hot; coaches on the move – 03/13/24

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Brad and Brendan have a fairly packed episode this week.

On the diamond, Brendan recaps South Pontotoc’s close loss to MUS (2:30), while Brad looks at the blazing start by Biggersville’s Tre Gunn (4:47). Layla Owens of Itawamba AHS softball has also started the season strong (7:45).

The coaching carousel is beginning to turn a bit. Tupelo hired Laura Booth away from Ripley to lead the volleyball program (8:35). And there are a couple of notable openings: Nettleton football (9:39) and New Site boys basketball (10:42).

Be sure to visit our Twitter page (@djournalsports) to vote for Athletes of the Week.

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#354: Eight area teams win basketball titles – 03/06/24

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Brad is back from Jackson, where area basketball teams did quite well. Eight area squads brought home a gold ball (3:50), many of them doing so in dramatic fashion. There were also a pair of first-time champs: Blue Mountain’s girls and Tishomingo County’s girls (7:31).

Also on this episode, James has some baseball and softball updates (1:47).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (9:00) by visiting our Twitter page (@djournalsports)

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#353: Saltillo soccer wins state; Tupelo baseball walks it off – 02/21/24

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Welcome to crossover season! Where everything seems to be happening everywhere all at once.

Brad and James put a wrap on soccer season, which ended last week. Saltillo’s girls won a second straight state title (1:14), while several other area teams made the finals.

On the hardwood, the playoffs resume this week with the quarterfinal round. Tupelo’s girls get a rubber match against Starkville (2:48), H.W. Byers meets Baldwyn in a big 1A boys showdown (4:55), and New Albany’s boys look to stay hot (5:45).

Spring sports have started(!), and James saw Tupelo’s baseball team earn a walk-off win against South Panola on Tuesday (7:48). Brad, meanwhile, recaps a big softball win by Itawamba AHS over No. 1 Saltillo (8:57).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (10:40) by visiting our Twitter page (@djournalsports).

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#352: Soccer playoff updates; region tourneys tip off – 02/07/24

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It’s postseason time!

Brad is joined by Brendan, and they’ve got some updates on the soccer playoffs (2:15), including a tough loss for Itawamba AHS and a crazy win for North Pontotoc. They also look ahead to the quarterfinal matchups (6:20).

On the basketball court, region tournaments are being played this week (9:24). Also, Brad looks back at the Booneville girls’ nail-biting win against Belmont on Friday (7:49).

Be sure to visit our Twitter page (@djournalsports) to vote for Athletes of the Week.

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#351: Calhoun City update; Gillon to Tupelo – 01/31/24

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Brad is joined by Brendan on this week’s episode.

On the basketball court, Calhoun City’s boys edged Shannon on Tuesday thanks in part to Jonathan Armstrong’s strong second half (1:39). Looking ahead, several region races are coming down to the wire (3:46), including in 1-3A and 2-7A.

Brendan has a recap of Oxford’s win over Hernando in boys soccer (6:11). The Chargers claimed the region crown with the victory. In big football news, QB Noah Gillon has transferred from Booneville to Tupelo (8:23).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week on our Twitter page, @djournalsports.

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#350: Weather jumbles basketball schedules – 01/24/24

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Brad is back from Mexico, and it looks like he didn’t miss a whole lot.

Winter weather wreaked havoc with the area basketball schedule. One of the casualties is the annual Robertson’s Sportswear Lady Challenge, which was first postponed and ultimately canceled (4:05). On a brighter note, the Hotbed Classic will still be played this Saturday (4:05); it features several strong teams from both Northeast Mississippi and out of state.

Also today, Brad has an update on Itawamba AHS standout Tim Holliday (1:57) as well as MS/AL All-Star selections (7:27).

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#349: West Point makes football hire; Pontotoc girls set record – 01/10/24

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Brad and James have a fun (non-murdery) episode for you this week.

On the coaching front, West Point has promoted offensive coordinator Brett Morgan to lead the football program (2:03). He replaces Chris Chambless, who won seven state titles in 18 years with the Green Wave.

On the hardwood, Booneville’s girls opened region play with a big win over Alcorn Central (4:18), while South Pontotoc’s boys blew past Ingomar (6:26). Pontotoc’s girls, meanwhile, beat Starkville on Saturday and then set a state record for 3-pointers in a game on Tuesday (8:56).

Also today, the guys take a look at the area’s county tournaments (11:50).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (12:23) by visiting our Twitter page, @djournalsports.

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#348: Basketball updates; top football sophs – 01/03/24

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It’s the first episode of 2024, with Brad being joined by James this week.

There’s plenty of basketball to talk about. Brad recaps the Tupelo girls’ tough loss to Bob Jones (2:01), one of the best teams from Alabama. He also has an update on Meg and Reese Moore, sisters who lead Tishomingo County’s strong team (3:44). The guys also preview Saturday’s Tangle on the Trail (5:41), which has a loaded lineup featuring the likes of Belmont, Ingomar, Pontotoc and Starkville.

Also, Brad has ranked the area’s top football players for the class of 2026 (9:57).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (14:57) by visiting our Twitter page (@djournalsports).

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#347: Football signees and All-Area selections – 12/27/23

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It’s just Brad and Pod Gator on a brief holiday-week episode.

Brad has a recap of area football players who signed college scholarships last week (1:56). Ten Northeast Mississippi standouts are headed to the FBS level.

Also on the football front, the Daily Journal’s All-Area honors were revealed on Saturday (4:21). You can find all the content from that special section in that day’s edition or online at DJournal.com. Also, be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (7:27) by visiting our Twitter page, @djournalsports.

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