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

New episodes released on Wednesday afternoons

Prep Rally

Prep Rally

#76: Preseason camp updates from Pontotoc, IAHS, Corinth – 08/09/17

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Dalton Middleton has been traversing the region to learn more about some of the football teams leading up to the start of the season. On today’s episode, he provides a few updates from his travels.

One of his stops was at Pontotoc (1:27), which is dealing with injuries to several key players. Middle linebacker Hayden Harris is out for the year, tailback Gabe Harmon won’t be back until mid-season, and safety Trevor Morgan will miss some time.

The Warriors also have a question mark at quarterback with the graduation of Jacob Carter, who was the Daily Journal’s 2016 Offensive Player of the Year. His younger brother, Justin, is battling with senior London Jordan for the starting role. One thing coach Jeff Carter can count on is the play of lineman Cole Smith, an LSU commit.

Over at Itawamba AHS, it looks to be a rebuilding year due to the loss of 26 seniors (6:20). The Indians have some playmakers on defense, though, including Lane Domino and Jamal Shumpert.

Corinth, meanwhile, is looking to get back to the postseason after missing it last year for the first time since 1999 (9:30). Jon D. Warren returns at QB to run second-year coach Todd Lowery’s Wing-T offense. The Warriors are expected to be tough on defense, where all 11 starters return.

Dalton also has a hoops update. Corinth’s Tada Stricklen, a senior guard who helped the program win the Class 4A state title in 2016, is starting to get noticed by colleges (13:14). He’s looking to lead the Warriors to another big year.

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#75: Early looks at Tupelo, Ripley football – 08/02/17

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Preseason football camp got under way earlier this week, and Dalton Middleton has already visited a couple of practices.

On this episode, Dalton gives us an update on Tupelo (1:34), which is coming off a 12-1 year but is trying to leave the past in the past. Some big-time players are back – like linebacker Jett Johnson and quarterback Stephon McGlaun – but several holes must be filled, especially on defense.

Dalton also visited Ripley (7:18), which is breaking in new head coach Sam Hathorn, formerly the Tigers’ offensive line coach. Hathorn’s squad is on the small side, but they look strong at several skill positions. Trey Blanchard, a starting safety last year, takes over at QB. He’ll have good help in the form of running back Mikichio Adams. One thing Hathorn is emphasizing to his players: building relationships.

And in tragic news, North Pontotoc lineman Ty Rayford died Monday following the Vikings’ first practice (11:39). He was recalled as a “gentle giant,” but a beast when the whistle blew.

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#74: A podcast debut; Shannon dedicates summer to Billups – 07/26/17

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With Gene Phelps on assignment, Dalton Middleton makes his debut on the Prep Rally podcast (:42). Dalton is the Daily Journal’s new high school sports specialist, which means he’s in charge of our coverage of the area’s high schools.

The Mississippi State graduate has dived right into football, having talked to several coaches for the Journal’s preseason edition. Dalton has some quick updates on North Pontotoc and Vardaman, both of which have to replace big-time playmakers on offense.

Also today, Brad discusses Gene’s story on Shannon’s football team. The Red Raiders have dedicated their summer 7-on-7 season to the memory of teammate Cam’Ron Billups (5:02), who was killed in a car wreck in the spring. It was a successful summer for Darryl Carter’s squad.

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#73: Houlka football folds; Ripley football hires Hathorn – 07/19/17

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The Houlka football program, which has struggled to win games during its relatively brief existence, has folded. That’s among the topics discussed by Brad and Gene on this week’s episode.

The Chickasaw County School Board decided Monday to discontinue the football program (3:26), citing a lack of participation and the safety issues that could arise with such a small roster. Houlka is one of several small schools in the area to add a football program in recent years, and in some places it’s worked, but it hasn’t proved a feasible endeavor for everyone (7:29).

In Ripley, the biggest issue has been finding a head football coach after Chad Cook left for a job at ICC earlier this summer. The school promoted from within, elevating offensive line coach Sam Hathorn to head coach (9:32). Ripley is counting on his familiarity with the players and the system to make for a smooth transition.

In other news, the bowling community lost the man primarily responsible for the sport’s growth in the state’s high school ranks. Kevin Hartigan, longtime owner of Tupelo bowling alley Rebelanes and coach of the TCPS bowling team, died last week (12:02). He leaves behind a legacy that won’t soon fade.

And in volleyball, Tupelo has welcomed a familiar face back to the fold. Former Lady Wave head coach Bert Martin has joined the team as an assistant coach (17:15). He coached Tupelo to a pair of state titles in the early 2000s, and one of his key players was Laurie Black – now Laurie Bishop, current THS head coach.

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#72: Peeking ahead to football season – 07/05/17

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Football season will be here before we know it, and the Daily Journal sports staff is hard at work on its annual football preseason publication. On this episode, Gene and Brad discuss the “football tab,” to use journalism parlance (7:50).

This year’s Football Journal will have a slightly different format, with plenty of info on each of the 51 teams we cover. The guys also look at some of the top area players returning (11:48), including Tupelo’s Jett Johnson and West Point’s Marcus Murphy.

There is some hoops to discuss as well. Gene recently had a story on Lafayette’s Hogan Linzy (2:00), who is headed to a prestigious prep school in Massachusetts. Plus, last week Tupelo saw its sixth player from the 2016-17 boys squad sign to play at the next level (5:18).

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#71: Coaching changes and summer hoops – 06/28-17

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The football coaching carousel isn’t normally turning very fast this time of year, but there have been some recent changes the past couple of weeks.

On this episode, Brad and Gene discuss the biggest news on that front: Head coach Chad Cook leaving Ripley after five successful seasons to become offensive coordinator at ICC (2:50). The former Calhoun City and Ole Miss player hadn’t planned on leaving but couldn’t pass up an opportunity to coach at the next level. There have also been recent hires at Hatley and Tishomingo County.

Speaking of coaches, Northeast Mississippi legend Ben Jones has been inducted into a national hall of fame (6:24). Jones, a Monroe County native, won a lot of football and basketball games at several area schools, including Itawamba AHS, New Albany and Tupelo.

While the fast-approaching football season consumes a lot of fans’ attention this time of year, Gene has updates on some girls basketball teams and players. Summer league action is in full swing, and Belmont is looking every bit a championship contender (10:17).

Gene also checks in on new South Pontotoc coach Bill Russell (13:13) and has an update on the progress of Ingomar star Mallory Russell’s recovery from another ACL injury (14:30).

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#70: Tupelo’s Reed, Rhea named area’s top coaches – 06/21/17

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The Daily Journal’s All-Area baseball and softball teams were revealed this past Sunday, including our coaches of the year in each sport.

On this episode, Brad and Gene break down the All-Area baseball first team (3:37) as well as the softball squad (16:10).

And both coaches of the year stop in for a chat: Tupelo baseball’s Justin Reed (6:23) and Tupelo softball’s Dana Rhea (19:31). Both men led the Golden Wave to state titles, and both did so in their second season as THS coaches.

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#69: Mooreville’s Donald, Henry named area’s top players – 06/07/17

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The Daily Journal held its 2017 Winter/Spring Sports Banquet on Monday, where dozens of area teams and athletes were honored for their exploits this year. Two of those athletes were Hallie Donald and Trace Henry, both of Mooreville.

Donald was named the Player of the Year in softball, while Henry was Player of the Year in baseball. The seniors, both of whom are bound for Jones County Junior College, put up huge numbers and led their respective teams to state championships.

On this episode, we talk with Donald (5:07) about her stellar season and the Lady Troopers’ second straight state title in Class 3A. We also visit with Henry (12:01), whose work at the plate and on the mound propelled Mooreville to its ninth state crown but first in 12 years.

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#68: Tupelo, Mooreville bring home state titles – 05/23/17

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The 2016-17 high school sports season came to a close in Pearl over the weekend with the playing of the baseball state championships. Northeast Mississippi sent six teams to Trustmark Park – one in each of the six MHSAA classifications – and two brought home the hardware.

On this episode, Brad and Gene look back at the wins by Tupelo (6A) and Mooreville (3A). The Golden Wave won their first title since 1993 in a tight series with Gulfport (1:51), with Josh Smith’s stellar pitching effort helping clinch it. The series was emblematic of this team, which under second-year coach Justin Reed used strong pitching and timely offense all season long.

The Troopers won title No. 9 but their first since 2005 (9:35), when the legendary Rex Berryman was still coach. Current coach Derek Thompson’s crew had a lot of heroes in the two-game sweep of Seminary, which ended with an extra-innings win.

The guys also take a quick look at the other four championship series (13:49).

And now that the spring sports are done, Gene will turn his attention toward assembling the Daily Journal’s All-Area baseball and softball teams, of which he gives an early preview (15:41). Also, for the last time ’til August, we have an Athlete of the Week (20:40).

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#67: Area well-represented at baseball championships – 05/17/17

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The baseball state finals are underway at Trustmark Park in Pearl, and Northeast Mississippi has a team in each series. Gene Phelps is there, and he has updates and previews.

On Tuesday, Smithville lost Game 1 of its Class 1A series against Nanih Waiya (2:08). Mooreville got off to a good start versus Seminary in 3A (4:33), while defending 5A champ Oxford couldn’t hold a late lead against Pearl River Central (7:56).

Other Game 1s were set for Wednesday, including Tupelo, which must take on a power-hitting Gulfport squad in 6A (9:41). East Union looks to repeat in 2A against Loyd Star (12:44), while Corinth is making its first trip to the finals since 1985 but must face Jerry Boatner’s West Lauderdale powerhouse (15:10).

Gene and Brad also recap the state softball championships from last week. Tupelo won its first title behind the play of Ivy Watts (17:58), and Mooreville repeated as Hallie Donald dominated in the pitcher’s circle (20:22).

In coaching news, Mooreville promoted Jimmy Young to head coach of its football program (21:32). He replaces John Keith, he left after one season to return to the Tupelo staff.

And finally, Brad presents the Athletes of the Week (22:52).

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