Sports

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

Cleveland High pitcher Forrest Upchurch is upended attempting to tag Shaw's Faragi Roninson out at home plate in the early innings of a game won by the Wildcats 11-1. Saturday at Powe Field. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, Sunday Leader

It took only an hour and a half to do it, but Cleveland High was able to shut down Shaw for an 11-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Sank Powe Field.

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

Three days after losing to West Alabama 8-4 at Trustmark Park, Delta State easily defeated Christian Brothers 12-2 in game one of doubleheader action.

Game 2 of the doubleheader was not completed prior to deadline.

Korey Cunningham earned the victory for the Statesmen in seven innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.

The Statesmen jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after three innings of play, thanks in part to a two-run double by Devin Goodwin in the second inning.

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

Offensive line coach Steve Smith has left Delta State after three years of service to the Statesmen.

Earlier this year, Smith accepted a job offer to become the offensive coordinator at Albany State.

Replacing him as the position coach for the offensive line will be Randy Grierson, who coached the defensive line this past season.

Ryan Barker, who has become a full-time coach for the Statesmen, will become the new defensive line coach. Last season, Barker coached the linebackers as a graduate assistant. In 2007, Barker coached the running backs.

The Cleveland Browns announced last week that they have signed former East Side High School star and unrestricted free agent Floyd “Porkchop” Womack.

"We are pleased to have Eric (Barton) and Floyd join the Browns," Browns General Manager George Kokinis said. "Both will add a great deal of experience and versatility to the team."

Womack, 30, was a fourth-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2001. In his career, he has played in 90 games with 46 starts and opened games at every position along the line except center.

Wesley Lloyd, Jr. drives to the basket late in the second half of the 2A state championship game against Hinds AHS. Rosedale would lose in the final seconds 50 - 48. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, Sunday Leader

Cord Walker is embraced by a teammate after suffering a heart breaking loss to Hinds AHS. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, Sunday Leader

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

JACKSON – Eleven years ago, Rosedale coach Willie Thomas took an undefeated Eagles squad to the Big House in Jackson and lost.

This time around Thomas and his Eagles made it back to the Mississippi Coliseum. They weren’t undefeated, but did come in with a 24-6 record and the title of north state champions and were ready to face Hinds AHS for the big trophy.
“This is everybody’s dream if you are a high school player or coach,” Thomas said. “You want to get to Jackson. I’m just so proud of my guys for getting here, for being in the finals out of all of the 2A schools.”

However, things didn’t go according to plan, as Rosedale lost to the Bulldogs 50-48 Friday in the Class 2A state championship game.

“Our guys put up a gallant effort,” Thomas said. “I’m just proud of each and everyone of them especially our seniors.”

They aren’t very free.

Yes, free throws are called free because you get a free attempt to make a pair of baskets and what not.

I guess in the first three quarters, they are free; unless your name is Shaquille O’Neal then they are never free.

But are they truly free in the fourth quarter? Not really.

How about in the final minute? Definitely not.
Or better yet, in the state championship game with less than 20 seconds left to play and the opposition two points away from tying the game like the situation Derek Burks of Hinds AHS faced Friday afternoon?

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

The two-time state champions lost nearly every starter from last year’s squad.

But by the way Bayou Academy has played in conference action, you wouldn’t know it.

Thursday night the Colts defeated their rivals from North Sunflower Academy in convincing fashion 13-1, extending their win streak to four.

“I wouldn’t say it was easy. The played very well,” Colts coach Rodney Martin said. “I think there were only one or two errors between the two schools. We just hit the ball well.”

The Colts had 12 hits that turned in 13 runs to give them the advantage over North Sunflower.

By Taylor Mitchell
The Leader

Cleveland starting pitcher Andrew Whalen eyes a pop fly off the bat of a Lafayette County player Saturday afternoon at Powe Field. Photo by Taylor Mitchell, Sunday Leader

Cleveland High hasn’t had the easiest start to its season.

The Wildcats started 2009 with four straight losses.

But Saturday afternoon, CHS took a step in the right direction with an 8-6 victory over district opponent Lafayette County.

“We proved we were able to compete with quality folks,” Cleveland coach Steve Wies said. “That (win) should be a shot in the arm for us.”

The score may have seemed close, but at one point, Cleveland held a commanding seven-run lead.

“We actually had an 8-1 lead,” Wies mused.

The Wildcats built that lead after scoring five runs in the third inning.

Marshall Boggs started the inning off with a single, followed by three more singles by Andrew Whalen, Mason Zeigler and Julian Beamon.

Lucas may say so long to Carolina

By Taylor Mitchell
The CNL

Former East Side High standout Ken Lucas might not be in Carolina much longer.

“I’m still under contract right now, but up in the air right now,” Lucas said Friday, as he was visiting his hometown. “I have a high cap number. We are one of those teams that's way over the cap, so we need some cap room.”

Lucas has been a member of the Panthers for the past four seasons.