Kerry Smith/For the Daily News Former Starkville Academy guard Valeri Stewart is headed to Mississippi College where she’ll link with former teammate Kendell Crawford.

By DAVID MILLER
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Valeri Stewart had to make a tough decision as her senior year at Starkville Academy began to wind down. Now officially a Mississippi College basketball player, she knows she made the right decision.
After leading the Lady Volunteers to a state runner-up trophy in basketball this season, Stewart opted to join the Lady Choctaws’ basketball team. Standing in the way of that decision was her love of soccer, where she was an All-MPSA player during her time at SA.
What made it even more difficult to separate the two sports is her quality of play. She was a starter for both teams and she was also the lead offensive player for the Lady Vols on the court and on the field.

Kerry Smith/The Associated Press East Oktibbeha running back Lexie Edwards (6) turns upfield against Montgomery County during the West Oktibbeha Spring Jamboree on May 15.

By DAVID MILLER
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Anthony King’s first year at the helm of East Oktibbeha football was a learning experience for both he and his players. King hopes more time together will translate into greater success this fall.
The second year skipper was a late hire, so he wasn’t able to go through spring practice with his players. King didn’t get the chance to put his team through a full slate of summer workouts, either, so when the 2008 season rolled around he wasn’t sure what to expect from his team.
Injuries hit, inexperience lingered and a tough Class 1A slate put the Titans through a gauntlet of learning experiences.
“I came in late and had to learn a lot of guys — they had to learn me too,” King said of his first season in charge. “We didn’t put in the work in the weight room last year because I was hired pretty late. It was a challenge, no doubt.”

Submitted Photo The 2009 Starkville Stealers won the USSSA state baseball tournament June 21 in Canton. Team members are, front from left, Jonathan Gwatney, Payson Roberts, Drake Gordman, Justin Conner and Jamison Stennis. Back, from left, Colt Chrestman, Houston Clark, Carter Wood, Justin Kimbrough and Rashon Tate.

From Staff Reports

The Starkville Stealers hit a hot streak as their travel ball season began to wind down in June, which meant trouble for the rest of the teams in the USSSA state tournament field.
The 11-year-old Stealers, on the strength of late-season tournament wins at Chesterville and Jackson, ran through the state tournament field on their way to the title June 21 in Canton. The four-day tournament culminated with an undefeated record, which resulted in a 12-6 championship game win over the North Mississippi Redbirds.
The Stealers (24-6, 24-2), mostly comprised of Starkville players, participated in tournaments in Columbus, Starkville, Jackson and New Albany this year following preseason training in February.