Chasin' Foul Balls
by Robbie Hamilton
As I sit hear and write, I'm listening to the Picayune Lady Tide's games in the 5A State Softball Championships.
My buddy, Neal Randall, did a good job for an old, retired school principal. Those games leads us to this week's
Good, Not So Bad and Ugly----
THE GOOD---
What an outstanding job by Coach Kristi Mitchell and all the Lady Tide softball team. The first Picayune girls team
to ever make it to the state finals. They got within nine outs of the State Championship title. You can only say one
thing about their performance---R-O-L-L T-T-I-D-E!!!
I got to see last Thursday night's Pearl River Community College and Gulf Coast Community College football game.
Pearl River made it look easy in their 52 to 26 win making them the South Division champions. Coach Tim Hatten
now has two South Division championships and one State title in three seasons, looking for that second State
Championship this year. Now that's pretty good. Did you see where Northeast Community College knocked off
Northwest Community College last week 19 to 16. If Northeast beats East Mississippi Community College this
week, they would claim the North Division championship and Northwest would be the number two team from the
North. That would send Northwest to Pearl River in the opening round of the playoffs. In last week's National Junior
College poll, Pearl River was number two in the nation and Northwest was number three. Not bad for an opening
playoff contest.
I was so glad that the GRINCH that stole the Picayune offense finally brought it back before last Friday's game.
The Tide rolled to a 40 to 3 victory over Hancock. I was confused about how the South 5A playoffs were shaping
up so I went to the man that would know, “Sure Foot” Meitzler. After his explanation, believe it or not, I am now
totally confused!
Clang the cowbells---get the maroon out of the back of the closet---tear down the gold posts—It really happened---
Mississippi State 38--- Florida 31. We gave them grief while they were losing, the Dogs deserve all the accolades
you can give them for this victory. Kentucky is next. Could it be two in a row!!!
Congratulations to Coach Harper Davis. The former Head Coach of the Millsaps Majors had their field named after
him over the week-end. Davis was the Head Coach of the Majors for 25 years with a record of 138 wins and only
79 losses. Now you can go see the Millsaps Majors play at Harper Davis Field.
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles came roaring back this week with a 51 to 10 rout over former Defensive Co-
ordinator John Thompson and the East Carolina Pirates. With the win the Golden Eagles move to number 25 in
both polls plus it's their 13 consecutive win in Conference USA . The CUSA record is 14 straight held by Southern
Miss. The current streak started with a 24-7 win over East Carolina on November 30, 2002
THE NOT SO BAD
Congratulations to Picayune basketball stand out Donaries Hare. The 6' 8” senior forward was named to the
Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen basketball squad. NOT BAD!!!
Did you see where the Wayne County-West Jones game Friday night drew over 10,000. They moved the game
from West Jones to Jones Junior College because of the anticipated crowd. Now that's the way to support your
teams. My hat is off to both schools!!!
The New Orleans Saints found a way to win the game against Oakland instead of the usual losing ways of the last
three weeks. Some of the players said if they could beat Oakland they would win 10 games this year and make
the play-offs. They beat Oakland. Let's see if they can find the other 7 wins. That wouldn't be too bad!!!
The Provine Rams have to be the most over looked team in Mississippi High School football. They are 9 and 0.
The Rams have only been scored on in one game this season. Yet, they are only ranked 5th in the Clarion Ledger
Class 4A poll and for the first time this year cracked the C-L Super 10 at number 10. With the 4A horizon dotted
with Wayne County , West Jones, Brookhaven, South Pike, George County and we could go on, Provine will have
to play their way to respect in the play-offs. Keep an eye on the Rams!!!!
For another week, we salute Mississippi State 's Jerious Norwood for his 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns
in the Bulldog's upset of the Florida Gators. Norwood was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player
of the Week for his performance. Not so bad!!!!
And if you like to read, here's a couple of books you might want to put on your list. Southern Miss radio broadcaster
John Cox has written Rock Solid: Southern Miss Football and Brett Favre's autobiography, Favre, is now out. Add
those two to Friday Night Lights and you're set for the after-the-football-season blues.
UGLY
Nothing to match last week's uglies.
Don't ever say you have seen it all. For the first time ever, I had a football game stopped because of lightning and
rain. The Southwest Community College Bears traveled to Fulton to take on Itawamba Community College Saturday
afternoon. Now, it's a five hour trip, if you hustle, one way. With 4:48 to play in the third quarter and Itawamba up
10 to 7 , a front moved thru with severe lightning and rain. The teams were removed from the field and after a
40 minute wait, and after consulting with the National Weather Service, it was determined the game could not be
continued and was stopped at that point. Since it was a non-division game, it will not be finished. I wonder if I have
seen it all now!
Did you hear the news that Ron Zook, the Florida Gators Head Coach, was fired Monday. What's so ugly about
that is why do you let him finish the season. You just told him and his team that he can not do the job yet you let
him stay for the remainder of the season. Now that's ugly!!!!!!!!!!!
When I was looking thru the brackets of the Girl's State Softball Tournament, I saw an entry---Jackson Wingfield at
Quitman (Wingfield team folded due to lack of players.) WHOA---Wingfield made the play-offs but couldn't field a
team for the opening round. What's going on around here. I've got to find out more about this. THAT”S UGLY
And finally, do you think Kobe Bryant was very popular with his Laker team mates.
Shaq called him “a weirdo” and Phil Jackson said he was immature. Now that was an ugly relationship!!!!
Finally, we are still looking for more Wendy's High School Heisman nominees. When you were in school, and it
doesn't matter where that was, let us know of that high school athlete that would have been nominated for the
High School Heisman. From the 40's thru the 90's, e-mail me your nominee to rwhamilton@hotmail.com .
Let's give some men and women credit for the job they did in high school!
Till next week---
Robbie Hamilton