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SPPORTSORTS REEVIEWVIEW PPlayerslayers ooff thethe YearYear WWestest Point’sPoint’s MMichaelichael CCarrarr AAberdeen’sberdeen’s JJameikaameika HHoskinsoskins Thhee DispatchDispatch Allll --AreaArea TeamsTeams SSuccess,uccess, cchangehange aandnd determinationdetermination ccharacterizeharacterize Goldenolden TTriangleriangle ssportsports 22009-2010009-2010 Pllayersayers ofof thethe WeekWeek SSchoolchool SSpirit:pirit: BBand,and, cheerleadingheerleading ssquadsquads COOMPLETEMPLETE TEAMEAM COVERAGECOVERAGE From Our Doctors Charles S. Rhea, M.D. • Russell Linton, M.D. • Scott Jones, M.D. and Chad Altmyer, M.D. COLUMBUS ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC PA 670 Leigh Drive • 328-1012 www.columbusortho.com SPORTS REVIEW 2009-2010 ◆ THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Faith Faith turned West Oktibbeha 37 around. MOTIVATION West Point looks to defend 38 state title in 2010. Change Playing in a new division breathes 40 new life into Oak Hill Academy. Writing on the Wall Tradition inspires Hebron 42 Christian’s district title dynasty. Players of the Week 2009-10 Players of the Week 44 revisited. Activities Area bands and cheerleading 47 squads featured. Players of the Year Perseverance DISPATCH ALL-AREA Michael Carr and Jameika Hoskins Despite facilities, Caledonia track A breakdown of The Dispatch’s All Area 4 earn top honors. 24 one of the best in the state. teams and Players of the Year. Making their Mark Realizing Potential Volleyball Columbus athletes reap benefits West Lowdnes’ Hill uses Keffer Jameika Hoskins dominates 8 of hard work, determination. 26 McGee as motivation for success. 51 with a humble attitude. The Payoff Goal Goal Goal Softball 12 Heritage Academy’s Ford does a little Soccer reigns supreme at MSMS. Haynes, Atkins and Tutor lead bit of everything in final year. 28 52 their softball teams. SUCCESS Reinvention Soccer New Hope highlights 2009-10 with Starkville High fighting its way Huddleston, Day, and 14 championships and eye to the future. 30 back to the top. 54 Shoemaker shine as top players. Multitasking Dominance Football Immanuel athletes show versatility Starkville Academy shows West Alabama, Small School, and 20 in competition. 33 its strength in soccer. 56 Large School athletes honored Victory The Turning Point Basketball Winning becoming the norm One game set tone for East West Alabama, Small School, and 22 at Victory Christian Academy. 36 Oktibbeha success. 66 Large School athletes honored 2 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH N SPORTS REVIEW 2009-2010 SPORTS REVIEW 2009-2010 APARTMENT HOMES/COMMUNITY A publication of The Dispatch Advertising News Patsy Bowen Adrian Bohannon Connie Harris Jason Browne Tammie Honeycutt Garthia Elena Burnett Linda Massey Kristin Mamrack Beth Proffitt Henry Matuszak Celsie Staggers David Miller Jackie Taylor Adam Minichino Adrian Turner Steve Mullen Samantha Williamson Tina Perryman Holona Yarber Luisa Porter Tim Pratt Business Office Jan Swoope A CUT ABOVE THE REST Felicia Bowen Kelly Tippett Terri Collums Buster Wolfe Elbert Ellis Community Clubhouse • Fitness Center • Tennis Court Debbie Foster Production Jacuzzi • Social Activities • Courtesy Officer Peter Imes Canyon Boykin Dishwasher/Disposal • Sparkling Private Pool Silvia Carr Built-In Microwave • FF Refrigerator w/Ice Circulation LaMarcus Davis High Speed Internet Available • Walk-In Closets Matt Garner Carol Talley Private Porches or Balconies Ronald Gore 24-Hour Emergency Maintenance Angela Waycaster Jerry Hayes Jerry Wooten Vernon Hedgeman Jr. Jeff Lipsey (662) 329-2544 Editor/Publisher Jamie Morrison 625 31ST AVE. N. R-153 • COLUMBUS, MS 39705 Birney Imes Tina Perry Lonnie Shinn www.falconlairapts.com THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH P.O. Box 511 Fashion Barn Columbus, MS 39703 662-328-2424 THE STARKVILLE DISPATCH 101 S. Lafayette St. #16 Starkville, MS 39759 662-323-2424 ABOUT THE COVER Dispatch staff photographer Kelly Tippett took this photo of West Point football player Michael Carr, the Boys Player of the Year, and Aberdeen’s Jameika Hoskins, the multi- sport athlete named Girls Player of the Year. “The Fun Place To Shop” DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS 328-3032 SPORTS REVIEW 2009-2010 ◆ THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH 3 4 THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH N SPORTS REVIEW 2009-2010 2010 BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR MICHAEL CARR MIDST ALL OF THE FESTIVITIES, MICHAEL CARR REMAINED CALM. The West Point High School senior welcomed the hoopla surrounding a 35-14 victory against A Wayne County that helped the football program win its sixth state title. So while teammates, coaches, and lead West Point to a 14-1 record. Carr was it and celebrate telling Him I am very friends and family let loose at Veterans the X-factor on a run-dominated team, thankful for winning a state champi- Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Carr stayed making 38 catches for 832 yards and 16 onship,” Carr said. humble. total touchdowns. He also intercepted one Carr believes that mind-set will drive After all he had been through, Carr pass and had a 35-yard return, and him to even higher goals at MSU. The 6- gave thanks to God because without His returned 15 punts for 415 yards, with a foot-1, 195-pounder feels he has something help he wouldn’t have been able to realize longest return of 84 yards. to prove, even though he was a highly the goal so many members of the Green All of those achievements helped pre- regarded recruit who chose the Bulldogs Wave program before him had attained. pare Carr for the pageantry of winning a over the University of Mississippi Rebels. “It wasn’t difficult,” Carr said of not get- state title. He said he was ready to cele- “People think I am just going for the ting caught up in all of the hype after the brate beating Wayne County after the fame, but if I am going to give God the game. “He has humbled me. It felt like I game, but he said he heard a voice from glory I have to shine,” Carr said. “I see big had already won (a state championship) God deep down inside him that said to dreams and goals ahead. I just plan to when I won it. I celebrated, I was happy for exercise restraint. keep working hard like I have been in it, I was thankful for it, I was grateful for it, “He said, ‘It isn’t over yet.’ He told me high school, but I am going to multiply it but I knew there was more to do to stay to stay humble,” Carr said. “I know I have and enhance it and do it better when I go humble and go to the next level.” to get ready for the next level and enhance to college. The championship helped Carr solidify the talent He has given me.” “I have a lot to prove because you have his position as one of the state’s elite ath- Carr hasn’t always had the patience to great athletes who worship God. But a lot lete. He showcased his game-changing step back and look at the bigger picture. of them are taking His name in vain by not ability against Wayne County by scoring He said Jesus Christ changed his life when living the lifestyle. I want to live the on a 64-yard reception and on a 78-yard He touched him when he was 17. He said lifestyle, put His name first, and win. I want kickoff return. He finished the game with God keeps him at peace and he is grateful to show them God is still alive.” four catches for 128 yards. for all of the doors He has opened for him. Carr knows how God guided him For his efforts, Carr is The Commercial “I always saw myself playing sports, but through his final season and allowed him Dispatch’s Boys Player of the Year. I never saw myself giving Him the glory at to realize the fruits of his labor. He also “It has been a great year,” Carr said. “It the end,” Carr said. “But when I had that realizes this season was the last step of was hard work and dedication to the team. encounter with Jesus Christ, it changed one journey and the first step of another I am still dedicated. Family is the main my whole lifestyle, the way I think, the way one. Carr knows how important it will be thing that brought me through.” I move, and my inner self.” for him to stay humble as he prepares for Carr signed a national letter of intent Carr attends church and thanks God those next steps, and he will celebrate God earlier this year to make official the verbal for all of the things He has given him, with every move he makes. commitment he made to Mississippi State which allow him to affect the sports world “You have to stay humble and work as a junior. The No. 5 prospect in the state and the people in it. He joked that he hard, no matter how many touchdowns regardless of position by Rivals.com was encouraged his teammates “to stay hum- you have in a game,” Carr said. “You have recruited as an athlete, and he figures to ble” so many times this season they grew to push yourself harder than what you did help the Bulldogs in the secondary or at tired of hearing him say it. the last practice. You also have to stay wide receiver. But that doesn’t prevent Carr from pro- humble and keep God first. As long as you The Mississippi Association of Coaches claiming how important his faith is to him. do that, you will go far in everything you Class 5A All-State first-team pick helped “I give the glory to Him and I celebrate do.”I story by ADAM MINICHINO photo by KELLY TIPPETT 2010 GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR JAMEIKA HOSKINS AMEIKA HOSKINS BELIEVED SHE HAD FOUND THE RIGHT FIT.