Mississippi

Mississippi Makos counting down to state championship meet

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2023

Mississippi Makos counting down to state championship meet

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Swimming Long Course State Championship Meet is next weekend in Tupelo, and one team in the Jackson area is looking to continue their era of dominance.

The Mississippi Makos Swim Team has won 11 straight state championships. Starting in February 2017, Makos has returned home at the end of every season with a championship banner to hang in the rafters. The swimmers are experienced in facing the emotions that come along with a meet of this significance, a skill that has developed thanks to that recent success.

“Everyone’s morale is up” said Warner Russ, the top ranked recruit in Mississippi’s men’s class of 2024. “We’re all excited for racing fast.” Rachel McAlpin, the number one recruit in Mississippi’s women’s class of 2026, stated her goals for the meet simply: “It’s state meet, so I’m going to do as best I can and just have fun.”

Senior Group Head Coach Brian Ware emphasizes the importance of having a relaxed and focused approach now in training so that it becomes muscle memory, and thus not a concern, when the swimmers find themselves in a race.

“It’s more about doing everything perfect towards the end [of the season]” Ware explained. “You’ve got to make sure you do all your turns perfectly, that you’re really thinking about your technique, and trying to do everything, like I said, perfect.”

While the team strives for perfection in the pool, Ware’s goals extend beyond the scoresheet.

“It’s good to win and all that, but we’re just really wanting to make sure we’re giving them the environment to swim fast. That’s where the championships come from, creating an environment, a team culture, that everyone wants to be a part of and that encourages fast swimming.”

Ware has succeeded in his goals, as the Makos have produced numerous collegiate athletes, several at the Division-I level, and an Olympic Trials qualifier in 2016, the only team in Mississippi to hold that honor.

Though the state titles and achievements beyond the club level represent the hard work of the program, Ware says it isn’t the wins that motivate him, but seeing his swimmers reach and surpass the goals they set for themselves.

“I get more joy out of seeing them succeed and reaching goals that they didn’t always think were possible. To see them do that and just really learn that if you commit to something and you put in the hard work, anything’s attainable.”

While many of the swimmers will begin their brief summer break after competing at the state level in Tupelo next week, some will continue their seasons at the national level as the summer wraps up.

Just two weeks after fighting for a state championship, Russ will travel to West Fargo, North Dakota to compete in the 2023 USA Swimming Futures Championships. The Futures Championships is an elite level meet that serves as a stepping point for athletes to move between the sectional level to the Junior and Senior National Level, a level Russ has already reached. After racing in West Fargo, he will travel straight to Irvine, California to compete in the 2023 Speedo Junior National Championships, a meet reserved for the best swimmers in the country 18 years of age and younger.

McAlpin has also qualified for Junior Nationals this summer, but rather than joining Russ in North Dakota, she will return to Tupelo July 26-29 in the 2023 Long Course Southern Senior Zones Championship, a meet that attracts top talent from the southern United States. McAlpin said she’s looking forward to racing against ‘some pretty fast people’ from all ages who she’s never met before.

Coach Ware founded the Mississippi Makos Swim Team in 1991. He’s enjoyed watching the growth of the athletes as well as the program. “To see [Makos] grow into the regional powerhouse that it’s become and the state championships, it makes me feel really good that we’ve established something that truly helps kids in the Jackson metro area improve as people.”

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Mississippi

How Riley Kugel, RJ Melendez played OT heroes in Mississippi State basketball win vs Ole Miss

Published

2 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

How Riley Kugel, RJ Melendez played OT heroes in Mississippi State basketball win vs Ole Miss

STARKVILLE — Josh Hubbard was at the free-throw line and just connected on his second of three free throws 3½ minutes into Saturday’s game. The whistle blew, and Riley Kugel stepped on to the court to applause from the Mississippi State basketball fans.

It was his first shift of the game and his first in a week after missing Tuesday’s loss at Auburn with an injury. But the applause was as loud as if he’d been out for a month. It was a moment of recognition from the fans of his importance to the Bulldogs.

And what ensued certainly solidified that.

Kugel, the Florida transfer, had 21 points in No. 18 MSU’s 84-81 overtime win versus No. 21 Ole Miss (15-3, 4-1 SEC) at Humphrey Coliseum. Not only was he the game-high scorer, but he hit a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to cap a highlight-reel play between him and RJ Melendez.

Mississippi State coach Chris Jans afterward called it “by far the play of the game.”

How Riley Kugel, RJ Melendez made the play of the game

Mississippi State (15-3, 3-2) never trailed in regulation. It led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and was leading 74-71 until Rebels guard Matthew Murrell drilled a contested straightaway 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds remaining.

Jans didn’t call a timeout, and Kugel missed a stepback 3, sending the game to overtime.

“I saw some droopy faces when it was time for me to sit down,” Jans said. “And certainly as the coach, that’s not what you’re looking for. So trying to kind of reset it. As best that I could, try to get them energized again and ready to go.”

And to make matters worse, Kugel came up limping from the shot attempt and went down the tunnel. He didn’t return until overtime, re-entering the game with 2:12 left. Ole Miss had a 77-76 lead.

“I just knew I had to get back out there,” he said. “I had twisted the same foot, but it was like I was going to do whatever I could to get back on there out on the floor.”

Forty-four seconds later, Kugel sank a 3-pointer to give MSU the lead it didn’t relinquish.

Hubbard missed a shot near the basket and the rebound ricocheted to near midcourt. Players from both teams hit the floor but Ole Miss came away with it. Murrell bolted ahead toward the MSU hoop. As he rose for the layup, Melendez came from behind and swatted the shot off the backboard.

The Bulldogs pushed the ball quickly the other direction. Hubbard threw a lob to Cameron Matthews, who in midair threw a pass to the corner for Kugel instead of shooting it. Kugel set his feet and scored another 3.

“I saw a 3-on-2 transition, so I knew we had to get a bucket,” Kugel said. “Mook (Matthews) could’ve scored. He could score, but he had that much trust in me.”

Kugel also poked a steal with 20 seconds remaining and connected on both of his free throws with 11 seconds to play.

“I was just anxious to get back out there,” Kugel said. “I missed the last game. I was just happy to be back out there with the guys.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Mississippi

FIRST ALERT: Snow Likely in south Mississippi on Tuesday

Published

10 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

FIRST ALERT: Snow Likely in south Mississippi on Tuesday

Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday have been declared FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAYS.

SNOW ON TUESDAY: Confidence continues to grow and it now appears likely that we will see snow across south Mississippi on Tuesday.

Models show high likelihood of snow across South Mississippi(WDAM)

This morning’s run of the American and European models show that both models in agreement with one another. They are also both painting the possibility of a heavy snow band across the region. The snow would begin early Tuesday morning and last through Tuesday night.

TOTALS: It’s still too far out to look at snowfall accumulations just yet, but we should be able discuss this tomorrow.

BITTERLY COLD: The Arctic Blast will move into Mississippi tomorrow. Temperatures in the Pine Belt will be drastically colder with highs only topping out into the low to mid 40s.

Forecasted Overnight Lows in south Mississippi(WDAM)

Monday morning will be frigid! Temperatures will start out in the upper 10s, but gusty winds will make it feel like the low 10s with the wind chills. Highs will only top out into the upper 30s.

Temperatures will fall below freezing on Monday night at 6pm and won’t rise above freezing until Noon on Wednesday, meaning temperatures will be below freezing for 42 hours. That combined with the extremely low temperatures will cause any unprotected pipes to burst. It will also be Life-Threatening to any pets left outside.

BOTTOM LINE: Confidence continues to grow and it now looks likely that we will see snow in the Pine Belt. Things could still change so be sure to stay tuned!

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What channel is Ole Miss basketball vs Mississippi State on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Published

18 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

What channel is Ole Miss basketball vs Mississippi State on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Ole Miss basketball’s challenging week continues with Saturday’s rivalry game at Mississippi State.

The Rebels (15-2, 4-0 SEC) earned the first top-5 road win in program history in winning 74-64 over No. 4 Alabama on Tuesday.

Mississippi State has lost consecutive games against Kentucky and Auburn in a difficult start to SEC play, and it won’t get easier against Ole Miss on Saturday.

Here’s how to watch the Ole Miss basketball vs. Mississippi State game today, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

Watch Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State live on Fubo (free trial)

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State will broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Brian Custer and Jon Crispin will call the game courtside from Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Date: Saturday, Jan. 18
Start time: 5 p.m.

The Ole Miss basketball vs. Mississippi State game starts at 5 p.m. Saturday from Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville.

Clarion Ledger reporter Sam Hutchens’ prediction: Ole Miss 70, Mississippi State 67

This is a big matchup, both for the rivalry component and for positioning at the top of the SEC. Mississippi State should enjoy a strong homecourt advantage. The past week shows Ole Miss has been playing better in recent days. If Ole Miss’ defense travels, as it did against Alabama, the Rebels could squeak out a close one.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of Friday, Jan. 17

Odds: Mississippi State -5.5
O/U: 145.5 points
Money line: Mississippi State -235, Ole Miss +190

Nov. 4: Long Island, W 90-60
Nov. 8: Grambling, W 66-64
Nov. 12: South Alabama, W 64-54
Nov. 16: vs. Colorado State in Southaven, W 84-69
Nov. 21: Oral Roberts, W 100-68
Nov. 28: vs. BYU in San Diego, W 96-85
Nov. 29: vs. Purdue in San Diego, L 80-78
Dec. 3: at Louisville, W 86-63
Dec. 7: Lindenwood, W 86-53
Dec. 14: vs. Southern Miss in Biloxi, W 77-46
Dec. 17: Southern, W 74-61
Dec. 21: Queens, W 80-62
Dec. 28: at Memphis, L 87-70
Jan. 4: Georgia, W 63-51
Jan. 8: at Arkansas, W 73-66
Jan. 11: LSU, W 77-65
Jan. 14: at Alabama, W 74-64
Jan. 18: at Mississippi State, 5 p.m. on ESPN2
Jan. 22: Texas A&M, 8 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
Jan. 25: at Missouri, 5 p.m. on SEC Network
Jan. 29: Texas, 8 p.m. on ESPN2
Feb. 1: Auburn, 3 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Feb. 4: Kentucky, 6 p.m. on ESPN
Feb. 8: at LSU, 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 12: at South Carolina, 6 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 15: Mississippi State, 5 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Feb. 22: at Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 26: at Auburn, 6 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
March 1: Oklahoma, 1 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
March 5: Tennessee, 8 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
March 8: at Florida, 5 p.m. on SEC Network
March 12-16: SEC Tournament in Nashville

Record: 15-2 (4-0 SEC)

Nov. 4: West Georgia, W 95-60
Nov. 8: Georgia State, W 101-66
Nov. 12: SE Louisiana, W 80-59
Nov. 17: vs. Utah in Southaven, W 78-73
Nov. 22: at SMU, W 84-79
Nov. 28: vs. UNLV in Tempe, W 80-58
Nov. 29: vs. Butler in Tempe, L 87-77
Dec. 4: Pitt, W 90-57
Dec. 8: Prairie View A&M, W 91-84
Dec. 14: vs. McNeese State in Tupelo, W 66-63
Dec. 17: vs. Central Michigan in Jackson, W 83-59
Dec. 21: at Memphis, W 79-66
Dec. 30: Bethune-Cookman, W 87-73
Jan. 4: South Carolina, W 85-50
Jan. 7: at Vanderbilt, W 76-64
Jan. 11: Kentucky, L 95-90
Jan. 14: at Auburn, L 88-66
Jan. 18: Ole Miss, 5 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Jan. 21: at Tennessee, 6 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Jan. 25: at South Carolina, Noon on SEC Network
Jan. 29: Alabama, 8 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 1: Missouri, Noon on SEC Network
Feb. 8: at Georgia, 5 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 11: Florida, 6 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
Feb. 15: at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2
Feb. 18: Texas A&M, 6 p.m. on SEC Network
Feb. 22: at Oklahoma, Noon on SEC Network
Feb. 25: at Alabama, 8 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU
March 1: LSU, 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network
March 4: Texas, 7 p.m. on SEC Network
March 8: at Arkansas, 11 a.m. on ESPN or SEC Network
March 12-16: SEC Tournament in Nashville

Record: 14-3 (2-2 SEC)

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