Mississippi

Three up, three down for Mississippi State as SEC play approaches

Published

9 months ago

December 27, 2023

After a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Colorado State on the road last Wednesday, Mississippi State is now 12-2 with one final non-conference tuneup — at home against Mississippi Valley State on Friday — before the start of Southeastern Conference play. The Dispatch takes a look here at what has gone right and wrong so far for the Bulldogs.

Three up

Jessika Carter

MSU’s center, in her sixth season with the Bulldogs, missed three games with an injury earlier in the year, two of which were losses against Miami and Chattanooga. But the veteran showed no signs of rust upon her return, putting up a career-high 31 points to go along with 13 rebounds in her first game back against Kennesaw State. She followed that up with two more double-doubles — 17 points and 18 rebounds against Jackson State, then 17 points and 13 boards against Memphis — and also had six blocks against the Tigers en route to SEC Co-Player of the Week honors. Most of the post players MSU has faced in non-conference play have been no match for Carter, and she will soon test herself once again against the SEC’s best.

3-point shooting

Carter’s post dominance is complemented by a plethora of outside shooters who have helped the Bulldogs rank third in the SEC with a 3-point percentage of .367. Sophomore Debreasha Powe, who started every game but one as a freshman, is MSU’s 3-point specialist, knocking down 37 of 86 shots from deep (43 percent). Lauren Park-Lane, a graduate transfer from Seton Hall, set a program record with 10 made 3-pointers to lead the Bulldogs to that win last week over the Rams and is also shooting 43 percent from 3-point range for the season. JerKaila Jordan and Darrione Rogers are also occasional deep threats for MSU’s offense.

Ball security

Park-Lane, even while struggling as a scorer this month before breaking out against Colorado State, was still dishing out plenty of assists and has an assist-turnover ratio of 88-33. Her 6.3 assists per game are second in the SEC, and the Bulldogs are among the conference’s least turnover-prone teams, coughing the ball up 12.9 times per game. MSU is 24th out of 348 Division I teams nationally with 1.38 assists for every turnover.

Three down

Overall roster depth

The Bulldogs were down three post players in last month’s loss to Miami, and that’s not even counting Ramani Parker, who was lost for the season in the second game of the year. Carter, Arkansas transfer Erynn Barnum and freshman Quinirah Montague are all back now, but Nyayongah Gony has now missed the last four games with a foot injury. MSU currently has nine healthy players, with hardly any room to lose anyone else as the schedule gets more difficult. Jordan, Park-Lane, Powe, Rogers and freshman Mjracle Sheppard give the Bulldogs some wiggle room at guard, but Carter and Barnum may not get many chances to rest in the frontcourt.

Perimeter defense

This was a minor concern at the end of last month, and it remains an issue heading into SEC play as MSU is allowing the third-highest 3-point percentage in the conference. Against Jackson State, two Tigers bench players, Hayleigh Breland and Taylor Woodhouse, combined to go 7-for-12 from behind the arc. Chattanooga was 8-for-17 from deep in its come-from-behind win over the Bulldogs on Dec. 3, and strong 3-point shooting teams like Vanderbilt and South Carolina loom ahead early in conference play.

Forcing turnovers

MSU hasn’t been turning the ball over, but the Bulldogs also haven’t been taking it away, ranking second to last in the SEC with 14.3 turnovers forced per game. Sheppard has been a force on the defensive end with 16 steals in one four-game stretch, and Jordan leads MSU with a shade under two steals per game. But even with a guard-heavy roster, the Bulldogs have struggled to generate defensive pressure at times, a potentially worrisome sign with the opponents they still have ahead of them.

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Mississippi

Vote for Mississippi boys high school athlete of the week Sept. 2-7

Published

41 mins ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

Vote for Mississippi boys high school athlete of the week Sept. 2-7

There were several top performers across the state in boys high school sports, but only one can be voted athlete of the week for Sept. 2-7.

Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.

To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.

Nominations

Kendetryon Backstrom, Kemper County: Backstrom had 247 passing yards, going 13-of-16 on completions for with two touchdowns and had six carries for 45 yards and three touchdowns in Kemper County’s 46-8 win over Noxapater.

Ronde Baker, Terry: Baker produced 171 rushing yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns in Terry’s 57-6 win over Pure Academy.

Wyatt Bond, Lamar School: Bond recorded 320 passing yards, going 24-of-37 with three touchdowns, and had 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Lamar’s 35-34 loss to Winston Academy.

Coby King, Greene County: King was 24-of-35 passing for 418 yards with a touchdown and had 11 carries for 137 rushing yards with four touchdowns in Greene County’s 51-36 loss to George County.

Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs: Kinkle produced 10 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns in Holly Springs’ 33-0 win over Byers.

Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson: Willis had 15 carries for 203 rushing yards with a touchdown, four receptions with 59 receiving yards, and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded four sacks, 8.5 tackles and three tackles for loss in Velma Jackson’s 24-22 win over Yazoo County.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

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Mississippi

Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County

Published

8 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi woman killed in two-vehicle crash in Grenada County

GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi woman was killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County.

Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said the crash occurred on Highway 7 just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.

Mississippi woman killed in head-on crash in Louisiana

According to MHP, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes van that was also traveling north.

The driver of the Mercedes, 53-year-old Loretta Hopkins, of Winona, died at the scene.

This crash remains under investigation by MHP.

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Mississippi

Mississippi State’s Loss Doesn’t Stop SEC from Owning Week Two in AP Top 25

Published

15 hours ago

September 8, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi State’s Loss Doesn’t Stop SEC from Owning Week Two in AP Top 25

Outside of Mississippi State, Arkansas and Auburn, the SEC had a very successful Week Two of the college football season. The latest AP Top 25 poll reflects the strength of the SEC with 6 of the top 7 spots belonging to SEC teams.

Here’s a recap of how the ranked SEC teams fared in the second full week of the college football season:

Click here for a recap of the unranked SEC teams.

Scenes from the game between the Georgia Bulldogs against Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Sanford Stadium. / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

With the exception of giving up three points, this was probably exactly how Georgia expected this game to go. Carson Beck threw five touchdowns and the defense held Tennessee Tech to less than 150 yards of total offense. Anything less would be a surprise.

Matthew McConaughey looks on from the sideline during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas Longhorns at Michigan Stadium. The Academy Award-winning actor had a lot be happy about in Saturday’s game. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

More than 100,000 people saw Texas come into Ann Arbor, Mich. and leave with a huge win. The Longhorns looked like the better team from the first drive of the game where they easily marched down the field. That Oct. 19 game in Austin against Georgia is looking better and better.

Alabama fans hold up a sign reading “Hollywood” for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams during the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. / William McLelland-Imagn Images

It was a lot closer than Alabama would’ve liked, but it’s a win that will fend off the “Nick Saban is gone, we’re doomed” crowd. At the same time, though, there were some things that crowd could point to at a later time.

Juice Kiffin makes his way down the Walk of Champions prior to the game between Ole Miss and the Middle Tennessee.

Juice Kiffin makes his way down the Walk of Champions prior to the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Two games against inferior competition and Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 129-3. They’ll take a slight step up in competition next week against Wake Forest, but the Rebels are still about a month away from playing a team that will truly test them.

Missouri Tigers fans apply body paint against the Buffalo Bulls prior to a game Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Missouri’s schedule just took an unexpected bump in its level of difficulty with No. 24 Boston College joining the top 25. Bill O’Brien is brilliant at game planning and calling plays (not so much with making trades, but that hasn’t reached the college ranks yet). Missouri needs to be on upset alert (and ready to stop the run).

Tennessee Volunteers mascots the Volunteer and Smoky celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the NC State.

Tennessee Volunteers mascots the Volunteer and Smoky celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

This happens every year. Tennessee looks really good to start the season and by the end Volunteer fans are saying next year is their year. But maybe this year is their year with the way Nico Iamaleava has been playing.

Oklahoma fans watch during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Of the two SEC newcomers, Texas is getting most of the attention which makes sense based on the current teams. But folks, don’t sleep on the Sooners. They ruined many of my own childhood memories growing up in Texas. This week’s way-too close game doesn’t help that argument, but think long term.

LSU Tigers student section fans paint their chest Back In the Bayou during pregame before the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Tiger Stadium. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

LSU was one of three SEC teams to play FCS schools after playing top 25 teams last week. The Tigers and Texas A&M both lost, while Georgia won. So, it’s not surprising to see each of them play FCS teams and neither were any of the results.

SEC Week 2 Power Rankings: Which Teams Are Contenders or Pretenders?

WATCH: Mississippi State’s Bowl Hopes Take a Hit with Arizona State Defeat

Mississippi State Crumbles in the Trenches: What Went Wrong Against Arizona State?

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