Today beginning at 10 a.m., the basketball competition will be held. The competition is open for girls and boys ages 8 to 13 in the Batesville Jr. High School gymnasium.

Catie Ashburn of Boys and Girls Club said this liaison between the two organizations is done on a national level. Winners of each category will go on to participate in regional competition.

The other three local competitions and dates are Track and Field, Friday, April 14 at 10 a.m.; Tennis, Saturday, April 29 at 10 a.m.; and Soccer, Saturday, May 13 at 10 a.m.

These events are not in a game category, according to Ashburn. They will be time and distance tested.

In basketball the children will have to see how many points they can score from designated shooting areas and from the free throw line in 45 seconds.

In soccer, the students will be tested on dribbling, shooting and scoring the fastest.

In tennis, the participants will have to serve and continue to hit a low-compression tennis ball against he wall as many times as they can in 30 seconds.

Track and field tests them in three events: standing long jump, 50-yard dash and shot put using a softball.

The basic goals of these activities is to give the children in Panola County a chance to compete against kids from all areas of the United States, according to Ashburn.

"We know that our kids can," she said. "It just gives them the ability to advance. It’s only fair that our kids will be competing from kids from Jackson and from the coast in order to improve their skills"

The events require at least 30 participants to sign up.

"It’s not like they have to know the rules of soccer or tennis," Ashburn said. "It is tended to peak an interest. Participating in these events just gives our kids an introduction to the skills they will use to participate in junior high as well as high school."

The events will be divided in age groups 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

The events are free to all participants. For more information, contact Dennis Hoskins or James Jones at (662) 578-7891.
 

The South Panola Tiger baseball team did not have a good first day in the Toro Tri-Lakes Springbreak tournament held in Oxford Monday.

The Tigers faced their first shutout of the season against Oxford 4-0 in the second game Monday night, following a 14-1 loss at the hands of Lafayette in an earlier game.

David Renfroe took the loss for the Tigers. South Panola’s lone score came at the top of the fifth inning.

Against Oxford, Colton Ales took the loss.

The Tigers had a totally different showing Tuesday night against Grenada in the tournament. The Tigers won 16-6.

Freshman Ethan Bright got his first varsity start on the mound and pitched the complete game. Bright was also two for two at the plate with a homerun.

"Ethan did a great job," said head coach Patrick Robey.

Hitting doubles against Grenada were Josh Boren, Heath Bolton, Lance Hendrix and Barrett Johnson. Johnson, along with Jameson Rodgers and Jonathon Flint, also hit triples.

The Tigers are 9-4 overall, 2-1 district and will be home to host Charleston in a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
 

Batesville Park and Recreation will have registration for its special needs baseball team.

To be eligible, a child must have a mental or physical disability that eliminates him or her from playing on a regular team and be between the ages of 4 and 10. There is no cost to play and shirts will be provided for each child.

Picture packages will be available for $10 and will include individual and team pictures. Adult and extra youth tee shirts will be sold for $10 each.

Games will be played each Saturday in April at 10 a.m.

The South Panola High School Junior Civitan organization has adopted the Trailblazers and will supply volunteers for each game.

Family and friends are invited to come join in the fun. This year to register a child, call Mari Correro at 561-0413 anytime before March 22.