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Little League Sign-up – Sign-up for City of Batesville Little League baseball and softball will be held each Saturday at Patton Lane Park from 9 a.m. to noon. To sign up through the week, go to the Boys and Girls Club on Highway 51 South in Batesville.
A nominal fee will be collected. For more information call Otis Cooper at 563-2326 or Dennis Hoskins at
578-7309. |
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Slow Pitch Softball
South Panola will hold slow pitch softball tryouts Tuesday, May 16, after school beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Trussell Park. Bring glove and be dressed to be active. |
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold a Camp Fundraiser and Coaches Appreciation Banquet on Thursday, May 18.
The banquet will be held at the new National Guard Armory on Keating Road beginning at 6 p.m. Special speaker will be Hugh Freeze of the Ole Miss football program.
Funds are being raised in order to send coaches and students to leadership camp. The cost of a table is $250 and will allow the sponsor to seat five guests and five coaches or students.
"We need the support of churches, the business community and civic clubs to accomplish our goal," said coordinator Dennis Hoskins.
Make checks payable to the South Panola Fellowship of Christian Athletes Adult Huddle (SP FCA). For more information, contact Randy Boren at 563-2772,
563-1910 or Dennis Hoskins at 578-7309, 563-4426. |
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Deshea Townsend, of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, has announced the dates for his sixth annual Pay it Forward Football Camp.
The camp will be held Saturday, May 20, on the South Panola Tiger football field.
Townsend, along with some other Steelers, will conduct the camp for children ages 6 to 18.
There is no fee to participate in the camp, but preregistration is required. Registration forms must be turned in by Friday, May 12.
Forms may be picked up and returned to The Panolian, 363 Highway 51 N., Batesville or the Boys and Girls Club, 630 Highway 51 S., Batesville.
Registration forms have to be signed by a parents or guardian or the children will not be allowed to participate.
The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information call Myra Bean at (662) 609-6906 or Nyanthia Townsend at (662) 654-3134. |
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North Delta Camp
North Delta basketball team will host a Pee Wee camp for girls in grades K5 through third will be held May 22-26 from 8 a.m. to noon.
The cost is $55 and open to anyone who wants to play.
If kids cannot preregister, they can register the first day of camp, according to new girls basketball coach Phil Douglas.
Douglas and his wife, Nancy, will conduct the camps. |
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SP Baseball Camp
South Panola High School will be hosting its annual summer baseball camp Wednesday, May 31-June 2 (Wednesday-Friday) at American Legion park.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day. There is no charge for the camp.
Instruction will include all phases of the game of baseball. Anyone, age 7 to 14, who is wanting to improve his baseball skills is strongly encouraged to attend. Also, all youth league coaches are invited to attend.
Instruction will be provided by South Panola baseball coaches, as well as, former Tigers currently playing in college.
No registration is required. For more information, contact Coach Patrick Robey at 934-2104. |
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Cheer Yard Sale
The Spirit of Cheer Booster Club will host a rummage sale on Saturday, June 3 at the Batesville Jr High gym. The sale will begin at 7 a.m. Admission is free.
There will be an "Early Bird Special" for those who want to shop early. The admission price for the special will be $5 per person. The "Early Bird Special" will begin at
5 a.m.
The booster club is currently accepting donations of goods to be used for the sale. Anyone who would like to donate items may bring those items to the Batesville Jr. High gym on Mondays between 5:30-8 p.m. or on Thursdays between 5:30-8:00 p.m. |
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The Spirit of Cheer Booster Club will host a rummage sale on Saturday, June 3 at the Batesville Jr High gym.The sale will begin at 7 a.m Admission is free.
There will be an "Early Bird Special" for those who want to shop early. The admission price for the special will be $5 per person. The "Early Bird Special" will begin at 5a.m.
The booster club is currently accepting donations of goods to be used for the sale. Anyone who would like to donate items may bring those items to the Batesville Jr. High gym on Mondays between 5:30-8 p.m. or on Thursdays between 5:30-8:00 p.m. |
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Basketball Tournament – There will be a Big Outdoor Benefit Basketball Tournament for men and women for cancer victim George Crowder on June 4 at Enid Dam.
Entry fee is $25 per team and a $2 admission fee for spectators. Refreshments will be available.
For more information or to book a team, call (662) 578-0457. |
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There will be a Big Outdoor Benefit Basketball Tournament for men and women for cancer victim George Crowder on June 4 at Enid Dam.
Entry fee is $25 per team and a $2 admission fee for spectators. Refreshments will be available.
For more information or to book a team, call (662) 578-0457. |
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North Delta Camp
North Delta basketball team will host a camp for girls in grades four through nine will be held June 5-9 from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $55.
If kids cannot preregister, they can register the first day of camp, according to new girls basketball coach Phil Douglas.
Douglas and his wife, Nancy, will conduct the camps.
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Touchdown Club – The South Panola Touchdown Club will host a 4-man Scramble Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 17 at Mallard Pointe Golf Course.
The tax deductible fee is $60 per person or $240 for team.
Deadline is June 10. For more information or registration, call Buddy Gray at 563-7601 or 934-8227. |
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The South Panola Touchdown Club will host a 4-man Scramble Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 17 at Mallard Pointe Golf Course.
The tax deductible fee is $60 per person or $240 for team.
Deadline is June 10. For more information or registration, call Buddy Gray at 563-7601 or 934-8227. |
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| Tigers receive coveted rings |
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This group of South Panola Tiger football players was proud to show off their 2005 football season state championship rings. The Tigers received their rings from head coach Ricky Woods Saturday night at the annual banquet. Some sported three rings from the last three years they have amassed a 45-game win streak, while some received their first ring this year.
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| By Myra Bean
Family, supporters and fans were on hand Saturday night as the 2005 South Panola Tigers received their state championship rings.
This was the culmination of the 2005 season, along with the 2006 spring season. The Tigers concluded spring workouts with a scrimmage with Provine and Clinton in Clinton Thursday. The varsity Tigers won all their games.
Before Woods passed out the rings, he handed out plaques to the players who were chosen for district and state awards for their outstanding play in the season.
Recognized were
Josh Boren, Clarion Ledger first team All-State,
Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC)
first team All-State, Region 1-5A first team,
Mississippi/ Alabama All-Star game;
Chris Strong, Clarion Ledger first team
All-State, MAC All-State Defensive MVP,
Regional 1-5A Defensive MVP;
South Oakes, Clarion Ledger first team
All-State, MAC first team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team, Bernard Blackwell
All-Star game;
Cameron Wagner, Clarion Ledger second team
All-State, Region 1-5A first team;
Jeramie Griffin, MAC first team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Kerry Hoskins, MAC first team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Garrett Stone, MAC second team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Rickey Sanford, MAC second team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Leroy Diggs MAC second team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Justin Harris, MAC second team All-State,
Region 1-5A first team;
Kareem Carr, Region 1-5A first team;
Kevin Young, Region 1-5A first team;
Tarus Young, Region 1-5A first team;
Darius Barksdale, Region 1-5A first team
punt returner, second team defense;
Hunter Bailey, Region 1-5A second team;
Quin Sanford, Region 1-5A second team;
Terry Flowers, Region 1-5A second team;
Rodney Diggs, Region 1-5A second team; and
Marlon Wilks, Region 1-5A second team.
Then, Woods recognized Germichael Sanford with the Coaches’ Award for his unswerving loyalty to the football program after he lost his senior season to a knee injury. Sanford tore his (ACL) anterior cruciate ligament and lateral ligament in his left knee. He underwent surgery to repair his knee.
Sanford received a standing ovation from the crowd of 350 as he went forward to receive the award.
A special announcement was made concerning the renaming of Tiger Stadium to R.H. Dunlap Stadium, in honor of ?Bob? Dunlap, a staunch supporter of the Tiger football program.
A special treat for the crowd was a 30-minute video tape of the past three championships.
While principal Dr. Gearl Loden called out the players’ names, superintendent Dr. Keith Shaffer draped a state championship medallion around each players neck before they received their rings from Woods.
The Tigers ended the 2005 season with a 45-0 record over the past three seasons. The Tigers are 59-1 under Woods as head coach. They were nationally ranked by USA Today at No. 6 at the end of the season.
Earlier this year, Woods was recognized as the EA Sports Coach of the Year and was the The Clarion Ledger’s Coach of the Year announced in December.
Woods was the MAC choice for 2003 and 2004.
The staff has been the coaching staff of the year for the past three years. |
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| Ferguson skateboards to first place in Oxford |
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In one of his best events, Ty Ferguson skates a grind in skateboarding competition in Oxford recently.
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| By Myra Bean
In a skateboard competition held in Oxford recently, Ty Ferguson of Batesville placed first in the 12 and under age group.
This was his first ever competition, according his mother, Julie Ferguson. He won a new deck (board, no wheels), a t-shirt, a hat and a CD.
To start the competition, each participant had to do a one minute routine.
"When they called Ty’s name, there was a huge roar of cheering," Julie said. "Ty’s been working so hard over the last couple of weeks. He’s met a lot of kids at the park, plus at least five carloads of Batesville skateboarders (all ages) who were also there."
This being his first competition, Ty became really self-conscious at that point, according to Julie, and had to start his routine over a couple of times.
"I woke up nervous on Saturday," Ty said. "I didn’t know what to expect, and I really felt a lot of pressure since I’ve made a lot of new skate friends in Oxford while I’ve been practicing, plus I had a lot of Batesville friends there.
"When they called out my name for my turn to compete, everybody cheered really loud, and it made me even more nervous than I already was."
After all three street skating age groups competed, there was a bowl competition for two age groups and then the finals.
The skatepark has two different sections. One looks like two huge 12-foot swimming pools for the bowl or "vert" skaters. The other section is longer with ramps, stairs and rails, and it is for "street skaters."
"Ty decided to relax and just have a good time – ignore the crowd – and ended up doing an outstanding job," said his proud mother. " He landed some really great tricks – the first was him jumping over the rail while his board went under: Then his best trick was his last – a beautiful grind."
Ty agreed that in the competition everyone liked his grind and when he jumped over a rail while the board rolled under it.
"But the one that I get excited about whenever I land it is called air walk," he said. "While you are in the air, you grab the nose of your board and your feet come off. "
Ty said he did not land all his tricks too well, but he was doing tricks that were harder than most of the kids; therefore, he still placed in the top five.
"The top five got to come back and compete in the finals," he said. "My mom talked to me and told me to breathe deep, relax, and try to block out everyone. She said, ‘You made it to the finals, boy – just have a good time!’
"So I did, and I had a great run," Ty continued. "I missed a couple of tricks, but I nailed some good ones, and the crowd really got into it."
Ty related a story about how upset he got when he missed one of his tricks.
"I got kinda mad at myself and picked up my board to go do another trick," he said. "When I got to that ramp, there was a guy I met from Oxford – an awesome skater – and he really rooted me on and got my head back right. That’s how skateboarders are. They cheer each other on."
Other Batesville competitors included Casey Brinkley and Chase Goddard.
"Casey was the only Batesville boy to compete in the second age group," Julie said. "He did a great job in a really competitive age group!"
The third age group was skaters over 18.
"It was quite impressive," Julie said.
Batesville’s Chase Goddard did a lot of "old school" board tricks and ended up placing third.
Ty had mixed feelings about skating in competitions.
"It’s not as fun as regular skating because there are a lot of other people who want to win too," he said. "It’s all your best friends and it’s kinda sad when you win stuff and some of your friends don’t."
Ty was coached by Emily Griffin.
"She’s spent hours and hours skating with him and took him to Oxford to practice many times over the last few weeks," Julie said. "What a priceless friend!"
Ty described skating in Oxford compared to what he usually does in Batesville.
"Well, you aren’t asked to leave by the police," he exclaimed. "Plus you get to skate with more and new people. There are a lot of ramps and rails all in one place so you can keep one run going for a long time. Plus you don’t have to go all over town to find a good place to skate. You don’t get bored at all because whether you want to skate bowl or street skate, it’s all in one place, and people actually want you to come skate there."
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| Hard work paid off |
| With the awards and ring ceremony Saturday night, South Panola officially ended the 2005 football season.
No matter that by the time that memorable season is gone, it was such a major accomplishment that it is hard to believe.
Sometimes when writing, we keep reiterating the same points over and over again, but then again this feat the Tigers achieved is hard to believe.
It’s like pinch me, am I dreaming or something?
Congratulations to the Tigers on this great run you have managed so far and we look forward to continuing the streak in the years to come. (You see I said years, didn’t you?)
The rings are beautiful. They are made out of ultrium with stones on top and the Tiger logo in red. On the sides, are the words 2005 State Champions, State of Mississippi, Back-to-Back-to Back, USA Today No. 6.
You seniors outdid yourselves, so you know you are able to accomplish whatever you put your minds and bodies to.
Don’t be swayed by easy. Easy is a cop out. Go ahead and work for what you want.
You’ll enjoy it more. Don’t you enjoy saying you led South Panola to three state championships and national rankings? Don’t you enjoy saying you will graduate with a 45-game win streak under your belt?
You worked for that and you worked hard. You sacrificed a lot. We don’t know all that you sacrificed but we know that you did.
Therefore, no matter the criticisms that come your way, you know you earned those titles.
Enjoy it and get ready for tomorrow.
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| ND to hold jamboree Thursday |
| North Delta will conclude its spring practice by sponsoring a jamboree Thursday on the Green Wave field.
Participating in the jamboree will be Delta Academy of Marks and Lee Academy of Marianna, Ark.
The jamboree will begin at 4 p.m. and the sets will immediately follow each other.
ND v Lee, Ark. (varsity)
ND v Lee (JV)
ND v Delta (JH)
Lee v Delta (V)
Lee v Delta (JV)
ND v Delta (JV)
ND v Delta (V)
New Green Wave football coach Richard Russo will make his debut as the head coach of the team. |
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