Latest news with #Starkville
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How South Carolina impressed transfer Madina Okot even when Dawn Staley's team was losing
COLUMBIA — When South Carolina women's basketball faced Mississippi State in Starkville on Jan. 5, the Gamecocks found themselves down 22-13 after the opening quarter. At the time, Madina Okot, the Bulldogs' 6-foot-6 center, wasn't complaining. Advertisement South Carolina went on to recover and win 95-68, and what Okot, who has since transferred into coach Dawn Staley's program, remembers was her new team's ability to bounce back. "Very energic players," Okot recalls. "They play as a team. The general leadership on the court and how they handled pressure. We were up and they were able to control (the game)." Florida State's Ta'Niya Latson, who led the nation in 2024-25 with 25.2 points per game, was a huge get for Staley in the transfer portal. But Okot's presence in the post was something the Gamecocks really lacked last season. Okot played just one season at Mississippi State after spending two years playing for Zetech University in Kenya. As a junior, she started all 34 games and averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Advertisement South Carolina's leading rebounder last season was Chloe Kitts at 7.7 per game. Though she only started playing basketball in 2020, she's been watching former South Carolina stars like A'ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston in an attempt to improve her own personal skills. That was a reason why Okot was attracted to Columbia, knowing how Staley produced both those two WNBA icons, and other quality post players. "That has truly been a motivating factor to me because I feel like this program can produce good forward and centers," Okot said. "I feel like I can be one of them." Having been part of the Bulldogs' season that ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Okot is familiar with the SEC but South Carolina is a better opportunity for more competition, she added. Advertisement Okot was spotted downtown Columbia with forwards Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda on April 19, three days before she announced on social media she had committed to the team. She said from the jump, everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming. A lot of what Staley does is basketball related but Okot said it's not just basketball that Staley is assisting with. She said Staley's kindness and guidance off the court has been huge. "She's a very, very good coach," Okot said. "I just feel so good being around her. She knows how to talk to the players when you're frustrated, when you have good days and bad days, she knows how to talk players through that. For example me, I've been having issues maybe with communication because I'm from Africa and sometimes they'll be struggling to get my English. She has been making sure that they're getting that right." In terms of this season's starters, Staley could feel Okot is ready to start and have Kitts at the four with last year's leading scorer Joyce Edwards coming off the bench. Staley might also bring Okot off the bench and start Edwards with Kitts. Advertisement Tac is 6-5 but battled knee injuries her first two years with the program so bringing in Okot as a seasoned and traditional center is a huge gain for Staley. Last year, she scored in double figures 22 times out of 34 games. Her season rebounding average ranked fourth in the SEC, and that number rose to 10.1 per SEC game. After Ashlyn Watkins went down with an ACL tear, the Gamecocks suffered on the boards at times, something Okot can assist with until Watkins returns. THREE GAMECOCKS: What channel is FIBA AmeriCup today? Times, TV schedule, streaming to see Dawn Staley's players Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@ and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball: Madina Okot on Dawn Staley, transfer
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Arrest made for multiple Starkville burglaries and car theft
STARKVILLE – A Tupelo man is facing nine felony charges for a series of offenses at a Starkville mini storage complex. Starkville police responded to multiple burglary reports July 1 and 2 at the Moreland Storage Units on Louisville Street. The management of the business worked closely with investigators, quickly giving police access to the facility's security cameras. The investigation led to the identification of Di'Quavious Gray, 19, of Tupelo, as the suspect in a series of offenses occurring over the two-day period. Gray was taken into custody Thursday and transported to the Oktibbeha County Jail where he was charged with five counts of vehicle burglary, three counts of commercial burglary, and one count of motor vehicle theft. This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Starkville Police Department at 662-323-4131 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mississippi's crops struggle with rainfall challenges
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) – Rainfall at well above normal accumulations is impacting the state's row crops, according to officials. Mike Brown, state climatologist with the Mississippi State University (MSU) Department of Geosciences, said many areas of the state have had one and a half times the typical amount of rain for this time of year. 'Annually, we generally see around 58 inches of rain in our coastal counties, 52 in our northern counties, and around 55 inches through the central portion of the state,' Brown said. 'Mid-August through mid-October tends to be our driest period. Many portions of the Delta began the year well above normal for precipitation, but those areas have seen a drier end of May and have remained at or just below average for June.' As of late June, officials said Starkville, Greenville, Tupelo and Southaven have about 50% more rain than usual since the planting and growing season began. Meridian and Greenwood are just above normal levels, while Jackson, Biloxi and McComb have seen about one-third more rain than normal. What is the impact of the blueberry industry in Mississippi? Dave Spencer, an Extension pivot irrigation specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said frequent rains limit farmers' ability to manage their crops. 'In many areas, fieldwork has been delayed, especially on clay-textured soils,' he said. Rice, cotton, soybeans and sweet potatoes all suffered from frequent rains that kept fields too wet to plant in the ideal planting windows. About half the rice crop was planted rapidly from mid- to late-April, but officials said crop progress was delayed as weeds began to crop up, levee construction was delayed and nitrogen applications were pushed back. Brian Pieralisi, Extension cotton specialist, said he will be surprised if Mississippi growers were able to plant more than half of the 360,000 acres they intended to plant in 2025. Soybeans have the advantage of a planting window that extends to early July, so as growers are forced to give up planting the intended crop such as cotton or rice, many have switched to late-planted soybeans. Sweet potatoes are mostly grown in a small area of north Mississippi around Calhoun County, and officials said this crop is about 30% behind schedule after challenges increased in early May. Mississippi growers planted 490,000 acres of corn in 2024, but experts anticipate that acreage is up significantly this year. Officials said the rains did not hamper corn planting as much as other crops. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Where EA Sports ranks Autzen Stadium in their College Football 26 video game
It's that time of year again when gamers and college football fans get excited over the latest version of EA Sports' college football video game. But before the actual game is published on July 10, they will release certain rankings that are in the video game. One popular ranking is "Toughest Places to Play." This affects gameplay, making it difficult or easier to play in, depending on whether you are the home team, just like real life. The Oregon Ducks find it easier to play in Autzen Stadium than the Washington Huskies do, obviously. Advertisement And speaking of Autzen Stadium, the home of the Ducks is ranked as one of the loudest places to play in the entire nation. Since this is the second year of the game, we have a comparison to draw upon in rankings. Oregon fans will be pleased to see Autzen has moved up from their spot in the CFB25 rankings, but perhaps not as much as they would like. The folks down at Texas A&M may have the biggest beef (no pun intended) with the rankings, as they weren't able to hold on to the top spot and fell a considerable distance. We're not sure what changed, but boy, did their ranking. Here are the Top 25 places to play, according to EA Sports, the capacity of each facility, when it opened and where it ranked last season. 25. Davis Wade Stadium - Mississippi State Oct 8, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; A general overview of the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 61,337 Advertisement Opened: Oct. 3, 1914 Ranking in previous game: 25 24. Spartan Stadium - Michigan State Sep 14, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the first half of a game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 75,005 Opened: Oct. 6, 1923 Ranking in previous game: 22 23. Boone-Pickens Stadium - Oklahoma State Aug 31, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; General view: Oklahoma State Cowboys stadium during the second half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 53,885 Opened: Oct. 2, 1920 Ranking in previous game: Not ranked 22. Carter-Finley Stadium - North Carolina State Nov 2, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Jordan Waters (7) celebrates a touchdown in the second half against the Stanford Cardinals during the second half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images Capacity: 56,919 Opened: Oct. 8, 1966 Ranking in previous game: Not ranked 21. Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame Sep 23, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; A general view of Notre Dame Stadium at the start of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 77,622 Opened: Oct. 4, 1930 Ranking in previous game: 21 20. Rice-Eccles Stadium - Utah Nov 20, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Oregon Ducks head out to the field for their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 51,444 Opened: Sept. 12, 1998 Advertisement Ranking in previous game: 18 19. Kinnick Stadium - Iowa Former Iowa star Cooper DeJean hosted a youth football camp in conjunction with Octane Sports at Kinnick Stadium on June 16, 2025. Capacity: 69,250 Opened: Oct.5, 1929 Ranking in previous game: 20 18. Husky Stadium - Washington Sep 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Will Rogers (7) walks off the field after the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Capacity: 70,138 Opened: Nov. 27, 1920 Ranking in previous game: Not ranked 17. Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn Nov 2, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) is chased by Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Keldric Faulk (15) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images Capacity: 87,451 Opened: Nov. 9, 1939 Ranking in previous game: 14 16. Williams-Brice Stadium - South Carolina Nov 25, 2017; Columbia, SC, USA; General view of before the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 77,559 Opened: Oct. 6, 1934 Ranking in previous game: Not ranked 15. Camp Randall Stadium - Wisconsin Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Camp Randall Stadium during the first quarter of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Wisconsin Badgers. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Capacity: 80,321 Opened: Nov. 3, 1917 Ranking in previous game: 7 14. Doak S. Campbell Stadium - Florida State Sep 9, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles symbols Chief Osceola and Renegade take the field during the game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 79,560 Advertisement Opened: Oct. 7, 1950 Ranking in previous game: 9 13. Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium - Texas Sep 15, 2018; Austin, TX, USA; General overall view of the entrance to the Bevo Blvd. tailgate zone before the game between the Southern California Trojans and the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 100,119 Opened: Nov. 8, 1924 Ranking in previous game: 19 12. Neyland Stadium - Tennessee Oct 29, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 101,915 Opened: Sept. 24, 1921 Ranking in previous game: 19 11. Kyle Field - Texas A&M Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; A general view of the student section during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 17-7. at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Capacity: 102,733 Opened: Sept. 24, 1927 Ranking in previous game: 1 10. Michigan Stadium - Michigan Sep 4, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; General view Michigan Wolverines during the second half of the game between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 107,601 Opened: Oct. 1, 1927 Ranking in previous game: 16 9. Autzen Stadium - Oregon Sep 3, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; General view of Autzen Stadium from across the bike bridge before the game against UC Davis Aggies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 54,000 Opened: Sept. 23, 1967 Ranking in previous game: 11 8. Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Oklahoma Sep 10, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; General view of the field during the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 83,489 Advertisement Opened: Oct. 20, 1923 Ranking in previous game: 8 7. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida Sep 7, 2019; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of the sign "This is... The Swamp" in Steve Spurrier - Florida Field during the second half between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 88,548 Opened: Nov. 8, 1930 Ranking in previous game: 10 6. Memorial Stadium - Clemson Nov 26, 2022; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left, and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer talk before the game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 81,500 Opened: Sept. 19, 1942 Ranking in previous game: 12 5. Bryant-Denny Stadium - Alabama A general view inside Bryant-Denny Stadium during the national anthem before the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Capacity: 100,077 Opened: Sept. 28, 1929 Ranking in previous game: 2 4. Sanford Stadium - Georgia Nov 29, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Capacity: 92,746 Opened: Oct. 12, 1929 Ranking in previous game: 5 3. Ohio Stadium - Ohio State Ohio State Buckeye Scarlet Max Klare (86) celebrates a touchdown catch against team Gary in the 1st half during the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025. Capacity: 102,780 Opened: Oct. 7, 1922 Ranking in previous game: 4 2. Beaver Stadium - Penn State Sep 18, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of Beaver Stadium prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 106,572 Advertisement Opened: Sept. 17, 1960 Ranking in previous game: 6 1. Tiger Stadium - LSU Nov 13, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; A general overall view of the LSU Tigers logo at midfield at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Capacity: 102,321 Opened: Nov. 25, 1924 Ranking in previous game: 3 This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Autzen Stadium jumps into Top 10 in EA Sports toughest places to play
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mississippi State Baseball Makes Major Announcement as Season Ends
Mississippi State Baseball Makes Major Announcement as Season Ends originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The run is over. And just like that, Mississippi State's 2025 campaign ends not with a bang, but with a new manager. Advertisement Hail State managed to round up some late-season magic, knocking off Northeastern and snapping the Huskies' jaw-dropping 27-game win streak in their opening regional game. But the dream fizzled fast, as two straight losses to regional host Florida State brought the curtain down on a rollercoaster season. The Seminoles didn't just win—they bulldozed their way through, reasserting their dominance. But even as the final out came, the next chapter was already taking shape. Mississippi State didn't wait long to signal a new beginning. Athletic Director Zac Selmon turned to X (formerly Twitter) to tease the coming news. But this wasn't your typical press release. Selmon posted a short clip of maroon smoke rising from a grill in the Left Field Lounge. For the uninitiated, it was a clever riff on Vatican tradition, where white smoke signals the election of a new Pope. The timing wasn't lost on anyone, especially with the recent announcement of Pope Leo XIV just weeks prior. In Starkville, the smoke meant one thing that a new head coach was coming. Brian O'Connor will be taking over in Starkville. Advertisement The longtime Virginia skipper is one of the most respected names in college baseball. During his 21 seasons in Charlottesville, O'Connor turned the Cavaliers into a national power—winning a College World Series title in 2015, making seven trips to Omaha, and stacking up a career 885–370–2 record. He's a five-time conference coach of the year with two ACC championships under his belt. His teams won 60% of their conference games. This isn't just a good hire. It's a power move. And make no mistake about it, Mississippi State needed one. 'We have not consistently met the standard of success that our university, fans, and student-athletes deserve,' Selmon said in a statement. 'A change in leadership is what's best for the future of Mississippi State Baseball.' Related: Why Mississippi State Baseball should be a highly prestigious position There's talent in Starkville—that much was clear during the late-season push under interim coach Justin Parker, who guided the Bulldogs to wins in nine of their final ten regular-season games. They went 1–3 in postseason play, but the spark was real. Advertisement Now, O'Connor steps into the teeth of the SEC—undeniably the most competitive conference in college baseball. It's a gauntlet, even for a seasoned veteran. But this is Mississippi State. The expectations are sky-high, the fans are locked in, and the smoke has cleared. It's time to see what comes next. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
