By Staff
From staff reports
March 4, 2002
Meridian High School head boys basketball coach Ernie Watson said the Wildcats will have to overcome a tough defensiive-minded squad from Harrison Central tonight in order to keep its dream of a 5A title alive.
Gulfport was 34-0 and had beaten Harrison Central in all four previous meetings before the Red Rebels finally broke through with a defensive masterpiece holding the Admirals under 50 points on their own floor in the South State 5A boys final at Gulfport.
Jeff Byrd
Rocket original passes away
Funeral services for Howard Wells, 68, of Knoxville, Tenn., were held Feb. 26 from the chapel of Weaver Funeral Home in Knoxville.
Wells began the Neshoba Central football program in 1959 as the Rockets first head coach.
Wells died Monday, Feb. 25, in the University of Tennessee Hospital. He was a longtime educator and coach, having taught and coached in Mississippi and Tennessee.
Wells was a member of the 1951 National Junior College Football Championship team from Jones County Junior College.
Marty Stamper
MHSAA state golf sites set
The Mississippi High School Activities Association has released the sites for the 2002 state golf tournaments.
Class 5A will play at Cherokee Valley Golf Club at Olive Branch. Class 4A will play at Dixie Golf Club at Laurel.
Class 3A will play at Pontotoc Country Club. Classes 1A and 2A will play at Wolf Hollow Golf Course at Wesson.
Marty Stamper
5A field loaded with champs
The field for the 5A Boys features schools who have all won state titles in boys basketball. It's the only such field in any of the five classes for both boys and girls.
Gulfport, who beat Clinton last Tuesday 68-60, has won seven championships. The last came in 1988 and was led by the former Chris Jackson, now Mahmoud Abdul Rauf.
Meridian's championship came in 1978. Harrison Central, Meridian's next opponent, has three including the most recent title, that coming in 2000.
Hattiesburg, Tuesday's Wildcat victim, was the 5A finalist against Biloxi last year. They last won 5A in 1972 with the great Purvis Short.
North State champ Natchez won its crown in 1994 beating Jackson Lanier. CLinton has had the longest drought, winning its title in 1955. Natchez will meet Gulfport on Tuesday in the second 5A Boys semifinal.
Jeff Byrd
McFarland coaching at Choctaw County
Former Meridian High School baseball coach Bill McFarland now coaches at Choctaw County High School.
McFarland's team is off to a 2-1 start after Friday's 5-4 loss to Fruitdale, Ala.
Marty Stamper