As far as I’m concerned, summer vacation is over with.
Private schools across the state started practicing this week with some kicking off practice last week.
Newton County Academy was one of the schools that started last week as they have a “week zero” game with rival Sylva-Bay on Aug. 16, which is just around the corner.
The public schools will begin practice on Monday, Aug. 5.
For me, that means games are around the corner and my summer is essentially over, even though I’ll have to deal with the hot temperatures and rapidly growing grass for a while longer.
There will be stats
I’ve had several people ask me in the last couple of weeks asking if we will have the prep stats for football this season.
I’ve spoken to publisher Timothy Holdiness and he assures me that we will have stats. I’ve told everyone that asks that as long as I am still doing sports, I plan on doing the prep stats. It’s easily the best thing that I do and a way to get a lot of names in the paper. So have no fear, as long as the coaches continue to send me their stats, I’ll continue to compile them and send them in.
That’s not all
Along with football getting started, area volleyball teams kick off regular-season play this weekend.
The volleyball in the area looks to be very good this season. Newton County is the defending Class 4A state champion and Union should be a contender in Class 2A. Lake had a strong season last year as well.
As I’ve said before, I believe volleyball will only get better in our area now that East Central has added a team. They won’t field a team this year but will the following season.
Also getting kicked off is the Newton County Academy fast-pitch softball team. The Lady Generals lost two this past weekend but those were to the Class 5A power East Rankin and Class 6A Presbyterian Christian. I’ll say one thing for coach Kelly Alderman, he isn’t afraid to play a little competition as he gets ready for district play.
Ogletree in Britain
Union’s Andy Ogletree just finished off a successful run across the pond.
Ogletree played in the British Open and made the cut, which was a big accomplishment. He didn’t finish well but did make enough money to cover his expenses.
Then last week, Ogletree was in the running in the LIV Tour event. He was the leader after the second round with a score of 12-under-par and in line for a $4 million payday. He even birdied two holes early and had a four-shot lead. But a trio of double bogeys moved Ogletree down the leaderboard and into a tie for sixth place, which was good for a $700,000 pay day.
I stopped in at the Piggly Wiggly in Union on Monday and saw Andy’s dad, Jim, in the store. You could tell Jim was excited about the weekend and said at one point “I thought I was about to get a new grocery store.” I bet you did, Jim, and I certainly don’t blame you bud.
Now Andy is headed back to the states and will spend a few days at The Neshoba County Fair before he gets back to professional golf.
Alderman starting to warm up
Former Newton County Academy and Ole Miss standout Kemp Alderman has a had a couple of good weeks for the Jupiter Hammerheads.
Alderman, who had his season delayed with a hand surgery, had struggled to start the season and was hitting just over .200 for the Hammerheads.
But Alderman has raised his average to .276 in the last three weeks and has been moved to the cleanup spot for the Hammerheads. He hit a walk-off home run this week and had his first triple of the season on Sunday.
Amazingly, the Hammerheads picked up the pace about the same time that Alderman did.
I’m glad to see this young man get going. Don’t be surprised to see him move up in the Marlins’ minor-league system next year. He should be in High-A next and that’s all the way to Beloit, Wisconsin — which is about 12 hours and 800-plus miles from Decatur.
But from there, he would go to Double A in Pensacola while Triple A is in Jacksonville. I may be wrong but I suspect he will be in Pensacola by the end of next year and once you get to Double AA, the major leagues aren’t far away.
