The 2018 sports season featured some interesting stories. There was plenty of news to go around. There were state championships and disappointments along the way. Coaches came and went along the way. Here’s a look at the top stories of the 2018 sports year.
East Central’s Bethany Wellerman wins MACJC championship:
Former Newton County Academy standout Bethany Wellerman continued her winning ways at East Central as she won the MACJC state championship at No. 5 singles. Wellerman went 11-1 at East Central after winning back-to-back state titles at NCA. Wellerman beat Meridian’s Katherine Mitchell 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 in the finals to claim the championship.
Kristen Chaney leaves East Central, Lake’s Neel takes job:
After a successful run at East Central, softball coach Kristen Chaney stepped down as softball coach to pursue a job in the private sector. Chaney, a former East Central All-American in basketball and softball, took the Lady Warriors to the national finals and had one of the best program in the state. East Central didn’t have to look far to find Chaney’s replacement as they hired Lake coach Eric Neal, who had just taken the Lady Hornets to their first-ever appearance in the Class 2A championship series.
Union football enjoys resurgence:
The Union football team suffered its worst season in the Brad Breland era in 2017, going 2-9. But the Yellowjackets bounced back in 2018 as they posted an 8-5 record as Breland earned Coach of the Year honors and quarterback Colby Ferguson earned Player of the Year honors.
Newton County loses slow-pitch softball title:
Newton County had been a fixture in the slow-pitch softball championships and had won six straight titles heading into the 2018 season. With No. 7 in sight, Newton County finally had an off day as South Pontotoc beat the Lady Cougars in the finals, ending one of the state’s best runs in any sport.
Ryan Smith leaves Newton, Tigers hire Zach Grady:
Ryan Smith enjoyed unprecedented success at Newton, featuring back-to-back winning seasons and playoff berths. But after two years, Smith took his talents to the college level, taking the head job at his alma matter at Southwester Assemblies of God (SAGU). The Tigers hired former Murrah head coach Zach Grady, who suffered through a 1-9 season with the Tigers.
Newton County hires Bobby Bass:
When Gene Mitchell stepped down after the 2017 season, Newton County was in the market for a new football coach. The Cougars went for former assistant coach Bobby Bass, who was the defensive coordinator at Brookhaven. Bass only won two games in his first season but brought a new toughness to the team.
East Central breaks ground on new
football facility:
Over the last decade, East Central has made multiple improvements to its football facility with a new turf field and new entrance to the facility. This past year, East Central broke ground on new football facility that will house a new dressing room for the Warriors, weight room, coaches offices and meeting rooms for the Warriors.
Newton County, NCA fall short in bids to
repeat in tennis:
2017 was the year for tennis in Newton County as both Newton County and Newton County Academy won state championships on the tennis courts. Both teams had strong seasons as both won South State titles but fell short of repeat titles. Newton County lost to New Albany in the 4A finals while NCA fell short in the AA state tournament.
Lake softball teams makes 2A finals:
The Lake Lady Hornets enjoyed their best season in school history as they made the Class 2A finals, losing to St. Patrick in the finals. The Lady Hornets finished the season with a 27-11 record. Not long after the season, head coach Eric Neel left for the head job at East Central. Lake then turned to veteran coach Keith Essary to lead the program, which returns one of the strongest pitching staffs in Class 2A.
East Central’s
McCarty heads to Ivy League:
In one of the greatest leaps in the history of community college athletics, East Central basketball player Thurston McCarty signed to play his college basketball at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Cornell is an Ivy League school. McCarty made a 26 on his ACT and was an excellent student, finishing third in his class at Quitman.
