Blast from the Past

Step back a few years with us and enjoy some sports memories from the local area. 

April 7, 1980 

South Jones defeated West Jones, 6-4, as Ken Moore doubled and singled in driving home three runs for the Braves. Simmy Cooley was the winning pitcher. Joey Kitchens, Dubbie Sulllivan and Chip Walker all doubled while Dan Ashley and Cooley each singled for the Braves. Julius Deloach led WJ with four hits plus swiped three bases. Scotchie Davis singled twice, while Wayne Graves and Trey Ulmer each singled for West Jones. 

April 7, 1990 

Michael Rayner tripled and singled in leading Stringer over Mount Olive, 8-2. Lucky Wilkinson and Reggie Dease added two hits for the Red Devils. Steve McNair homered for the Pirates. Jason Buckley was the winning pitcher for SHS. 

April 8, 1995 

Michael Collins threw a no-hitter in his first start for West Jones. He fanned 10 in the 7-0 win over Magee. Wesley Keyes doubled twice and Shawn Farris homered and singled, while Nathan Dillon and Lane McDonnieal blasted home runs for WJ. 

April 9, 1970

Laurel High School’s Mark McLaughlin had a very good day representing the Tornadoes. Mark won his tennis match against Meridian (6-1, 6-0) and then ran over to the stadium and won the discus throw at an LHS track meet. 

April 9, 1980

Stringer quarterback Mark Ishee, Laurel linebacker Lee Cole and West Jones running back Adolph Ducksworth were selected to play in the Mississippi Coaches Association All-Star football game scheduled for August 2 in Jackson’s Memorial Stadium. 

April 9, 1990 

West Jones hurler Chuck Boyd pitched a perfect game against Mendenhall as the Mustangs won, 12-0, in the opener of a double-header. Scott Brady was the hitting star with a single and a triple for the winners. In the nightcap, Jeffery Robinson pitched a three-hitter in leading West to a 6-2 win. Rodney Phillips led the Mustangs with a single and a double. 

April 10, 1970

Laurel track star Buck Moody blazed to a 9.8 100-yard dash, while Wyatt Turan won the 180 low hurdles with a 22.9 time. Stanley Priester won the long jump with a 19.11 leap in the Laurel Relays.  

April 11, 2000

Heidelberg Academy blanked Winston Academy, 10-0, as Blake Griffin threw a one-hitter and fanned 11 batters. Hunter McKeivier singled and doubled for the Rebels, while Derek McKee hit a home run. 

April 12, 1995

South Jones upset the state’s number one team, Oak Grove, 6-5. Jerrod Jones tripled in the tying run and then scored on a wild pitch for the game winner. Michael Robinson and Robby Harris each singled twice for the Braves. Starting pitcher Corey Kyzar fanned five with Zack Robinson picking up the win in relief.