Legendary Alcorn State University basketball coach Dave Whitney passed away Sunday, May 10, at the age of 85. Whitney led the Braves to their first ever NCAA Tournament game win by a historically black college. The team also won 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships under his leadership.
The Clinton High School girls track team won a third straight 6A State Championship behind junior Monica Mosley's state-record run in the 300-meter hurdles. The Pearl High School girls team claimed the 5A title, and the St. Andrews Episcopal School girls won the 3A class.
Hinds Community College baseball won the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges State Championship with a 14-3 win over Northwest Community College. The Eagles set a school record with 41 wins and advanced to the Region 23 tournament, which begins Thursday, May 14, in Eunice, La.
Millsaps College baseball received an at-large invite to the NCAA Tournament. The Majors (28-12) will play in the West regional in Tyler, Texas, Wednesday, May 13 through Monday, May 18.
The Mississippi High School Activities Association fast-pitch softball championships are May 15-16 at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland. Madison Central High School will face Harrison Central High School in 6A.
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum will award the C-Spire Ferriss Trophy on Monday, May 18. The finalists include Scott Weathersby (University of Mississippi), Wes Rea (Mississippi State University), James McMahon (University of Southern Mississippi), Melvin Rodriguez (Jackson State University) and Keith Shumaker (Millsaps).
Jon Wiener is the host and producer of "Home Cookin'" on ESPN 105.9 FM The Zone. He has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in broadcast journalism. Follow him on Twitter at @ESPNHomeCookin.
Sports Follows of the Week
by Jon Wiener
@BillSimmons (3.72m): The influential media power, Bill Simmons, is a free agent after parting ways with ESPN. Where will he land?
@langwhitaker (30.7k): NBA TV's prime feature writer Lang Whitaker brings you the compelling stories of the stars in the playoffs.
@MSGRIDIRON (5.8k+): Hop on Mississippi Gridrion's spring road tour of the high-school football power programs in Mississippi.
@HindsCCSpcorts (2.8k+): Follow the No. 3-ranked Eagles in the National Junior College Athletic Association baseball tournament.