03/14/00| 1997 | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1999 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2000 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
03/14/00
12/29/00
Gulfport HS - GHS has several underclassmen who bear watching this coming baseball season.
A couple of them are juniors Chris Ramano, a transfer from St. John's, and Armando Talavera. Chris, who is a 6-3, 185, catcher, consistently throws down to second in under 2 seconds. This past summer, he batted .479 with 7 homeruns in American Legion ball. Great work ethic and great kid. Armando, who will be playing on the varsity team for the third year, is a 6-1, 180, centerfielder who runs the sixty in the 6.7 second range. He has great speed, a great arm and great leadership skills, according to my source. All Armando lacks is improvement in his hitting. My source mentioned that his swing is sound mechanically but he just hasn't been able to put it all together.
Olive Branch HS - J.B. Fesmire (5-11, 190) is a senior middle infielder (2B/SS) and relief pitcher who has hit over .400 his first three years with a high of .477 his junior year. He has been selected as Best of the Prep in Shelby County for three straight years and has made the All-Conference team. According to my source, he is fast (4.5 to 4.6 forty), has quick hands and good reaction to the ball. He has received letters and calls from several Division I schools, including Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Tennessee, and LSU.
12/27/00
Oak Hill Academy (West Point) - Brooks Tinsley (6-1, 165) is a senior middle infielder/RHP for Oak Hill Academy in West Point. Brooks, who is an excellent student, helped OHA win the North State championship last year with his hitting and fielding ability (.321 batting average, 3 home runs, .620 on base percent, fielding percent of .992). As a pitcher, Brooks throws in the low-80s, has a spot-control fastball and a snapping, late breaking curve. He has received strong interest from West Alabama and Birmingham Southern.
Brooks is one-third of OHA's "Killer Bees," which includes MPSA Utility Player of the Year in 2000, Brett Donahoo (5-11, 200, very fast and very powerful RHP), and speedy centerfielder Brandon McGarity, a crafty LHP who is also a very good line-drive hitter.
12/26/00
Jackson Prep - JP has a couple of baseball players who could develop into D-I players. They are junior catcher William Lindley (5-10, 190) and sophomore catcher Jon Still (6-0, 215). William is a very good defensive catcher with an excellent arm (1.9/2.0 seconds from home to second). He has shown the ability to become a good hitter. Jon is a player who has shown the ability to be an outstanding hitter who could become a big time player as he continues to develop.
Tupelo HS - Tupelo HS has a junior catcher, Bo Baxter (6-3, 225), who is already being looked at by Ole Miss and Delta State. He also plays fullback for the football team.
12/22/00
Ruleville Central HS - According to a source of mine, running back Noah Ingram (5-11, 215) had offers from MSU, UM and USM. Look for Noah to stay in Mississippi. There is a possibility that he may go the juco route for the first two years of his college career.
12/11/00
Winston Academy - Taylor McNeel, 6-1, 180, 4.7, is an excellent student who will easily qualify. Taylor has been the starting quarterback for WA since his sophomore year. He has led his team to MPSA A and AA Championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000. He was the starting quarterback in the MPSA 2000 All Star Game for the winning North squad. During his outstanding career, he has rushed for 3,400+ yards and passed for 4,800+ yards.
Taylor has not only succeeded on the football field but outside of football as well. He is the Winston Academy Student Body President, an Honor Society member, a Wendy's Heisman State Finalist and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
12/10/00
Harrison Central HS - Running back Isiah Martin (1,000 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving, 12 touchdowns, 1,400 all-purpose yards), linebacker Iroko Auyodele (80 tackles, a school record), wide receiver Jay Lewis (50 receptions, a school record) all made the All-District team. According to my source, Martin and Auyodele visited Ole Miss when they played Mississippi State. They both really like Ole Miss and will academically qualify as freshmen.
12/09/00
Clarksdale HS - Clarksdale HS very will could have one of the top defensive secondaries in the Mississippi high school ranks next season. Senior-to-be safety Darren Williams will very likely be a Dandy Dozen selection and junior-to-be Trumaine McBride is another player to watch in their secondary.
Baldwyn HS - Baldwyn HS has several underclassmen to watch next season.
Clinton HS - Clinton HS kicker Andrew Shapley was chosen as the Clarion-Ledger player of the week for his performance in the 5-A championship game. He kicked 27 and 51 yard field goals during the game. He has kicked two years for tradition rich Clinton. According to my source, Andrew made 8 of his 11 field goal attempts this year. Although the championship game was played on a rainey night, all of his kickoffs went into the endzone. He started at receiver and safety in addition to kicking. During the game against Moss Point, he caught 2 passes for 75 yards and made 3 tackles. What is unique about Andrew is he is a football player who is an excellent kicker. My source went on to say that he won the kicking competition at the MSU camp this past summer.
12/05/00
Winston Academy - Winston Academy has a couple of players who may have the talent to play on the D-I level. Senior quarterback Taylor McNeel had an excellent year this past season and has started receiving interest from D-I schools, including the likes of Mississippi State. His teammate, Lenny Boatner, is a sophomore wide receiver/running back type who has size, good speed and very good leaping ability.