More with Gore

The Mississippi Coaches Association host their Rising Stars basketball all-star games this Saturday at Mississippi College.   The two-day event brings together the best in the Class of 2010 throughout the entire state, admission on Saturday is $5.00.

Girls North All-Stars

Calmetta Greyer, Broad Street
Jameika Hoskins, Aberdeen
Jenisha Jackson, North Panola
Amber Jackson, Tupelo
Kenyotta Jenkins, Potts Camp
Chasity Kearney, South Panola
Breanna Lewis, Greenville
Candiace McIntosh, Houlka
Ericka Robinson, Clinton
Jasbriell Swain, Horn Lake
Brizannai Washington, Gentry
Antonekia Williams, Clinton

Girls South All-Stars

Janairrika Bland, Raymond
Keosha Bradley, Natchez
Jasmine Bradley, Pass Christian
Kelcia Bufkin, Scott Central
Brianna Edwards, Ocean Springs
Arnissa Galloway, East Marion
Kierra Gilmore, McAdams
Norianna Haynes, NE Lauderdale
Chadisty Hickman, Kemper County
Valencia McFarland, Raymond
Niesha Pierce, Harrison Central
Nitesha Pierce, Harrison Central

Boys North All-Stars

Jordan Cornelius, Lanier
Jalen Courtney, Provine
DeMarso Cox, Yazoo City
Ife Eke, NW Rankin
Desmond Haymon, Williams-Sullivan
Kelsey Howard, Vicksburg
Jeverik Nelson, Callaway
Dundrecous Nelson, Murrah
Rashad Perkins, Starkville
Jeffery Simmons, Greenwood
Edward Townsel, Starkville
Ramone Wesley, East Side

Boys South All-Stars

T.J. Amos, Richton
Antonnio Benton, Oak Grove
Reshad Bickham, Jim Hill
Dwayne Bingham, Newton
Jeremiah Dunnings, Biloxi
Trency Jackson, Wingfield
Caleb Jett, Brandon
Marcus McGee, Brookhaven
Kevin Nixon, Heidelburg
Keeslee Stewart, Hinds AHS
Andre Stringer, Forest Hill
Michael Young, McLaurin

Nashville police have ruled Steve McNair’s death a homicide, but have refused to classify Sahel Kazemi’s death. McNair suffered four gunshot wounds on Saturday, while Sahemi received just one. The gun was discovered underneath her body.

Who was Sahel Kazemi?

Sepideh Salmani, Kazemi’s aunt, has spoken to numerous news outlets and described her niece as a “young girl who had so many dreams that they never came true.”

Kazemi came to the Nashville four years ago with then-boyfriend, Keith Norfleet. They broke up about five months ago, and she reportedly started seeing McNair soon after.

“He started to talk to her a little,” Salmani said. “They exchanged phone numbers, and started dating from there.”

Kazemi told her sister that McNair was in the process of divorcing.

“That’s why she was like, ‘OK, now you’re divorcing. We can date,’” Salmani told reporters. “He told her, it was going to be finished, the whole divorce was going to be done, two weeks from yesterday.”

Davidson County’s court records shows there is no divorce pending in Nashville. His wife, Mechelle, hasn’t spoken to the media and there has been no word of a divorce pending in Mississippi.

“All she was trying to do was have fun,” Salmani said. “Nothing else. I believe there is a third person involved.”

Her greatest dream, Salmani said, was to be famous.

“I think she is now. She is everywhere,” Salmani closed in a morbid statement.

While the investigation continues, many speculate that the fairytale romance between McNair and Kazemi had come to an end and was closed with a homicide/suicide ending. No official word has been given on the case.

(AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Around 1:35 p.m. police were notified of shots fired at a condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee. When they arrived on the scene they found former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a then unidentified female victim shot to death in the complex.

Police later identified the female victim as 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi.

Authorities said Kazemi had one gunshot wound to the head and that a pistol was discovered near her body. Reports also indicated that McNair was shot several times, including once in the head.

McNair was found on the sofa in the living room, and Kazemi was close to him on the floor. Don Aaron, spokesman for the Nashville Metropolitan Police Department, said the gun was not “readily apparent” when police first arrived.

Autopsies were scheduled for Sunday.

Aaron said investigators have not classified the incident yet. He said investigators have not ruled out anything, but added they were not “actively looking at suspects” as of Saturday night.

The relationship between McNair and Kazemi is unclear, but a law enforcement source close to the investigation said that the woman is McNair’s girlfriend and that the residence is her condominium in downtown Nashville.

Other reports say that McNair and longtime friend Wayne Neeley, who discovered the bodies, rented the condo together.

Police said a witness saw McNair arrive at the condo between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday and that Kazemi’s vehicle was already there.

Residents of the condo told cops that McNair was a frequent visitor and police records show the two had a Cadillac Escalade registered in both their names after Kazemi was charged with a DUI earlier in the week. McNair was in the front seat, but didn’t break the law and was allowed to leave by taxi.

This combo shows Steve McNair, left, in a 2003 season file photo and Sahel Kazemi is shown in this undated booking photo from the Davidson County Sheriff. (AP Photo)

The arrest affidavit said Kazemi had bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on her breath, but refused a breathalyzer test, saying “she was not drunk, she was high.”

Keith Norfleet, Kazemi’s ex-boyfriend, said he came to pick up the car and that McNair was in the car with her when the stop occurred, a fact that was not in the affidavit but was confirmed by police Saturday night.

McNair later bailed Kazemi out, according to bail bondsmen. Norfleet said she told him she was seeing McNair, who she met while working as a waitress at Dave & Busters.

The police have no one in custody and investigators don’t think Mechelle McNair (Steve’s wife) was involved in the incident, whom Aaron said is “very distraught.”

Fred McNair (Steve’s brother) did not know who Kazemi was.

McNair’s family issued a statement through a spokesman Saturday, saying, “The families of Steve McNair in Mississippi and Tennessee appreciate the concern, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of our lost of a husband, father and son. The family requests everyone would allow them time to mourn.”

Conflicting reports have Mt. Olive native Steve McNair being killed in an apparent murder-suicide or double homicide according to WKRN and WTVF out of Tennesse.

At 1:35 p.m. an apartment manager called Metro Nashville PD after hearing shots fired. Police quickly responded to find McNair and an female (later identified as Sahel Kazemi) shot to death in the condo complex.  The investigation is on-going.

WKRN (TN) is reporting former Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair is dead. Metro police have confirmed the former Titans star was found slain and is the victim of an apparent murder-suicide. The identity of the other person was not immediately known. No other information is available at this time.

WTVF (TN) reports former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville. The incident happened at 2nd South & Lea Ave. Police said it looked like a double homicide. A female victim was also found dead.

According to Don Aaron with the Metro Nashville Police Department, no suspects have been taken into custody. Several people were being taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Numerous news organizations have since also confirmed the death of McNair including The Associated Press, ESPN, NBC Sports, and CNN.

McNair (36) played 13 seasons in the NFL, was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and was co-MVP of the league with Peyton Manning in 2003.

The Alcorn State product was drafted third overall by the Houston Oilers in 1995. He spent 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and helped lead them to the Super Bowl in 99.

He played his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring in April of 2008.

Clips on the news of McNair’s death

NEMS360: Sidney’s eligibility case shifts to Clearinghouse in advance of meeting

The eligibility case of Mississippi State basketball signee Renardo Sidney has taken another turn. The NCAA has moved the case from its Agents, Amateurism and Gambling Activities division to the Amateurism Certification Process Team at the Eligibility Center, a.k.a. the NCAA Clearinghouse. The reason >>> click here to read more from Brad Locke.

NEMS360: Rock-N-Rollers lose heartbreaker to Majic

The Tupelo Rock-N-Rollers were ready for overtime. With time expiring in Friday’s World Basketball Association Exposure League championship game, the Rock-N-Rollers’ O’Brian Lowe grabbed the rebound off teammate Daryl Wilson’s miss and put the ball back up for what would have been the tying basket. >>> click here to read more.

Monroe360: Morrow gets gold at State Games

Joe Morrow, a 26-year-old weightlifter from Amory, was the Men’s Overall Champion in the 2009 State Games of Mississippi Powerlifting Competiton.  With a Wilkes Index of 7.62, Morrow earned the gold medal in the 148-pound weight class by lifting a total of 1,405 pounds. >>> click here to read more from Monroe360.

Rivals.com: Senate to hold hearing on college football’s BCS

The Senate plans to hold a hearing next week looking into antitrust issues surrounding the Bowl Championship Series. It’s the second time this year that Congress is shining a light on the polarizing system college football uses to crown its national champion. The hearing will be held next Tuesday in the Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights, according to a posting on the committee’s Web site. >>> click here to read more.

Hattiesburg American: Money no problem for some schools

This fiscal year, the University of Florida athletic budget has jumped $5.9 million to just over $89 million. Oh, and did I mention that is with a 10 percent all-around cut and the addition of a new sport, women’s lacrosse.In fact, budgets are up around the money-crazed Southeastern Conference, thanks to the new TV deal signed with CBS and ESPN, expected to pay schools $6.2 million each. >>> click here to read more.

Saturday Morning Sports Ramblings by Austin Bishop of the Star-Herald.

Will Kollmeyer/ICC Director of Marketing and Sports Information

For the second straight season, Itawamba Community College will kick off its season against perennial power, Jones County Junior College.  Indians head coach Jeff Terrill, who does not bring back a starting skill position player on offense, officially released his programs schedule for the fall which will send his team on the road to face another south half power the second week, defending state champion Gulf Coast, before opening north division play on September 10 against rival Northeast in Booneville.

“We’ve got another challenging schedule this fall, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” said Terrill, whose program has made the post-season in four of the last five years.  “But we’ve got some time to get our guys ready for that rugged schedule and I know our staff is looking forward to seeing how some of our prized recruits will mesh with some of the folks we’re bringing back from last year’s team.”

ICC, which finished in third place in the north a season ago (3-3), welcomed back most of its 2009 squad to the Fulton campus on Sunday as they began the second term of summer school on Monday.  Itawamba, who has won 27 of its last 38 regular season games, has also scheduled a pre-season scrimmage against Copiah Lincoln Community College on Friday, August 14 at 3:00 at Lambert Stadium in Fulton.

Itawamba Indians 2009 Football Schedule

Friday, Aug. 14 - Co-Lin  Scrimmage - Fulton – 3:00 P.M.
Thurs., Aug. 27 - Jones - Fulton - 7 P.M.
Thurs., Sept. 3 - Gulf Coast – Perkinston - 7 P.M.
Thurs., Sept. 10 – Northeast* - Booneville – 7 P.M.
Thurs., Sept 17 - Northwest* - Fulton - 7 P.M.
Thurs., Sept. 24 - MS Delta* - Fulton - 7 P.M.
Thurs., Oct. 1 - Holmes* - Goodman - 7 P.M.
Thurs., Oct. 8 - Hinds - Raymond – 7:00 P.M.
Sat., Oct 17 - **East MS* – Fulton – 3 P.M.
Thurs., Oct 22 - Coahoma* – Clarksdale – 7 P.M.

*Division Games
**Homecoming

NEMS360: Ramey going back to Tremont

Brady Ramey is going back to Tremont.  The 35-year-old Tremont High alumnus will be the new athletics director at the MHSAA Class 1A school, in addition to being the boys head basketball coach, an assistant girls basketball coach and the head cross country coach beginning this fall. >>> click here for the full story from John Wilbert.

Monroe360: Kelly brings NFL to Aberdeen

Thanks to one of its own, for the second year in a row, Aberdeen was the place to get up close and personal to some of the NFL’s best players.  Former Aberdeen and Mississippi State Bulldog Reggie Kelly held his second annual 82’s Football Camp here on Saturday >>> click here for more from Brandon Speck.

Tippah360: Hundreds turnout for B.A.K.E.R.S Camp 2009

The 2009 B.A.K.E.R.S. Camp was held on the football and baseball fields at Falkner High School. NFL offensive lineman and Ripley native Kendall Simmons joined Oakland Raider and former Ole Miss standout Derrick Burgess for the fourth consecutive year to give youth ages 6-18 a taste of a NFL style workout >>> click here for more on the Camp from Kedrick Storey.

Check out the Star Herald’s Friday Morning Sports Ramblings from Austin Bishop.

Darryl Wilson scored 25 points to lead the Tupelo Rock-N-Rollers to a 107-89 victory over Decatur (Ga.) in the WBA playoffs on Thursday night.

With the win, Tupelo will play host Buford (Ga.) for the league championship on Friday night.

Courtney Bradley added 20 points for Tupelo. Jason Smith scored 17 points while Chris Sykes had 11.

More with Gore: NEMS360.com — Rollers can win title tonight

South Panola’s multi-sport standout David Renfroe has been nominated for an ESPN ESPY.

Renfroe has been nominated for the Best Under Armour All-American Moment, for his appearance in an All-Star Game held at Wrigley Field. Renfroe hit a home run over the ivy in left field and also struck out five batters to earn MVP honors for Team One. He was the only player to homer in the games featuring some of the best players in the country.

Click here to vote for Renfroe.

Sheena Barnett/NEMS Daily Journal

courtesy NEMS360.com

NEW ALBANY – I’ve covered hundreds of stories since getting into journalism a few years ago, but Marshuan Braxton’s funeral is one of the most touching stories I’ve ever covered.

Braxton, 17, a rising New Albany High School senior, died in Costa Rica on June 21 when an unexpected wave swept him into the Pacific Ocean.

His funeral at New Albany Middle School on Sunday was a sight to behold. The entire gym was full of his friends, family, fellow church members, teammates and teachers.

I didn’t know Braxton in life, but I left that gym feeling as thought I knew him. >>> click here to read the rest of the article on a student-athlete that touched the lives of everyone that was around him.