More with Gore

Brandon Speck called me literally as I was about to start my car to go to Pontotoc telling me we have already had a major shake up in the Sr Legion Tournament in Pontotoc as both Mississippi Prospect teams dropped out of the tournament.

The last second decision forced officials to quickly make changes to the tournament bracket – one that has not been made available yet, but I am sure Mr McGregor will have all the information we need when we make our way into “The Hollow”

Today’s revamped schedule:

4:30 p.m. – Hub City vs Booneville

8:00 p.m. – Tupelo vs Amory

Great article posted today by Brad Locke about Bruce’s Richard Freelon:  Freelon: Is He Invisible?

August 2 – Winona Christian Tournament – Away – TBA
August 5 – Kemper Academy* – Home – 4:00
August 19 – Tupelo Christian* – Away – 4:00
August 25 – Immanuel Christian* – Away – 4:00
August 26 – Hebron Christian* – Away – 4:00
September 2 – Macon Central* – Home – 4:00
September 9 – Winona Christian* – Home - 4:00

* denotes region games

The bracket is set for the seven team, double elimination Senior Legion State Tournament in Pontotoc this Thursday through Sunday.

Thursday

Game One – 1:00 p.m. – Booneville Braves vs Hattiesburg (Hub City Bombers)

Game Two – 4:30 p.m. – Amory Cardinals vs Richton (Mississippi Prospects #1)

Game Three – 8:00 p.m. – Tupelo 49er’s vs Greenwood (Mississippi Prospects #2)

Friday

Game Four – 1:00 p.m. – Game 2 Loser vs Game 3 Loser

Game Five – 4:30 p.m. – Game 2 Winner vs Game 3 Winner

Game Six – 8:00 p.m. – Pontotoc vs Game 1 Winner

Saturday

Game Seven – 9:30 a.m. – Game Six Loser vs Game Four Winner

Game Eight – 1:00 p.m. – Game One Loser vs Game Five Loser

Game Nine – 4:30 p.m. – Game Four Winner vs Game Five Winner

Game Ten – 8:00 p.m. – Game Seven Winner vs Game Eight Winner

Sunday

Game Eleven – 1:00 p.m. – Game Nine Loser vs Game Ten Winner

Game Twelve – 4:30 p.m. – Game Nine Winner vs Game Eleven Winner

Game Thirteen – 8:00 p.m. – If Necessary

(Left to right) Ben Peel, Joseph Gray, Paige Gray, Jeff Gray, Tyler Gray, and Joshua Warren

Despite early adversity in his athletic career, Tyler Gray has surfaced as one of the top senior baseball players heading into the 2008-2009 school year.

Things didn’t go as well as Jeff and Paige Gray had hoped when their son started his athletic career at Calhoun City, but after cooler heads prevailed they realized it was more important to be examples for their children.

“It’s hard as a parent to see your child go through some of the things Tyler did,” Paige Gray.  “When we stopped and looked at the situation we knew it was more important for us to encourage our kids… that way when they are faced with difficult things in life they would be able to beat them instead of backing down from them.”

Their lead by example attitude has paid off in a big way as Tyler and his younger brother Joseph have grabbed the spotlight in many nationwide baseball showcases and tournaments this summer.

After a stellar junior season with the Calhoun City Wildcats, Tyler has shined as a member of the MS Prospects coached by former Calhoun Academy baseball coach Josh Bufford and was selected to participate with the Florida Coast to Coast Select team.

During the Southeastern Louisiana Showcase Tyler was clocked with a 7.1 second sprint in the 60-yard dash that placed him in the top three out of the top 48 players in the showcase from all across the country and was clocked with a 4.02 home to first time during Coast to Coast events – just a few steps shy of the 3.9 MLB average.

Not to be out done Joseph “JoJo” Gray has also enjoy the taste of success during the summer as well.

As a member of the Mississippi Mud Monkeys JoJo, along with Calhoun County native Clay Wade and Chickasaw County native Colton Peel, won the NBC Hap Dumont World Series in Jackson, Tennessee.  Much like his older brother, JoJo won the home to first sprint contest as he competed against other athletes participating in the World Series. 

The athletic apple don’t fall from the tree as athletics roots run deep in the Gray family. 

Jeff was a multi-sport star athlete at Calhoun City and held the all-time home run record for nearly 20 years before Delta State signee Jordan Moore clipped his career mark of 27 with his game two grand slam against Myrtle during the ‘Cats  runner-up finish in the 2008 playoffs.

“I was cheering for him all season hoping he would beat my record,” Jeff Gray.  “We just want to see all the kids in the county be successful in all athletics and want to do anything we can for them to be successful.”

He also was a member of the Northwest Community College football team that participated in the Shrine Bowl in Texas a year before the Rangers won the National Championship. 

Paige was a cheerleader at Calhoun City, but participated in numerous women athletics during the summer that were not offered as a high school sports.

“I just love sports all together,” Paige.  “I tried to play everything I could and I want to give the kids in the community more opportunities than we had growing up.”

That desire to help better their own kids has turned into to a project of love to help better all kids in the community from an idea that developed from helping the Wildcats’ baseball program set up an indoor batting facility to keep up with other growing programs in the state.

“We had been looking for some way to help Coach (Josh) Miller keep the kids working out when it was cold or raining then one day it dawned on us that we had the perfect facility here at the cleaners,” Paige Gray.

McGreger Lee (front) and Jeff Gray work on his batting motion.

Hundreds of feet of batting net, a pitching machine donated by Southern Belle, numerous grant applications, and countless hours of manpower later not only do the Wildcats have a place to call home, but future baseball stars have a place to hone their skills with the help of Ben Peel at the GATA Baseball Camp.

“When you go to places like Houston and Pontotoc you see the younger kids skills more advanced than some of the kids here in the county,” Jeff Gray.  “Part of that reason is they have people like Ben working with them year round… we hope to be able to expand the facilities and open it full-time… if we do Ben is going to be our man teach the kids.”

Joshua Warren and Hayden Goodson work on batting skills

While GATA has long been associated with the ’Cats tenacious defense, the Gray’s form of the infamous moniker is “Good Attitude Towards Achieving.”

In the first ever baseball camp 17 campers have participated in numerous skill sharpening drills which includes video break down of batting stance and swings.  Each camper performances are documented after each day and are evaluated to help chart the campers advancements from one year to the next. 

A large part of the Gray’s drive for success is in honor of Paige’s father Lanny Flemming.

Ben Peel of Houston

“When something was going on at the school you would always find daddy there cheering for the kids,” Paige Gray.  “This is something I know that daddy is looking down on and smiling… he loved Calhoun City sports and the kids that played them… this would be something I know he would be very proud of.”

For more information or to help donate to the future improvements to the facilities contact Jeff or Paige Gray at 662-628-4386 or stop by Calhoun City Cleaners.

Hayden Goodson, McGreger Lee, Will Fleming, Cameron Yarbrough, Will Baker, Walker Hardin, Jamie Goodson, and Joesph Gray participated in the first week of Camp GATA.

Update via Houston’s Katie Nelson:

The Houston All-Stars downs Hernando 10-5 in the opening round of the 16 and under Softball World Series in Southaven.  They will advance to the second round to take on Pontotoc in the 8:00 a.m. game on Saturday

Vardaman is taking on Senatobia - they are scoreless through two innings of play.

Update via Vardaman’s Kaitlyn Doles:

Vardaman dropped their first game of the tournament 3-1 to Senatobia.  They will play Hernando in round two Saturday at noon.

Vardaman beat Hernando 12-0 and advanced to play Houston after they defeated Southaven. 

Update via Katie Nelson and Kaitlyn Doles:

Houston eliminated Vardaman with a 13-9 victory to advance to round three Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

Update via Katie Nelson:

Houston advanced from the loser’s bracket to the championship series where they were defeated by the Pontotoc All-Stars.

The Empire State Building

Day one of our three day trip to New York is officially in the books as I am the only one out of our group of seven still awake at this hour – so far so great as it has been the classic road trip and then some… so far!

Click here for Brandon Speck’s travel journey to Gotham City.

The trip also has a feel of a reality show, especially for Rachel Locke and Jessica Speck. The ladies of the trip knew no one outside their husbands before the trip and with day one, a new tire, and a race across New York under their belts they might wish things would have stayed that way. On the other side of the van, Ryan and Steven only knew me – so I guess the only connection of the trip is the three sports guys getting paid by Journal Publising: Brandon Speck, Brad Locke, and myself.

The plans for tomorrow are to see the city again while taking in the Yankees vs Twins game at Yankee Stadium, but like Rachel said… “let’s stop looking ahead because so far nothing has gone the way we planned it.”

I will update more tomorrow, but right now I am going to bed after being awake since 8:45 a.m. on Sunday – plus we lost a hour jumping into the Eastern Timezone.

P.S. Don’t eat at ESPNZone on Times Square!!!

Day Two: New York really don’t get a fair shake when it comes to public opinion.  The New York we “see” and “hear about” is not the New York Brandon Speck, Steven Criss, and myself just spent five hours walking around – with that said day three could be a different story!!!

I really think Speck and I are long lost brothers

The day got off to a late start because we over slept – who would have thought a near 20-hour drive would make you tired (please note sarcasm) but business quickly picked up for us all.  Brad and Steven fought tooth and nail to move the van to Newark Airport while Rachel, Jessica, Brandon, Ryan and I tromped around the city.  We found the Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick Cathedral, NBC Experience Store, NBC News, and a bunch of other pictures I have to document everything.

We reunited with our Jersey Boys at Rockefeller Center we made our way back towards our rooms, but stopped off for a quick slice of NYC pie – GOOD STUFF!!!!  Cherry Pepsi isn’t half bad either – Mrs Locke gets the credit for that tidbit of new found joy from this trip.  Who, on a side note, celebrates her birthday on August 16th a day before national Adam Gore Day.

Yankee Stadium

Once we got back to the rooms for a quick rest it was off to Yankee Stadium.  The Babe didn’t do a bad job building the joint if I say so myself, but the new Yankee Stadium somewhat reminded me of a modern Notre Dame Stadium – so they are off to a good start on the new digs.  We had some pretty cool seats and were surrounded by equally cool fans, but if you missed it the Yankees won 8-2 over the Twins.

After the game we found out what it felt like to be cattle led to slaughter as nearly 54,000 people made their way to the subway.  A long ride and a nice conversation with a local later we are back at the room once again chilling out for a few seconds – then the fun begins!!!

Brandon Speck thought he was 18 years old all the sudden mixed with mine and Steven’s “we are here to experience New York” attitude turned into a five hour wandering tour of New York that saw us grab a bite to eat at McDonald’s on Times Square, talk with homeless people, “ladies of the night” telling us hello, but 307 pictures later we are back at the room.  

Day Three: All I have to say is OUCH!!!!  I spent most of the night fighting foot cramps and my entire muscular system twitching before I could finally go to sleep last night. 

I was going to join the group at the Today Show, but we kind of over slept once again.  I gingerly walked around New York while Brandon, Brad, and Steven got all of the luggage to the new digs in Newark, New Jersey. 

The world-famous Naked Cowboy on Times Square

Despite the pain, I did get to do one thing I had hoped to do while in Gotham – meet Mr. Americana: The Naked Cowboy!!!

Ryan and I followed the ladies around on a shopping spree that eventually led us to American Dolls.  No matter how much Ryan will try to deny it – we did go inside the store for a look-see, but quickly made our way back outside to watch the locals busy their way down the side walk.

P.S. Don’t eat at Hard Rock Cafe on Times Square and don’t ask Jessica to figure up her change if you are a waitress handing her the bill!!!

Toys R Us, Radio City Music Hall, and the NBC Experience later Brandon has mysteriously beaten Brad and Steven to the meeting spot via walking 15 blocks.  When the two weary warriors joined the group we made our way out to the WTC site, but had to fight people and guard railing to get a look at the site because the overlook was no longer in use.  

The Statue of Liberty

Ryan and the Locke’s go to the Mets game while Steven, the Speck’s, and I continue to tour the city seeing the Statue of Liberty from a long distance away, that building from Men In Black, another trip to Toys R Us, and capped the night off with shopping on the side streets of Times Square before the storm moved in.

P.S. DO eat at Dallas BBQ just off Times Square!!!Day Four: I am sad to say was spent in the bed because I couldn’t even put my shoes on due to the pain in my feet.  Let that be a lesson to anyone planning on going to tour NYC – walk at least two months in advance of your trip!!!

 Ryan, the Locke’s, and I enjoyed a very nice lunch in the hotel before Steven and the Speck’s returned from their final rendezous with the city.

Then it was off to the races as Brad weaved his way in and out of Jersey traffic until we came to Easton, PA to the Crayola Factor only to be too late for the tour.  Then we made our way to Hersey, PA to tour the Hersey Factor – where I made five dollars from Steven, Ryan, Speck, and Locke for drinking some chocolate BBQ sauce…

Around 7:30 p.m. I got behind the wheel and covered a lot of ground in a rather creative manner through the moutains all the way to nearly 5:00 a.m. in only God knows where TN where we stopped off at McDonald’s for breakfast – then for some reason Locke got stuck with driving the rest of the way home.

Now we are home and are beginning the recuperating process, but every second was worth the time from the experience of New York to spending times with my friends…  It’s something I suggest everyone do at least once in your lifetime.

(left to right) Me, Brandon Speck, Jessica Speck, Brad Locke, Rachel Locke, Ryan Whittington, and Steven Criss at Yankee Stadium

Happy 10th wedding anniversary to Brad and Rachel

Click Here: Brad Locke’s Personal Blog about the trip – didn’t know he had this one

Katie Nelson of Houston All-Star Cody's Angels will participate in the 16 & under World Series in Southaven

Whether you call her Caitlin or Katie the one name you can call the standout to be junior is “Champ” after the Houston All-Stars defeated the Philadelphia All-Stars for the 2008 16 and under State Championship.

The road to the state championship ran through the Vardaman All-Stars, a team made up mainly of her high school teammates, which proved to be a bitter sweet experience for Nelson.

“It got me fired up to play them, but I also wanted my (high school) teammates to be able to play for a state championship because we have been working really hard over the summer to get ready for the season and they deserved a chance at the championship as much as we did,” Caitlin Nelson.

Caitlin developed into one of Northeast Mississippi top sophomore catchers last season and despite postseason honors eluding her she says the team success outweighs individuals honors at the end of the day.

Nelson at bat against Hickory Flat during the 1A North State Softball Semi-Finals

“I was disappointed that I didn’t get an award because for once I actually felt like I had earned something for all my hard work, but I just want to keep getting better to help make my team better,” Nelson. “I was more excited for how we were able to play and what we were able to do during the playoffs than any award I could have gotten.”

Nelson and the Houston All-Stars will play in the Softball World Series this week in Southaven.

“I am excited about playing in the World Series,” Nelson. “We are going to play against a lot of good teams and that will help me get better for when we play during school.”

Vardaman will lean on the experience of Nelson along with the nine returning starters from last season’s squad that made the historic run to the 1A North State Championship where they dropped two games to rival Smithville. East Webster defeated Smithville in two games to claim their third straight fast pitch state championship.

I’ve notice a heavy search for some of my sports photos – have no fear they are all right here:

Pontotoc vs Amory – Sr Legion Baseball

All-Star Softball State Tournament in Houston:  Houston and Vardaman

7 On 7 Photos: Random players from the summer

7 On 7 Photos: Calhoun County teams

Calhoun City Tee-Ball

Summer softball and baseball in Vardaman

Summer League Basketball in Pontotoc

NEMBCA Basketball All-Star Games at ICC

South Pontotoc vs Nettleton – Dizzy Dean Baseball

Pontoto vs Hamilton, AL – Sr. Legion Baseball

Summer softball tee-ball and baseball in Bruce

Mascara vs Muscle in Vardaman

Calhoun City High School Athletic Banquet

Vardaman Football Jamboree (Vardaman, Nettleton, Coffeeville) and VHS Athletic Banquet

Vardaman vs Hickory Flat – 1A Softball Playoffs

Random Sports Pictures