Updated 3/25/08
Congratulations to the following former Mississippi Star players who were chosen to be on the 2008 Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen High School Baseball team.
Congratulations to the following former Mississippi Star players who signed during the early 2007 November signing period with Division I Colleges.
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Star players who signed Junior College scholarships in January 2008.
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Star players who were drafted in the June 2007 Major League Draft
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Star players who signed during the early 2006 November signing period with Division I Colleges.
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Star players who signed Junior College scholarships in January 2007.
Congratulations to the following former Mississippi Star players who signed during the early 2006 November signing period with Division I colleges and universities.
Congratulations to the following former Mississippi Star players, signed Junior College Scholarship in January 2006.
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Star players who were drafted during the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft in June 2006.
Updated 12/24/05
Several former Mississippi Stars signed college scholarships during the early November signing period.
Congratulations to Former Mississippi Stars who signed scholarships in 2004 and are currently playing at the following Junior and Senior Colleges.
Updated 8/25/04
Congratulations to the Mississippi Stars Summer Team for winning the NABF High School World Series at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee on July 27th. The Stars went undefeated (8-0) in the tourney that began with 40 teams and ended with the Stars defeating Team Ontario from Canada 9-0 in the Championship game. Brantly Clay, a Senior outfielder from New Hope High School and a University of Montevallo Signee, was named the World Series MVP. Brantly Clay and Cullan Kight, a rising senior 1B at Simpson Academy, Tyler McMullan a rising junior RHP at Meridian High School, Justin Reed, a rising junior OF from Callaway High School, Derek Thompson, a Senior RHP from Simpson Academy and a Co-Lin CC Signee, and Corey Chance, a rising Senior RHP from N.E. Lauderdale were all named to the 2004 NABF All-Tourament Team. The Stars won their pool play by going 4-0 on July 24th (Stars 10 Buffalo N.Y 3; Stars 12 Maryland Orioles 2 and July 25th (Stars 6 Maryland Orioles 2; Stars 11 Cordova Wolves 5) In the single elimination games on July 26th the Stars defeated the Cheasapeake Clippers 4-3 and then defeated Dulin's Dodgers 7-6. In the Semi-finals on July 27th the Stars defeated the Chicago, Illinois Burr Ridge Barons 6-3 in 8 innings and then closed out the day with a victory over Team Ontario of Canada with a 9-0 win in the Championship game. Jared Cavenaugh, a rising junior from Newton County High School only threw 67 pitches in a 7 inning complete game shutout of Team Ontario.
Updated 4/27/04
Congratulations to Bo Davis, a Senior SS/OF from West Lauderdale High School, who recently signed a baseball scholarship to attend the University of Southern Mississippi next fall.
Updated 1/26/04
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Stars who signed in November during the early signing period:
Other former Mississippi Stars who are completing Junior College or were at Senior Colleges have signed or transferred during the fall or spring terms and include the following players:
Updated 5/29/03
Congratulations to Mississippi Star and Nettleton High School Senior,
Jeffrey Rea, who was selected the 2003 High School Baseball Player of
the year for Mississippi by the Clarion-Ledger. Jeffrey, a Mississippi
State signee, posted a career batting average of .555--a state record.
His career stolen base record is 81 for 81, also thought to be a state
record percentagewise. This past season Jeffrey batted.676 with 12
doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR's with 41 RBI's. Jeffrey only struck out one
time in 100 at bats this past season leading Coach Ron Polk to state
that " Jeffrey Rea is the real deal" and a player who "can flat-out hit"
the baseball.
Congratulations to Mississippi Star and Madison High School Senior, Jon
Still, a Stetson University signee, who was selected to the
Clarion-Ledger All-State First Team Baseball Squad. This past season Jon
batted .551 with 12 doubles, 4 triples, 7 HR's with 45 RBI's and struck
out only 4 times. Jon also hit 3 HR's in one game vs Vicksburg this past
spring. Jon also made the Clarion-Ledger All-Metro First Team and had an
impressive 1.096 slugging percentage.
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Stars who were selected to
the Clarion Ledger 2nd Team All-State Baseball Squad:
Congratulations to the following Mississippi Stars who have been selected to represent Mississippi in the Junior Sunbelt Classic Tournament June 4th-11th in McAlister, OK:
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and current Alabama starting
Catcher, Charlie Lyons, who helped the Crimson Tide win the SEC Conference Tournament in
Birmingham, AL.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and current 1B for Bevill
State CC in Fayette, AL, Jacob Fowler, for winning the State Divison II Junior College
Championship and helping to lead his team to the Division II Junior
College World Series in Millington, TN.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Stars and Itawamba CC players,
Catcher, Reed Hawkins; RHP Sparky Smith, RHP Clay Godwin; OF Marshal
Faulkner; LHP/OF Bryan Williamson
Congratulations to former Mississippi Stars and Meridian CC players, SS
Van Pope, RF Brad McKee, OF Nathan Sanders, RHP Todd Doolittle, and RHP
Christopher Rayborn, who helped lead the MCC Eagles to the Region 23, and
Super Region Championships, and to the Division I Junior College World
Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and current USM Shortstop,Matt
Sheppard who helped lead the Eagles to 1st Place in the CUSA Season and
Tournament Championships and to a Regional Tournament in Hattiesburg, MS
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and University of Mississippi
1B/DH Dustin Cliburn, who helped lead the Ole Miss Rebels to the SEC
Conference Tournament and to a Regional Tournament in Houston, TX.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Stars and Delta State University
players RHP Matt McAlpin, RF Eric Smith, and Student Assistant Coach Brad
Montgomery for helping lead DSU to a 52 win season, the Gulf South
Conference Championship, and to the Regional Tournament in Cleveland, MS.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and West Florida First Baseman, Brett Watkins, who helped his team reach the Gulf South Conference
Tournament in Millington, TN
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and Gulf Coast CC LHP,
Timothy Jones,who signed a scholarship with Delta State University.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star and Wallace-Hanceville CC RHP,
Jason Wimberly, who signed a scholarship with Kennsaw State University in
Marietta, GA
Updated 5/8/03
Congratulations to Former Mississippi Star and McComb H.S. graduate, John Jay, a RHP at Mississippi College, who was named Co-MVP of the American Southwest Conference Tournament for throwing a 2 hit shutout against University of Texas at Dallas which helped the Choctaws get to the Championship Title game, which MC also won.
Updated 5/6/03
Congratulations to Jody Blount, RHP, from Union High School, who was named Player of the Year in Division 6-1A.
Congratulations to Bailey Hartel, SS, from Oak Grove High School, who signed with Pearl River CC.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star, Reed Hawkins, a catcher/2B at Itawamba CC, who, at the end of the regular season, is second in the nation in HR's by junior college players, with 16 round trippers.
Congratulations to Kirk Gatlin, RHP, from Tupelo High School, who signed
with Northeast Texas Junior College, who have twice won the Junior
College World Series.
Updated 2/26/03
Congratulations are in order for the following Mississippi Stars who were
named by the Clarion Ledger as members of the 2003 Dandy Dozen.
The Clarion-Ledger also named the following Mississippi Stars as players
to watch during the 2003 High School Baseball Season.
Seniors
Juniors
Udated 2/3/02
Ryne Lovdahl, a SS from Purvis High School, recently signed with Pearl
River CC in Poplarville, MS.
Justin Faulkner, a catcher from New Hope High School, recently signed
with East Mississippi CC in Scooba, MS.
-Congratulations are in order for eight members of the 2002 Mississippi Stars Baseball Team who committed to senior and junior colleges during the November,2002 early signing period:
-Patrick Ezell, a RHP from Petal High School, signed with the University of Southern Mississippi.
-Jeffrey Rea, a shortstop from Nettleton High School, signed with Mississippi State University.
-Jon Still, a Catcher/1B from Madison Central High School, signed with Stetson University in Florida.
-Jonathan Hancock, a RHP from Tupelo High School, signed with the University of Mississippi.
-Trent Posey, a shortstop from West Lauderdale High School, signed with Delta State University.
-Ricky Owens, a 3B from Purvis High School, signed with Belhaven College.
-Brett Hoeflich, a 1B from Petal High School, signed with USM.
-Joey Burlison, an outfielder from East Central High School, verbally committed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
-Congratulations are in order for two members of the 2000 Mississippi Stars Baseball team, who are currently playing at Meridian Community College, who also signed during the November, 2002 early signing period.>br>
-Todd Doolittle, a RHP at Meridian CC via West Lauderdale High School, signed with Mississippi State University.
-Nate Sanders, an outfielder at Meridian CC via Terry High School, signed with the University of Southern Mississippi.
-Congratulations go out to three members of the 2002 Mississippi Stars Baseball team, who were invited to participate in the Team One 2002 National Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada in November, 2002.
-Patrick Ezell, a RHP, who represented Petal High School.
-Jon Still, a Catcher/1B, who represented Madison Central High School.
-Jonathan Hancock, a RHP, who represented Tupelo High School.
-Congratulations are in order for 12 players on the 2002 Mississippi Stars Baseball team who were invited to participate in the Team One 2002 Summer Regional Showcase at LSU in Baton Rouge.
-Bailey Hartel, a shortstop, represented Oak Grove High School.
-John Hoggard, a LHP, represented Magnolia Heights Academy.
-Trent Posey, a shortstop/RHP, represented West Lauderdale High School.
-Ryne Lovdahl, a shortstop/RHP, and Ricky Owens, a 3B/Catcher, represented Purvis High School.
-Brett Hoeflich, a 1B, and Patrick Ezell, a RHP, represented Petal High School.
-Jonathan Hancock, a RHP, and Kirk Gatlin, a RHP, represented Tupelo High School.
-Brett Bukvich, a junior LHP, represented Northwest Rankin High School.
-Several former Mississippi Stars players who are currently in Major League Baseball have been in the news recently.
-Donnie Bridges, an Oak Grove High School product, who was drafted in the 1st Round by the Montreal Expos, was recently married to his high school sweetheart at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hattiesburg. Donnie is currently a member of the Florida Marlins baseball organization and giving individual pitching lessons during the off season in Oak Grove, MS.
-Chad Bradford, a Byram High School product, who is a relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, is working out during the off season at the Mississippi College Healthplex and preparing to return to action in the spring with another shot at the Division Championship and possibly the World Series.
-Ryan Bukvich, a Northwest Rankin High School product, who was drafted in the 5th round of the 2000 Major League Draft as a relief pitcher by the Kansas City Royals, made his Major League debut this past spring and is spending his off season pitching in Major League baseball’s Winter League in Puerto Rico.
-Lee Evans, a catcher from Tuscaloosa County High School has moved from Memphis back home to Tuscaloosa and has been signed by the Atlanta Braves Organization. Lee was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and later traded to the Chicago White Sox Organization.
-Kenard Springer, a Nettleton High School product, who was drafted in the 12th round of the 2002 Major League Draft, is spending his off season at home getting in shape for spring training in Florida.
-Corey Carter, a 25th round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2002 Major League Draft, decided not to sign and is currently attending Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, AL. During the summer, Corey batted over .500 in helping Coach Frank Portera’s West Point Bryan Packers win the 2002 Mississippi State American Legion Championship, the Regional American Legion Championship and the American Legion World Series. Area Phillies Scout, Mike Stauffer has stated that he expects Corey to sign with the Phillies at the end of his freshman season at Shelton State in 2003.
Updated prior to 12/20/02
Congratulations are in order for several members of the 2001 Mississippi Stars team who were selected by the Clarion-Ledger as members of the 2002 High School Baseball Dandy Dozen team: Corey Carter, outfielder from West Point H.S.; Kenard Springer, third baseman from Nettleton H.S.; Van Pope, Shortstop from Terry H.S.; Christopher Rayborn, Pitcher, Adams County Christian School.
The Clarion-Ledger also named several other former Mississippi Stars, as Seniors and Junior to watch this spring: Jeffrey Rea, infielder, Nettlton H.S., Sparky Smith, RH Pitcher, Tupelo H.S.; Trent Posey, RH Pitcher, West Lauderdale H.S.; Jonathan Hancock, RH Pitcher, Tupelo H.S.; Anthony McLin, Catcher McLaurin H.S., Michael Wakefield, Catcher, Jackson Academy; John Iverson, Centerfielder, Meridian H.S.; Jon Still, Catcher, Madison-Central H.S.
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Congratulations are in order for two former Mississippi Stars, Les Dykes, Senior LHP/OF, from Parklane Academy and Nick Hamiliton, Senior OF/RHP from West Lowndes Co. H.S. were named to the 2001 Clarion-Leger Dandy Dozen Team.
Congratulations to Nate Sanders, Senior, OF/LHP, from Terry High School who signed a baseball scholarship to attend Meridian CC next fall.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star, Matt McAlpin, a RHP/1B at Jones County Community College, who garnered his first college victory on the mound this past Monday in their season opener against Faulkner State CC from Alabama.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Star Timothy Jones, a Senior LHP at Pascagoula High School as he signed a baseball scholarship to attend Meridian Community College next fall.
Copiah Lincoln CC Signee, Cole Zumbro, who hit 13 HR's this past season at Franklin County High School. (34 for his career) was named the MVP for the North All-Stars at the Crossroads Diamond Club High School All-Star Game at Pete Taylor Park on the campus of USM in Hattiesburg, MS June 9th. Z-Man, as he was known to his Mississippi Stars teammates the past two years, hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and threw two innings of 1 hit ball for the North Squad.
Congratulations are in order for two juniors, who played with the Mississippi Stars last fall, Christopher Rayborn, a RHP from Adams County Christian School and Kennard Springer, a 3B/Catcher from Nettleton High School, have been invited to play at the TEAM ONE East Coast Regional Showcase Tournament this coming summer.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Stars RHP Reeves Smith and OF Eric Smith, who were named Gulf South Conference West Division player pitcher and player of the week, respectively. Reeves Smith allowed just one run on 5 hits with 7 strikeouts in an 1101 win over Central Arkansas. Eric Smith went 7 for 7 with 2 HR's a double, a triple, and nine RBI's for the weekend series (2 games) with Central Arkansas.
Former Mississippi Star, Ryan Roberson, RHP from Indianola Academy, was the winning pitcher in the Championship game versus Adams County Christian School.
Former Mississippi Star Les Dykes from Parklane Academy was the winning pitcher in game one of the State Academy AAAA Championship Series and had the game winning HR in the 2nd and decisive win over Madison Ridgeland Academy.
Former Mississippi Stars Outfielder, Eric Smith, DH/Outfielder Jim Abraham, and Reeves Smith , RHP, played for Delta State University in the Division II World Series May 26-June 2nd in Montgomery, Alabama.
Former Mississippi Star, and Meridian CC Firstbaseman, Dustin Cliburn, signed with the University of Mississippi after a stellar season at Meridian CC where he hit 14 HR's.
Former Mississippi Stars RHP, Reeves Smith, a freshman at Delta State University, was named Gulf South Conference Player of the week, the last week of April and was the winning pitcher in the only game that Delta State University won at the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Valdosta, GA the first week of May. 2001.
Ryan Porter, Mississippi Stars Assistant Coach and former Head Coach at Rossville Academy, was one of the North Coaches in the MPSA Academy All-Star Game at Smith Wills Stadium, June 2nd.
Former Mississippi Stars Catcher/Outfielder, Josh Hunter, of Cleveland High School, signed a baseball scholarship with Mississippi Delta Community College, which won the State Junior College Championship at Gulf Coast CC in Perkinston, MS the first week in May, 2001.
Congratulations to Former Mississippi Stars pitcher, Todd Doolittle, from West Lauderdale High School. Todd threw two no-hitters and one two hitter in leading the State Champion Knights of Collierville, MS into the State High School Championship series against Independence High School. Former Mississippi Star Brad McKee, centerfielder for West Lauderdale High School, got the winning RBI triple in the deciding semi-final game against Green County High School and was the winning pitcher for the North All Stars, throwing one inning of no-hit relieft in the 9th.
Congratulations to Mississippi Stars Catcher/3rd Baseman Kenard Springer from Nettleton High School. Kenard was invited to the Team One Showcase in Clemson, SC July 20-22nd, 2001.
Congratulations to former Mississippi Stars Shortstop Matt Shepherd from Hattiesburg High School for hitting a 2 run HR as well as the game deciding RBI double in the opening game of the semifinals against Meridian High School. Matt, a USM Signee was the leadoff hitter for the South in the 4A-5A All-Star Game at Pete Taylor Park on the campus of USM in Hattiesburg, MS on June 9th. Matt reached base five times and scored one run and had one RBI.
Former Mississippi Star and Meridian CC Freshman Catcher, Trave Hopkins, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the June 2001 Draft, as a Draft and Follow prospect.
Former Mississippi Star and Mississippi State University Signee, Les Dykes, a LHP at Parklane Academy, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 21st Round of the 2001 June Draft.
Former Mississippi Star and Wallace Hanceville CC (Alabama) Signee, Nick Hamilton, an Outfielder at West Lowndes High School, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the late rounds of the 2001 June Draft as a Draft and Follow prospect.
The Oct. 23rd Baseball America rankings of the top 12 players in Missisippi for the 2002 Season include several current Mississippi Stars, including #1 Ranked Corey Carter-an OF from West Point, H.S. who is ranked #91 nationally
#4 Ranked Christopher Rayborn-a RHP from Adams County Christian School, who is ranked #285 nationally.
#8 Ranked Kenard Springer-a 3B/SS from Nettleton H.S.
#11 Ranked Van Pope-a SS from Terry High School
Baseball America also gave Honorable Mention Status to several other Missisippi Stars including Anthony McLin, a Catcher from McLaurin H.S. and Dustin Sheppard, a Catcher from Pascagoula H.S.