The United States Men’s Soccer team lost to Turkey on a last second shot, 3-2, Thursday night in LA. The U.S. team, despite the loss, won Group D and advanced to the Round of 32. This is the knockout round of the World Cup. It’s win or go home. The U.S. will play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara.
Football
The Manning Passing Academy was held this past week at Nichols State University. Former Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning and his three sons Cooper, Peyton and Eli are the headliners of the camp. There were 44 college quarterbacks that were brought in as counselors.
About 1,500 high school quarterbacks, running backs and receivers attended the 30thannual camp. Also attending were 14 girls since many states are now beginning girls’ flag football in high school.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Mississippi State signal caller Kamario Taylor received glowing reports. It was just not about their football ability but also the high character each young man displayed.
Archie Manning told the media he had high praise for Trinidad. “He is a complete player. I think he checks all the boxes as a college quarterback. Now that I have gotten to know him a little bit, he is such an outstanding person. So, I am proud of him, and I’m proud that he’s an Ole Miss quarterback.”
Sportswriter Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune had high praise for Kamario. “The most intriguing quarterback I saw at the MPA skills competition on Friday night. Taylor has a big-time arm, rare athleticism combined with a 6-4 frame, team-first attitude and ‘Mississippi Manners’. He is impressive in every way,” posted Duncan on X.
Chambliss and Taylor were roommates at Nichols State. “I am very nervous to play against Kamario this year because he is so electric. He is really good,” stated Chambliss to the local media.
Division 1 athletes found out that the NCAA will allow only five seasons of competition over a five-year period beginning this year. This begins with either a player’s full-time enrollment in college or the academic year following his 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Religious mission, active military service or maternity leave are the exceptions.
Former Mississippi State baseball star Jake Mangum has always been able to hit, and he is still consistently hitting at the highest level. Mangum is batting .304 with 55 hits in 63 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is also putting on a show for the Pirates faithful with his defensive prowess play in the outfield. “The Mayor,” after kicking around the minors for six years with four different organizations, has hopefully finally found a permanent home.
Gulfport High School will play in a brand-new football stadium this season. The defending 7-A state champion Admirals’ first home game will be against Laurel on September 11. The new stadium will be on the high school campus while their former home since 1961, Milner Stadium, was a 15-minute drive from the school.
Sports Hall of Fame
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame will induct seven new members on August 1 at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl. Joining the Hall of Fame will be four-time Olympian and Ole Miss track legend Brittany Reese, Rebel football great Louis Guy, former Ole Miss and NFL strength coach Johnny Parker, Mississippi State’s All-American defensive lineman Glen Collins and All-SEC running back Michael Haddix, William Carey baseball coach Bobby Halford, and Delta State swimming and diving coach and Athletic Director Ronnie Mayers.
Basketball
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, a 14-year NBA veteran was named General Manager for the Jackson State Tigers basketball team. Perkins was a member of the 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics.
The NBA selected five SEC basketball players in the first round and followed with six picks in the second round. Tennessee and Arkansas each had three players drafted while Kentucky had two players drafted. Alabama, Texas and Vandy each had one player drafted.
