Blue Devils can’t keep up with Tigers

ITTA BENA — The Water Valley Blue Devils ran into a buzzsaw in the first round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs Tuesday.

Aided by missed shots by both sides, the Blue Devils and host Leflore County were neck-and-neck for much of the first half. (more…) (February 15, 2012, Page 7)

WV knocked out of 2-3A title contention

ABERDEEN — The good fortune and momentum the Water Valley Blue Devils garnered in their first game of the Division 2-3A Tournament was not enough to lift them past Aberdeen in the semifinals Thursday night in the “Aberdome.” The top-seeded Bulldogs beat the Blue Devils 65-51 to advance to tonight’s championship in the tournament, while the Blue Devils will face Nettleton tonight in the boys’ consolation game.

WVHS coach John Sherman said the Bulldogs, who led 36-20 at the half, did a good job of pressuring his team and forcing them to play in a more up-tempo style longer than he would have liked. (February 10, 2012, Page 8A)

WVHS win leaves Sherman speechless

ABERDEEN — It’s not often that John Sherman, Water Valley’s veteran boys basketball coach, is at a loss of words following a game. But after watching his Blue Devils rally from a seven-point deficit in the final three minutes of play, on the road against an opponent that clearly had the upper hand, even Sherman had to stop and collect his thoughts about how Water Valley topped Mantachie 64-57. (February 8, 2012, Page 8)

South Panola sweeps WVHS on Senior Night

WATER VALLEY  — Momentum is not something the Water Valley basketball team will be able to take into this week’s Division 2-3A tournament at Aberdeen.

Both the Lady Blue Devils and Blue Devils lost on Senior Night on Friday in the WVHS gym to South Panola. The Lady Devils fell behind in the first half and never recovered as they lost 58-35, while the Blue Devils’ early first-half lead didn’t stick late as they fell 43-39 in the nightcap. (more…) (February 6, 2012, Page 4B)

WVHS needs more in losses to Troopers

WATER VALLEY — A 14-2 run late in the third quarter prevented the Water Valley Blue Devils from earning a Region 2-3A win over Mooreville on Friday night. After battling the Troopers back-and-forth in the first half and a good portion of the third quarter, mental lapses on defense ended up costing the Blue Devils.

The Troopers’ run ended up erasing a two-point lead for the WVHS boys and resulting in a 45-35 lead just before the start of the fourth quarter. Water Valley did go on a 10-2 run in the fourth to get within two points (49-47) of the Troopers, but the Blue Devils never could get over the proverbial hump. The end result was a 67-52 victory for Mooreville, which is now in second place in the region. (January 23, 2012, Page 3B)

Sideline View: Episode 10

BLOG: Miss today’s edition of the Sideline View on RebelSportsRadio.com? Fear not. Click HERE to listen to today’s show at your convenience. (more…) (January 20, 2012)

Coffeeville claims rivalry sweep

COFFEEVILLE — Turnovers were at the forefront of Water Valley’s doubleheader loss at county rival Coffeeville on Friday.

The Lady Blue Devils fell to CHS 59-33 amidst a bevy of turnovers, while the Water Valley boys were unable to maintain their composure late in their 59-54 loss to the Pirates. (more…) (January 9, 2012, Page 7)

Better second half not enough for WV boys

WATER VALLEY — It was a tale of two halves on the court for the Water Valley Blue Devils Monday night. In the first half of the varsity basketball nightcap in the WVHS gym, Hickory Flat controlled the tempo, the backboards and made more hustle plays to garner a 34-18 lead at the half.

Things were different in the second half for the Blue Devils, and while they ended up losing 61-46, coach John Sherman was more pleased with how his team competed in the second half against the Rebels (8-6 overall). (December 13, 2011, Page 6)

WVHS hoops sweeps Vardaman

WATER VALLEY — Neither Jason Purdy nor John Sherman were overwhelmed by the performances of their teams on Friday evening, but at the end of the night, a win is a win and they’ll take Water Valley’s sweep of Vardaman. (more…) (December 5, 2011, Page 3B)

Sherman excited to get hoops season underway tonight

Veteran coach John Sherman knows an athletic basketball team when he sees one. Thankfully, for Sherman, the bevy of athletes he sees in front of him on the court are wearing Water Valley’s blue and white. (December 2, 2011, Page 6A)