WVHS QB makes debut

Freshman E.J. Bounds made his debut on Friday as Water Valley’s quarterback, taking over for departed senior Josh Johnson.

Against Vardaman, Bounds did not complete either pass he attempted (0-for-2) but he was able to manage the Blue Devils’ offense and engineered two scoring drives.

He also carried the ball one time for 11 yards, resulting in a first down.

Expect Bounds to be a true dual-threat quarterback. Head coach Brad Embry indicated during the preseason that the Blue Devils expect to pass more this season. When a pass play breaks down, Bounds possesses the feet and ability to scramble for positive yardage. Opponents beware. (August 16, 2010, Page 8)

Blue Devils get practices started right

The Water Valley Blue Devils wasted no time getting to work on Monday, hitting the practice field for the first time in preparation for the 2010 season.

And by all accounts, the practice went about as well as it could have. (July 27, 2010, Page 7A)

Hervey dealing for North Delta

Monday night’s gusty weather at the New Albany Sportsplex could be attributed to the thunderstorms that rolled in. Or it could be attributed to the amount of swings and misses that took place during the North Delta Dealers’ showdown with the Tallahatchie Rascals.

To say Tank Hervey was dialed in on Monday night would not do his performance justice.

Not even close.

Of the 17 Rascals outs that the right-hander collected during the rain-suspended Cotton States Baseball League game, which was called after 5.2 innings with the Dealers ahead 3-0, 12 were strikeouts. (June 29, 2010, Page 8)

Johnson’s passion propels him to Player of the Year award

When the 2011 baseball season gets underway next spring, it won’t be surprising if Water Valley Blue Devils head coach Doug Robbins has to make two lineup cards at the season opener. While standout shortstop/pitcher Josh Johnson will be in Senatobia playing for the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers, having his name in the lineup won’t be easy thing for Robbins to erase.

Johnson has been a regular in the Blue Devils’ starting nine since he was in middle school and the impact he’s made in the program, starting with the 2006 season, has been huge. (June 23, 2010, Page 1B)

Finding the barrel imperative for hitters

Hall of Famer Ted Williams was once quoted as saying, “the hardest thing to do in baseball is to hit a round baseball with a round bat, squarely.”

Players in the Cotton States Baseball League, a wood bat summer league based out of New Albany, are finding that out the hard way this summer.

Used to the enormous sweet spot on aluminum bats used in the high school and college ranks, players are having to adjust in a major way. (June 14, 2010, Page 6)

Water Valley baseball has solid foundation

COLUMN – Sports Editor John Davis takes a look back at this past season for the Water Valley Blue Devil baseball program and also a glance ahead after a runner-up finish in the Class 3A state championship. Davis talks with coach Doug Robbins and two graduating seniors about where the program is headed. (May 28, 2010, Page 7A)

Sumrall tops WV to take series

Water Valley found out what all of Sumrall’s opponents have discovered this year as the Blue Devils dropped an 11-1 decision to the Bobcats in the second game in their Class 3A state baseball championship series at Trustmark Park in Pearl. Sumrall swept the series with WVHS to wins its third-straight state title, but Water Valley coach Doug Robbins said his ballclub had a special season in finishing second in the state for the second time in five seasons. (May 28, 2010, Page 7A)

Sumrall ends Blue Devils’ season

SPORTS EDITOR BLOG —Water Valley’s great run through the MHSAA’s Class 3A playoffs came to an end Thursday afternoon with an 11-1 loss to Sumrall in the 3A title game at Trustmark Park in Pearl. (more…) (May 27, 2010)

Sumrall takes first game from Devils

PEARL — Doing the little things right was something Water Valley coach Doug Robbins stressed repeatedly to his Blue Devils before they started their MHSAA Class 3A state championship series with Sumrall Tuesday evening.
Water Valley gave a solid effort in the first game of the best-of-three series against the Bobcats at Trustmark Park, but in the end it was a couple of little things that proved to be the difference in Sumrall’s 12-2 win. (May 26, 2010, Page 6A)

WVHS hunting for first state title

Two wins this week is all that separates the Water Valley Blue Devils from capturing the first baseball title in school history. After streaking through the first three rounds of the MHSAA’s Class 3A playoffs, the Blue Devils (22-7 overall) are back in action at Pearl’s Trustmark Park searching for that title like they were in 2006.

But in order for the Blue Devils to win this year’s 3A title, they will have to defeat Mississippi’s best team — Sumrall — and a program that has carved its name on  the trophy the past two seasons. (May 24, 2010, Page 2B)