Former Rebel hired to lead Blue Devils
WATER VALLEY — Saddled with the difficult task of selecting a head baseball coach to take over a program that made it to two Class 3A state championship series in five seasons, the Water Valley Blue Devils hope they have hit a home run. (more…) (January 7, 2011, Page 6A)
Blue Devils show fresh legs in latest win
A fresh group of Blue Devils proved to be too much of a match for J.Z. George in Tuesday’s boys basketball game in the WVHS gym.
Water Valley jumped out to an early lead and was able to sustain it throughout the contest en route to a lopsided 49-27 win over the Jaguars. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Blue Devils, who improved to 10-4 on the year.
Water Valley’s girls were not as fortunate in their game as they lost 40-24 to J.Z. George. (January 5, 2011, Page 6)
CHS Tigers no match for WVHS boys
The Water Valley Blue Devils basketball squad opened up the Valley Classic with a bang on Thursday, cruising to a 68-44 victory over Charleston at the WVHS gym, while the girls fell victim to too many turnovers in a 60-55 overtime loss to Charleston.
After mounting an early six-point lead after the first quarter, the Blue Devils’ offense never hit a lull and was able to extend its lead to as many as 36 early in the fourth quarter. (December 3, 2010, Page 9A)
Lady Devils get first win
Led by 27 points from Ashley Phillips and 18 from C.C. Phillips, the Water Valley Lady Blue Devils were able to earn their first win of the season Tuesday in the Charleston Round Robin Tournament. WVHS defeated Charleston 59-54, while the Blue Devils lost 52-50. Water Valley’s girls led 12-8 at the end of the first quarter, 27-26 at the half and 45-38 at the end of the third. (more…) (November 10, 2010, Page 9)
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)
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)
Blue Devils all want to be the main guy
Every team that goes on to win a championship of some kind always seems to have a turning point that helps define the season.
No matter the sport, there is always one game or one moment that plays an incredibly pivotal role in helping define that particular team.
In the case of the Water Valley Blue Devils baseball team, that defining moment came shortly after the team wrapped up its fourth game in the Oxford Spring Break Tournament. After winning their first two games, the Blue Devils struggled against Grenada in a loss and were thoroughly beaten by Center Hill in the finale. (May 21, 2010, Page 7a)
Blue Devils get offensive in decisive win
A season built on strong team unity and an aggressive, yet productive approach at the plate paid dividends in spades for the Water Valley Blue Devils in Monday night’s decisive Class 3A North Half title series with Booneville. (more…) (May 18, 2010, Page 8)
Devils’ unity shows up Monday
Team unity and earning wins as a collective group, rather than relying on one player to capture a victory each game, has been a big point of emphasis for the Water Valley Blue Devils this season.
A strong foundation of playing together has been in place ever since coach Doug Robbins took over the team six seasons ago, but this year’s team may take that mindset to a whole different level.
Water Valley’s advancement to the MHSAA Class 3A state baseball championships Monday didn’t just happen, it was built on a season filled with caring and sharing and dedication to one another. The bond amongst the team was never more visible than just before the top of the sixth inning started in Monday’s 7-6 win over Booneville in the 3A North Half title game. (May 18, 2010, Page 8)
Complete game effort lifts WVHS to win
If there was ever a time for senior pitcher Shanquayle Jenkins to record his best outing of the season, it was in Saturday’s must-win Class 3A North Half playoff game against Booneville.
Jenkins logged a complete-game effort in Water Valley’s 8-1 win over the visiting Blue Devils, who will now host the deciding third game of the series tonight at 6 at Harold T. White Field. (May 17, 2010, Page 3B)
