Prep Notebook: Saltillo soccer aiming for another title
Nov. 9—Coming off their first state championship, Saltillo's girls are angling hard for another one.
The Tigers have started the 2023-24 soccer season in fine fashion, beating Southaven 3-0 on Saturday and then knocking off Mooreville 7-0 on Monday. Four different players scored goals against Mooreville, with Caroline Hamm and O.J. Miller notching two apiece.
Hamm and Miller combined for 28 goals last season.
"We've got several girls that have the capability to score," coach Matthew Reeder said. "Just got to find whoever's hot that night. ... The thing about the girls I have up top, they're not super selfish. They're not really worried about their own stats."
After winning the Class 5A title last season, Saltillo is now playing in 6A. The Tigers don't lack confidence when it comes to winning another championship.
"The big thing for them this year is we're focused on not letting (last season) be the peak," Reeder said. "We're trying to find a way to improve on that this year as well, not just letting that be a one-off. We're trying to find a way to get back."
Big hoops day
The first Saturday of the 2023-24 basketball season is a full one.
Tupelo is hosting the annual Hound Dog Classic, with Caledonia, Ripley and South Pontotoc among the participants. Play begins at 2:30 p.m.
Tupelo's teams cap the event with their season openers. The girls face Pleasant Grove (Ala.) at 7 p.m., followed by the boys against South Pontotoc.
Pontotoc is holding its annual Rotary Club Classic, with eight games on tap starting at 10 a.m. Pontotoc's girls will take on Columbus, while the boys will face Shannon.
Belmont, Calhoun City and Hatley are also hosting tournaments on Saturday.
MAC all-stars
Several area volleyball players were selected to play in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Game.
The event, which is for juniors, will be played July 10 at Brandon High School.
Six area players are on the North team roster: Caroline Crockett (Lafayette), Mabry Eason (Lafayette), Macie Phifer (Ingomar), Ella Phillips (Amory), Sadie Randolph (Belmont) and Claire Wicker (Oxford).
Lafayette's Taylor Elliott will serve as head coach for the North.
