A look back at the highs and lows of 2011

There were several sports highlights in 2011, and in the same fashion we welcome a new year, it’s good to reflect on the successes and failures of the past year, too. Here are some of the highs and lows of 2011 in the sports world as it relates to our region of the world.

January:

Delta State University head football coach Ron Roberts was named FieldTurf NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year after leading the Statesmen to the Title Game in Florence, Ala. in December 2010.

February:

National Signing Day for football hits Cleveland, as local area high school seniors commit to further their dreams of playing at the next level.

DSU signs 25 during National Signing Day.

Sarita “Bug” Cooper became the 31st player in DSU history to score 1,000 points in a career.

East Side High School’s Johnny O’Bryant is named to McDonald’s All-American team.

Statesmen clinch berth in GSC Basketball Tournament.

March:

Lady Statesmen advance to GSC title game.

DSU’s Veronica Walker named the 2011 Cellular South Gillon Trophy Award winner.

Mike Kinnison ties Dave “Boo” Ferris with win number 639.

April:

Bayou Colts win 5th straight district title in baseball.

Terry King takes over as head football coach for the Bayou Academy Colts.

Kevin Muzzi of North Sunflower was selected to play on the U.S. Elite Select Basketball team in Italy.

CHS does not renew head football coach Scott Eyster’s contract for next year.

May:

Bayou Colts lose back-to-back games in Class A baseball playoffs to end season.

CHS Wildcats are swept by Center Hill in first round of baseball playoffs to end their season.

David Price steps down as CHS fastpitch softball coach.

Bayou Academy students Abby Bassie and Kylie Weeks win State Championship in the No. 1 Girls Doubles Division State Tennis Tournament.

CHS wins 4A State Tennis Title.

Stewart Salley earns MVP honors at All-Star baseball game.

June:

Cleveland native Caleb Reed finding his groove as MSU’s star closing pitcher.

Kelly Causey named CHS new head football coach.

11th Annual Brett McClendon Memorial Baseball Classic is held at Bear Pen Park.

July:

Cleveland hosts Coach Pitch/Machine Pitch Regional Baseball Tournament at Bear Pen Park.

Former East Side standout and NFL player Floyd Womack returns home to host “Pork Chops” Playmaker Football Camp.

DSU quarterback Micah Davis named Preseason All- American.

Billy Gip Clark leaves Bayou and the Cleveland Country Club as tennis coach to become Director of Tennis in Columbus, Miss

Cleveland School District votes to end slowpitch softball at CHS and ESH.

East Side names Trojan Field after iconic football coach Leroy Byars.

Jody Wright named as new CHS fastpitch softball coach.

Kailo Moore makes early verbal commitment to Ole MIss.

Mike Kinnison inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

August:

Kailo Moore wins gold metal at AAU Junior Olympics Track & Field Championship.

High School football kicks off.

DSU opens season opener against Elizabeth City on the road.

West Bolivar Eagles win Battle of Bolivar County against Cleveland High School.

September:

Claire Rogers named new CHS Swim Coach.

East Side climbs to the No.1 spot in the Associated Press 3A football poll.

Lady Colts win sixth consecutive North A State Championship.

October:

Lady Colts win sixth consecutive State Championship.

DSU and UNA to lock up in battle of No. 1 vs No. 2

DSU launches Fear the Okra campaign.

DSU knocks off No. 1 UNA

DSU moves to No. 1 spot in the nation.

CHS girls win Class 1 North Half Swimming Championship & boys finish in second place.

East Side Trojans improve season to 10-0.

CHS girls finish second in the state swim meet.

CHS Wildcats win region crown in Region 3 4A football.

East Side clinches first Region 4 3A Championship Title in 15 years.

November:

Rodney Martin announces he is stepping down and leaving Bayou Academy to pursue other career opportunities.

Will Reed announced as new head baseball coach for the Colts.

Statesman & Lady Statesmen basketball season kicks off season at home.

DSU football team has 8-game winning streak snapped by University of West Georgia.

CHS falls to Amory in third round of football playoffs to end season

West Bolivar Eagles defeat Indians in third round of football playoffs.

East Side makes history with win over Water Valley to make their first 14-0 season.

East Side Cinderella season comes to end in Charleston leaving them 14-1 on season.

Shaw Hawks win North Half Titles in Region 2 1A.

December:

Shaw Hawks play in the first ever State Championship game in school history.

DSU wins Gulf South Conference Championship in football.

West Bolivar wins 2A State Championship Title.

Bolivar County is represented well in All-Star game in Biloxi, MS.

DSU loses a heartbreaker to Pittsburg State to keep them out of the championship game in Division II football.

Tavares Johnson Sr. leaves position as head football coach of East Side High School to take job 6A coaching job in Vicksburg.

Ron Roberts announces he is retiring from Delta State University to take Div. 1 job at Southeastern Louisiana University. DSU Athletic Director Jeremy McClain announces immediate search for new coach. Nobody named interim coach.