Remember Dick Smith, Sportswriter for the Meridian Star?
A clipping of Dick Smith's editorial written apparently one week before a flurry of state tournaments for our 1958 spring sports teams gives a good overview of where we were and what could be expected in the upcoming tourneys. Dick's wording and substance are the same with minor editing for clarity. Remember this is mid May, 1958. Dick writes:
TENNIS, TRACK and BASEBALL titles are up for grabs for the Meridian High Wildcat athletes this weekend, and we have the feeling dear old MHS will wear some kind of crown before the week is ended.
Coach Doug McLean takes netters to Jackson Friday for two events in the state tennis finals in what right now ranks as the best bet for Meridian honors. Phillip George, undefeated this year, will meet Henry Lodge of Tupelo in the first round of the Mississippi High School boys' singles championship while Edwina Hubert and Lynne Johnson also undefeated will meet Joyce Price and Judy Brooks of Amory in the state girls' doubles tourney.
We look for both titles to become a part of an outstanding Meridian High tennis history. George is one of the outstanding netters in the South while Johnson, a defending doubles champion, and Hubert far outclass anything they have played. Meridian could also claim the team championship by winning the two titles.
*************************
Coach L.D. Gebhart trackers have qualified for the Big Eight event scheduled for Greenwood on Saturday afternoon. Sterling Ainsworth will seek the pole vaulting honors, but he has been beaten a couple of times already by Greenwood's Charles McDaniels and Laurel's John Crawford and isn't likely to take them tomorrow. Bob Bullock qualified in the discus, but is in about the same boat as Ainsworth.
Glen McQuage and Charles Bradley are entered in the mile event. There's the best chance for a title for Meridian. McQuage hasn't finished lower than second in a meet this year and will be the choice man to beat in the mile run. He'll be against Sam Burkett of Hattiesburg, Henry Skelton of Pascagoula, Bradley and Robert Young of McComb. He's beaten them all. Charles Bradley could finish high among the list for a couple of Meridian points.
Murrah High School of Jackson should walk off with the Big Eight team championship for the second straight season. Brookhaven and Greenwood then Hattiesburg could come in that order after the Murrah Mustangs.
*************************
THE WILDCATS BASEBALL TEAM will be up against Guy Parker and the Murrah Mustangs starting Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at Battlefield Park in Jackson. It will be lefty Parker against Jim Watson of MHS, the "backbones" of both teams. Parker has nine straight wins and Watson has an 8-1 record at our last count.
In a repeat of last year's South Mississippi championship playoff, the second game will be played in Meridian, Tuesday at 2:30 pm at the high school baseball field. If a third game is necessary, it will be played in Meridian on Thursday.
The way the schedule is set up, Parker can see action in all three games . . . but that is what Murrah and Meridian officials agreed to do.
Meridian went into the South finals by taking an extra inning from McComb while Murrah edged Biloxi 3 to 2 with Parker fanning a dozen.
We strongly believe the Cat baseball team can whip Guy Parker for the first time. Meridian's bat strength is probably stronger than anything Murrah has seen . . . but Parker is certainly the best pitcher Meridian will see this year.
If Meridian gets by Murrah, they'll go to the state finals with the North Mississippi champ . . .either Mt. Olive or Tupelo.
No comments:
Post a Comment