MERIDIAN —
It didn’t take Amy Sharp long to mull over the job offer from Meridian High School.
And it hasn’t taken the Neshoba Central and East Central Community College product long to show why the Wildcats turned their program over to someone fresh out of college.
MHS has fallen on hard times in recent years since Susan Frazier led the Wildcats to back-to-back state championship appearances in 2007-08, but in her first season at the helm following Frazier, Sharp has a young team 5-4 as Quitman visits Northeast Park today.
“It’s going good,” Sharp said. “We’re really young and inexperienced, but we’re working and we’re moving in a forward progress, so that’s good.”
With that young lineup, Sharp’s focus has been on teaching fundamentals as she lays the groundwork into getting the MHS program back to that contending level.
“A lot of these kids are missing the sound fundamentals of softball, so we’re just getting back to the fundamentals and breaking things down and learning from the bottom and building up,” she said.
And that is indeed Sharp’s goal.
“I’m excited about the future and hope we can build a program with something that is new and fresh,” she added. “It’s been challenging to come in here and start over and try to build Meridian softball into a winning tradition.”
But it is a goal that won’t be easy to attain, especially in an area loaded with talent in every lineup. But that talented base and enthusiasm that exists in east Mississippi is also the main reason Sharp was eager to take the MHS gig.
“It was an honor, honestly, to get the opportunity straight out of college,” she said. “As soon as they offered, I took it.
“I feel privileged that they trusted me enough to give me this job and allow me to start my career here. Playing the competition around here makes it hard at times to keep your head up, but other than that, we’re going in the right direction.”
Sports
Young ’Cats learning from Sharp
- Sports
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Titles nothing new for Newton County
Newton County captured its seventh fast-pitch state championship, outscoring defending champion Houston 26-3 in two games. The Cougars took home the title despite not having a single senior on their roster –– still, few were surprised.
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Embry completes 5A title sweep
In his first year coaching the Neshoba Central softball team, Trae Embry won two state titles but wouldn't take all the credit.
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Morgan takes runner-up at Nationals
Meridian Community College golfer, TJ Morgan, from Bruce, MS, tied for the
individual medalist at the NJCAA D1 National Championship held in Lubbock, TX, but lost on the first hole of a playoff. TJ shot 7 under for the tournament with a 76 on the first day followed by 68, 67 and a last round 70. Aksel Olsen from Wallace State Community College won the playoff. TJ was named First Team All-American for his high finish. -
MSU’s Renfroe wins Ferriss Trophy
The first time Mississippi State coach John Cohen saw Hunter Renfroe play baseball, he marveled at his natural ability.
Three years later, he's also in awe of his work ethic. -
(PHOTOS) Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship
Slideshow of Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship fast pitch series.
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(PHOTOS) Newton County wins Class 4A
Slideshow of Newton County in the Class 4A State Championship fast pitch series.
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(PHOTOS) Neshoba wins Class 5A
Slideshow of Neshoba Central in the Class 5A State Championship fast pitch series.
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Newton County beats Houston 10-0 to claim 7th fast-pitch championshi
Players from Newton County’s dugout barely made it to the foul line before a celebratory dogpile ensued here Saturday. Indeed, winning never gets old.
The Lady Cougars blanked Houston 10-0 Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park, completing an easy sweep of their best-of-three, Class 4A State Championship Series and gaining a measure of revenge after falling short a year ago. -
Rockets roar by East Central, claim 5A crown
Trae Embry took somewhat of a gamble when he accepted the softball
coaching job at Neshoba Central -- leaving his hometown and his comfort zone for a
new opportunity. - Newton County wins state
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