By Stan Beall
The Star Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
1. Five new head coaches named at area schools
Tyler Peterson was selected to become the next Kosciusko Whippet head football coach in January and Jemmye Ann Helms was selected to head the Lady Whippet basketball program.
Whippet head golf and junior high basketball coach Shelby Kuhn took over the hardwood Whippets for the 2012-13 season as well.
Carl Hathorn was chosen by the Attala County School Board to head the McAdams Bulldogs on the hardwood while Kenneth Nelson took over the reigns of the Bulldog football program.
2. FCA wins North State, plays for State title
After winning 1A Region 2 with a perfect 7-0 record, the 2012 French Camp Panthers made their first appearance in the 1A North State Championship game since a 1993.
The Panthers lost 19-6 to Smithville in ‘93, but the results were different this time with the Panthers winning the contest 28-8 over Shaw.
The Panthers would then travel to Jackson to play for the 1A State Title, but lost a heartbreaker 20-17 to Stringer in the games final two minutes.
The Panthers finished the season with an 11-3 record.
3. Kosciusko Ozone finish third in World Series
The Kosciusko Ozone All-Stars earned a spot to play in the Dixie Youth Ozone World Series that was held in Cleveland.
The All-Stars defeated Tennessee in their first round game but lost to North Carolina, the eventual champion, in the second round.
The All-Stars would then reel off three consecutive victories over South Carolina, Arkansas and Texas.
The All-Stars would then lose to Florida 5-1 and were eliminated.
The Kosciusko Ozone All-Stars were awarded the Sportsmanship Award for their play in the World Series.
4. Whippet baseball claims first region title since 2004
The Kosciusko Whippet baseball team won their first 4-4A Region title since 2004 with a 13-3 victory over the Louisville Wildcats on April 10.
After drawing a first round bye, the Whippets would then play a tough New Albany team. The Whippets would win the first game at home 4-0.
They would then travel to New Albany where they lost in extra innings 4-3.
On Saturday, April 28, the Whippets lost a back-and-forth thriller 8-7.
The Whippets would end their 2012 season with a 21-7 record.
5. Browning wins SunBelt Tourney MVP, signs with Blue Jays
Former Kosciusko Whippet pitcher Wil Browning led his Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks to a SunBelt Tournament victory and a berth in the 2012 Baseball Regionals at LSU. Browning was honored as the SunBelt tourney MVP after pitching 10 innings in three appearances while earning two wins and a save.
At the conclusion of his college career, Browning signed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He was sent to advanced rookie in Bluefield, W.Va., and after a successful stint there, was sent to short season Low A in Vancouver, BC.
Browning was successful in Canada as well, and that is probably where he will start his 2013 season.
6. FCA’s Ben Hosket named Class 1A Defensive Player of the Year
French Camp Panther Ben Hosket was named the Defensive Player of the Year in Class 1A after a stellar 2012 season.
Hosket collected 148 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss.
Hosket also recorded four quarterback sacks while intercepting two passes and recovering three fumbles. He forced two fumbles as well.
“It’s an honor, and I’m thankful to the Lord for blessing me to play with a bunch of great guys,” said Hosket.
Hosket would cap off his high school career by collecting 16 tackles in the 2012 Class 1A State Championship game against Stringer.
7. Wheelchair bound, Jason Casey completes 5K walk
39 year-old Jason Casey, born with spina bifida, finished the 5K Walk at the 2012 Natchez Trace Festival in just over one hour.
Casey stated that he would finish the 5K in less than an hour if he gives it another go in the future.
The former little league baseball player stated that he loves to prove doctors wrong and will continue to live by his favorite saying taken from the Marine Corps, “adapt and overcome.”
8. Whippet football makes playoff appearance
After going winless in 2011, the Kosciusko Whippets made a playoff appearance under first-year head coach Tyler Peterson.
The Whippets finished fourth in Region 4-4A and had to play Region 1-4A winner Itawamba AHS in Fulton.
The Whippets were unable to turn back the Indians and lost the contest, ending Peterson’s inaugural season as head coach of KHS.
The Whippets would finish the year with a 4-8 overall record, and were 2-3 record in Region 4-4A play.
9. Dees and Peterson selected to coach in All-Star games
Ethel Tiger head football coach Paul A. Dees and Kosciusko head football coach Tyler Peterson were both selected to coach in All-Star football games that would take place in December.
Dees was selected to coach the receivers in the Mississippi-Alabama game in Mobile, Ala., while Peterson was selected to coach the offensive line in the Bernard Blackwell classic that was played in Gulfport.
Their peers from the Mississippi Association of Coaches selected both after they met certain criteria.
Former Weir head coach and Ethel graduate Junior Graham was selected as the head coach for the Mississippi squad. Graham is the head coach at Eupora High School.
10. Durant gets back to the Big House
The 2012 Tigers won the Region 6-1A Tournament and secured a spot in the South State Tournament after defeating Resurrection.
The Tigers would travel to West Lincoln for the tournament where they finished second after losing to West Lincoln 54-42.
The Tigers would then travel to The Big House where they lost to Biggersville in the semifinals 64-44.
