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The momentum continues at Iona! From innovative academic programs to impressive internships, Iona is rapidly becoming a top choice for students nationwide. New Rochelle, N.Y- At Iona University, students not only gain the skills they need to succeed, but the real-world experiences that set them apart. From top-tier internships and distinguished faculty to a vibrant campus life and close-knit community, Iona paves the way for Gaels to make their mark in the world.  Iona’s prime location with campuses in New Rochelle and Bronxville, N.Y., located just 20 miles from the heart of New York City in Westchester County, also opens a world of opportunity.  For 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranks an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment.  To learn more about Iona University, explore  Freshman Admissions online, email  admissions@iona.edu or call (800) 231-IONA.  Here are the Top 5 reasons Iona students are getting ahead both on campus and beyond! #1: TOP-TIER INTERNSHIPS At Iona, students obtain a robust liberal arts education and unparalleled access to top-tier internships. Iona students have recently enjoyed internships at leading companies such as Google, IBM, Major League Baseball, NBC Universal, HEINEKEN® USA, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Merrill Lynch, Ernst & Young (EY), Alvarez & Marsal, Associated Capital Group and others. These internships are a great way for students to build confidence, explore their career interests and gain an inside look into their chosen industries. These experiences can also lead to full-time positions, giving Iona graduates a significant edge up in the job market.  Following a successful summer internship at Procter & Gamble, Silas Gates ’24 was offered a full-time position – which he said was “an ode to Iona.”  “There [were] many networking opportunities, internship openings and jobs available to me without having to be too far away from school,” he said. “I wanted to build my professional experience while achieving a degree. Iona gave me the best opportunity to do both.” #2: AI-DRIVEN, CUTTING-EDGE CURRICULUM In a rapidly changing world, Iona is focused on innovating and expanding its programs to prepare students for the future – especially given the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Taking an AI-driven approach across all disciplines, Iona has launched the AI@Iona initiative to ensure students and faculty stay ahead of the curve in a tech-driven world.  Through the Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning, all students and faculty are actively encouraged to leverage AI tools, infusing the power of this transformative technology into the practice of teaching and learning.  “Students need to be equipped with the ability to use the current tools and the mindset to continue to experiment with new AI tools as they emerge,” said Rob Kissner, clinical lecturer in Iona’s Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “Those who do not possess these skills and mindset will lose out on opportunities to those who do.” #3: VIBRANT, SPIRITED CAMPUS LIFE With newly renovated residence halls and a new dining hall and student union coming soon, students are even more excited to become Gaels – and enrollment has surged. In fact, The Wall Street Journal ranked Iona among the best in New York and in the Top 25 nationwide for student experience, according to its 2025 list of “Best Colleges in the U.S.” Also, there are over 80 clubs and leadership organizations at Iona, as well as many opportunities in the performing arts, 16 club sports and 24 NCAA Division I Athletics programs. Whether it be through service-learning opportunities around the world or hands-on research experience alongside distinguished faculty members, Iona students are encouraged to learn outside the lines of the classroom as they develop their leadership skills. “Everyone wants to see each other succeed, from professors to classmates. It's more than just a school – it's a family,” said Iona marketing major Grace Mutze ’25. #4: ACCELERATED, DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS When it comes to academics, Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across three schools. Iona’s dual-degree programs empower students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just five years, reducing time and tuition costs. At this accelerated pace, students can begin a promising career sooner. Enrollees in the 4+1 programs are also eligible for a variety of scholarships and/or merit awards. “I wanted to attend a university that was going to set me up for success post-graduation,” said Debora Diaz ’25, ’26MST, enrolled in the 4+1 math and adolescent education program. “With such an outstanding dual-degree program, I am going to start my dream career as soon as I graduate.”  #5: GAELS TAKE CARE OF GAELS Iona boasts an engaged and active alumni network of over 50,000 members who provide invaluable mentorship, career guidance and job placement support through initiatives like the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program. “The most distinctive advantage I have gained from my experience at Iona is having personal connections with my professors who want to see me become successful,” said Michael Faughnan ’24, ’25MBA, a finance and accounting double major now earning his MBA. “Through these connections, I was introduced to the Gaels Go Further Program, where I have an alumni mentor who guides me through difficult career decisions.” To learn more about Iona University, explore  Freshman Admissions online, email  admissions@iona.edu or call (800) 231-IONA.

PASCAGOULA, Miss.,- HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division celebrated its newest class of apprentice graduates during a ceremony at the shipyard today. The event recognized the hard work and dedication of the graduates who have completed the three-to four-year program combining classroom instruction with hands-on shipbuilding experience. Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette provided remarks at the ceremony and praised the graduates for their commitment and contribution to the company’s shipbuilding legacy. “Completing the Ingalls apprentice program is no small feat and it reflects years of dedication, hard work and persistence,” Blanchette said. “The training our apprentices received wasn’t just about mastering skills like welding and fitting — it was about building the foundation for a career that will shape the future of this country and carry forward the legacy of excellence at Ingalls. Congratulations to this year’s apprentice graduates. Your work is strengthening national security, protecting lives and making history.” The Ingalls Shipbuilding apprentice program is a competitive workforce development initiative designed to prepare future shipbuilders through specialized training in one of 15 registered Department of Labor apprentice programs. Since its inception in 1952, the program has produced more than 4,000 graduates who have gone on to support operations at Ingalls Shipbuilding and currently has over 600 students enrolled in the program. Among this year’s graduates was Overall Apprentice of the Year Cody Gildea, who has been training as an outside machinist. Reflecting on his experience in the program, Gildea shared, “I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and building things, and so having the opportunity to train as an outside machinist in the main engine area of the ship has been a great fit for me. The apprentice program has allowed me to experience different departments, develop my skills, and take pride in knowing that the work I do will help build the ships that will one day protect our country.” Upon entering the program, apprentices earn competitive wages and receive a comprehensive benefits package. This allows them to receive an education, build work ethic, gain experiences, and develop into world-class journeymen of their crafts. As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed, built and maintained amphibious ships, destroyers and cutters for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard for over 85 years. The Ingalls Apprentice School programs are recognized as the backbone of Ingalls’ well-trained workforce and many graduates have gone on to hold positions from pipe welders to senior executives. For more information about Ingalls Shipbuilding’s apprentice school visit hii.com/careers/ingalls-apprentice-school/ .

If you don't know Trevon McGill, sit down and take a seat ! Meet 18 year old Trevon, the #7 Ranked Track Star in Mississippi from Oak Grove High School that is taking the Track and Field World by storm. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with Trevon who goes by the nickname "Tre." Yes, this senior could easily be voted in by fans to be a Mississippi Track & Field All-Star. To vote for Tre to be a state all-star, www.PlayersMS.com . Any student athlete grades 9-12th that goes to any school in Mississippi public and private can sign up as a member of The Mississippi Association of Athletes. Here is Tre story. Tre describes himself as a genuine person. Track is his life. He also think track is a part of what makes him who his is. Track runs in his blood. Track is in Tre's DNA. "Track and me being a genuine person makes me who I am," Tre told THN. His favorite social media app is TikTok. His favorite song is "Solid by Lil Baby." His favorite music artist? Yes, it's also Lil Baby. Any song by Lil Baby. Every song by Lil Baby. This is info about the Basketball All-Star Vote. Track and Field All-Star Vote is coming soon! So you can image why Tre said 'Running This Sh*t' by Lil Baby puts him in his locked in zone. "He get me locked in even when ion feel like working out!" Tre said. Tre's celebrity crush is Superstar Shacarri Richardson. No wonder Tre loves track and field so much! It all make sense now! Great choice. His favorite color is lime green. His favorite food is "rotel." For the record, that's not what we expected but it is a food. Moving right along. His favorite restaurant is CiCi's Pizza. No, there isn't one in Hattiesburg anymore. Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked Tre to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. He didn't rate his fit but here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The top athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the top track and field athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Track and Field All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The Track & Field All-Star Draft has not been announced yet. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Tre McGill. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with Tre's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media @ Followers Instagram tooshorttre 2.6 TikTok getrichhtre 500 X (Twitter) n/a n/a Snapchat n/a n/a Facebook n/a n/a We asked Tre how would he rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? Tre says he's at least in the top 10. Actually, he's currently ranked at #7 so technically, that answer is correct! So, let's look at his player's profile. Players Profile Position:   Runner and Long Jumper Stats:   100m: 11.2, 200m: 22.44, LJ: 20Ft School:  Oak Grove High School Classification:   Senior Height:  5'6 Weight:  113lbs Rankings :  #7 Source:  NPX247 Awards & Honors:   n/a Greatest Talent/Advantage : Speed Reflecting on this year's season, Tre said his best meet this season was at the William Carey Meet. "I ran the 100, 200 and long jump. I ran a 22.44 in the 200 11.2 in the 100 and 19"9 in the long jump" he said. Flip that to his worst moment this season, during his first track meet, he felt he just didn't do his best. "It was cold and I ran a 12 in the 100," he said. He thinks he's his only competition. He's a real athlete that sees nobody stopping him but him. He also think he's the best runner in the entire state. Reflecting on him as an athlete, if he could improve on anything, it would be his speed and stamina. Tre admits, "My weakness is my top speed ," Tre said humbly. Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Tre's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know Tre, you really don't have a clue until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  7 It's important because you worked for it but also its not because personally that would not be my focus. If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  What's your story on how you became a coach. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  Haven't been to none but Texas is my dream school. List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  LSU, Auburn, Texas Long Horns, William Carey, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Baylor Where do you see yourself next year?  Wherever God puts me. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  Olympic Runners. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  All my goals. Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? Me personally I put my all into this sport, blood, sweat, and tears. Without a doubt I wouldn't let up for anything. I push myself 100% everyday even when I don't feel like it because I know there's someone out there working just as hard as me. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Tre McGill from Pearl High School. Overall, Tre is one of the most talented track and field athletes period. He's dedicated to being on great teammate and an excellent addition to any collegiate team. If you would like to support Tre or any other Track & Field Athlete to be in the Track & Field All-Stars in Mississippi, just got the website and vote. Don't forget, you can also vote for your favorite basketball players in Mississippi to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

Box Score HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey baseball team overcame a slow start, to defeat Point University 7-2 Saturday afternoon at Milton Wheeler Field. "Proud of our guys for not panicking when we had two hits through five innings," said Head Coach  Bobby Halford . "Their guy was tough, but we were finally able to get his pitch count up. It was a very emotional and draining day yesterday with Bridley and Eli sustaining serious injuries and we were a little sluggish coming out of the gate." Pitching was the highlight of the final game of the series, as there were a combined nine hits given up over the first six innings with the Skyhawks having six of those hits. Point picked up three of their hits in the third leading to one run with a wild pitch allowing another run to cross the plate to give Point the early lead. The Crusaders remained steadfast and in the sixth finally broke through the armor of the Skyhawk starting pitcher. After back-to-back walks and wild pitch put runners on second and third,  Josh Alexander  picked up the third hit for Carey with a single to right, to tie the game.  WCU carried the momentum into the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out  Preston Ratliff  delivered the big hit, driving in two runs on a single to center field with an error on the same play making it 5-2 Carey. The Crusaders were not done, as  Tyler Ducksworth  and Alexander went back-to-back with doubles to right center to score the final runs of the game. Relief pitcher  Bobby Magee  did the rest, allowing only two hits over the final two innings to seal the victory. Starting pitcher  Conner Wilson  earned the win on the mound going seven innings allowing two runs on six hits. "I thought we did a good job of battling when we had too with the big hits by Josh and Preston to get us going," said Halford. "Rigoberto continues to step up in the leadoff spot and another great effort by Conner today." Carey is back in action Tuesday, March 11, as they head to Livingston, Ala. to take on West Alabama. Play is set to begin at 4:00 pm.

Jarod Gathrite, a 16 year old baller from Provine High School was selected 3 times as a middle school All-Star. He's not very tall but loves to dunk. He's more interested in basketball than girls. He's laser focused. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with the high school star who simply goes by "J12." Yes, this sophomore could easily be voted in by fans to be a Mississippi Basketball All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. To vote, simply go to www.PlayersMS.com .  Here  is his story J12 describes himself as a very focused young man who works very hard for his coaches and his family. "I work hard everyday to succeed because the ones who passed away and wanted to see me be great. I work hard because they can’t come watch me play so I make every practice count 110% everyday of the week!" Jarod said. His favorite social media app is Instagram. His favorite song is "West Side Connection by Rod Wave" His favorite music artist? Of course it's also Rod Wave because "he talks about life," Jarod said. But when it comes to getting locked in his zone, he loves any song by the Baton Rouge Boot rapper NBA Youngboy. I guess Jarod be on demon time. Jarod's celebrity crush is JuJu Watkins. His favorite color is green. Jarod says his favorite food is "seafood." Yes, that includes shrimp, crawfish, fish, and anything else. But his favorite restaurant is 'Did somebody say McDonalds!' Yes, he keep them in the clutch. Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked Jarod to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. Jarod didn't rate this picture but here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The all-star vote is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Top 200 athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the Top 200 Best Basketball Athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Basketball All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The All-Star Draft is Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $75. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available once the All-Star Draft List is released. Tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Jarod Gathrie. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with Jarod's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media @ Followers Instagram cantguardd.12 8.1k TikTok cantfuardd_.12 428 X (Twitter) JarodGathrite2 37 Snapchat n/a n/a Facebook n/a n/a When it comes to love, Jarod doesn't know how to answer that question. So we asked him about what his future wife looks like. He said, "I don't have a type as long as they stick around for the basketball tournaments and travel I have. I want them to understand what I'm trying to purse in life for me and my family!" Jarod does has some specifics when it comes to his dream car! He prefers to whip around in the Chrysler 300. Although he don't have a whip right now, he does know how to drive. Although he thinks Deshawn Dillion is the best player in the state, we asked Jarod how would he rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? He think he's at least in the top 25. "I know my capabilities as a player and understand the game," Jarod said. So let's take a look at Jarod's player profile. Players Profile Position:  Power Forward/ Shooting Guard Stats:   10.1 ppg, 3.0 asst per game, 4 RB per game School:  Provine High School Classification:   Sophomore Height:  5'7 Weight:  135lbs Rankings :  none Source:  none Awards & Honors:   Middle School District All-Stars (3x), National Honor Society, District Honor Roll Greatest Talent/Advantage : Jumping and have a nice shot. Reflecting on this year's season, Jarod said his best game this season was against Florence. "The first was a little bit off that game and I stepped up and brought us all the way back from a 13 point lead that Florence had," Jarod said. Flip that to his worst moment this season, he will never forget how hard they fought in the playoffs against Natchez. "We went to 2 overtimes and we lost by 3!" Nevertheless, Jarod says his shooting is decent. On a scale of 1-10 he ranks himself an 8. That's 2 points from being perfect. He also gives himself an 8 out of 10 when it comes to his dunking talent. An 8 for a sophomore is crazy work. Not bad for 5'7 10th grader. He thinks his greatest competition is, "Nobody for real. Me and my team as a whole beat ourselves." Reflecting on him as an athlete, if he could improve on anything, it would be time management, "I don't just play basketball, I do band, football and track!" He does admit his greatest weakness is ball handling. Jarod said, I'm working on it!" which could be dangerous for any defender trying to defend him. Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Jarod's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know Jarod, you really don't have a clue until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  Watch me work. How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  It's very important because it'll help me buy my parents a house or car. I just wanna see them and me in a better position. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  Southern Miss, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, Georgia Tech. My number 1 college is Duke. List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  Jackson State, Jones College, Holmes, Co-Lin, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia Sate, Southern Miss, Duke, & Arkansas Sate. Where do you see yourself next year?  Still progressing and getting better. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  My people who is not on earth anymore cause I know they've wanted me to win so I'll continue to try winning and contributing. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  State Championship. Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? I trained hard since I was 3 years old and I've been playing since then never gave up always was being pushed and having the love for the game I know I am dedicated to this game and my hard work pays off. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Jarod Gathrite from Provine High School. Overall, Jarod is a very inspiring young athlete who has the potential to go far in his career both in high school and in college. He is a great addition to anyone's team. If you would like to support Jarod or any other basketball players in Mississippi, vote for your favorite players to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

Here's a side of high school basketball star Joe Horne like you never seen before. Meet 18 year Joe Horne, who is ranked in the Top 25 Best Basketball Players in Mississippi from Meridian High School who has everyone holding their breath every time he steps on the court. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with the high school star who simply goes by "Joe." Yes, this junior could easily be voted in by fans to be a Mississippi Basketball All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. To vote, simply go to www.PlayersMS.com .  Here  is his story. "Single!" - Joe Horne Joe describes himself as a chill young man. He's also a family man. To Joe, family means everything. He's big on loyalty and love. "Who makes me who I am is my family," Joe said, "especially my daughter!" To Joe, his daughter is his everything, his world, he motivation, the sole reason for being on earth. Joe's beautiful little princess name is Ja'Zaiyah. His favorite social media app is Instagram. His favorite song is "Life Support by NBA Youngboy" His favorite music artist? Of course it's the boot superstar rapper, "NBA Youngboy because he makes deep related music." But when it comes to getting locked in his zone, he put "Tunnel Vision by Ykstexxy" on repeat & goes beast mode. Anyone near a rim is automatically a victim especially if Joe's already flying in the air like an eagle. Joe's celebrity crush is Music Superstar Big Latto. Just watching her "Sunday Service," the music video not an actual Sunday service at your local church, you can clearly see why he has a crush on her. My Lord. Who wouldn't? His favorite color is black and white. Yes, he has two. Joe says his favorite food is "steak, rice, chicken, and salad." Yes, he has 4. I guess the good part about being chill is having multiple of everything. With all that being said, he's favorite restaurant is Steak n Shake. Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked Joe to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. Joe didn't rate this picture but here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The all-star vote is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Top 200 athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the Top 200 Best Basketball Athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Basketball All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The All-Star Draft is Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $75. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available once the All-Star Draft List is released. Tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Joe Horne. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with Joe's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media @ Followers Instagram Dsfjoe2x 4.9k TikTok dsfjoe2x 1.1k X (Twitter) n/a n/a Snapchat dsfjoe2x n/a Facebook Jozyreun Horne 400 When it comes to love, you will actually be surprised. When asked if he was tender or single, he replied, "SINGLE!" For the record, he's the first person in this series to say he's single and ready to mingle! If he got married tomorrow, he says his wife would be, "the person that loves me for me!" like the Beyonce song "Flaws and All!" Yes, his DM's are open! Unlike marriage, Joe does has some dreams when it comes to how he slides from city to city or on any street basically. His dream car is a Mercedes Benz AMG. Any AMG is nasty. Right now, all his motion is in his Toyota Camry. Yes, he has wheels. We asked Joe how would he rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? He think he's at least in the top 80. Actually, he's currently ranked at #24 so technically, that answer is incorrect! So, let's look at his player's profile. Players Profile Position:  Power Forward/ Center Stats:   n/a School:  Meridian High School Classification:   Junior Height:  6'5 Weight:  175lbs Rankings :  24 Source:  MS Hoops Awards & Honors:   n/a Greatest Talent/Advantage : Being Able to Play Basketball Reflecting on this year's season, Joe said his best game this season was against Brandon for Senior Night. "It was my best game because of my teammates and coaches for keeping my head up," Joe said. Flip that to his worst moment this season, he will never forget being at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. "It was my worst because it was the second round of the playoffs," he said still heartbroken by the defeat. Nevertheless, Joe says his shooting is almost trash as in garbage can garbage bag trash. He ranks his shooting a 5 out of 10. Not bad. He's basically average. But when it comes to dunking, he gives it a 10 out of 10. He should be a spokesman for a glass company the way he almost shatter backboards when he dunks. He makes the nearest defender an automatic guaranteed poster. He thinks his greatest competition this year was Braylon Barnes. Reflecting on him as an athlete, if he could improve on anything, it would be every aspect of his game because he thinks it's "always room for improvement!" He does admit his greatest weakness is one nobody can blame him for. Joe said his, "Greatness weakness is having a daughter not able to tell her no!" Sounds about right for most dads! Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Joe's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know Joe, you really don't have a clue until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  10 because it can help take care of my family & daughter for a better decision. If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  I'm coachable, a great teammate, and a visual learner. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  Mississippi State & Duke List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  Alabama, Texas, Mississippi State, Clemson, UCF, TCU, Southern Miss, Colorado, Richmond, & Duke. Where do you see yourself next year?  Graduating, getting a scholarship to go to college, & making a way for my daughter and I. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  Me, my parents, & coaches and teammates. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  Getting a scholarship Maintain my GPA. Getting recognized. Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? Because I was dedicated and work hard to be where I'm at. I never gave up. I kept pushing. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Joe Horne from Meridian High School. Overall, Joe is an awesome young man that puts his best efforts forward, loves basketball, very entertaining, very hard working and a very humble athlete. If you would like to support Joe or any other basketball players in Mississippi, vote for your favorite players to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

Yes, combo guard Trey Wilson first became a star last year as a junior which led to him playing in the North vs South All-Star Game, playing against some of the best in his class and district. But this year, Trey has gotten 2x better and could see himself playing in the Mississippi Basketball All-Star Game in April competing with and against the very best ballers in the entire state. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with Ronald who goes by the nickname "Trey." Yes, this 17 year old senior from Horn Lake High School could easily be voted in by fans to be a Mississippi Basketball All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. To vote, simply go to www.PlayersMS.com .  Here  is his story. "TENDER!" Her name is "Natia" says Trey Wilson. Trey describes himself as someone who is just trying to get somewhere with the hands he's been dealt in life. Not just anywhere, he's committed to getting to the top and trying his hardest to be the best. His favorite class is English, and if you get to know him, he loves to put his English together and make jokes and have fun. His favorite social media app is TikTok, but he also loves Instagram. His favorite song is is "Gimmick by Gunna. " Gunna is also Trey's favorite music artist. Why? "Because my big bro used to play him a lot." However, like other ballers, Trey also locks in with G Herbo's music when it's lock-in time, such as playing "Write Your Name" on repeat. Trey has definitely made a name for himself. When it comes to who he thinks is the sexiest celebrity, hands down he chooses Lauren London. His favorite color is red. His favorite food, like Kristian Pounds aka K2 of Oak Grove High Schoo l, is pizza. Yes, Trey loves pizza! Not slices, but boxes of pizza at a time. His favorite restaurant is Chili's. Who don't love Chili's baby back ribs! Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked Trey to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. He's wearing a supreme sweater, serenede shorts with the lv trainers for the kicks. He rated this fit a 10. Here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The all-star vote is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Top 200 athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the Top 200 Best Basketball Athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Basketball All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The All-Star Draft is Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $75. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available once the All-Star Draft List is released. Tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Trey Wilson. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with Trey's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media @ Followers Instagram i.tr ey5 1k TikTok iamtrey35 400 X (Twitter) treywilson2025 45 Snapchat n/a n/a Facebook n/a n/a When it comes to love, Trey is deep in love. When asked if he was tender or single, he replied, "tender!" Not just tender like puppy love tender either. If he got married tomorrow, he says his wife would be, " the person I'm tender about right now!" So who's got Trey in love like the Beyonce song? Here name is Natia. & yes, he don't play about her. He's already thinking about a future with her riding passenger side in his dream car, a BMW m5. Right now, he's pushing a Nissan Altima. We asked Trey how would he rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? He answered, "I personally think I'm the best in the country!" He could be a 2x All-Star if fans vote him in this year. So, let's look at his player's profile. Players Profile Position: Combo Guard Stats:   13 ppg, 4 Rb, 2 Asst. School:  Horne Lake High School Classification:   Senior Height:  6'2 Weight:  175lbs Rankings :  None Source:  None Awards & Honors:   All district & North vs South All-Star Greatest Talent/Advantage : Ability to finish the rim Reflecting on this year's season, Trey said his best game this season was the district championship game against South Haven High School because "the long time rivalry, it just made me go harder," he said. Flip that to his worst moment this season, Trey's heartbroken about losing during the first round of the playoffs, "knowing it would be my last game with my teammates," he said still emotional about the last game. Nevertheless, Trey says his shooting is a 10 out of 10. Now when it comes to dunking, he's a bit trash. He rates his dunking a 3 on a scale of 1-10. Still, he's a sniper when it comes to shooting the ball. He thinks Tupelo was his greatest competition this year and if he could improve on anything, it would be, "athleticism and that is what I would fix about me," Trey said humbly. Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Trey's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know Trey, trust and believe, you really don't until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  If you recruit me and give me a chance, I'll be the hardest working player you ever had. How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  I gotta get to the bread at any means. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  None. List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  Northwest, Jones, Texas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, JSU, TSU, Duke & UNC Where do you see yourself next year?  Right now I say Northwest, but who knows how the summer could play out. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  My pops. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  To go as far as I can with it. Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? I done put in the work and the results showed it. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Trey Wilson from Horn Lake High School. Overall, Trey is a good basketball player with a lot of potential to be very explosive at the college level. He's already been selected once as a all-star, this could be number 2. He's a great kid. If you would like to support Trey or any other basketball players in Mississippi, vote for your favorite players to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

Whatever you thought you knew about Jaden, throw it out the window now! Meet 16 year old Jaden Leak, the #8 Ranked Overall Basketball Player in Mississippi from Pearl High School that college coaches are already talking about. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with Jaden who goes by the nickname "Jaybird." Yes, this sophomore could easily be voted in by fans to be a Mississippi Basketball All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. To vote, simply go to www.PlayersMS.com . Here is his story. "I AM TENDER!" Jaden Leak said. Jaybird describes himself as someone who is always trying to be a better version of himself; someone who is always seeking perfection. Interesting enough, his favorite class in high school is math, a subject in which perfection is mandatory. But with just one word, he rather introduce himself to the world simply as, "HIM!" Jaybird exclaimed confidently. His favorite social media app is Instagram. His favorite song is "Snakes in the Grass by Raq Baby." His favorite music artist? Jayden answered excitingly, "My favorite music artist is NBA Youngboy like he's the BEST RAPPER EVER in my eyes!" So you can image why he said "any song by NBA Youngboy gets me in my zone!" No wonder Jaybird is dangerous on the court. Jaybird celebrity crush is Music Superstar Glorilla. Listening to her music and watching her music videos, you can see why. No wonder she performed on campus during the #1 HBCU in the Country, Jackson State University, homecoming earlier this school year. His favorite color is blue. His favorite food is "fish with spaghetti." For the record, fish with spaghetti is not a Mississippi thing. He definitely got that from his crush Glorilla and Memphis, TN. His favorite restaurant is Wingstop. Who don't love wings! Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked Jaybird to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. He rated this fit a solid 9/10. Here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The all-star vote is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Top 200 athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the Top 200 Best Basketball Athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Basketball All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The All-Star Draft is Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $75. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available once the All-Star Draft List is released. Tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Jaden Leak. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with Jaybird's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media @ Followers Instagram jaybird_elite 6k TikTok n/a n/a X (Twitter) Jaybird_Elite 277 Facebook n/a n/a Snapchat n/a n/a When it comes to love, Jaybird is definitely in love. When asked if he was tender or single, he replied, "I am tender!" For the record, we haven't met one 16 year old that's not tender thus far! If he got married tomorrow, he says his wife would be, "   the picture of my dream wife in my head!" Yessss! He's most definitely in love with Glorilla! No, he has never spoken too or seen Glorilla in person, which would be a dream come true for one of the biggest high school basketball stars but that's up there pretty high along with his dream car, a hellcat. Currently, he doesn't have any wheels but has a lot of motion. We asked Jaybird how would he rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? Although in his opinion he thinks Mike Williams is the "best player in the state," when it comes to ranking himself, "I would say at least Top 10!" Actually, he's currently ranked at #8 so technically, that answer is correct! So, let's look at his player's profile. Players Profile Position:   PG Stats:   12 ppg, 6 assist School:  Pearl High School Classification:   Sophomore Height:  5'11 Weight:  163lbs Rankings :  #8 Source:  MS Hoops Awards & Honors:   All district Greatest Talent/Advantage : Athleticism Reflecting on this year's season, Jaybird said his best game this season was against Oak Grove and Germantown because "I came out very hot and very intense," he said. Flip that to his worst moment this season, he felt he let his team down during the second round of the playoffs. "I had an off night and didn't do what I normally do to help my team win," he said still shattered by the lost. Nevertheless, Jaybird says his shooting and dunking talent is an 8 on a scale of 1-10. He's no Kobe Bryant or Lebron James, at least not yet. He thinks Germantown was his greatest competition this year. Competition aside, out of all the teams in the state, Jaybird dislikes Brandon the most, mainly because it's their biggest rivalry. It's in his heart to win, especially against Brandon. Reflecting on him as an athlete, if he could improve on anything, it would be everything, "I would improve every part of my game because nobody is perfect and I know I have a lot to work on," Jaybird said humbly. Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Jaden's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know Jaden, you really don't have a clue until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  It is very important because it can help my career out and potentially help take care of my family. If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  That I am a very hard worker and willing to do anything to help my team win. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  Really I haven't been on any visits yet but my dream school would have to be LSU. List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  1. LSU 2. Arkansas 3. Auburn 4. Ole Miss 5. Florida 6. Kentucky 7. Kansas 8. Miami 9. Memphis 10. Jackson State Where do you see yourself next year?  I see myself as the best junior in the state with multiple of offers. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  I say my family motivates me and the people who inspire me would have to be Allen Iverson, LeBron James and Derrick Rose. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  To become a NBA Legend Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? I work very hard for this and I feel I deserve it. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Jaden Leak from Pearl High School. Overall, Jaden is a very talented athlete with a very bright future and any college would be lucky to have him on their roster. If you would like to support Jaden or any other basketball players in Mississippi, vote for your favorite players to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

If you thought you knew Kristian, then you're wrong! Meet 16 year old Kristian Pounds, a talented athlete from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, MS that could easily be a Mississippi Basketball All-Star. We sat down yesterday for an exclusive interview with Kristian who goes by the nickname K2. Here's his story. "I'm tender. I'm very tender!" Kristian Pounds said. K2 describes himself as a sports guy whose favorite class in high school is health. "Sports make me who I am. I'm a cool, funny, laidback person and I joke around a lot, "Kristian said. His favorite social media app is TikTok. His favorite song is "Waste My Time by Essosa." Even though Waste My Time is his favorite song, No Cap is his favorite music artist. Why? "He speaks the truth and talks a lot about real life," K2 said. But when it comes to his lock-in mode song, he prefers to listen to "Still Dangerous by G Herbo." His favorite color is black. His favorite food is pizza. Yes, any kind of pizza! His favorite restaurant is Mugshots. No, Mugshots do not sell pizza! Before we get more into this interview, let's do a quick drip check. We asked K2 to step onto the red carpet with his favorite fit and rate it 1-10. He rated this fit a 9/10. Here it is: The Road to the All-Stars Series highlight players across the state leading up to the All-Stars. The Mississippi All-Stars is the only all-star game sanctioned by the NCAA. Any 9-12th grade student athlete that goes to any public or private school in Mississippi can be a state all-star. All-Stars are selected by the fans. The all-star vote is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The Top 200 athletes with the most votes will be recommended to the Mississippi Association of Players also known as MAP. MAP will review the recommendation from the fans and invite the Top 200 Best Basketball Athletes in Mississippi to the Mississippi Basketball All-Stars Draft. At the draft, the 2025 Mississippi Basketball All-Stars will be selected live. The All-Star Draft is Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Downtown Hattiesburg beginning at 7pm. Tickets are $75. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available once the All-Star Draft List is released. Tickets are expected to be sold out quickly. Now, let's hop back into our exclusive interview with Kristian Pounds. Road to the All-Stars highlight 2 profiles for each player that we think are very important. We highlight their social media profile and we highlight their player profile. Let's start with K2's social media profile. Don't forget to follow his social and check out his content. Let's Go! Social Media Profile Social Media @ Followers Instagram N2mber 1.6k TikTok pircss 1k X (Twitter) KristianPoundss 241 Facebook n/a n/a Snapchat n/a n/a When it comes to love, K2 is definitely in love. When asked if he was tender or single, he replied, "Tender! I'm very tender!" If he got married tomorrow, he says his wife would be, "   hard working and have a very understanding attitude." But that's just wishful thinking for way too many years ahead, kind of like his dream car, the Lamborghini Urus. One day, he'll have both. Right now, he's driving a  Hyundai Sonata! Not bad for a 16 year old. We asked K2 how would you rank himself in the top 100 players in the state? He responded, "At least Top 20!" So, let's look at his player's profile. Players Profile Position: Pg/Sg Stats: 10 ppg, 4 assist, 5 rebounds School: Oak Grove HS Classification: Sophomore Height: 6'1 Weight: 168lbs Rankings : None Source: None Awards & Honors: All region district 6-7a; All A honor roll Greatest Talent/Advantage : Getting down hill and finishing with the right Reflecting on this year's season, K2 said his best game this season was against Northwest Rankin because "I wasn't thinking about anything or getting distracted. I just went out and played ball!" Flip that to his worst moment this season, playing against Brandon, it was all bad! Why? "I wasn't thinking, distracted, and ended up frustrated," he said disappointingly. Despite that, K2 says his shooting is an 8.6 on a scale of 1-10. He admits when it comes to dunking, he's "very inconsistent." He thinks Madison Central was his greatest competition this year and if he could improve on anything, it would be, "finishing with the left and shooting off the dribble better." Finally, let's wrap this interview up with a few serious questions about Kristian's future. Here's some questions and answers that we think you'll find very interesting. If you think you know K2, you have no idea until you read the last part of our interview below. Let's go! How important is it to you to sign a NIL Deal & why?  9,I want to get out of the hood If you could tell anything to a college coach or recruiter what would it be?  I’m very interested in their program and would really appreciate a chance. List the colleges you ever visited or been to in your life? What is your #1 dream school?  I’ve been to Houston University. My dream school is North Carolina. List your top 10 schools you would like to play at?  North Carolina, Tennessee, Oregon, LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas , Texas A&M, Auburn, Syracuse, Arizona State Where do you see yourself next year?  Playing basketball, with offers. Who or what motivates or inspires you to play the game?  My baby sister and seeing my family not being financially stable. What do you wish to achieve by playing this sport?  To go to the next level. Being a Mississippi All-Star is the highest honor and award you can receive as a student athlete. Why do you deserve to be a state All-Star? I’m a very hardworking and humble student athlete. Not only do I get it done on the court, but I also get it done in the classroom. I’m also a good person off the court and away from sports. That's a wrap. Hope you enjoyed our Road to the All-Stars with Kristian Pounds from Oak Grove High School. Overall, a great kid with a lot of potential and a very bright future. If you support Kristian or any other basketball players in Mississippi, vote for your favorite players to be a Mississippi All-Star on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 by going to www.playersms.com .

PULASKI, Tenn. – The William Carey Baseball team wrapped up their series against UT-Southern, falling in game one 13-7 but bounced back to take game two 7-4 Saturday afternoon. Head Coach  Bobby Halford  said, "we were fortunate to be able to bounce back in a rough environment in the second game and win especially after the first game when everything fell apart and we made some errors, leading to nine runs in the first inning. We were able to come back and make a game out of it and then we gave it up. I am proud of our guys the way we came back in the second game in a tough situation and hopefully we are ready to go Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 against an undefeated and number one team in the country LSU Shreveport." Things did not go well in game one for the Crusaders, as the Firehawks raced out to a nine-run advantage in the first inning on six hits and two errors. Carey got one run back in the second on a  Tyler Ducksworth  RBI single and added four more in the third on RBIs by Deejay Booth,  Preston Ratliff , and  Brady Logan  with a wild pitch scoring a run. Pinch hitter  Cam Trosclair  cut the deficit to three with an RBI double to left in the fifth and after a leadoff triple by  Eli Collins  in the sixth, Booth cut the lead to two runs on an RBI groundout. However, Carey would get no closer, as UTS pulled away for good with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Game two saw the Crusaders get off to a much better start, taking an early lead with three runs in the first inning. Ratliff started the scoring with a single to left and after an error put runners on first and second,  Josh Alexander  made it 2-0 WCU on a double down the left field line with a balk scoring the third run. The Firehawks chipped away at the lead with a run in the third and fifth inning to get within one, but WCU extended their lead to four with three runs in the seventh inning. A wild pitch allowed  Bridley Thomas  to score the first run of the frame. Booth scored Collins on a double to center with a sac fly by Alexander pushing across the final run of the inning. Those three extra runs proved valuable, as UT-Southern pushed across two runs in the eighth on an RBI groundout and a single to right field. Carey picked up another insurance run in the ninth on an Alexander double for the final margin. In the bottom of the of the inning, the Firehawks put two runners on base with no outs, but relief pitcher Ratliff worked out the jam, retiring the next three batters on strikeouts. Carey is back in action Tuesday, March 4, as they take on #1 LSU-Shreveport. Play is set begin at 4:00 pm at Milton Wheeler Field.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Oscar-winner Gene Hackman , his wife and their dog were found dead in different rooms of their Santa Fe home and had apparently been dead for some time, according to investigators. Hackman, 95, was found dead Wednesday in a mudroom and his 63-year-old wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found dead in a bathroom next to a space heater, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office detectives wrote in a search warrant. There was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop near Arakawa. Denise Avila, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said there was no indication that any of them had been shot or had other types of wounds. The New Mexico Gas Co. is working with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, spokesperson Tim Korte told The Associated Press. The utility tested the gas lines in and around the home after the bodies were discovered, according to the warrant. At the time, it didn’t find any signs of problems. A detective noted that people exposed to gas leaks or carbon monoxide may not show signs of poisoning, but also noted there were no obvious signs of a gas leak. The Associated Press left email and phone messages Thursday for sheriff’s officials seeking more details. A spokesperson for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, which runs the state’s medical examiner operations, declined to comment on whether the cause and manner of deaths had been determined. A worker reported that the home’s front door was open when he arrived for routine maintenance and that he called police after finding the bodies. Two workers told police that they rarely saw the homeowners and that their last contact with them had been about two weeks earlier. A dead German shepherd was found in a bathroom closet near Arakawa, police said. Two healthy dogs were found on the property. The gruff-but-beloved Hackman was among the best actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s. He routinely showed up on Hollywood list of greatest American actors of the 20th century. He could play virtually any kind of role , from comic book villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” to a coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite “Hoosiers.” Hackman was a five-time Oscar nominee who won for “The French Connection” in 1972 and “Unforgiven” two decades later. His death comes just four days before this year’s ceremony. “The loss of a great artist, always cause for both mourning and celebration: Gene Hackman a great actor, inspiring and magnificent in his work and complexity,” director Francis Ford Coppola posted on Instagram. Hackman met Arakawa, a classically trained pianist who grew up in Hawaii, when she was working part-time at a California gym in the mid-1980s, the New York Times reported in 1989. They soon moved in together, and by the end of the decade had decamped to Santa Fe. Their Southwestern-style ranch on Old Sunset Trail sits on a hill in a gated community with views of the Rocky Mountains. The 8,700 square-foot (808 square-meter), four-bedroom home on six acres was built in 1997 and had an estimated market value of a little over $4 million, according to Santa Fe County property tax records. Hackman and his wife also owned a more modest 2,000 square-foot (186 square-meter) home next door that was built in 2000. Hackman also co-wrote three novels, starting with the swashbuckler, “Wake of the Perdido Star,” with Daniel Lenihan in 1999, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. He then penned two by himself, concluding with “Pursuit” in 2013, about a female police officer on the tail of a predator. In his first couple decades in New Mexico, Hackman was often seen around the historic state capital, which known as an artist enclave, tourism destination and retreat for celebrities. He served as a board member of the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in the 1990s, according to the local paper, The New Mexican. In recent years, he was far less visible, though even the most mundane outings caught the attention of the press. The Independent wrote about him attending a show at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in 2018. The New York Post reported on him pumping gas, doing yard work and getting a chicken sandwich at Wendy’s in 2023. Aside from appearances at awards shows, he was rarely seen in the Hollywood social circuit and retired from acting about 20 years ago. His was the rare Hollywood retirement that actually lasted. Hackman had three children from a previous marriage. He and Arakawa had no children together but were known for having German shepherds. Hackman told the film magazine Empire in 2020 that he and Arakawa liked to watch DVDs she rented. “We like simple stories that some of the little low-budget films manage to produce,” he said. An email sent to his publicist was not immediately returned early Thursday.

Hattiesburg, MS- The Black History Celebrations Executive Committee announced Thursday, February 13, 2025 that there has already been over 75 groups to signup to participate in the famou s 27th Annual Black History Parade & Celebration which is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025 on JC Killingsworth Drive and Country Club Rd. The group says they're on pace to having one of the largest parades in the last 20 + years as excitement spread about the community coming together to celebrate Black History fulfilling this year's theme of "Sticking Together!" The group announced that multiple groups from across Mississippi are coming together as one to proudly celebrate Black History despite many cities replacing Black History Month with Marti Gras Celebrations instead of Black History Celebrations. As a result, the group think more than 150 groups will have signed up over the next few days. The parade ends inside Vernon Dahmer Park where the Celebrations kickoff. All roads around the park will be closed around 12:00 Noon. The public is asked to park at the First Tee Field between 10:00am - 11:30am and walk to either Country Club Rd or JC Killingsworth Dr to watch the parade. After the parade, the public is asked to walk to Vernon Dahmer Park to take part in the celebrations which includes a free community concert, games for kids, and a fireworks show among other activities. If your group or family is interested being in the parade, contact Ashely at 769.299.8365 or Marian at 601.323.9418. There is no fee to be in the parade. You also can sign up by clicking here.