Winona High School’s girls and boys soccer teams opened their seasons recently under the guidance of coaches Mikel Sykes and Mark Austin, respectively.
The Lady Tigers are off to a 1-2 start after picking up a 3-1 win over Canton High School on Dec. 2. They opened their season on Nov. 18 with a 7-0 loss to MSMS and a 3-1 setback to Columbus on Nov. 30.
The boys are 1-1 after posting a 2-1 win over Columbus but losing 9-2 to Canton.
The varsity teams are slated to visit Yazoo County Monday and go to Columbus on Dec. 17
Winona Girls
Sykes is in his second year serving as the head coach of the Winona girls. He led the Lady Tigers to an 8-7 overall record and a district title last year.
“Winning district last year gave us a favorable seeding for the playoffs and we ended the year with a very competitive first-round loss to Byhalia,” Sykes said. “Winning the district this year will be much more challenging, but we are going to give it our best shot.
“I do see the program getting stronger as our younger players develop their skills. We have an increased number of JV players this year, and we really hope to see that pay off in terms of where the program is in a few years.”
The Lady Tigers compete in Region 3, Class 1A/2A/3A with Yazoo County, St. Andrew’s and Riverside.
Sykes feels this year’s squad can compete to win the district, but it’s going to take leadership from his returning players.
“We do have some experience returning,” he said. “We are a developing team. There are a solid number of seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade players making contributions, and we hope to grow as a unit throughout the year as players get more and more comfortable in their roles.
“St. Andrew’s is the defending state champion, so realistically it will be tough to repeat as district champions this year. However, we established an identity of how we want to play against Columbus. Our goals this year are to just play our game regardless of the opponent, to get a little bit better every day, and to finish the season with a winning record.”
Starters returning from last year include goalie Ambrel Homrighausen, midfielder/defender Hannah Hicks (returning defensive player of the year), defenders Alexis Phillips and Kendall Stanley, midfielder/forward Murry Catherine Alderman (returning offensive player of the year), midfielder/forward Bailey Holly and forward Mason Boyette.
In the win over Canton, Alderman, Bella Durham and Mary Beth Brannon had a goal each. Durham is a freshman and Brannon is an eighth grader. Alderman, a junior, had two assists and scored her goal on a penalty kick. In the loss to Columbus, Alderman scored the lone goal.
Winona Boys
The Tigers got a late start with the football team going deep into the playoffs. The boys play the same teams in the region as do the girls.
In the Tigers’ win Columbus, Noah Durham and Alex Blaylock scored a goal each. In the loss to Canton, Durham scored both goals.
Austin is in his seventh season as the head coach of the Tigers. Winona finished 4-8 last season.
“We have eight returning players from last season, so our goals are to have a winning season and see just how far this team can go,” Austin said.
The returning starters are seniors Durham and Griffin Faulkner, junior Jordan Leech, sophomores Conner Helms, Aubrey Bailey, Blaylock and Ethan Bailey, and freshman Lakameron Flowers.
Austin has 22 players on the roster, which include the two seniors, one junior, eight sophomores, six freshmen, two eighth graders and three seventh graders.
