So Anna Kathryn Kessinger will be the first to be listed in the first Oxford's Dandy Dozen.  I just wish I found a picture of her playing Volleyball than this one posted on the right. 

Now baseball fans may remember the name Don Kessinger, the six-time MLB all-star that also played for Ole Miss back in the day (if not, you can find his jersey up in Buffalo Wild Wings in Oxford), and Keith Kessinger, Don's son that also played in the MLB and coached as an assistant for Ole Miss recently.  Yes, this would be his granddaughter and daughter respectively - however she isn't a Softball player. 

I know some Center Hill fans will read this and yes, Mustang Baseball player Grae Kessinger is her cousin (and also one of Don's Grandsons). 

Enough about the blood lines they share, now as to why she is part of this Dandy Dozen - as in why she is an important player for the OHS Volleyball team. 

Kessinger is one of the taller members of the Volleyball Team (standing around the 5'6" range) and plays along the front line closest to the net.  She plays in a position known as the "Outside Hitter" (either to the left or right of the net but not in the middle)

Stats is one thing I like to keep but Volleyball is one of the few sports that stats is hard to find (even on MaxPreps).  If you haven't seen the OHS Volleyball team yet, come on over to the OHS gym and watch.  The sport itself is quick, points are scored quickly, and it can be just as exciting as watching a dunk in basketball like a quick spike for the kill in Volleyball.  A plus-side to this sport: a typical match only lasts up to 1 1/2 hours.  Each set takes about 20 minutes with the 5th set should a match come to that only takes about 10 minutes. 

Oxford is looking to make the Volleyball playoffs for the first time in a few years.  This team has the ability and Kessinger will play a big role in helping the Lady Chargers do so. If you don't know the rules to Volleyball, don't worry.  A fan at the game will kindly explain to you the rules. 

Except for something I have done the longest - for 16 years.  7 years paying to go to this and 9 years helping out.64 days in a row and 256 straight hours of attending Oxford Basketball Camp since I was 7 years old, it is time to move on. 

I've made 64 days count, won a Free Throw Contest once in 28 tries, did win a 3-on-3 (now 4-on-4) contest, and the coveted Alban Attitude Award in my last year as a camper - named for the kid who routinely came to camp early with a great attitude that tragically died in a car crash on his way to camp one year. 

For the next 9 years, I've seen kids have fun at camp and basically become a normal icon around Oxford.  Baxter Elliott once upon a time was a camper at Oxford Basketball Camp - and just about everyone liked him back then.  Those that play on the Oxford Boys Basketball team now?  Yes, most of them at one time or another also went to camp. 

Let's put it this way: Coach Drew Tyler was not even the head coach when I started coming to camp.  Coach John Sherman - now the Boys Water Valley head coach - was the coach for Oxford, who has since hopped around to Myrtle High School and coached Ex-Ole Miss Rebel Arminte Price now in the WNBA. 

I know it won't be the same without me, but I know it will be just as fun as it has always been.  Make Today Count campers and there are no excuses to have a great time there. 

For what I do around the Oxford Community, I have been to a many Concession Stands across the state.  Radio/TV Announcer Don Brooks always bugs me about who has the best "Nachos" this state has to offer since that is what I tend to get every trip - and if they serve BBQ Nachos, that will 1-up other concession stands. 

So when I come around this tweet:

@titanbaseball @bigassbob Titan Cooking Team will cook it up tom night for Battle vs New Hope @ Titan Park.  Best Ballpark Gourmet anywhere! 

Now, obviously I have gotten more RT's (and Favorites) to their not so many. 

Now for those that have not been to an Amory ball game - I have been to a few, three times in Football (ironically, just once with Oxford, once with Water Valley way back when, and once to watch Lafayette in the 2011 North Half game), and also twice in Baseball (both with Oxford) over my span.  They will serve anything that you may have ever bought at a ball game (besides alcohol of course). 

Amory not only serves it all, but the quality also gets me.  The hamburger I bought beats any fast-food burger and even several restaurants I've been to.  I've been to Ridgeland three times for baseball (twice in a 3-day span in 2011, and once last year) and once for Football - selection is not wide, and the food is average, much like many others across the state.  Oxford does okay, and at least can properly serve Nachos, but lets just say no one complains a whole lot. 

Some interesting Concession Stands I have visited: Ripley Football serves Funnel Cakes.  Shannon's is right up there near the top when it comes to it with its wide selection.  Senatobia, New Albany, Center Hill, Lake Cormorant and such serve those BBQ Nachos - it seems about 25% of schools are selling that item now, especially around Desoto County (Lake Cormorant is the leader in that department).  Clarksdale is unique in that it is the only school that I have been to that does not serve Coke OR Pepsi products (they serve 7-up, Dr. Pepper and some lesser known brands) Soccer Concession Stands typically do not serve a lot, mostly enough to get through the night as the game hardly has breaks itself to even come to get food without missing anything. 

Now, most of this assessment comes from the fact I have never been to a school that is below the I-20 beltway in this state, being that Pearl is the furthest south school I have been to within the state of Mississippi (and is not too terrible with the food either).  So this is not really a fair assessment of the state since I have been just in the north. 

When I hit the delta schools (which because of region alignment I have not done more recently), I have seen Nachos served with a Velveeta Dip instead of good ol' Nacho Cheese.  First, it does not taste well and it is because it is cheaper to make.  Second, it is usually served with a little extra "toppings" such as the chopped up red tomato to which is what downgrades the Nacho Cheese. 

Next is to those that do not open until nearly tipoff, kickoff, 1st pitch - like West Point for example I've always waited way too long to open (since on road games, teams usually arrive about 2-3 hours prior to the first game of the trip).  It is usually not until 15-30 minutes if not right up when the game starts as to when it opens (in all sports).  Why make people who want to buy your food wait?  If the customer waits too long, you lose him, just like I've done a couple times because 95% of the time, I get to interested in the game.  Don't make people wait!  The number one rule in running ANY food business.  When someone is hungry, they want food ASAP! 

Outside of that, the usual cooked things need to be well-done (Hamburgers, Hot Dogs), and the drinks need to be cold - as in within very few degrees of freezing - before selling them. 

Take a look at your schedule, if you see "Oxford" on it, expect me to be near your concession stand in the future.  I'll let you know if this is the "Best Ballpark Gourmet anywhere" when I taste it and the service is good about it. 

OHS Baseball coach Chris Baughman and his assistant coaches will be hosting the Charger Baseball Camp from June 17th-20th from 8 AM - Noon each day. 

Camp will be held at the Oxford Park Commission's Hank Aaron Tri-Plex (near the Activity Center).  Cost for the camp is $100.  Forms can be picked up at the OHS office or those interested can register the day of the camp. 

This year's 2013 Oxford Charger Basketball Camp will be held May 28th-31st at the Turner Center on the Ole Miss Campus. 

The camp is open for grades K-7 (those who just finished K-7) and runs from 8 AM to Noon each day.  OHS Boys Basketball coach Drew Tyler and Assistant Grant Goolsby will be the head instructors.  Current Chargers will also assist in fundamental drills such as shooting, passing, ball handling and rebounding. 

Each camper will need gym shorts, tennis shoes and T-shirts. 

Cost is $100 prior to May 28th and $110 on the day of camp.  Each camper will receive a special camp T-shirt, regulation basketball, camp medallion and special awards for competition winners. 

Brochures can be picked up at Oxford High School.  For more information, Coach Tyler can be contacted at 816-1953. 

Well, it didn't seem that long ago that the season started - but then again, I forgot about the beat down Oxford Boys Basketball took at the hands of Callaway the day before the season started. 

Looking back, I had a projected lineup of (in order) Michael Bianco, Jason Barber, Henry Webb, Hunter Roth, Jack McClure, Drew Phillips, Pittman Phillips, Steven Whitfield, and Aundrel Turner.  Now mind you, this was without Elliott who at the time was out with a wrist injury. 

Well, I got 3 out of 9 right at the end of it all (in Hunter, Jack and Aundrel). 

Webb moved up to the leadoff spot because of his speed and ability to just get on base.  Jason was in the 6-hole but was second on the team in batting average.  Bianco had a horrible start to the season, but earned his way back into the lineup come playoff time and performed like the coaches expected him to at the start of the year.  Drew Phillips just never did perform to contribute as the season got going, Pittman was in and out in the batting order but was significant on defense and on the mound that he could not be pulled out on defense (he played all but 5 defensive outs this year).  Steven couldn't ever find his bat but like Bianco did not have the start on the mound like he wanted but pitched like he used to last year toward playoff time.  Brooks Krouse replaced Whitfield on defense in Left Field and found his way to bat 2nd in the order by the time region play started.  William Elliott was cleared to play before the first Lafayette game and got the start if not for Aundrel Turner being late for the bus and eventually got back to his 3-hole spot.  Chadwick Lamar started as being DH'ed for but found his bat by the time Elliott came back and found his way to be the DH in the lineup instead of getting DH'ed. 

Seems funny, we started the regular season with Coach Daniel Parrish losing his keys through the first floor roof of the Athletic Facility before heading to New Albany.  Near the end of the regular season, I had locked my keys in my car in Olive Branch.  Finally at the end of the year, we could not find that "key" hit. ( Okay, that was a terrible pun)

The team (according to my stats I kept up with all year) hit .271 for the year, but an OBP of .409.  William Elliott led the team in batting average (.385) - and after posting a .750 fielding percentage last year, only committed 1 error out of 44 put-out chances (for a .977 fielding percentage).  Turner led the team in Fielding Percentage (.980) only because he had more put out chances than Elliott and played all but 12 outs in Center Field this season.  The team Fielding Percentage was .925 (after it had dropped below .900 at one point during Spring Break). 

For pitching, Barber by far led the team in strikeouts with 74, WHIP (1.077), Opp OBP (.288), and Strike % (63.4).  Hunter led the staff with an 8-2 record and led the team with 2 Saves.  Barber was 7-3 with a save, Whitfield was 4-3, Houston Roth was 3-0 in his Freshmen year, Pittman was 2-0 and led the team in ERA with 1.00 and also recorded a Save (even though he was not supposed to be given credit for the one he got that he also was the winning pitcher in).  Tyler Hallam was 1-0 in the one complete game he did, and Walker Abel was 0-1 in the one inning in relief he pitched against Tupelo where Elliott got injured and Oxford coughed up a lead.  Will Christian and Lamar also pitched a combined 1 inning as well but got no decisions for each.  The team ERA was a 2.86, recorded 200 strikeouts, 68 walks (+ 1 intentional), hit 42 batters (for a total of 111 free passes to first base) - but the stat I think Coach Mike Thees would like the most: the staff committed zero balks all year. 

For batting, besides what I mentioned already, Barber led the team in OBP (.496), Elliott led the team in Triples (2), Webb and Turner (of all people) led the team in home runs (2).  Roth led the team in RBIs (31), Webb and Barber each got plunked 16 times, McClure led the team in Walks (29), Barber led the team in Strikeouts (27), Webb led the team in stolen bases with 13.  The team totaled 185 strikeouts against 134 walks (+ 6 Intentional) and got plunked 78 times - totaling 228 free passes to first base. 

Turner was easily be the most improved player (the "surprise" player I eluded to back in the pre-game article), who played with confidence this year and made plays that were eye-popping.  He had the game of his life on the road at Kossuth (which I failed to attend due to a Middle School home baseball game).  He went 3-4, doubled, homered, hit an inside-the-park home run (the only such HR the team hit all year), and both HRs were Grand Slams - the only two hit all year.  He also got 9 RBI of his 24 he got for the season in that game. 

Now lets not forget the "two-day" game against Lafayette to end the Spring Break tournament that started at 10 PM and ended at 1 AM - despite it lasting 3 hours, it ended in a run-rule in the sixth inning.  Of course the only reason it started at 10 PM was because the Tournament does not allow ties to happen.  I don't know who would make up such a rule. 

Oxford did win 2-5A and put New Hope in its place in the division, got 25 wins for the first time since 2005 among a tough schedule full of teams that went far in their playoffs.  However the end result was not like the Region result.  New Hope is playing in the North Half series and Oxford is sitting at home. 

There is summer baseball to look forward to until the end of June.  Until then, only 9 months until either Hunter Roth or Jason Barber throws the first pitch of the 2014 season. 

If you forgot about what I did this past summer leading up to the 2012-13 Sports/School Year, I did a Top 11 Seniors to watch for 2013.  Here is the list in case you did not want to look back:

1.  Parker Adamson (signed to USM for Football)2.  Alexus Malone (signed to Buffalo for Girls Basketball)3.  Henry Webb (helped win a 5A State Title in Boys Soccer and to the 3rd Round in Baseball)4.  Baxter Elliott (helped win a 5A State Title in Boys Soccer and in Tennis)5.  Amber Sisk (led Girls Basketball to a playoff appearance)6.  Clifton Smith (helped win a 5A State Title in Powerlifting and Football to the 2nd Round)7.  Nick Brown (led Boys Basketball and Football to the 2nd Round of the playoffs)8.  Toler Presley (led Football and Boys Track teams to successful seasons)9.  William Elliott (signed to Alabama for Baseball)10.  Steven Whitfield (helped lead Baseball to the 3rd Round)11.  Noland Parham (helped win a 5A State Title in Boys Soccer)

This was prior to this year that I made out this list.  I first wanted to make a Top 12 list (a "Dandy Dozen" as you will) but never could find that 12th Senior.  Well, here's a few I missed the boat on:

Hunter & Hayden Stewart - Twin brothers that played a major part in Oxford winning the State Title in Boys Soccer this year.  Hunter tore his ACL in the first Center Hill game way back in November.  It turned out it was up to him and his parents if they wanted to play on it risking his playing career or have surgery to repair it and miss the season.  I believe he made up his mind in that he wasn't going to play in college so this would be his last year regardless of choice - so naturally he chose to play.  His brother Hayden went through a lot prior to this soccer season in which he had a tumor in his brain that was successfully removed from - so you think these two have been through it all?  It was only fitting they would be a big reason they helped won an emotional state title for not just this team, but for this town that has become more than a Football/Baseball town. 

Aundrel Turner - WHERE was this guy the past three years?  One of the nicest (and quiet) guys you'll ever meet, a speedster and has turned into the best Center Fielder (at least defensively) since Brent Brownlee played the position.  Well, his Sophomore year, he did not make the team because of low grades, he did not feel comfortable last season when he started.  This year, he has made throws that no one could believe he could make (he nailed New Hope's Taylor Stafford trying to go from first to third on a base hit and hosed him by 15-20 feet in the third game against the Trojans), had several close throws that many opponents didn't think it would be as close as it did and turned three double plays from the Center Field spot because of his speed to get to the ball.  He also contributed to the Football Team this past season helping out the Chargers to an 11-2 record.  It seemed like all he needed was a slap in the face. 

Jessica Pearson - A notable on this 11-Senior list is the lack of Females on it (just 2 of the 11 are such).  This two-sport star played Volleyball and Girls Soccer - both of which had very few seniors on both teams (which may stand as to why the gender ratio on this list is so lopsided).  She had very productive years on young teams that failed to make the playoffs in Volleyball, got a tie for the Region 2-5A crown in Girls Soccer but had to travel in the playoffs because...of...a...coin...filp...and her production she gave on the field in both sports should have earned her a spot on this list. 

Xavier Pegues - And yep, how did I miss him?  Led the Football team in sacks and tackles this past season and was selected to the MS-AL All-Star Game with Parker Adamson.  Whiffed on him big time. 

Those were the four notable seniors that I missed.  If I had to reorder this top 11, I probably would have Bill move up out of sheer embarrassment of putting what I thought was the NINTH best athlete among the OHS Senior Athletes that wound up being a Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen and will play for an SEC school in Baseball - which is not an easy task. 

I will do this again for the 2014 class - and I will do 12 this time.  The second "Top Senior" list and the first "Oxford's Dandy Dozen" will start May 31st in two weeks with #12.  Each Friday (unless noted) a new one will be released until #1 the Friday prior to Oxford Football's first game against Jackson Prep August 23rd.  It will make the wait for Football Season that much shorter. 

Hernando defeated Oxford in two games last year in the playoffs to end the Chargers' season. ( However I was not in attendance for either game due to a soccer tournament I had realtives in and refereed at in Meridian, MS)

I did do something that Hernando did not know that I did and that was attending the Hernando / Olive Branch game back on March 1st - a day that had it snow for the first inning and a half.  I was able to scout them and get a spray chart on their players (and at the time, Olive Branch too - but look how that turned out...)

But that was more than two months ago, back when teams were still getting their lineups together.  However, most of the Tigers on the lineup was there last year.  Do not let their 14-11 record fool you.  Hernando is in Desoto County like aforementioned Olive Branch, Southaven (with 3 Dandy Dozen players), Horn Lake, always tough Lewisburg - all within a 15-mile radius of the school.  Everyone (except Clarksdale) they played in the region was in Desoto County as well - Baseball is the sport up near Memphis. 

Both teams lost their opening game last round against Neshoba Central and Starkville but rallied to win their series and advance.  Both teams have put out battle-tested schedules to prepare them for the playoffs. 

Both teams have lineups that do not have many "easy outs", Hernando has some power in their lineup (against Olive Branch and Oxford last year, Timothy Rowe knocked a total of 3 Home Runs out).  This should be a series to watch. 

For Oxford to win this series, they must:Pitch and play defense well - Hernando does not strike out many players and put most of the balls in play.  The Chargers cannot kick the ball around or Oxford will make their summer plans early. 

Don't leave those ducks on the pond - meaning find a way to score runners on the base paths.  Oxford left 28 on base in the three games against Starkville, more than 9 per game.  Base-running miscues have also hurt (especially in Games 1 & 2 vs. Starkville) and must be fixed. 

For Hernando to win this series, they must:Play fundamental ball - if Hernando is going to get by Oxford, it needs the other to make a mistake, not self-imploding.  Whoever self-implodes with mistakes will be the ones with an uphill battle in this series. 

Cause havoc - on the base paths.  Ever since the new bats have arrived, small ball has been the name of the game it seems.  Starkville did not execute this tactic in Game 3 (and cost them in the 6th inning of that game) and never got more than a run. 

Weather for Friday (in Oxford): Scattered Thunderstorms to Isolated Thunderstorms (50% chance reducing to 30% chance by game's end) Temps in the low 70s to mid 60s.  Winds to the NE at 5-15 MPH (cross wind from left to right on the field)

Weather for Saturday (in Hernando): Mostly Cloudy to Partly Cloudy (20% chance of rain), Temps around 70.  Winds to the SSE at 8-15 MPH (cross wind from left to right at Hernando's field)

Weather for Monday (in Oxford): Clear, Temps in the low 70s to upper 60s.  Winds very light to no movement

Other Notes: Oxford was swept by Hernando last year in the 3rd Round.  All North teams are the same in the 3rd Round in 2010 except for Hernando who ironically beat the 4th team from that round in Neshoba Central.  Ridgeland and New Hope are set for a rematch that went to 3 games which Ridgeland won. 

This 2013 Baseball Season has been the most successful in terms of wins in recent memory.  22 wins and a Region Championship is nothing to sneeze at. 

But of course, the goal in every sport Oxford participates is to win Championships.  Oxford has 46 of them including 1 in Baseball back in 2005. 

In that 2005 season, the biggest reasons this team claims is not because of any wins or hard work (although hard work was a big reason - 7 of the starting 9 in the batting order went on to play college and one got drafted into the MLB and this team totaled 36 wins) but it was because of two losses. 

The two losses that team learned the most in is the 1-0 loss to South Panola in the middle of the season on the road - the only time that year the team was shutout - and an 8-7 loss to 4-seed Amory in the first round of the playoffs at home which at the time was with 4 teams in a double-elimination format.  Those may have been the worst two games the 2005 Chargers played that season.  In that game, Oxford was trying to rally from 3 runs down to try to tie it in the 7th and had a Home Run robbed of in that game to steal two runs from Oxford.  Oxford proceeded to win the next 10 including beating Amory twice later on in the first round. 

WAIT A MINUTE......this year, Oxford lost to New Hope 8-0 in the middle of the season on the road, the only time Oxford has been shutout this year - might have been the worst they played all year.  Last night, Oxford lost to 3-seed Starkville 6-5 in the first game of the playoffs for the Chargers in a game that was right up there where nothing went their way, also tried to rally from 3 runs down in the last inning only to come up short and William Elliott had a Home Run robbed of two runs in that game. 

This is so scary familiar to the 2005 year where Oxford won it all.  Oxford lost the first game of that playoffs that year, beat the team that beat them then twice to advance and then won the next three rounds in sweeps to win it all.  To make matters more interesting the school colors of Amory (who was in the same classification at the time as Oxford) were black and gold - just like Starkville's. 

The 2005 Chargers learned from that experience and did not take any team for granted for the remainder of the playoffs, pounding each team scoring a minimum of 5 runs in each game and constantly getting double-digit runs and run-ruling a couple teams along the way including Amory and New Hope during the North Half Series (AT New Hope no less). 

What makes this more scary for me: The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) that I attended in 2005 was held in Phoenix, AZ and the reason why I could not see those 2005 Chargers win it all (yes shocking isn't it?  I didn't see Oxford win a Big 3 Sport Championship).  Guess where the ISEF is being held this year?  That's right, in Phoenix, AZ. 

History is in line to repeat itself.  Let's see if the 2013 Chargers will take every game seriously from here on out.  We could very easily play New Hope for North Half again, beat them and win it all the following series.  Wouldn't that be something? 

This is just scary thinking about it.  If I'm not mistaken, we 10-run ruled Amory in the second game between us.....