RILEY OVEREND | The Greenwood Commonwealth

New Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball coach George Ivory gave his introductory press conference with a SWAC Tournament ring on each hand. The 56-year-old holds numerous program records for the Delta Devils. (Donell Maxie)

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New MVSU coach Ivory introduced at press conference
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Thu,03/17/22-8:12PM , 4458 Reads
As George Ivory was introduced as the new men’s basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State on Thursday morning, screens above the court displayed an image from the Delta Devils’ first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1986.
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Michael Pugh, a former standout at Greenwood High, Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi Valley State University, has spent the last four seasons serving as captain for an ABA franchise, the Indiana Lyons. (Antonio Toppin)

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'Basketball saved my life': Veteran hooper Pugh reflects on career
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Thu,03/17/22-2:00AM , 3268 Reads
Since he was young, 32-year-old Greenwood native Michael Pugh has used basketball as a way to transform pain into progress.
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J.Z. George starting pitcher Brandon McKenzie earned the win on the mound for the Jaguars in their 16-9 victory at Amanda Elzy on Monday. (Andy Lo)

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Prep baseball: J.Z. George's bats come alive late at Elzy
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Wed,03/16/22-2:00AM , 2245 Reads
Trailing Amanda Elzy 6-5 entering the fifth inning, the J.Z. George baseball team tallied 11 runs in the final two frames to cruise past the host Panthers, 16-9, on Monday.
The game was stopped in the top of the seventh inning due to darkness, so the score reverted back to the end of the sixth.
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Jaylan Bledsoe, right, left a job at Regions Bank to go into coaching and now is an assistant on the staff at Mississippi Valley State University. With him are, from left, his stepson, Khalil Johnson Jr.; his son, Jayce Bledsoe; and his wife, Samyia Purnell-Bledsoe.

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Your Neighbor: Jaylan Bledsoe: MVSU coach likes being in ‘family place’
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Tue,03/08/22-2:00AM , 9588 Reads
Jaylan Bledsoe was working at Regions Bank on Park Avenue a few years ago when a phone call altered his career trajectory.
It was his former baseball coach at Grenada High School asking Bledsoe whether he had ever considered coaching.
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