Ole Miss men’s basketball coach Rod Barnes is coming toBrookhaven. Barnes will be here Wednesday night, Sept. 5, for theFCA Kickoff Rally at the Lincoln County Multi-Use Facility.

The annual event is sponsored by the Copiah-Lincoln AdultChapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Chapter membersheld an organizational meeting Tuesday at the Bowie Smokehouse.This year’s endeavor will treat area athletes, cheerleaders andyouth church groups to a hotdog supper.

Among those in attendance were Don “Red” Estes, Ernie Clark,Bill Sones, the Rev. Robert Oates of Faith Presbyterian, the Rev.Greg Warnock and the Rev. Mike Brister of First Baptist, CarlAycock, FCA District 7 director Robert Holloway, rally coordinatorBob Massengill and yours truly.

Feeding begins at 6:15 and the program should start around 7.Around 500 hotdogs are expected to be cooked and 24 cases of softdrinks could be consumed, plus hundreds of chips and cookies.

Last Breath, a local teenage Christian praise band, will provideentertainment. Members of the band are Lane Lofton, rhythm guitarand lead vocalist, Josh Brister, electric guitar and backup singer;John Cannon, bass guitar; Stephen Fisk, keyboard; and StuartMisner, percussion/drums.

It should be a great evening of Christian praise.

Barnes, a highly successful basketball coach, directed theRebels to the NCAA regional championship game last season. Besidesbasketball, Barnes takes a strong paternal interest in the lives ofhis players. A devout Christian, Barnes always is willing to sharehis testimony with church groups and other organizations.

“I am truly blessed,” is one of Barnes’ trademark statements.He’s a devoted family man with an attractive wife and three sons.He puts his family ahead of his job and that means a lot in thishectic world.

The Mississippi Private School Association gets a small jump onthe 2001 football season as several jamborees take place thisweekend. At McComb Parklane Friday night, four schools willparticipate. Each team will play two quarters.

Brookhaven Academy plays Amite School Center at 7 p.m., followedby ASC versus Centreville Academy, at 7:30, Centreville vs.Parklane at 8 and BA vs. Parklane at 8:30. Coaches will stick witha conservative approach and save the trick plays for their seasonopeners on Aug. 31.

Ray Ishee’s return to the sidelines has produced a lot ofinterest at Brookhaven Academy. He was quite successful atCopiah-Lincoln Community College before getting out of coaching in1990 and becoming Dean of Men at Co-Lin.

At Copiah Academy in Gallman, another jamboree is scheduledSaturday night. Seven teams are entered.

Copiah plays Wayne Academy at 6 p.m., followed by HillcrestChristian vs. Prentiss Christian School at 6:30, Wayne vs. AdamsCounty Christian School at 7, Columbia Academy vs. Hillcrest at7:30, Prentiss vs. Jackson Academy at 8, ACCS vs. Columbia at 8:30and JA vs. Copiah at 9.

Tim Ellison is the new head coach at Copiah Academy and he has alot of enthusiasm for the game. Hopefully, Ellison can get theColonels back on the winning track.

The Fifth Annual Tucker Smith Memorial Match Play Tournament isscheduled Sept. 1-3, at the Brookhaven Country Club and just a fewslots are left. Tournament director Jeff Henning said there areonly 10 spots remaining for teams.

Sixty-four teams are expected to participate in the TuckerTournament. They will be preflighted, based on handicap. Entry feeis $125 per golfer.

Paul Henning and Don Coleman of Brookhaven are the 2-timedefending tournament champions. They will again face some strongchallenges from out-of-town teams.

Rett Crowder of Madison, the reigning MGA state and mid amateurchampion, is paired with Dr. Steve Mills of Brookhaven. DavidColeman of Madison, former state and mid amateur champ; will playwith his brother, Todd Coleman.

“This is probably the strongest field we’ve had,” saidtournament chairman Jeff Henning. “Chandler Russ and his brother,Kurt Russ; will contend for the title, too.”

For more information, call 833-6841, at the pro shop. Tournamentproceeds benefit the Lincoln County Habitat for Humanity. Henningsaid he would be accepting donations from area businesses for doorprizes.

The entry fee includes a practice round, and at least two daysof tournament play. There will be a Friday night pairings party.Lunch and dinner will be provided each day. Each competitor willreceive door prizes.