How about those Lady ‘Cats from Bogue Chitto!

Wow!

The Lady ‘Cats have gone from underdogs to Cinderella kittens inthe state slowpitch softball playoffs. They’ll play the winner ofthe Ingomar-Myrtle North championship series on Saturday in theClass 1A state title test.

Where are the V.A. Fields, site of the state title series, inJackson located?

Good question. Traveling north on I-55, take the I-20 west exitafter passing McDowell Road. Go west on 1-20 to the 220 bypass. Geton the bypass and exit on Capital St. or exit 2A. Go right to thestoplight and take a right on Byrd Street. Can’t miss it.

Bogue Chitto plays its first game in the best-of-three series at11 a.m. Classes 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A also will be in action, chasingstate titles.

The Lady ‘Cats, under the direction of first-year head coachScott Leggett, have come a long way in a rebuilding year. They wererunners-up to West Lincoln in the Division 7-1A race but knockedoff the Lady Bears in the South semis last Saturday at WestLincoln.

West Lincoln and Brookhaven in Class 4A were the top powers inarea slowpitch this season but fell short of their ultimate goals.Brookhaven was ambushed at East Central in Hurley Tuesday,absorbing back-to-back rare shutouts. Still, the Lady Bears andLady Panthers had great seasons and made their respectivecommunities proud.

Professor Hoopla B.S., hopes to enter the Prognosticators Hallof Fame some day but he must continue improving his skills. Hooplapicked the winners of 29 games last week and got 24 correct.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with someFriday night homecoming specials.

Laurel at Brookhaven: Homecoming has its share of distractionsbut the Panthers should have enough focus to take care of businesson King Field. Brookhaven 30-14.

Natchez Trinity at Brookhaven: After two straight setbacks, theCougars regain the winning advantage. Brookhaven Academy 27-19.

Hinds AHS at Loyd Star: The Hornets have endured their share oflopsided setbacks and now they’re looking forward to next year.Hinds AHS 37-7.

Mt. Olive at Bogue Chitto: Seems to be one too many McNairs forthe Bobcats to handle. Mt. Olive 35-25.

Mize at Enterprise: After the loss, the Yellow Jackets shakehands with a probable Class 1A state champion. Mize 45-20.

West Lincoln at Stringer: Bears encounter the hazards of playingon the road. Stringer 22-20.

Madison St. Joseph at Wesson: Perhaps homecoming will bring outthe best in the Cobras. Wesson 28-21.

Wingfield at Lawrence County: Cougars recover from an overtimeloss to feast on the Falcons for homecoming. Lawrence County38-8.

Amite County at Franklin County: Bulldogs tune up their offensefor the Class 3A state playoffs. Franklin County 42-18.

In other area games, Copiah Academy should stop Prairie View32-12, Hazlehurst should dump Jefferson County 29-12, McComb shouldedge Terry 14-7, Port Gibson should swamp North Pike 34-6, SouthPike should outscore Jim Hill 47-27, Parklane should punishPresbyterian Christian School 39-10 for homecoming and Greenwoodwill end the 2-game victory string enjoyed by Crystal Springs22-9.

Gazing at his crystal ball, Hoopla foresees these Saturdaywinners, starting with two community college specials.

Co-Lin at Jones County: There’s no joy in Ellisville for theslumping Wolves as the Bobcats unleash a potent passing game. JonesCounty 21-7.

Southwest at Itawamba: Winless Bears travel to Fulton in searchof a victory and come up empty. Itawamba 14-6.

Florida at Mississippi State: Looks like another characterbuilder for the struggling Bulldogs. Florida 42-17.

East Carolina at Southern Miss: Returning to The Rock, GoldenEagles find a defense and an offense. Southern Miss 27-7.

Southern U. at Alcorn State: Brookhaven product Don Expose helpsthe Jaguars win big on the Reservation. Southern U. 42-21.

In other Magnolia State action, Grambling over Jackson State28-8, Delta State over Harding 39-19, DePauw over Millsaps 37-17,Texas Southern over Valley State 28-10 ;and Campbellsville overBelhaven 28-20. Ole Miss has an open date to figure out its3-quarterback system.

In the SEC, Tennessee over Alabama 23-14, Georgia over Arkansas29-12, Auburn over Kentucky 48-10, LSU over Troy State 48-13, andVanderbilt over Eastern Kentucky 26-7. South Carolina has an opendate to get offensive.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com