Mississippians have made notable strides in sports this week. Avery Weed, a junior golfer at Mississippi State, finished tied for 11th at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, according to reports. She shot a 54-hole total of 5 under par, including a final round 73 that featured a birdie on the difficult finishing hole. Weed, from Ocean Springs, is ranked 19th worldwide and eighth in the United States among women’s amateurs, and she was the top-ranked female college golfer last fall.
Her performance at Augusta National adds to her impressive record this season. Weed also shot 7 under par over 54 holes at Pebble Beach and finished second in the Carmel Cup. She previously posted a 4-over score at Colonial in Fort Worth. Experts predict she will continue her success and potentially make a future career on the LPGA Tour, according to sources.
Meanwhile, Jackson State appears close to announcing Trey Johnson as its new men’s basketball coach. The 41-year-old former standout and SWAC Player of the Year is expected to succeed Mo Williams, who left for an assistant coaching position at Kentucky. Johnson, known for his scoring ability and leadership during his time at JSU, has served as Williams’ top assistant for the past four years.
Johnson’s familiarity with Jackson and the SWAC positions him well for the role, according to sports observers. NBA great Purvis Short also expressed confidence in Johnson’s coaching potential, praising his character and work ethic. Johnson’s roots in Jackson and his knowledge of the local basketball scene are viewed as assets for his prospective tenure.
In baseball, Konnor Griffin, a Mississippi native now with the Pittsburgh Pirates, turns 20 on April 24. He recently signed a nine-year, $140 million contract, a deal that includes a $12 million signing bonus and escalating annual salaries. Griffin, who was 17 when first interviewed by The Associated Press, has demonstrated maturity beyond his years and is expected to handle the fame and fortune coming his way. The Pirates’ investment reflects high expectations for the young pitcher, who made his Major League debut in Pittsburgh’s home opener against Baltimore on April 3.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
