GMS Athletics

Students in grades 4-6 are eligible to try out for the elementary archery team, which is part of the AIMS (Archery in Mississippi Schools) program through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Even though the team is classified as “elementary,” members of the Grenada team have outscored other high school teams. In 2022, the elementary team won its first state championship.

No prior skill is needed to join the archery team, which welcomes all competitors regardless of gender, race, age, and physical abilities. One need not be athletically inclined to join, which may explain why the sport has become so popular in Grenada. The elementary team practices in the fall and spring at the GES 4-5 Green Top gymnasium on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. There is a nominal fee to cover the cost of equipment and team shirts.

Coach: Lois Gaskin
Assistant Coach: Kim Holland

Boys going into grades 7-8 may try out for baseball. Two teams are fielded, based on player proficiency, with a total roster of 20-25. Athletes work 4th period during second semester as well as summer practice and weightlifting. Coaches focus on player development, including character and sportsmanship as well as elements of the game. The team competes against various regional and 6A schools in approximately 10 double-headers a season.

Coach: Collins Brown
 

Girls in grades 6-7 may try out in May of each school year to become members of the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams. We practice during a dedicated class period and sometimes after school during the season, which runs from October to January. The girls on our team learn basketball fundamentals, rules, and regulations. Students are also challenged to excel in their classes as well because we push the idea of being a student first since the term STUDENT comes first in student athletes. We compete with district opponents at home and away in approximately 14 games a year.

Coach: Arlissa Conley Townes
Assistant Coach: Centeria Lott

Boys and girls entering grades 7-8 are eligible to try out for the Cross Country team. This distance-running sport is performed on natural terrain, whether dirt or grass, up and down hills, and in all weather. Runners practice after school and during the summer with the high school team. Five athletes are needed to compete as a team, so middle school runners who excel may be moved up to the junior varsity team to compete at 5-6 meets each fall. 

Coach: Chris Miller

Middle school football focuses on the fundamentals and techniques of the game while introducing a competitive atmosphere to the sport. All 7th and 8th grade boys who sign up and attend summer workouts (Tues.-Thurs. afternoon, 4:00-5:30) can play. The 7th and 8th grade teams practice during a dedicated school period each day and sometimes after school during the fall season. Teams compete with district rivals at home and away approximately six times a year. 

Coach: Jeff Williams
Assistant Coaches: Jordan England, Jerimy Watson and Reiv Wood

Motivated 8th graders may try out for powerlifting with Coach Purvis to compete in the lower weight classes. Athletes will work in the weight room with the GMS football team to build strength in three lifts — squat, bench, and deadlift. 

Coach: Justin Purvis

Girls in grade 7-8 may try out for the powerlifting team in May or contact Coach Lawson about joining. Train with the high school lifters, developing physical and mental strength through hard work and weight-training before school and during the summer. The core lifts are squat, bench press, and deadlift. The season begins in October and ends in April. The team competes locally before advancing to the state level. 

Coach: Loretta Lawson
Assistant Coach: Sidney Samples

Boys in grades 7-8 interested in soccer may try out in the spring. The middle school trains with the high school team to prepare for next-level competition. Players may be assigned to the junior varsity team to compete against district rivals at home and away approximately six times throughout the season, which runs from October through January. Practice is held during seventh period and after school during season play.

Coach: Taylor Goode

Girls in grades 7-8 interested in soccer may try out in the spring. The middle school trains with the high school team to prepare for next-level competition. Players may be assigned to the junior varsity team to compete against district rivals at home and away approximately six times throughout the season, which runs from October through January. Practice is held during seventh period and after school during season play.

Coach: Chris Miller

Girls in grades 7-8 play on our middle school fast-pitch softball team. We often join the junior varsity and varsity teams at GHS to play series against district rivals, both at home and away.  The team practices 7th period with added after-school practices during our season, which runs from January through April. Softball tryouts are held each May.

Coach: Taylor Lee
Assistant Coach: Blake Henson

Students entering grades 7 and 8 may try out each spring for middle school tennis. Seasonal practices (February-April) are held in the late afternoon and will help develop and condition young players to compete at a higher level. A few advanced players from the middle school may be invited to compete with the high school’s junior varsity team.

Coach: Chris Klinck
Assistant Coach: Rylee Artman

Boys and girls in 7th and 8th grades are eligible to try out in January for the GMS track team. Both grades compete together in approximately five track and field meets throughout the spring. Students may try out for distance-running, sprinting, and field events. Teams are selected based on best times for running and best distance for field events. We focus on the proper techniques of running, jumping, stepping hurdles, and throwing implements of shot and discus. Practice is held daily after school, in season and weather permitting. 

Coach: Jeff Williams
Assistant Coach: Centeria Lott

Girls in grades 7-8 may try out for volleyball in the spring. The 2022 season will mark the first year for the middle school team. Players will work closely with the high school team and some members may compete with the junior varsity team in addition to the middle school team. Practices are held in the summer and, during the season, 7th period and after school. Beginning middle school students who would like to learn the game and basic skills may opt to join the Grenada School District Intramural Volleyball league, which meets on Saturday mornings in early fall.

See the 2023 schedule.

Coach: Collin Ray