Optimist Park was bursting at the seams last week with games, games, and more games. No fields could have been more exciting than the AAA field with three games being played.

Ya’Laysha Barnes has been part of Malone School since the second grade, and over the years she has grown into a standout student-athlete now preparing to take her game to the next level. A senior with a deep love for basketball, Barnes has spent the past seven years developing her skills on the court, along with a brief stint in softball. That dedication is paying off as she signs with Enterprise State Community College, just over an hour away, giving local fans the chance to continue watching her career.

Sneads and Cottondale are on a collision course again, but not before a dominant opening round across the district set the tone.

Marianna K-8’s “A” team capped off a dominant season with a 7-2 win over RMS Lady Bears to claim the district championship, marking the program’s second consecutive title. The Bullpups, who also opened the postseason with a 10-0 shutout of FSUS, finished a perfect 22-0 on the year after going 19-2-1 last season. Over the course of this spring, Marianna K-8 overwhelmed opponents, outscoring them 241-19 while recording 11 shutouts in 22 games.

With a  break in the action over 2026 spring break, four Jackson County varsity softball teams were ready to hit the diamond last week.

Jackson County’s five high school baseball programs returned from spring break with a full slate of action, and each team showed its ability to compete as the second half of the season gets underway. From offensive explosions to strong outings on the mound, it was a week that featured resilience, big innings, and standout individual performances across the county.

Spring Break has come and gone with no negative issues that have surfaced, which is always a good thing.

This Saturday, April 4, 27 teams will take the fields at Optimist Park for another exciting Opening Day of baseball and softball.

In beach volleyball action last week, Marianna beat Sneads 3-2 on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in a home conference match.

Marianna and Cottondale split a tight intra-county series, with the Bulldogs needing extra innings to secure a 5-4 road win after cruising 14-1 in the first meeting.

Malone powered past Jefferson County 18-8 on Friday behind a balanced offensive attack and a strong outing in the circle from Arielle Dickens.

Roulhac Middle School pulled away early and defeated the Indians 12-2 Monday. Roulhac scored five runs in the first inning and added three more in the second to build a quick lead before tacking on four runs in the third.

Sneads High School senior LaRay Gibbs will be kicking in the beach sand at the next level come August. Last week, before teammates, family, friends, faculty and staff Gibbs signed to continue playing the game she loves, beach volleyball.

Marianna Middle School’s A-Team baseball squad has opened the season with a 3-6 record, showing steady improvement and strong individual performances throughout their recent stretch of games.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – how many times have you heard that!