Marianna High School is welcoming a familiar face to a new role this year as Joy Hand steps in to lead both the court and beach volleyball programs.

In the small, tight-knit town of Malone, where basketball is more than a game, it's a heritage—few names have become as interwoven into the legacy of the orange and navy blue as that of Coach Steve Welch.

The Cottondale Darlings swept through the district and were named District Champs for the first time in Cottondale Rec Ball history. The next step was to prepare for the next step which was a state championship in Belleview.

Jackson County is indeed fortunate to have rec parks all over the county. The granddaddy of them all is located in Marianna. If you ask the young athletes who gravitate to the rec park on Caverns Road week after week through football, soccer, softball, and baseball seasons, they will quickly tell you, “We’re headed to “M.E.R.E.” That name has stuck from the day it opened.

The Marianna Ozone All-Stars saw their season come to an end last weekend.

The Sneads Darlings took the runner-up spot in district play, having played in the blazing sun in Blountstown June 13-15. The feisty little team didn’t walk away with the district championship but they did earn a bid to play in the Darlings State Tournament scheduled to be held in Belleview. Opening ceremonies will be at a banquet Thursday, June 26 with games starting Friday, June 27.

Marianna High School is ushering in a new era for its girls’ soccer program, naming longtime educator and coach Floyd Clark as the new head coach. With over 14 years of experience in soccer and track and field at Marianna, Clark brings a wealth of knowledge and a renewed sense of direction to the program.

Jackson County is a premier destination for kayaking enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of waterways that cater to both serene paddles and adventurous explorations. Its proximity to universities like Florida State University (FSU) and the University of West Florida (UWF) makes it an attractive spot for student groups seeking outdoor recreation.

Volleyball has been an integral part of Zion Paden’s life. Due to her hard work, dedication, and success at the high school level, she will be volleying at the college level next year. Paden’s junior and senior years have been successful to the point of drawing the attention of college recruiters. Last week, she inked on the dotted line to continue her playing days while furthering her education at Coastal Alabama Community College.