NEMCABB
Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association for Better Baseball
Northeast Mississippi's senior baseball all-star showcase since 1991. For more than three decades, NEMCABB has run the East-vs-West all-star game for the area's best graduating high-school baseball players — every spring in Corinth, Mississippi, broadcast on the North Mississippi Sports Network.
The 2026 All-Star Games
The 35th annual NEMCABB All-Star Games, played May 30, 2026 at the Corinth Sportsplex — three games, East vs West, every classification. Full replays, rosters, and recaps on each game page.
Better baseball in Northeast Mississippi since 1991
The idea for NEMCABB was born in December 1989 at the First Annual ICC Baseball Clinic, where a group of area coaches set out to give Northeast Mississippi's senior baseball players the recognition and exposure that players in other parts of the state already enjoyed — a stage in front of junior college, college, and professional scouts, and a shot at scholarships and the pro draft. It was never meant to compete with the Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game in Jackson, only to give more north-Mississippi players a chance.
The coaches put the idea into concrete form the week of June 17–22, 1990, while working the ICC Baseball Camp, formally establishing the Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association for Better Baseball. The first officers were John Smillie of Corinth (president), Jerry Long of Iuka (vice president), and Charley Smith of Aberdeen (secretary-treasurer), joined on the original board by Ralph Bruce, Michael Farrar, Kent Farris, Buddy Hall, Brian Long, Steve Lyles, Gregg Pepper, Carey Simmons, and Steve Thomason, plus junior-college coaches Roy Cresap (ICC) and Ronnie Key (NEMCC).
The very first NEMCABB All-Star Game was played on Saturday, June 8, 1991, at Jesse Bynum Field in Corinth City Park. Corinth was the unanimous choice to host, and it has been the home of the game every year since — moving to the Corinth High School baseball field in 2006.
The all-star teams are split East versus West, using U.S. Highway 45 as the dividing line: the West squad draws from schools west of US‑45 (from the Tennessee state line down to Shannon) and west of US‑45 Alternate to West Point, with the East made up of the rest. Each team carries 16 players and three coaches, all graduating seniors from member schools.
The game has grown with the sport. For its first seven years it was a single all-star game; in 1998 it split into two games by classification, with 6A folded in after 2010. A third game was added in 2015, and with the arrival of Class 7A in 2024 the day settled into its current shape — three games (Class 1A–2A, 3A–4A, and 5A–6A–7A) — with the NEMCABB Hall of Fame inductions held in the middle of the day.
NEMCABB Hall of Fame
Established 1994, the Hall of Fame honors the players, coaches, and patrons who built baseball in the area. Inductions are held during the all-star day, across three wings: Players' Wing, Coaches' Wing, Patrons' Wing.
Inaugural class — including Ralph Bruce (Shannon), Zane Hale (North Pontotoc), and Rusty Brown (East Union).
John Smillie (Corinth), John Lyles and John Biggs (Iuka), and J. B. Darnell (Corinth) among the inductees.
Coaches' Wing welcomed two state legends — Dave "Boo" Ferris of Delta State and Ron Polk of Mississippi State.
Two inductees added to the Coaches' and Patrons' wings.
Six-member class across the wings.
Three inductees, including longtime coach Jamie Russell (East Union), honored at the 35th annual games.
Selected classes shown. The full Hall of Fame roll spans 1994–2026 in the NEMCABB program.
Member schools
70 schools across Northeast Mississippi, grouped by classification. Each game pairs the West schools against the East. (Classifications can change year to year.)
- Ashland — 1A
- Biggersville — 1A
- Blue Mountain — 1A
- Bruce — 2A
- Calhoun City — 2A
- Coffeeville — 1A
- East Union — 2A
- East Webster — 2A
- Eupora — 2A
- Hickory Flat — 1A
- Houlka — 1A
- H.W. Byers — 1A
- Ingomar — 2A
- Myrtle — 2A
- Potts Camp — 1A
- Vardaman — 1A
- Water Valley — 2A
- West Union — 1A
- Baldwyn — 1A
- Falkner — 1A
- Hamilton — 2A
- Hatley — 2A
- Jumpertown — 1A
- New Site — 2A
- Okolona — 1A
- Pine Grove — 1A
- Smithville — 1A
- TCPS — 1A
- Thrasher — 1A
- Tremont — 1A
- Walnut — 2A
- West Lowndes — 1A
- Wheeler — 1A
- Aberdeen — 3A
- Booneville — 3A
- Byhalia — 4A
- Choctaw Co. — 3A
- Clarkdale — 3A
- Houston — 4A
- Independence — 3A
- Kossuth — 3A
- New Albany — 4A
- North Panola — 3A
- North Pontotoc — 4A
- Ripley — 4A
- Senatobia — 4A
- South Pontotoc — 4A
- Alcorn Central — 3A
- Amory — 4A
- Belmont — 3A
- Caledonia — 4A
- Corinth — 4A
- Itawamba — 4A
- Mantachie — 3A
- Mooreville — 3A
- Nettleton — 3A
- Noxubee Co. — 3A
- Shannon — 4A
- Tishomingo Co. — 4A
- Columbus — 6A
- Grenada — 6A
- Lafayette — 5A
- Oxford — 7A
- Pontotoc — 5A
- South Panola — 6A
- New Hope — 5A
- Saltillo — 6A
- Starkville — 7A
- Tupelo — 7A
- West Point — 5A
Area Major Leaguers
Northeast Mississippi has sent players to the big leagues for a century. An asterisk marks NEMCABB all-star alumni.
- Dave ClarkShannon
- Mo SanfordStarkville
- Brian MaxcyAmory
- Steven PeguesPontotoc
- Luther HackmanColumbus
- Josh HancockTupelo
- Roy OswaltWeir
- Bill Hall *'99Nettleton
- Eli Whiteside *'98New Albany
- Rob McCroryStennis
- Tim Dillard *'01Saltillo
- Mitch Moreland *'03Amory
- Brian Dozier *'05Fulton
- Chris Stratton *'09Tupelo
- Brandon WoodruffWheeler
- Grae KessingerOxford
- Don BlasingameCorinth
- Cecil BoltonBooneville
- Bob BoydPotts Camp
- Guy BushAberdeen
- Dude CrissSherman
- Tommy DeanIuka
- Steve DillardSaltillo
- Jimmy Joe EdwardsCalhoun Co.
- Paul GregoryWebster Co.
- Don HopkinsWest Point
- Ben KarrBenton Co.
- Doc MarshallNew Albany
- Howard MerrittPlantersville
- Dolan NicholsTishomingo
- Frank RaglandWater Valley
- Andy ReeseTupelo
Players & Coaches of the Year
Every NEMCABB Player of the Year and Coach of the Year since 1991, by classification. The 2026 class is open below — tap any year to expand it.
2026
- Jon Grey Morrison — West Union (1A)
- Jordan Gaskin — East Webster (2A)
- Ayden Wilbanks — Kossuth (3A)
- Cooper Goff — Mooreville (4A)
- Miller Finn — Pontotoc (5A)
- Ty Edwards — Grenada (6A)
- James Blackwood — Oxford (7A)
- Ashley Russell — West Union (1A)
- Blake Hutchinson — East Webster (2A)
- Jake Scott — Booneville (3A)
- Derek Thompson — Mooreville (4A)
- JD Poss — Pontotoc (5A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (6A)
- Chris Hoggard — Oxford (7A)
2025
- Brady White — Vardaman (1A)
- Landon Harmon — East Union (2A)
- Brody Thompson — Mooreville (3A)
- Cooper Waddle — Itawamba AHS (4A)
- Griffin Enis — Corinth (5A)
- Baylor Roberts — Saltillo (6A)
- South McCoy & Dayne Wray — Tupelo (7A)
- Ashley Russell — West Union (1A)
- Jamie Russell — East Union (2A)
- Derek Thompson — Mooreville (3A)
- Steve Kerr — Itawamba (4A)
- John Walker — Lafayette (5A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (6A)
- Scott Gann — Tupelo (7A)
2024
- Drew Rowsey — Biggersville (1A)
- Gehrig Shinall — Pine Grove (1A)
- Blake Goss — Hamilton (2A)
- Hank Eaton — Kossuth (3A)
- Mason McMillin — Mooreville (3A)
- Ty Long — Ripley (4A)
- Madden Butler — Corinth (5A)
- Jude Westmoreland — Grenada (6A)
- Lake Reed — Tupelo (7A)
- Matt King — Pine Grove (1A)
- Jamie Russell — East Union (2A)
- Blake Hutchinson — East Webster (3A)
- Joel Gafford — Ripley (4A)
- John Walker — Lafayette (5A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (6A)
- Cade Hoggard — Oxford (7A)
2023
- Rett Johnson — East Union (1A–2A)
- Jude Treadway — East Union (1A–2A)
- Walker Maranto — Amory (3A–4A)
- Hunter Bagwell — South Pontotoc (3A–4A)
- Drake Douglas — Saltillo (5A–6A)
- Ashley Russell — West Union (1A–2A)
- Jamie Russell — East Union (1A–2A)
- Chris Pace — Amory (3A–4A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (5A–6A)
2022
- Colin Oswalt — TCPS (1A)
- Luis Cano — Belmont (2A)
- Hayden Roberts — East Union (2A)
- Bo Rock — Amory (3A)
- J.W. Armistead — Mooreville (4A)
- Tyrus Williams — Lafayette (5A)
- Landon Waters — Grenada (6A)
- Drew Dillard — TCPS (1A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (2A)
- Kevin Williams — Booneville (3A)
- Derek Thompson — Mooreville (4A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (5A–6A)
2021
- Noah Foster — TCPS (1A)
- Parker Knight — Eupora (2A)
- Jackson McCoy — Booneville (3A)
- Will Verdung — Corinth (4A)
- John Bucy Long — Saltillo (5A–6A)
- Drew Dillard — TCPS (1A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (2A)
- Kevin Williams — Booneville (3A)
- Derek Thompson — Mooreville (4A)
- Eric Reynolds — Saltillo (5A–6A)
2020
No games played — COVID-19.
2019
- Cole Phillips — West Union (1A)
- Joel Wilkinson — East Union (2A)
- Sheffield Anthony — North Pontotoc (3A)
- Payton Springfield — New Hope (4A)
- Blaine Ware — South Panola (5A–6A)
- Jamie Russell — Smithville (1A)
- Josh Miller — Calhoun City (2A)
- Chad Anthony — North Pontotoc (3A)
- Lee Boyd — New Hope (4A)
- Josh Walker — Lafayette (5A–6A)
2018
- Jacob Jaudon — Hamilton (1A)
- Tanner Knight — Eupora (2A)
- Luke Hancock — Houston (3A)
- Audrey Gillentine — Amory (4A)
- Hayden Scarbrough — Corinth (4A)
- Pate Phillips — Saltillo (5A)
- Jamie Russell — Smithville (1A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (2A)
- Chad Anthony — North Pontotoc (3A)
- Lee Boyd — New Hope (4A)
- Chris Baughman — Oxford (5A–6A)
2017
- Anthony Lipsey — Myrtle (1A)
- Miller Hancock — East Webster (2A)
- Trace Henry — Mooreville (3A)
- Kyle Crigger — Corinth (4A)
- Jackson Bridges — Tupelo (5A–6A)
- Jamie Russell — Smithville (1A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (2A)
- Derek Thompson — Mooreville (3A)
- Rob Scarbrough — Corinth (4A)
- Justin Reed — Tupelo (5A–6A)
2016
- Brandon Perkins — Myrtle (1A)
- Will Roaten — East Union (2A)
- Jacob Wilcher — Kossuth (3A)
- Tucker Childers — Ripley (4A)
- Bradley Sanford — Grenada (5A–6A)
- Will Lowery — TCPS (1A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (2A)
- Josh Dowdy — Kossuth (3A)
- Scott Gann — Houston (4A)
- Chris Baughman — Oxford (5A–6A)
2015
- Micah McCain — Smithville (1–2A)
- Luke Alexander — Belmont (3A)
- Jake McClure — Oxford (4–5–6A)
- Wes Johnson — East Webster (1–2A)
- Andy Deaton — Belmont (3A)
- Chris Baughman — Oxford (4–5–6A)
2014
- Trey Davis — East Union (1–2A)
- Colt Smith — Myrtle (1–2A)
- Trace Lee — Columbus (3–4–5–6A)
- Brad Mitchell — Eupora (1–2A)
- Steve Kerr — Smithville (1–2A)
- Trave Hopkins — Kossuth (3–4–5–6A)
2013
- Cody "Bo" Dillard — East Union (1–2A)
- Ben Foster — New Albany (3–4–5–6A)
- Destin Hahn — Amory (3–4–5–6A)
- Tanner Poole — Amory (3–4–5–6A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (1–2A)
- Daniel Threadgill — Kossuth (3–4–5–6A)
2012
- Jay King — Bruce (1–2A)
- Easton Hall — New Albany (3–4–5–6A)
- Josh Dowdy — Bruce (1–2A)
- Daniel Threadgill — Kossuth (3–4–5–6A)
2011
- Will Robertson — Faulkner (1–2A)
- Will Cox — Amory (3–4–5–6A)
- Scott Collier — Mantachie (1A–2A)
- Chip Johnson — Falkner (1A–2A)
- Chad Anthony — North Pontotoc (3–4–5–6A)
- Gary Enis — Tupelo (3–4–5–6A)
2010
- Dylan Earnest — Hamilton
- Jimel Judon — Myrtle (3A–4A–5A–6A)
- Dillon Mitchell — Itawamba
- Kyle Stephen — Booneville
- Robert Gordon — Myrtle (1A–2A)
- Chad Williams — Amory (3–4–5–6A)
2009
- Josh Hodge — Ingomar (1–2A)
- Chris Stratton — Tupelo (3–4–5A)
- Brad Mitchell — Ackerman (1A–2A)
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville (3A–4A–5A)
- Brian Buckman — South Pontotoc (3A–4A–5A)
2008
- Jake Sloan — Hatley (1–2A)
- Zane Treadaway — East Union (1–2A)
- Gardner Richey — Tupelo (3–4–5A)
- Wes Johnson — East Webster (1–2A)
- Gary Enis — Tupelo (3–4–5A)
2007
- Chase Pearson — Hatley (1–2A)
- Josh Thomason — Lafayette Co. (3–4–5A)
- B.J. Jonson — Itawamba (3–4–5A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (1–2A)
- Lewis Earnest — Hamilton (1–2A)
- Jerry Pitts — Nettleton (3–4–5A)
2006
- Chase Porch — East Union (1–2A)
- Kevin Parker — Lafayette Co. (3–4–5A)
- Wes Johnson — East Webster (1–2A)
- Richie Harrelson — Lafayette Co. (3–4–5A)
2005
- John David Horn — Booneville (1–2A)
- Brian Dozier — Itawamba (3–4–5A)
- Chris Basil — East Union (1–2A)
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville (1–2A)
- Brian Harvey — Oxford (3–4–5A)
2004
- Will Coggin — Booneville (1–2A)
- Mitch Moreland — Amory (3–4–5A)
- Rick Coggin — Booneville (1–2A)
- Phil Webb — Pontotoc (3–4–5A)
2003
- Jeff Schafer — Hamilton (1–2A)
- Jeffrey Rae — Nettleton (3–4–5A)
- Tony Sparks — Belmont (1–2A)
- Johnny Bolen — Saltillo (3–4–5A)
2002
- Jim Talley — Mooreville (1–2A)
- Kenard Springer — Nettleton (3–4–5A)
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville (1–2A)
- Steve Lyles — Kossuth (3–4–5A)
2001
- Chad Greenlee — Mooreville (1–2A)
- Tim Dillard — Saltillo (3–4–5A)
- Robert Gordon — Myrtle (1–2A)
- Chad Williams — Amory (3–4–5A)
2000
- David Carnell — Booneville (1–2A)
- Bjorn Ivy — Shannon (3–4–5A)
1999
- Eric Davis — Booneville (1–2A)
- Andy Dillard — Saltillo (3–4–5A)
- Rick Coggin — Booneville (1–2A)
- Brian Long — Itawamba (3–4–5A)
1998
- Bill Hall — Nettleton (1–2A)
- Derry Hammond — West Point (3–4–5A)
- Rick Coggins — Booneville (1–2A)
- Johnny Bolen — Saltillo (3–4–5A)
1997
- Josh West — Hamilton (1–2A)
- Blake Holley — Tishomingo Co. (3–4–5A)
- Steve Lyles — South Pontotoc (1–2A)
- Brian Long — Itawamba (3–4–5A)
1996
- Jamie Rock — Itawamba AHS
- Johnny Bolen — Saltillo
1995
- Ryan McGrath — Corinth
- Chris Basil — East Union
1994
- Terry Bagwell — South Pontotoc
- Chris Basil — East Union
1993
- Kirk Presley — Tupelo
- Steve Lyles — South Pontotoc
- Rick Coggin — Booneville
1992
- Ricky Harrelson — Tishomingo Co.
- Larry Harmon — Tupelo
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville
1991
- Chris Edmondson — Alcorn Central
- Jerry Long — Iuka
Coaches of the past
The coaching staffs who have led the East and West squads, year by year. The game went to two games beginning in 2000.
Games I–XI · 1991–2001
- Buddy Hall — New Albany
- Gregg Pepper — Houston
- John Smillie — Corinth
- Kent Farris — Alcorn Central
- Steve Lyles — South Pontotoc
- Ben Patterson — Pontotoc
- Ralph Bruce — Shannon
- Brian Long — Itawamba AHS
- Vince Jordan — Ripley
- Robert Kent — Blue Mountain
- Rick Coggin — Booneville
- Jerry Long — Tishomingo Co.
- Larry Harmon — Tupelo
- Roger Smith — Oxford
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville
- Vince McLemore — Amory
- Jimbo Byars — Houlka
- Phil Ferguson — Bruce
- Stan Pearce — Biggersville
- Johnny Bolen — Saltillo
- Lewis Earnest — Hamilton
- Riley Presley — Booneville
- Chris Basil — East Union
- Timmy Bryant — Walnut
- Mack Stegall — South Pontotoc
- Mark Gunthorp — Itawamba AHS
- John Smillie — Corinth
- Tony Sparks — Belmont
- Ken Smith — Tupelo
- Frank Campbell — Pine Grove
- Tom Frazier — New Albany
- Michal Farrar — Hatley
- Gregg Tucker — Tishomingo Co.
- Paul Whitehead — Tremont
- Shane Stone — Potts Camp
- Russell Taylor — North Pontotoc
- Brian Harvey — Oxford
- Ben Patterson — Pontotoc
- Carey Simmons — Okolona
- Charlie Smith — Hatley
- Frank Portera — West Point
- Brian Anderson — Aberdeen
- Donny Logan — Bruce
- Timmy Moore — Walnut
- Keith Downs — Lafayette Co.
- Stacy Suggs — Kossuth
- Shay Cooper — Smithville
- John David Pearce — Mooreville
- Tim Mitchell — Saltillo
- Stephen Peugh — Shannon
- Jeff Cook — Ripley
- Pete Seago — Kossuth
- Robert Gordon — Myrtle
- Chris Kidd — Ingomar
- Coke McGee — Tishomingo Co.
- Travis Smith — Alcorn Central
- Mike Gray — Baldwyn
- Chris Kendall — Hamilton
- Jody Johnson — West Union
- Travis England — Calhoun City
- Steve Lyles — South Pontotoc / Kossuth
- Joe Williford — Houston
- Rex Berryman — Mooreville
- Phil Webb — Smithville
- Brian Long — Itawamba AHS
- Chad Williams — Amory
Leadership
NEMCABB is run by the area's coaches. An asterisk (*) marks an original 1991 board member.
- PresidentJohn W. SmillieCorinth (Retired)
- Vice PresidentEric ReynoldsSaltillo
- Secretary / TreasurerBuddy HallNew Albany (Retired)
- Game Field CoordinatorKevin WilliamsCorinth
- Press BoxBlake LongNEMCC
- AssistantJohn Farris Owings
Former board members
Membership · $20 / year
Any baseball coach in the Northeast Mississippi area can join NEMCABB for an annual fee of $20.
A coach must coach at a member school for his graduating seniors to be eligible for the all-star games.
Membership keeps the association going and expands the exposure it gives high-school baseball across North Mississippi.
The NEMCABB All-Star Games are held each spring in Corinth, Mississippi, broadcast live by the North Mississippi Sports Network.