Miles is Smiling Down

Tommy Joe Miles was in the hearts and minds of many people in the Nanih Waiya community lately. Just as he is every spring. But this year it was even more so. For those of you who don't know who Tommy Joe was, he was a teacher and a coach at Nanih Waiya. But saying that he was just a teacher and a coach would be an understatement. Known as Tommy Joe to his friends and Mr. Miles to his students and players, he literally built the baseball program at Nanih Waiya. His first love behind God and family was baseball. This time of year if you wanted to see Mr. Miles and couldn't find him all you would have to do is find the baseball field and he would be there. Well even now, some 22 years after his death you can still find him on that baseball field.

How is this possible you might ask? Well for one thing, his name is on the field. But more importantly his legacy lives on even in the players that just won the state championship this year. Nine out of the ten starting players for the 2011 Warriors have some ties back to Mr. Miles. Hunter Luke's dad Shawn, Jeffrey Hemphill's dad Jerry, Hunter Swart's mom Belinda, Colby Eaves' mom Gail, and even Nanih Waiya principal David Luke all were a part of the 1987 North State Championship team coached by Mr. Miles. At least one if not both of the parents of Tanner Dalton, Dominique Carter, Brandon Rigdon, and Luke Rosamond were either taught or coached by Mr. Miles. And of course Zach Hanna has ties to Mr. Miles as he is the son of Miles' nephew, Head Football Coach Tate Hannah. I would even venture to say that Mr. Miles had some influence over Stewart Ball even though his parents did not attend Nanih Waiya during that time. I am also sure he had some influence over Coach Tyler Rogers who grew up in the Nanih Waiya community.

The dream that Mr. Miles had for the Nanih Waiya baseball program almost came true in 1987. A group of young men that had played baseball together since they were big enough to pick up a bat had come together for a great season and won the North State Championship against a tough Mantachie team. But the Warriors faced an even tougher foe in the State Championship against Beulah Hubbard. The first game was a knock down/drag out, 11 inning battle between two great teams. Kevin Reel pitched 10 great innings but it just wasn't enough as Beulah Hubbard won the first game of the series. After that huge letdown the Warriors couldn't get back on track to win the second game and the hopes of a championship were dashed. It's hard to say who was more crushed after that game, Mr. Miles or the Seniors who had come so close.

Mr. Miles pushed on until his body gave out while working on his field in 1989. But his spirit remained and kept the Nanih Waiya baseball program alive through the years. His former students and players began having children over the years and they coached their kids and allowed them to play the sport Mr. Miles loved. These kids came together as a team this last week and the sun was shining bright on May 19, 2011 at Trustmark Park. Mr. Miles was there, giving the signs from the 3rd base coaching box, throwing his hat down in disgust when something went wrong, moving his hair to the other side of his head before putting his cap back on, and grinning from ear to ear when his boys won the 2011 State Baseball Championship. That bright, shining sun was him smiling down on His Warrior baseball team.

Congratulations Mr. Miles. Job well done!!!

commentary from Jerry Hemphill

What's Happening This Week in Winston County - 5-19

Lots going on this weekend in Winston County! - There wil be a Live Shoot at Estes Switch (Off Hwy 15S) starting on Friday and running through the weekend. Period weapons and clothing are all part of the event - check out our events page for more details. The ECCC Jobs Fair in conjunction with WIN & Taylor Machine Works starts on Thursday & runs through Saturday..click here for more info . The Nanih Waiya Warriors play the 2nd game of a three game series with Falkner at 4 pm on Thursday. The Warriors took the first game of the series & a win today will earn the team a State Championship. The Dizzy Dean Tournament is in town this weekend as well. click here for more info..


And last but not least we have two school graduations remaining- Noxapater on Thursday & Louisville on Friday - both start at 7 pm.......Remember to check out our pages everyday for news and events. There's something new everyday. We appreciate your support & tell your friends and neighbors to follow us at winstonwebnews.com. ---and as always --SCROLL DOWN !!-- there's alway more to see..

Busy Week -- Busy Weekend Here in Winston Co...

A busy weekend is ahead of us in Winston County. Not mentioning specific memorials and graduation events and parties, Dizzy Dean baseball is in town as well as the Kids N Kats fishing rodeo held on Saturday at Legion State park. If you have a youngster 12 years of age or less, you don't want to miss this: concessions, doorprizes and 750 catfish just waiting to be caught.Registration starts at 7:30 and it looks like it will be a beautiful day.
There will also be a Relay for Life Survivor's Luncheon at the First Presbyterian church at 11:00 am. All cancer survivors are welcome to attend. ... And it may be too late to register but you can call the Library to find out - The Fancy Nancy Tea Party is scheduled for Saturday as well.. All these events are posted on WinstonWebNews on our events page and on our Coummunity Calendar.
The Community Calendar is a great tool to schedule your events and see what's going on - any given day across the area & you can print it out!!
There's been lots of news this week - from the tornado cleanup to all the board meetings to honoring our senior honor graduates - teachers and parents.. If you are not checking out WWN at least once a day (twice is better) then you are missing the most current news source in our area.. & REMEMBER _ SCROLL DOWN_ there is so much happening in the county right now that we are posting several stories a day. If you don't scroll down our home page - I guarantee you will miss something... for all the stories & links to all our pages click here.