The OCR Lounge

In this episode of the OCR Lounge, we’re joined by Sporting Clay State Champion Payton Lockey! Payton shares his journey to becoming a state champion, breaking down key sporting clay terms and reflecting on his first experiences with shooting. We also dive into his plans for the future, including his upcoming time at Texas A&M. The conversation takes a personal turn as Payton opens up about his li...

Today on the OCR Lounge, we are joined by former Lady Patriots basketball standout, Melissa Jones Haab. A dominant force on the court, Melissa reflects on her time at MRA and the experiences that shaped her both as an athlete and as a person. She shares what it was like playing under legendary coach Richard Duease, how his demanding coaching style pushed the team to success, and the life lessons s...

In this episode of the Old Canton Road Lounge, we sit down with Melanie Hankins Booth, a 1981 MRA graduate and a 2025 inductee into the MRA Athletic Hall of Fame. A true trailblazer, Melanie was a key member of MRA’s first-ever girls' track and field state championship team, running the second leg of the 4x400m relay that sealed the title in 1981. Beyond the track, she excelled on the basketball c...

Welcome to the Old Canton Road Lounge! In this episode, we sit down with Ross Hailey, a dedicated member of the MRA family who is in his 27th year and third year as Athletic Director. Ross begins by sharing how he landed at MRA, recounting his job interview and the opportunity to work alongside legendary basketball coach Richard Duease. He also shares his experience coaching in the overall state c...

Today in the OCR Lounge is 1988 graduate Randy Luster. Luster was an exceptional multi-sport athlete, earning All-State honors as a punter in 1986 and being named Most Valuable Player of the football team by Coach Carlisle in his senior year. He also dominated in track and field under Coach Duease, setting the official state record for the 110-meter high hurdles in May 1987 with a time of 14.57 se...

In this episode of the Old Canton Road Lounge, we sit down with Fallon Humphries, the 2024 Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year for Mississippi. Fallon takes us through her volleyball journey, from learning the fundamentals with her youth coach to becoming a dominant force on the court. She shares why playing multiple sports in high school helped shape her as an athlete, offers insight into the...

Today, we have an incredible guest, Davis Dalton, who is here to share his inspiring journey through sports and life. Davis had two standout moments during his junior year of high school, one in football and another in basketball, that captured the attention of many. These moments, however, are just a small part of his larger story, which is rooted in perseverance, faith, and the relentless pursui...

In this episode of the Old Canton Road Lounge, we sit down with Will Dottley to talk about his journey through high school and college golf, as well as his transition into the professional ranks. Will shares how he first picked up a club at an early age, the hard work and dedication that led him to sign with the University of North Carolina out of high school, and the lessons he learned competing...

Welcome to the Old Canton Road Lounge Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Rayf Vinson as he dives into the themes of finding your “why” and understanding your worth. Rayf shares his journey through setbacks, including six surgeries, and how his faith carried him through, often reminding himself that “you don't know where God takes you—just trust Him.” Rayf discusses the moment he realized h...

In this episode, we talk with 2023 MRA graduate Evie Ewing. Evie shares her journey of being driven from an early age and knowing how to chase her dreams. She opens up about her recruiting process and the pivotal decision to choose Ole Miss over Mississippi State for collegiate soccer, despite her family’s strong ties to MSU. Her story is a testament to following one’s own path and making choices...

In this episode, we start off talking about Cody’s last-minute offer and how he landed at Mississippi State. He dives into his football journey, especially the grueling summer workouts with Paul Lacoste. We also discuss the memorable night he played running back for the Patriots against Jackson Prep, a game that highlights his versatility and determination. Cody reflects on how his father and an e...

In this episode of the OCR Lounge we talk with Philip Short who holds the state record for the most passing yards in a state championship game with 593 in 2019. In our conversation we talk about one of his greatest accomplishments was helping guide the Patriots to the 2019 football state championship. He talks about his journey from being a star QB to finding his identity in Jesus Christ. We also...

In the first-ever episode of the OCR Lounge we talk with MRA Head Baseball Coach, Chad Lipscomb. He has had stops at Trinity Episcopal, ACCS, and Manchester before arriving to MRA 16 years ago. Here are some takeaways I took from our conversation: Be a goals driven person - NOT numbers. Two Keys to being a great leader: 1. Be a great listener to your players, parents, and fans. 2. Be open and hone...