FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Renfroe
Executive Committee Member and Facilitator
(228) 219-9589
steve@renfroe.us
2026 awards event will be held October 1 to honor the 21 inductees.
MOSS POINT, Miss. (July 14, 2026) – The Executive Committee of the Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame, a donor-advised fund of the United Way for Jackson, George and Greene Counties, announced its 21-member 2026 class that will be honored at an event on October 1, 2026. Nine of the 21 honorees attended one of the two pre-1971 high schools in Moss Point. Five are Monarchs of Magnolia High School and four are Tigers of Moss Point High School, sometimes referred to as Central High School. Nine honorees graduated from the unified Moss Point High School, and three honorees were Tiger coaches. Executive committee member Dorothy Shaw will return to host the program for the 2026 awards event. Shaw said, “This year’s event will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Moss Point High School with a catered reception to follow. We encourage everyone to get their tickets early.” According to Shaw, tickets will cost $60 each and will go on sale September 1. Details about ticket sales will be posted on the Hall of Fame’s website at https://mosspointsportshalloffame.com. Shaw also said there will be opportunities to sponsor the event and purchase advertisements in the event’s program. For the second year, Gerry Lane Buick GMC in Baton Rouge will be the event’s presenting sponsor.
2026 Class of the Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame
(* posthumous award)
Candace Bailey Batiste (MPHS 2002) was awarded letters in two sports: basketball and softball. As a seventh grader, she starred as a left fielder for the Lady Tiger varsity team. Her teams were South State winners for two years and she was selected to play in the Mississippi Association of Coaches North-South All-Star Fast Pitch Game. Candace played softball at Bishop State Community College where she was named MVP of the championship game her sophomore year. Candace has been highly active in organizing and coaching youth sports. She also was employed as an agent advisor for Sports Management Worldwide. She currently is a CTE instructor and assistant coach of the Lady Tiger and Magnolia Middle School basketball teams.
Frankie Beckman (MPHS “Central” 1965) started on the Tiger football offense and defense all three years as a Tiger. At Perkinston Junior College, Frankie played tackle on offense and defense and earned Junior College Gridwire First-Team All-American in 1966. Frankie was inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall in 2008, and earlier this year, he was named to the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Frankie was a two-year starter at Delta State University, and he coached high school football in Mississippi for eight years.
Ogwin Clark (MPHS “Central” 1959) was a star on the 1958 Tiger basketball team that went undefeated during its regular season. He received All Big 8 honors his junior and senior seasons. Ogwin played basketball and baseball at Perkinston Junior College and was named to the all-state teams for both. His batting average at Perk was .452.
Reginald Colley (MPHS 1981) was a combo-guard and three-year letterman for Tiger basketball. He averaged 14.5 points per game, five assists and five rebounds his senior year. Reginald’s high school honors and awards include All Big 8 for the state of Mississippi, First Team All District, and First Team 5A All South Mississippi. Reginald played basketball at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where his team finished Mississippi Junior College Athletic Association playoff runner-up.
Warren E. DeShields (MHS 1970) was a four-year starter at point guard for the Monarchs. As a freshman he scored 32 points in his first game and helped his team win the Gulf Coast Conference basketball championship. His coaches named him Rookie of the Year. For the next three years, Warren averaged 19, 21 and 25 points per game, and he was named MVP his junior and senior years. During Warren’s 24 years in the Air Force, he played on squadron and base teams and was named to the All Air Force Europe Team, averaging 22 points per game.
Mary J. Dubose (MHS 1961) was a star basketball player for the Monarchs, lettering all four years. She was a key member of two Gulf Coast Conference championship teams. She was known for her hook shot and tenacious defense. As a mentor and coach, Mary passed on her love of basketball to her children and grandchildren.
Peter Glenn Faccini (MPHS Coach 1977-2007) coached the offense line for the Tiger football team for over 30 years that included five state championships. He was awarded the 2007 Luther Kuykendall Assistant Coach of the Year. Pete also coached several state champions in the shot put and discus and taught elementary school physical education. He attended Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University on athletic scholarships for football and track and field.
Kevin Fant (MPHS 1999) quarterbacked two Tiger teams that won state championships. He received the 1998 Rocky Byrd Award from the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and had 4,065 career passing yards for the Tigers. Kevin was also the starting quarterback for three seasons at Mississippi State University, with a career 5,631 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns. He is currently the head football coach at Vancleave High School.
Richard Huff (MPHS “Central” 1967) was outstanding in football and baseball for the Tigers. He received first-team All Big 8 football honors his senior year as an offensive guard for his team that won eight games, lost one and tied Pascagoula in a rainstorm. Richard received football scholarships from Perkinston Junior College. His 1967 team won the national championship. As a sophomore, Richard was a member of the All-State team. He was elected team captain, and he played in the North-South All Star game.
E. Cecile Washington Jenkins (MHS 1968) was a standout in basketball and track and field and a member of the 440 yard and 220-yard relay teams. She was captain of the basketball team her senior year and, as leading scorer, led the Monarchs to the championship of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Cecile was named to the all-conference team. She went on to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on an athletic scholarship where she played basketball and volleyball.
*Willie James Johnson (MHS 1953) was a star running back for the Monarchs and played a vital roll in multiple undefeated seasons, scoring a critical touchdown and extra point in a 14-6 victory over the Gulfport Trojans in 1952. Following his military service, he coached in local youth sports leagues for over 35 years.
Kenya Smith Key (MPHS 2002) led the Tigers to back-to-back state softball championships in 2001 and 2002. She played in the 2002 Mississippi Association of Coaches Allstar Game and was named the defensive player of the game. Kenya played softball for Meridian Community College where she received freshman of the year honors. She also played for Jackson State University and was named to the All-SWAC second team. Kenya is currently the head softball coach for Moss Point’s Lady Tigers.
JaAnna Lett (MPHS 1992) was a track and field star for the Moss Point Tigers. She set school records in the 100-meter dash (12.2 seconds), the 200-meter dash (25.3 seconds), and the high jump (5 feet 3 inches). She won the 200-meter dash (25.3 seconds) at the 1993 Mississippi state meet, finishing third in the 100 meter and the high jump. JaAnna attended Alcorn State University on a track and field scholarship.
*Billy Wayne Miller (MPHS Coach 1971-1991) was the first coach to successfully unite the two Moss Point high school football programs that existed before desegregation. Coach Miller’s Tiger record was 118-92-3 and included the state championship in 1983. He also coached two years at Pearl River Central, four years at Stone County and two seasons as an assistant at Pascagoula before coming to Moss Point. Coach Miller helped establish the statewide playoff system, serving as president of both the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the executive board of the Mississippi High School Activities Association.
Richard Niles, Jr. (MPHS Coach 1973-1991) was the Tiger head baseball coach when the Tigers were perennial district champions, finishing second in the South State playoffs in 1974 and 1975. Richard was also an assistant football coach and part of the 1983 and 1991 state championship teams. Richard served as a teacher and administrator during his 29-year career in the Moss Point School System.
*Richard A. Polk (MHS 1953), “The Gulf Coast Thunderbolt,” was a star running back for the Magnolia Monarchs who also excelled in baseball. He led Alcorn A&M College football team to multiple SWAC championships. Richard was a successful coach for Pilate High School in Newton, Mississippi, Jordon High School in Carthage, Mississippi, where his team won the football conference championship.
Johnny Earl Rogers, Sr. (MPHS “Central” 1956) excelled in football, basketball and track averaging 18 points per game for the Tiger basketball team. He was named to the All Big 8 basketball team (honorable mention) and then played basketball for Perkinston Junior College. Johnny organized the first Pee-Wee football team in Escatawpa.
Michael C. Seales (MPHS 1984) was a star basketball player for the Tigers, averaging 30 points per game his senior year. He was named to the all-district basketball team and received a basketball scholarship to Delta State University.
George Ivory Wonsley (MPHS 1980) was a standout in Tiger football being named first team all state, a Parade All American, and the number two ranked running back in the nation his senior year. He also excelled in track and field as a sprinter and in the long jump. George played football for Mississippi State, and he played a total of 78 games in the NFL for Colts and the Patriots.
Otis Wonsley (MPHS 1976) excelled in football for the Tigers and was a standout running back for Alcorn State University where he rushed for over 1500 career yards. Otis signed with the Redskins in 1981 and was the blocking back that delivered the key block that opened the field for John Riggins to score the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XVII. He was named to the 1984 All Madden Team.Nathan Wonsley (MPHS 1982) was as a star running back and sprinter who was named to the first team all state football team his senior year. He was a two-year starter for Ole Miss football and was signed as an NFL free agent by the Buccaneers. He was on track to win the 1986 NFL rookie of the year, but an injury ended his football career. Nathan went on to become a world class body builder.
About Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame
The Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame is a donor-advised fund of the United Way for Jackson, George and Greene Counties, committed to recognizing notable athletes, coaches, and leaders from Moss Point High, as well as the two pre-1970 high schools, including Magnolia High. Tax deductible donations to support the Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame can be made to the United Way of Jackson, George and Greene Counties, designated to the Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame fund.
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