One-on-one with Russ Yates

Russ Yates is ready to do whatever it takes to become a leader for the Hawks next season. The rising senior is stepping up in place of several who graduated in 2010, including Jimel Judon and Beau Cummings.
A multi-sport athlete excelling in both baseball and basketball, Yates has worked throughout the summer with both sports, and is currently playing in the Mississippi Select July Baseball League with the North Delta Dealers.
“I am the only one from the county playing for the Dealers, but there are a lot of guys I know in the league who I’ve played with before, and it’s fun to be able to hang out with them and have the chance to play throughout the summer, working on getting better,” he said.
Yates batted .416 for the Hawks, who fell in game three of the 1A state championship two months ago. Playing primarily at short stop, he also made a couple appearances on the mound. Yates also led the team in stolen bases with 12.
Looking back at basketball, Yates has made an appearance at the state tournament in Jackson each of his three years in high school, including an appearance in the championship game.
Yates had to grow up quickly his sophomore year, playing in place of an injured Justin Jordan and started most of his junior year, where he led the Hawks with 2.7 assists per game and they finished at 28-6.
With so many close chances at a state title, he knows it will take a lot of leadership from the upperclassmen for the Hawks to make a return trip to Jackson.
“It’s going to be hard in both basketball and baseball, so I’m going to do my best to step up and take that leadership role,” he said. “With as much as we’ve lost, it’s going to take a lot of hard work from everyone.”
For now, Yates is enjoying his summer break as well as having his natural brunette hair back after the Hawks all dyed their hair blonde for the state championship.
“It was weird, I’ve never been a blonde, he laughed. “I think Jimel’s mom dyed his hair, and it took like three hours. It was crazy, but fun.”
Yates will continue to play throughout July with the Dealers in the Mississippi Select summer league, and look for him to make an impact with the Hawks next school year.

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