Bankston Joins Herald Staff As Sports Reporter

Staff Report

    As the high school sports calendar gets under way, Ole Miss Journalism student Reid Bankston has joined the North Mississippi Herald as the Water Valley Blue Devils beat writer.  The Tupelo High School graduate will provide weekly coverage of the Water Valley football and basketball teams, as well as other sports stories relevant to our readers.

    “When this job was presented to me, I took it without hesitation,” said Bankston.  “I have family here, and I have enough knowledge of the community and the Water Valley Blue Devils to hopefully make a smooth transition.”

    Bankston, who is the grandson of Water Valley’s C.W. and Helen Cox and the cousin of Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney, was a member of the Tupelo High School newspaper for two years, managing as sports editor during his senior year in 2007-2008.      

    During his two years writing for Tupelo High School, Bankston worked with first year Water Valley head coach Brad Embry on several articles, and is looking forward to following Embry’s Blue Devil squad during the 2008 season.

  “Actually Coach Embry was my Driver’s Ed. teacher my sophomore year, so I know him pretty well,” said Bankston. “During my last two years at Tupelo, I had a chance to work with him while he was on the coaching staff.  I got to know him as a coach and a teacher, and I know Water Valley will be pleased with him in both roles,” Bankston said.

   “With connections in both the community and the Blue Devils football staff, we hope that Bankston will enjoy a smooth transition to the Herald, while providing accurate and informative coverage of Water Valley and statewide sports,” said David Howell, Herald Editor.