2000

WEEK OF /0/.?x)/tfl}

LadyWarriors poised for another run By Marty Stamper The Meridian Star DECA1'UR - Year i n and year out., you can count on the East Central Com– munity College Lady War– riors to be in the thick of things when basketball sea– son rolls around. Lady Warriors' coach Sammy Pace doesn't expect things to be any different in his 16th season at the helm. "We'r e mor e solid from top to bottom than we have been in a long time and this group has really good work eth ics," said Pace who is 235-150 at East Central. Last season, the Lady Warriors finished 19-10 and

Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star PACING THE WAY- ECCC coach Sammy Pace talks with his team d nng the Region 23 tourney last year. won the MACJC regular went 28-7 and finished sev– seasoo "outh Db: i-.ion enth in the nation. championship before finish- To maintain that level of ing second to Gulf Coa~t in excellence, Pace is counting both the South State and on h is sophomores to show State Toumam nts. the newcomers the way.

The )eaT Qre, EC went 22-5. The 994-95 squad

See Women, Page 3C

EC opens its season Saturday at 1 p.m. by hosting Bishop State ofMobile, Ala. It won't be long before the South Divi– sion wars begin. "Gulf Coast has good size and sopho– mores coming back just like we do," Pace said. "I've seen Co-Lin and I think they're going to be strong before the year is over. We've played Southwest a nd I thi nk they're going to be better than last year and they were 10-0 at one point last year. One player the Lady Warriors won't have is South Alabama transfer J ohnita Conrad who announced her retirement on Monday. Conrad played a big role in three state championships (1996, 1997, and 1999) during her prep career at Choctaw Central. Marty Stamper is a sports correspondent lor The

trio is compos d of 5- ~ guard Pe~­ dashala McClendon. 5-foot-4 guard Sophia Reed, and 5-foot-9 forward -L--a'Shonda Ford. From perennial private ,chool power Leake Academ\ come~ 5-foot· guard Lori Cumberland. The Rebelette, fini-.hed third in the MPSA Overall Tournament last year after goinz 46-0 her junior year. , Other freshmen are 5-foot-3 guard Ber– nice Hannah of Loui,\--ille; 5-foot-8 guard Nikki Lacour ofXatchitoche., Ln.) Central High School: and 5-foot-11 forwnrdlcenter Trelisa Eichelberger ofNoxapatcr. "Thev are a e:ood bunch. but they are small," "Pace , aid. ''When you don't have but two player5 O\ er 5-foot~9, then you are small in thk league. But '' e nre quick, we are athletic, and we :ihoot the ball fairly well, so we hope that thaf going to be

Women Continued from page 1C

"We've got six on the roster that were with us last year and they're providing a lot of good leadership and have a lot of valuable experience," Pace said. His sophomores are 5-foot-3 guard Nicole Cox of Lake; 5-foot-7 guard Margo Porter of Louisville; 5-foot-9 forw ard Sasha Lilly of Shelby County High School in Columbiana, Ala.: 5-foot-11 fo rward Alberta Norman of Newton; 5-foot-5 guard Jessica Sanders of Edinburg; and 6-foot-2 orwardlcenter Anna Udicova of Presov, 3lovakia. Pace also inked three freshmen from ast year's Forest squad and went 36-3 and -;as the state runner-up in Class 3A. The

Meridian Star E-mail himat sports@mendianstar.com.

enough."

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