2000

Warriors ink 9 freshmen Jay Bowen, who begins his

newcomers, including post Clint Hatch of Carthage and wing James Denson of Choctaw . Central. Wing Kent Chamblee of Leake Academy is among the returning players. Overall, Bowen said this year's squad enters the season "with a good attitude and work ethic on the floor and in the weight room." He added, "They want to take the Warrior pro– gram up a leveL" Lady Warriors return Women's head coach Sammy Pace, now in his 16th season at ECCC, s aid he anti cipates another s uccessful campaign from his Lady Warriors, who placed second in the division and state tournaments last year and advanced to the Region 23 Tournament en route to a 19-10 record. "We have seven sophomores back from last year's state run-

ner-up squad who should pro– vide experience and leadership lacking last season. We have one of the most talented groups of freshmen that we have had in awhile. Overall, we are a small team and could use some help under the boards, but what we lack in size we hope to make up in athletic ability and heart," Pace said. Along with Nicole Cox, who was an honorable mention All– State selection last year, the Lady Warriors also return Jes– s ica Sanders of Edinburg. J ohnita Conrad of Choctaw Central joins the squad as a sophomore because she played at South Alabama last season. Pace also signed Lori Cum– berland of Leake Academy as well as Sophia Reed and La'Shonda Ford of Class 3A state runner-up Forest. The Lady Warriors signed nine new players.

third year of a second stint as East Central Warriors' head coach, said he looks for an improved squad to take the floor this season. The 1999-2000 Warriors won four of their last five matchups, which included a stunning 87- 68 thumping of top-seeded Gulf Coast in lhe South Division Tournament, to finish 11-16. "Having four starters return from a team that was 30 seconds away from the conference finals set high expectations for this year's squad. Hopefully, every– thing will mesh together and this team will be able to go deep– er in tournament play," Bowen said. Bowen added that the sopho– mores "have shown good leader– ship qualities and are looking forward to 'climbing the ladder' in the MACJC." The Warriors added nine

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