2002

WEEKOF~D~~~~~------

ECCC Basketball Prepared for 2002-03 DECATUR-Bill} Smith's Warriors feature six sophomores from last year's squad, which pos1ed a I0- 12 overall mark and was 5-7 in South Division action. • , Coach Smith, who begins his second year at the Warrior helm, said the returnees play a key role in the team's success. "Our sophomores will be called on to cany the team until thc::f~~hmen can get adjusted to thejunior college game. We will be very undersized and will have to rely on full court pressure to be competitive. We will also be dependent on our quickness and shooting ability to have success," Smith said. Corey Hornsby, a 6-3 guard from lstrouma High School in Baton Rouge, La., is the top returnee, averaging 2 I points per contest. He also made the All-State squad last season and was st:lected the Warriors' top ofTensive player. Donze)) Crenshaw, a 6-3 guar~l from Ridgeway Iligh School in Mem– phis, is also a returning starter. Other sophomores are Kevin Bobbitt, a 6-toot guard from Lake; Reggie Caner. a 6-4 forward from University Christian; Will Florence, a 6-foot guard from North De lta; and Demario Qualls, a 6-foot guard !Tom Newton. Freshmen arc Tellas Burnside, a 5- I0 guard from Philadelphia: Reggie Caner, a 6-4 forward from University Christian; Stephen Dyess, a 6-3 guard and Jamaal Martin, a 5- I I g uard, both from North– cast Lauderdale; Dewayne Hughes, a 5-9 guard from Sebastopol; Desmond Jom:s. a 6-2 forward from Neshoba Central; Brandon Mason, a 6-5 forward from North Dale High School in Baton Rouge, La.; Chris Morgan, a 6-7 center tTom Stone County; AI Willis, a 5-9 guard !rom Newton County; and Colt Aldison, a 6-4 forward from North Delta. Derrick Fears, who played professional basketball in Portugal and had stellar careers at Mississippi College, Northeast Mississippi Community College and Trezevant High School in Memphis, begins his fi rst season as Smith's assistant. Brad Hodge, who is in his second season as Lady Warrior head coach, has three returnees from last year's team, which advanced to the state and regional tournaments en route to a 14-11 record. Tamekia Fo ley, a 5- I0 guard/forward from Newton County, is the leading returning scorer with about six points per contest. Other returnees are Patsy McKee, a 5- I0 guard from Forest, and Melinda Ben, a 5-10 guard/forward from Choctaw Central. Hodge said he is approaching the upcoming season with "cautious optimism," as the team's success will depend greatly on his freshmen, which he describes as being a "very talented group" with "a lot of athleticism." First-year players are Adrian Washington, a 5-1 I torward from Carrollton, Ala.; Miranda Roser, a 5- I 1 forward from Neshoba Central; Marquita Anderson, a 5-5 guard and Britney Burks, a 5-9 guard, both from Scott Central; Kimyatta Viverette, a 6-toot guard/forward from Lake; Ebonc'e Leverette, a 6-foot forward from Forest; Lenore Gray, a 6- I torward from Newton; Monique Overstreet, a 5- I I guard/ forward from South Leake; Rita Birden, a 5-10 guard !rom St. Fredrick lligh School in Monroe, La.; Hope Murray, a 5-10 guard/torward from West Jones: and Andrea Chesney, a 6-li)ot torward trom Newton County Academy. Hodge said he docs not anticipate the Lady Warriors to have a fast start.

"I do not expect us to get out of the gates early. We will probably experience some bumps along the way and will no doubt have some highs and lows in the early going. The most rmponant thing is to.get this team ready for division play, " Hodge said. · Betsy Harris, a former standout at the University ofAlabama and Decatur lligh S~:hool, begins her first year as Hodge's assistant.

APPEARED IN: ~ LAKEMESSENGER~~~-------- SCOTT COUNTY TIM s.______ UNION APPEAL-------- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL___ SPIRIT OF MORTON_______

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