2002

uch Improved, More Compe

socx:er program has shov.n tm:prove– ment each season. head coach Kenneth Thompson said he antiCI– pates greater <.uccess during the 2002 campaign. which gets u.r.derway at 4 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 at East ~llssissippt Community College in Scooba. "Last year's team made significant improvement in comparison to the pre,1ous season when we were 4-15 and 3-7. It was just bad luck that we m.i.ssed the playoffs in 2001. 1 feel like \\ e are going to be improved again this }ear. How that translates into wins and losses and the playoffs is anyone's guess. Like all teams, we are setting our goals to make the playoffs, but personally I am looking for this group to play as a team. If they work togeth– er as a team the rest will take care of itself," Thompson said. He added, "We should be extreme– ly competitive this year. Fans should see a more athletic and more skilled group in all areas of play. Our bench play will also be stronger. " Thompson said top returnees include honorable mention All-Staters Seltue Karweaye of ,Liberia, West Africa and Brandon Ditto ofBrandon. Karweaye was the fifth leading scorer in the South Division and fin– ished eighth in the state with a total of 16 points accumulated from seven goals and two assists. He was only one point from placing third in the divi-

'!'-"""'............ tral Commwu~ Colle

the league Soccer\\

SIOn. Thompson anticipates Karweaye to have another outstanding season. "Seltue can potentially be one of the most dominating players in the entire league this year. We are expect· ing a lot out of him from his forward position," Thompson said. Ditto was the seventh leading scor– er .in the division and placed 15 the in the state from his attacking midfield position. He is also expecting a strong per– formance from Ditto. "We are depending on Brandon to be our playmaker in setting up shots on goals. He will obviously be a key to our success," Thompson added. Other top returnees include sweep– er Justin Sendelweck of Brandon, wing Kyle Miller of Neshoba Central, midfielders Johnathan Shoemaker of Newton County and Charlie Goodwin of Raleigh, and defender and team captain Nate Alexander and keeper Corey h.emp, both of Corinth. Regarding the 2002 recruiting class, Thompson said, "The freshman class is a talented group that will really help us make a run for the playoffs. They are athletic and skillful, and I look for– ward to working with them for the next two years." Thompson said the team to beat in South Division is Gulf Coast, which has won the division all three years East Central bas been a member of

last year, and TI:.:!:':;:s;:JID year's squad is a ed players. Pearl River,

playoffs by just a f East Central, sb strong team. Tho...- Remaining S. bers Jones Co -

Copiah– Lincoln are also expo:ted to show improvement in 2002 Hinds, which bas state and North DiVISion titles three years East Central bas competed m soccer. is again constdered the dinsion favorite. Other North DivlSl members include Itawamba. Eas \fississippi. MisslSSlppl Delta, Holn:; ~s-Rtdgeland and newcomer "'onhw

APPEARED IN :

CARTHAGINIAN_______ NESHOBADEMOCRAT_________ NE~ONRECORD ____________ MERIDIAN STAR_________ CLARION-LEDGER_______

LAKE MESSENGER_____ ____ SCOTT COUNTY TIMES_J::;..;...__..._ _ _ _ UNION APPEAL --- ---- -- WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL___ SPIRIT OF MORTON_ ______