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Friday, February 20, 2004

I LQCAL SPORTS Highlights from 2003-04 hoops scene By Marty Stamper/ EMG sports assistant

Feb.20, 2004

It's time to recognize a few of the highlights from the 2003-04 basketball season. Granted, there are still games left to be played and championships yet to be won , but some teams have already shown that this will be a year they'll be proud to remember.

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No.1: Mississippi State Bulldogs- Who would have thought the Bulldogs would be 21-1 at this point? If so, they should be retiring very, very wealthy any day now.

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Before the arrival of Lawrence Roberts, it seemed unlikely they would reach the .500 mark. Yet, the 'Dogs lead the SEC West by three games over LSU with only five remaining and have a two-game edge over Kentucky for the overall crown.

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Look at it this way; if MSU loses each of its last five games, the 'Dogs would still be the No.2 seed from the SEC West.

No.2: Roberts or Mario Austin? - Roberts any time, any place, anywhere. Austin was good at some things, but Roberts is much more dangerous because he can do so many more things well.

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No. 3: East Central Community College Lady Warriors - Brad Hodge's group was 22-2 going into last night's game with Gulf Coast and hadn't lost since Dec. 4.

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Of his 13 players, all can play. With only one out-of-stater on the roster, a lot of credit can go to ECCC's five-county district's high schools for giving Hodge something to work with. He should get plenty credit for bringing their skills to a higher level. How good is his district? Last year it was real good. Consider that East Mississippi's Krystal Wells, Willa Thomas, Joni Willis, and Anika Carter, along with Gulf Coast's Twyla Clayton didn't make the protected list at ECCC. No. 4: Choctaw Central Lady Warriors- A 30-1 record following last night's semifinal win over Carthage in the Region 5-3A Tournament speaks for itself. ' They are the living definition of a team that hustles for 32 minutes. No. 5: Southeast Lauderdale Lady Tigers- If only Choctaw Central wasn't around, Joe Miller's group would be undefeated. Their 29-2 record following Thursday's semifinal win over West Lauderdale in the 5-3A Tournament is impressive. ~

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