2006

r----Y Waniors ilfePariDg for another successful seaso11 Afrer leading l~is first Lady Warrior basketball team to berths in state and I'Cgional tournaments en route to a 17·10 mark. Billy Sntith is hoping this year's ve1·sion of East Central Community College leadership needed to be suc– cessful, and I'm confident they will fill that role," Smith stated. Smith is also confident about his freshman recruit– ing class. LPW.i 4&

"We have a lot of talented freshmen on this year's squad, but their success will depend on how well they can adjust to playingcollege ball," Smith said. 'i\nd hopefully they will make that adjustment early in the season." The 10 new Lady War– riors include guards Tane– sha Brown (5·5) of Provine, Erin Watkins (5-5) of New– ton County Academy. Chot· sani Henderson (5-3) of Newton, Dominique Shelmire (5-6) of Nmiheast I h gh School m/'..

women's basketball will be just as successful or even more so. "We've been working hard to get in playing shape at rd getting to know each otlwt:" said Smith. who led Warrior squads the previ– ous tour years following a successful career at the high school level. "We also have the ta<;k of trying to oonlimm the success that the pi'Ol'J'alll has had in the past.~· li'our sophomoJ'C::. relurn li'Onl the successful 2005·06 syuad, and include Andrea Dubose. a 5-7 guard from Newton County High Schoo~ Vnlerie Harris. a 5-8 guard from Lake; Con– stance Hays, a 5·3 guard thnn Provine; and Tamika 'friplett, and r~2 guard from Sebastopol. Uuhose ttll(l Jlarris are the tQJ> i'Cttu·ning scm-ers. with 10. a and 7.'.1 points, t·rospeC't ivc•l)~ Dubose was tl~o uamed hcst defensive pln.,YC'I' nnd n~ceivcd the NPWl~Ot tu~r · 1\wi!r

ECCC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM: Ready for IIH• lOO(, OG t.trllt>.IIC)Il <1n members of the East Central Communit College women's basketball team who include (first row lro111 lull) forwmd Jess1cc1 Anderson, a product of Newton High School; student assistants Queena Gage, Scott Centrc1l ,C..uolyn Ovm'>lluet. South Leake. Lilkf .:>hta Bobbitt, Scott Centr and Kasendra Overstreet, South Leake; (second row, fwm k•H) qucltd Gonslanc:o Hayes, Provtne. guard Chotsam Hende son, Newton; guard Andrea Dubose, Newton County; CJLtatc.l Jotc.lan Pnllctson. Oak Hill Academy. Aberdeen; guard Erin Watkins, Newton County Academy; and guard Tamtka 1nplett. Sebastopol, and (standing from left) Ebome Ferguson, as: tant coach; guard Dominique Shelmire, Northeast HS, /achery, La., forward Valerie Hams. Lake; forward Tawaytha Eva Newton; center Beverly Hutchinson, Lee HS, Baton Rouye; center Kall1erine Taylor, Carthage; forward Carlena Clemom Union; forward Alisa Matlock, Carthage; and Billy Smtth. head coach.

best free throw percentage. She was also selected All– Division. Shelmire received most valuable player honors and was named second team All-District. Patterson, of Aberdeen, received most valuable player and best defensive player awards and was

hope this team will be lhe best it can be. We are going to have them ready to play each and every night. And, of course, our goal is to win as many games as possible and qualify for post-season play." Beginning her first year as Smith's assistant is Ebonie Ferguson, a former

named to All-Districl and All-Star teams. Clemons was chosen most valuable player. In analyzing this Yt'ar's squad, Smith said fans "will see an up-tempo type of game, where all the girls give it their all." He added, "We plan to run a lot and play good defense. I just

basketball standout for · Lady Bulldogs at Miss~ pi State University. ~ served as a graduate as· tant at MSU in 2005-06. "Ebonie is helping w on-the-floor coaching ~ recruiting. She is a v corned addition to our s1 and has been well-recei: by the players," Smith sc