2006

WEEK OF , , \ o\J • vZ 7 J U Ia I

Waniors rally from 18 down, First-year head coach Maurice Bowie stated in a pre-season article that fans should not leave the gym early if his East Central Community College Warriors "were down by 10 or less with three min– utes to play" or they might miss a great ending. teacher or the student. After last night's game, it is evident that the teacher is bet– ter but with a little experience and a lot of support, it wouldn't take much to reach his level of success."

East Central appeared headed for vic– tory in the flrst overtime when sopho– more shooting guard Earnesto Green drained both free throws for an 81·76lead with 1:17 left. Moments earlier Justin Brown made two free throws following a technical on Coach Cooper, giving EC an 80-76 advantage. But the Indians battled back and sent the contest into double overtime tied at 83-83 following a short jwnper by Dell Coleman. The Warriors- who cut the ltawamba lead to 49-46 with 10:42 remaining then trailed 58-48 with 8:41left in regulation – sent the division contest into overtime tied at 70-70 on two free throws by fresh– man Marquis Wilson with 29.7 seconds remaining.

After trailing 42-24 at halftime to the nationally ranked Itawamba Community College Indians - coached by Bowie's for– mer boss and former ECCC head mentor Marty Cooper - many of the Warrior faithful did leave the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education and, as Bowie pre– dicted, those fans missed not one but three "great endings," although the War– riors fell short of victory - 94-91 in dou– ble overtime, as freshman small forward Justin Brown's desperation three-point– er bounced off the rim as time expired. Bowie, although obviously disappoint– ed with the loss, praised his squad for rallying from an 18-point halftime deficit. "I am pleased with the comeback and the effort last night but had we playeq that way the frrst half, who knows what would have been the outcome of the game," Bowie stated. And regarding the match-up with his former boss, he commented: "It was asked who was better- the

Bryan Johnson, a sophomore from Provine, had 23 points to lead EC, which dropped to 3-4. Also scoring were Bran– don Shelton of Newton, 19; Green, a Provine product, 18; Wilson, of Delhi, La., 11; Brown, a South Leake product, five; Karl Robinson of Jim Hill and Dar– ron Maxtion of Sparkman HS in Har– vest, Ala., three each; and Mike Pre- fall in double OT to ltawamba . . . 0 Ian- Tanesha Brown of Provine and Alisa sendieu,of .NewDI.IJ1ens10n ~S m r iVO Matlock of Carthage, nine each; Taylor, do and chns Brown of Hathesburg, tv six· Chotsani Henderson of Newton. five; each. . 1 d th Jo~an PattersoD of Oak Hill Academy, Greg Smith ~ad 24 POl!lts to edeat ~; four and Jessica Anderson of Newton, l5th ranked Indians, who unprov ~ u-v. • The \\omen's contest~~ also decide?- tw~~onson Rodgers and Jasmine La.rry AI bv three points, as the VlSltmg La~~ Indt- h had 17 points to lead Itawamba. ~ns came away with a 77-74 decls10n to ea~e Lady Warriors traU~ 38-35 at half- CJ 1mproYe to 4-3. . E t c ntral, which fell to 5-2 under t1me. . . _ as .e h d coach Billy Smith took EC squads will not be actiOn Thwsday SC :eo~!i!·~~ shot but Katherin~ Tay- but will host Mississippi Delta Commud U lor's jumper was off the mark. . nity College M?n~ay.. Decem be~ 4 an Tawavtha Evans of Newton led EC m Northeast MissiSSIPPI Commumty Col– VI. scoringwith 16 points. o.ther point mak~ lege Thursd~~ December 7 to close out ers were Valerie Harns of Lake. 13. 2006 compet1t10n.

S Andrea Dubose of Newton County, 10; C I itt-'"'------- -----