2007

. ECCC basketball squads

emy in Aberdeen; and Carlena Clemmons, a 5-7 forward from Union- "to provide great lead– ership" for this year's version of Lady Warrior basketball. Smith said his team's success will also depend on a talented group of freshmen, led by Mys– tee Dale, a 5-8 forward from Choctaw Central and Rashima Jenkins, 5-9 forward from Air– line High School in Bossier City, La. Dale was an All-State and Dandy Dozen selection and Jenkins made All-District. Other , freshmen include guards Sha Coleman (5-6) of Newton County, Courtney James (5-6) of Magee and Alisha McMee (5-5) of North– east Rankin; and forwards Jaleesa Sanders (5-8) of South Leake, Allison Phillips (5-8) of Leake Academy and Michaela Lee (5-11) ofNanih Waiya. In analyzing this year's squad, Smith said the Lady Warriors "will be a fast-break team that can get up and down the floor. We will not be very ~ig, so we will have to rely on defense and teamwork." Not only is Smtth pleased W1th his team's talent, but also the team "togetherness." "So far we have had tremen– dous camaraderie on our team," he stated. "Everyone really seems to enjoy one another, and has worked hard to form a team chemistry that we need to be successful." Smith said the goals for this year are the same as in the past. "As always, we want to make the state and region tourna– ments and hopefully win them both," Smith said. "If we can get off to a good start and play well early, I think that will go a long way for us to have a go_9d season." Serving her first year as Smith's assistant is Blessing Chekwa, a former basketball standout at Mississippi State University. Bowie, whose squad fmished a disappointing 7-17, said he is ready to start anew and "get this past year out of our

heads." He noted how tough a season it was last year, when his War– riors had leads in 70 percent of the games that were lost. But with a new season fast approaching, Bowie said the concentration is on winning, and he said the Warriors are "working hard" to have a good year. , Not only are they working hard, Bowie noted, but this year's squad is also focused on being quality individuals. "I like the fact that they are good kids that stay out of trou– ble, both off and on the court, which makes my job both fun and meaningful," Bowie stat– ed. "This is a smart group of kids with a chance to do some– thing with their lives and help their families. I am so glad for them because so many young kids are following the wrong paths." . The top returnees are for– wards Marquis Wilson, a 6-7 product of Delhi (La.) High School, and Darron Maxtion, a 6-6 former standout at Spark– man High School in Harvest, Ala. Wilson averaged 11.5 points, eight rebounds and .7 blocks per game last year and received the hustle award. Maxtion averaged 9.6 points and six rebounds. "Marquis had a good year last season and we are expecting an even better year this sea– son," Bowie said. "He has a lot of athletic ability as evidenced by the numbers he put up last season." Bowie said Maxtion "has { potential to be one of the best all-around players in the league. He can score and play defense ... and if he comes ready to play like I know he can, it will be a good year for · him and the Warriors." Other sophomores include - returnees Brandon Shelton, a 6-1 guard from Newton and - Qraig Pruitt, a 6-4 forward from Newton County, who was - named most valuable defen– sive player, and first-year play- - ers Karl Robinson, a 5-9 guard

From press reports After leading his first two Lady Warrior squads to suc– cessful seasons and berths in the MACJC and Region 23 Tournaments, head coach Bill Smith is looking forward to another winning campaign. And for second-year Warrior head coach Maurice Bowie, success will depend on how whether his squad can "close the deal" in the game's final minutes, a trait that was lack– ing on last year's team. A first test on how both squads will respond in 2007-08 will be revealed Thursday, November 1, when the Lady Warriors and Warriors are guests of Holmes Community College in Goodman. The Bull– dogs captured the 2006 state title en route to a 22-7 mark, and the Lady Bulldogs quali– fied for the state playoffs, although finishing season acuon with a 7-17 record. ECCC squads continue compe– tition on the road by taking on East ~hsstssippl Community Colle;e 'ac-~ay, ~ vember 3. Home action begms Thurs– day. No,·ember 8 against • ~ortheast :'\lissis::.ippi Commu– mty College. Tip-off times are 6 and 8 p.m. in the Brackeen– Wood Physical Education Building.

For Coach Smith, six sopho– mores return from last year's 16-10 team which was elimi– nated in first-round action of both post-season tournaments. Of the six returnees, three were starters: Tanesha Brown, a 5-6 guard from Jackson Provine, and Tawayatha APPEAR Evans, a 5-9 forward and Chot– sani Henderson, a 5-4 guard, ,.. _ both of Kewton. t.,A.R I HA Brown averaged 14 points per game and was named last SCOTT Cyear's most improved player. Evans averaged 5.2 rebounds UNION .!J. and Henderson, 3.5 assists. Smith said he is depending WINSTOt on the sophomore players - who also include Alisa Mat– SPIRIT 0 lock, a 5-7 forward from Carthage; Jordon Patterson, a OTHER _ 5-6 guard from Oak Hill Acad-