2008

N.J., Antonio Grace (5-9) of Newton, Andre Pitchford (6-2) and Kenny Thomas (6-4 ), both of J ackson Provine, Steve Edwards (6-1) of New– ton and Jacob Mart in (6-5 ) of Lafayette, La., and forward Chucky Curry (6-7) of Newton. Bowie said his goals for the season "are to graduate my kids, deve lop young men into men, and win at least 90 percent of our games . We a lso want our guys to act like, practice like and play like champions." Cornelius Gilleylen is serving his first year as Bowie's assistant. An Amory native, Gilleylen is a former assistant men's basketball coach at St. Edward's University in Austin , Texas, where he had a stellar career. He twice received "Defensive Player of the Year" honors and was ranked 14th in the nation in steals in 2006- 07. He was also twice named "Defen– sive Player of the Year" at ltawamba Community College, where he played for former ECCC head coach Marty Cooper.

optimistic. "It's not often that you sign every kid you recruit, but we are truly for– tunate to have done so this year," said Bowie, a former ECCC basketball s t andout. "When I put the team together, I gave us depth at ever y position and with depth brings about competition, and that's what makes you a great team - getting after one another in practice every day." Overall, Bowie said this year's team "is a good group of kids to be around. They have really worked hard both on and off the court. We h ave challenged

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them this year to be take pride in every– thing they d o, not just in basketball." Bowie said he is especially pleased with his guards and how much con t rol they bring to the game in their role as "field generals." "I am really high

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on Rod Lofton (6-1 guard) of Forest. He takes it personal every time he's on the court to guard the best offen– ive player on the other team," Bowie said. Bowie said Rico Jones, a 6-3 guard also from Forest, has been "Mr. Con– sistent" on and off the court and "is really going to help us down the road . hen \ ·e need that sophomore leader– ship to show up." Bowie also had praise for his top returning scorers from last year, J osh Luckett, a 6-5 guard/forward from Carthage, and Devarus "Scooter" Walker, a 6-1 guard from Newton County High School. "Luckett led the guys in scoring with 13 points per game and made 59 percent of his shots," Bowie said. "Walker was second in scoring with 12 points per game. He also shot 39 percent from th e three-point line." Forwards James Starks (6-6) of Meridian, J oseph Thompson (6-7) of Morton and J acob Jordan (6-6 ) of Opelouses, La., complete the sopho– more class and are also expected to make a difference this season. I Freshmen mclude guards Asmar Capers (6-3) of Bridgewater-Raritan,

a_:. Smith 's f:::;::t::;!:r L.a d} Warrior Decat~ -'-""~··~- A:..:-A~:nt:an, AJl– Tourna– A.. -Stu honors -- ,· ... ,. helped _.........,.....~ Lad) Warnors to trtle£ s.nd a second–

.- m tht Consolation Brack– ~ • ·JCAA Dh'l-ion I Women's .t).a:5l:etball Championship m Salina, 'Fne ECCC women. coached by :0 Eodge, completed season action • a 31-4 r ecord and were ranked ~ m the final ~JCAA polL She contmued her success on the basket– lnll aJ l..il't at the l."niversity of South– ern .!:ssis ippi, where she also received numerous honors. On ~e men's side, third-year head coach !auric~ Bowte expects his Warriors to improve on last year's 11- 13 record. He ~as good reason to be