2009

EC basketball teamSready for 2009-10 seasinl If preseason workouts are an indi– cation of what's to come, then East Central Community College's bas- ketball squads can look from forward to successful school seasons. reports Both head coaches Bill Smith, who returns for his finishing at 22 ·8. The Lady Warriors were ranked as high as ntnth tn the NJCAApoll. A key member of both s4uads has "captains and supcrvisurs "Each player has a difl\!rcnt joh to do and each one has dclinitely taken the bull by the horns and embraced his position and goal " he said.

Central, Shantell Neely (5-3) of Searcy, Ark. and Demetria Slocum (5-5) of Bradford, Fla.; forwards Xenobia Lavender (5-11) of Noxapater, Jakiala McWilliams (5-7) of Neshoba Central, Quentinettc Odom (5-8) of Scott Central and Sharae Pigues (S-10) of Olive Branch; and center Bianca Thomas (6-3) of Sebastopol. Kristin Chaney begins her second year as Smith's assistant. Bowie is also r--~~--.

since moved on to the university level. Mystee Dale, a 5-foot-8 guard and former Choctaw Central lligh School standout, averaged almost 20 points, five assists, and seven rebounds in 2008-09 and gamered second team NJCAA All-American, Region 23, All-State, and All-Star honors. She is continuing her athlettc career at Marshall University. Smith said

Returnees arc point guard Anton to .:r Grace (5 7) and shooting guard Steve 'J.J Edwards (6 foot). both from Newt Tligh School; and guard Kenneth 0 Thomas (6-4) of Jackson Provine. ~ The fourth-year head coach is ub c z compltmentary of his freshman pl:tv ) ers. ~ "I'm very pleased with the playc ~ we recruited this year because tht j all want to be a part of somcthit special and are willing to work hard to get it," Bowie said. "Not all ktds are gomg to put in the work, but this group has gone beyond what we asked them to do." Freshman squad members arc guards Joshua Carothers (5-g) and Kendall Jackson l6-l), both of Columbus, Kcnondre Hodges (5-11) of Newton, Jasper Bronson (6-ioot) of Forest llill, Greg llodo (6-J ) ol Northwest Rankin, and· Kcndnd McKee of Scott Central; shoo\1111!. guard Victor Taylor (6-foot) of Noxubec. pomt guard Shelton Banks (5-9) of Morton, forwards Titus Mims (6 7) and Jonathan McLenden (6-7), both products ofAlief Hasting High School in Houston, Texas; and forward/center Aquill Baynard (6 7) ::r of Jackson Provine. c:( "I JUSt can't say enough how hafd– these guys have worked in the o 1 f :n season and preseason," Bowie sa. Z "I hope fans willl;>c pleased with c:( prOdUCt We pUt 011 thC floor l. II'- Q year." ~ Cornelius Gillcylcn begins hts ~ second year as Bowie's a<;sistant.

fifth season leading the Lady Warriors, and Maurice Bowie, set to begin his fourth season as Warrior head mentor expressed confi– dence about their respective squads. who began the 2009-l 0 campaign Monday at Holmes Community College m Goodman. · The Lady Warriors and Warriors will also be on the road Thursday at East Mississippi Community CoJiege. The women's game is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men's matchup at 7:30p.m. The first home games arc sched– uled for Saturday against Northeast Mississ ippi Community College. The women's contest is set for 2 p.m. followed by the meri's game at 4 p.m. in the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building. "Our team has really been work– ing hard in the off season and hope– fu lly it will pay ofT when the season gets under way," satd Smith, whose 2008-09 squad advanced to post-sea– son play before finishmg at 17-10. "This is a much faster team than last year and can run the floor bet– ter," he said "We are also a lot small– er, but hopefully our guard play \\ill improve." One of Smith's main goals this season is another return to the post– season and hopefully a c hampi– onship. The 2007-08 squad won the Region 23 title and advanced to the NJCAA Tournament in Salina, Kan..

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optimistic about his Warriors and has high hopes of producing the team 's first win– nmg season since takmg over the program in 2006. Last year's squad finished 8-17. "I love the way my guys catch on

replacing Dale will not be easy. but he is confident that the returning soph– omores will pro– vide the point pro– duction and leader– ship needed for a successful season. His four returnees arc guardS Hannah Lee

Maurice Bowie

Bill Smith

to things and pick it up the first time around," Bowie said. "They have a good basketball IQ and know what's going on when they are on the court.". Bowie describes this year's squad as "very fast and smart" and one that "makes good decisions on and offthe court. "I know we are not going to over– power anybody with strength or stze," Bowie added, "but, although small. we are a smart team and very discipiined." Bowte said his goals this year are "to graduate all our sophomores and gtve 1t all we got every day or night and play for a championship." Only three sophomores return from last year's squad, but Bowie said all three will be considered

(5-11) of Leake Academy, Oanielle Cole (5-7) of Philadelphia, Yolanda Jones (5-5) of Lake, and Sierra CrofT (5-4), of Newton County lligh School. With only four returnees, Smtih said the team's success will also depend on how the freshmen per– form. "I hope they (freshmen) can adjust to the college game m a hurry,'' Smith said of the ni~e fresh– men, his largest group since taking over the women's program in 2005. "They will have to contribute early for us to be successful." Nev.:comers include guards Alise Bryant (5-4) of Northwest Rankin, Shanequa Bukfin (5-3) of Scott