2015

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Special to The Star

Four Newton County High School soccer players are pictured with their families and coaches signing with East Central Community College Wednesday morning. They are, from left, at the table, Maggie Luke, Samm Thompson, Will Stewart and Parker McWhirter.

ward and play offense." And while the foursome venture into the next stage of their soccer careers, lasting memories of their time at Newton County will always be cherished. "I'm going to remember all my great teammates," said McWhirter, who scored 10 goals this year and was named the district's most out– s tanding defensive player. "We had the best student-section I've ever seen at a soccer game (St. Stanis– laus). It was awesome that all of the students came out to support in a ~ame that big. It was a great year, and I'm just glad we were able to come out as division champs." And while the foursome venture into the next stage of their soccer careers, lasting memories of their time at Newton County will always be cherished. "I'm going to remember all my great teammates," McWhirter said. "We had the be t student-section I've ever seen at a soccer game (St. Stanislaus). It was awesome that all of the students came out to support in a game that big. It was a great year, and I'm just glad we were able to come out as division champs."And while the foursome venture into the next stage of their soccer careers, lasting memories of their time at Newton County will always be cherished.

SIGNINGS from page Bl "Everybody in my family has gone there, and it's kind of something that I always have been looking for– ward to. They (parents) wanted me to go to East Central, and they were happy when I decided to go there. "It's great for me that East Cen– tral is just right there, and I could alway' go back home when I want to. and ju.. t be cJo,e to home." Additionally, Stewart and re 'al fa.. . re- b n.,h p with ECCC, v;1:r. . :ewart'::. rather (Billy Stewart) serving as the school's ! : : president, and Thompson's father (Kenneth Thompson) serving as the men's soccer coach. :: " - But despite the family connec- tions, each standout had a major "They were relieved when I decided on East Central," Will IV1e Stewart said of his parents. "I used to live near (Mississippi) Gulf Coast Community College, and Ne they were looking at me pretty c a decision looming.

MORE INFORMATION Will Stewart scored 15 goals for his team thispast season and was named the district's most valuable player. Meanwhile, Samm Thompson leaned on his brothers, Will and Ryss Thompson, for advice, as the t:Wo previously each played under their father. I was kind of worried about it at fir,t, 11 Will Thompson said of • 6 de.r · th :-. But my brothers did it, and they said it was fun and wasn't too bad, so I figured I would too." McWhiter will head to to East Central, where he will play either right midfield or right back, pro– viding ECCC head coach Kenneth Thompson with plenty of versa– tility. "As a right back , you stay mainly on defense, but you can also get outside, make deep runs and overlap, and send crosses into the box," McWhirter said. "At right mid, you do virtually the same thing. But if you have three-back line, you need t get back more (on defense). and with four-back you can stay up and play more offense. I prefer to play right back [m a four-back line) so I can still get for-

hard down there. And they were pretty relieved I decided on EC over Gulf Coast." Stewart scored 15 goals this year and was named the district's most valuable player.