2015

WEEKOF~-'~'-_V_/~~~-\'_J ~

Davis to play two sports at ECCC

By Drew Kerekes dkerekes@themeridianstar.com

Chaney said. "To be able to start here for five straight · years, that's a credit to her." Wednesday wasn't a total surprise for Tonya Davis, who said she could tell early on the potential was there for Latesia to play beyond high school. "We started her out early in :softball and basketball - she played little league in both sports," Tonya Davis explained. "We just kept pushing her and pushing her, and I could see that she could possibly go some– where in the future." ECCC will provide the opportunity to work with a good coaching staff and sur– round herself with people she's never met, Latesia Davis said. "I like the coach there, and I get to meet new friends," Latesia Davis said. Chaney said though he won't be coaching her any See DAVIS on page B2

DECATUR-Tonya Davis won't have to go too far from home to watch her daughter continue her softball and bas– ketball careers. The mother of Newton County High School senior second baseman and post player Latesia Davis watched with pride as her daughter signed to play both sports at East Central Community Col– lege Wednesday morning. "It's good for us," Tonya Davis said. "We can get out there to the games, because it's only five minutes away from our home." Latesia Davis, who is 'cur– rently finishing_ out her senior season in basketball before turning her focus to . fast-pitch softball this spring, said the convenience of a short distance from home was a major plus in earning a scholarship with ECCC.

Special to The Star Latesia Davis, center front, signs Wednesday morning to play softball and basketball at East Central Community College. The Newton County High School senior is joined by her parents, front row, from left, Orberie and Tonya Davis;·and Newton County softball coach Justin Chaney.

Latesia said.

lete" in the fall.

"You can tell on the bas– ketball court and softball field (how good she is),"

Her softball coach, Justin Chaney, said ECCC would be getting a "phenomenal ath-

"It's very important,"

.DAVns from p~ge BI coach Cory Cleveland for helping develop her daughter into a good longer after high school, player in both sports. he still ·plans·to watch "Coach Cha~ey Latesia Davis whenever pushed and pushed and he can make it to ECCC worked hard with the on game days or nights. girls, and Coach Cleve- "I told her not o,nly land helps motivate her would I come watch her in basketball and works play softball, but I'd also hard with her," Tonya come watch her play Davis said. ''They're basketball," Chaney both great coaches." said. "I do that here. I go Since he still has her support (my players) for one more semester,

her," Chaney said. "Once she gets back there, she solidifies the right side of our infield. and bats at the top of the order. I call her our mojo - we go as she goes. She sets the tone for us. "I told her I wish her well in basketball, but hurry up and get down there." Latesia Davis has been a five-year star ter in slow- and fast-pitch softball. In the 2014 fast- pitch season, .~he batted .423 with 41 runs scored and 25 runs batted in. She also·had a .555 on-

base average.

In fast-pitch, she was awarded the 2014 golder. glove infield award and made the 4AAll-State team that year. She was given the hustle award in 2013. In slow-pitch , she was given the golden glove infield award in 2014 and was named to the All-State team in Class 4A, as well as the Mississippi Asso- ciation of Coaches All- Star team for Classes 4- 6A. Latesia Davis is also the daughter of Orberie Davis.

APP here, because they're

Chaney said he's eager to get Latesia Davis out to practice after basket- "It's already evident in practice that we miss ball concludes.

like my young ' uns." Tonya Davis said she's grateful for

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