MCC Golf Set To Compete At Mallard Pointe

SARDIS, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team will compete in the Northwest MS/Itawamba Invitational on Monday-Tuesday April 2-3. The two-round event will be held at the par-72, 7,004-yard Mallard Pointe Golf Course.

MCC will compete this week and the reaming regular season events with the same starting five lineup in preparation for the MACJC State/Region XXIII championship which is to be held in two weeks.

Leading the charge is sophomore Justin Eaves, who is coming off a season best 36-hole score of 140 (70-70) this past week and finished tied for first at the ECCC Golf Classic. The Louisville, Miss., native currently leads the MACJC Player of the Year race with a 73.6 stroke average in five conference tournaments this year. Overall, Eaves has scored seven tournament rounds of even-par or better, including a 3-under par 69 at the MCC/Rush Fall Invitational. Eaves signed a golf scholarship with Troy University.

Fellow sophomore Dustin Petit will join Eaves in the starting lineup. Petit had his low 36-hole score of the season this past week, shooting a 144 (73-71). Petit is also bound for NCAA golf with a commitment to University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Three freshmen will round out the MCC lineup. Joshua Ivy, Jarrod Lemaster, and Bryant Self will complete the starting five for the Eagles. Ivy and Lemaster have already claimed two medalist titles between the two while Self has been named to four All Tournament teams. Michael Burton, a former West Lauderdale golfer, will be competing for MCC as an individual.

"This is one of our final events of the regular season in which we will compete on one of the hardest courses in the state," said MCC head coach Sean Covich. "It will be a tough challenge for this young team as we continue to gain experience and hopefully confidence before the State/Region championship."

Last season at Mallard Pointe, the Eagles shot a 309 en route to a 2nd place finish. Then freshman, Petit led the team, finishing on the All Tournament team with a 74.

Following this weekend's action, the Eagles will play in the Jones Co. Invitational at Pine Belt National April 10 in Hattiesburg, Miss.

MCC Baseball with yet another sweep

MCC's baseball team went on the road to battle Holmes CC in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Eagles swept HCC by taking game one 8-0 and game two 8-0.

In the first game Jordan brown threw a no-hitter striking out twelve batters.

With the victories, MCC improves to 26-6, 6-0.

The Eagles play EMCC Saturday on the road in a doubleheader.

Eagles keep rolling along, sweep ECCC

The Meridian Community College Eagles continued their amazing run through the 2007 season by taking a doubleheader sweep (6-1, 6-4) over MACJC Central Division rival East Central CC on Saturday at Scaggs Field.

“When you can get a pair of wins in conference play it is always key,” said MCC baseball coach Chris Rose.

“We had a great pair of pitching performances and we had several guys in the lineup that had great days at the plate.”

The Eagles improved to 23-6 overall and 4-0 in division play.

MCC will return to action on Monday as the eagles travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Shelton State in a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.

MCC Golf claims runner-up at ECCC; Eaves, Petit All Tournament Team

03/25/2007

FOREST, Miss. – The Meridian Community College golf team shot a 298 on Sunday to finish runner-up at the East Central Classic held at the Forest Country Club. All twelve Mississippi Junior College golf teams competed in the event. MCC finished the tournament with a 591 and maintained their position from their first round score of 293 on Saturday. The second place finish was MCC’s ninth top-five placing of the 2006-07 season.

Sophomore Justin Eaves was MCC's top finisher, shooting two-under par for the event. Eaves finished in a tie for 1st, but lost in a scorecard play-off. With rounds of 70-70 (140) Eaves was named to the All Tournament team. Eaves has now earned four All Tournament team honors this year along with shooting seven rounds of even-par or better.

Sophomore Dustin Petit joined his teammate on the All Tournament team with rounds of 73-71 (144). This is Petit’s fourth All Tournament team honor this year and his second round of even-par or better.

Freshman Jarrod Lemaster shot 74-78 (144), sophomore Cole Clopton shot 76-79 (155) and freshman Bryant Self shot 77-81 (159).

Joshua Ivy and Zach Rushing competed as individuals for MCC. Ivy fired rounds of 75-73 (148), while Rushing shot 80-79 (159).

“I was real proud of Dustin and Justin,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“Dustin was three over after two holes then fired three under his next 16 and Justin just played great all weekend.”

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College distanced themselves from the field in the first round, with a 285. On day two the Bulldogs fired a 294 to win the team title by 12 strokes. Co-Lin CC’s Grant McDonnieal won the individual crown, by winning the scorecard playoff with MCC’s Eaves. McDonnieal shot 70-70 (140).

“Give Gulf Coast credit, they played really steady and could’ve gone even lower, which is the scary part. It should be interesting now at State/Region with Gulf Coast playing this well,” Covich said.

MCC's next action will come April 2-3 when the Eagles travel to Sardis, Miss., to compete in the Northwest Mississippi/Itawamba Invitational held at Mallard Point Golf Course.

ECCC Classic/Par 71/Final Team Results (Top Four)

1. MS Gulf Coast 579 (285-294)
2. MCC 591 (293-298)
3. Hinds 595 (294-301)
4. ECCC 612 (308-304)

MCC introduces McDonald Field

By Austin Bishop/special to The Star

After 10 years, the Lady Eagles of Meridian Community College finally have a softball roost to call their own.

Tommy McDonald Field at Highland Park was officially dedicated on Thursday afternoon before a large crowd.

“I’m proud because our Lady Eagles finally have a home they can call their own,” said MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott minutes before the team took the field for a doubleheader against Jones County Junior College.

MCC has been playing fast-pitch softball since 1998, but has played all of its home games at the Northeast Softball Complex.

About a year ago the decision was made to refurbish the old Lions Field Dixie Boys Baseball park into a fast-pitch softball facility. Elliott said the move was one that made sense, giving the Lady Eagles a place to play closer to campus.

He heralded the project as a prime example of government entities working together and credited Meridian Parks and Recreation Director Mark Naylor as the man who first approached the school with the idea.

The field has been refurbished including an improved press box, concessions stand, storage area and home and visiting locker rooms.

Elliott said the decision to name the field after McDonald, a retired vice president at MCC, was a popular one.

Elliott, who emceed the 20-minute dedication ceremony, had high praise for McDonald.

“My grandson is about to turn 1-year-old tomorrow and I would be very proud if he would grow up to be like Tommy McDonald,” Elliott said. “He is a man of integrity.”

“This is truly a humbling experience,” McDonald said. “I have been very blessed. If you find something you love to do, you will never work a day in your life.” McDonald said that was how he felt about his career at MCC.

“It is a privilege to be involved with an institution whose goal is to help others have a better life,” he said.

Members of the Meridian City Council, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, Coca-Cola and the MCC Board of Trustees, and members who worked to build the field, were honored before the game as well.

Meridian Community College began playing slow-pitch softball since the late 1970s under the direction of Liz Duncan. The Lady Eagles have only had four head softball coaches in their history, with current head coach Robert Eakins taking over 14 years ago and starting the fast-pitch program a decade ago.

Former coaches Fredna Cross and Barbara Bishop also attended the dedication service.

2007 MCC Alumni & Friends Golf Scramble

2007 MCC Alumni & Friends Golf Scramble


When: Saturday, April 21, 9:00 am shotgun start

Where: NAS-Ponta Creek Golf Course

Format: 4-person scramble (plus one MCC golfer or former golfer will be added to every team)

Entry Fee: $75 per player or $300 per 4-man team, includes lunch, door prizes, cart fee, range balls, etc..

Prizes: Door prizes from MCC bookstore, Titleist Pro-V1 golf balls, free rounds of golf at Davis Love, III signature course -Shell Landing, MCC golf shirts and much more

Contact: Sean Covich- 601-484-8663, scovich@meridiancc.edu / covich21@hotmail.com

Lady Eagles claim two big victories over Lady Lions

By Rocky Higginbotham/sports editor

Meridian Community College squeaked out a 5-4 win over homestanding East Mississippi in its Central Division opener Tuesday afternoon — then rolled to a 14-1 win in the second game to complete a doubleheader sweep in Scooba.

MCC, which is now 10-8 overall and 2-0 in division play, pounded out 12 hits and 11 runs over the final two innings of Game 2 to pull away.

"We got hot with the bats at the right time to break the game open," MCC coach Robert Eakins said. "It was just one of those things ... we just kept hitting."

Six different players had at least two hits for the Lady Eagles, who got 2-for-2 performances from Brooklyn Williams and Jennifer Bristow.

Courtney Gordon added a single and a double, Gabrielle Morgan and Shanese Hunter had a single and double apiece and Terra Moore also had two hits.

DeMiracle Biggs, Karen McCullough and Tiffany Hickman all had doubles for MCC.

Hunter, a freshman from Philadelphia, was the winning pitcher and improved her mark to 3-4. She allowed just two hits.

In the first game, Morgan (5-3) was the winner after giving up just two earned runs and six hits in a complete-game effort. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo home run — her second of the season.

Moore and Gordon both had a single and a double in the Game 1 win, while Chantalle Wilson had a pair of singles.

EMCC led 2-1 early and held that lead until the sixth, when MCCscored twice to go up 3-2.

The host Lady Lions answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to go back up 4-3 — but Moore delivered a two-out, two-run double in the top of the seventh to provide the game-winning runs.

Moore homers Eagles past Hinds

By Robby Atkinson/special to The Star

The Meridian Community College Eagles used a late home run by sophomore Tyler Moore and great pitching from freshman Chase Porch to secure a doubleheader sweep of Hinds Community College (10-4, 4-3) in MACJC action at Scaggs Field on Tuesday.

Moore connected on the solo homer in the sixth inning of game two to break a 3-3 tie to lead the Eagles to the sweep.

"It is always big to get a sweep in conference play," said MCC head coach Chris Rose. We did a great job at the plate in the first game and came up with several key hits in the second game that got us over the hump to get a pair of very big wins."

Meridian improves to 20-6 overall and 2-0 in conference play with the

sweep of Hinds. The Eagles return to action today on the road against Lurleen B. Wallace in a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m.

Meridian will also host East Central Saturday in another key conference doubleheader at Scaggs Field. The first pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 1 p.m.

MCC 4
Hinds 3


Chase Porch (2-0) tossed four innings in relief and collected four

strikeouts to lead MCC to the game two victory.

"He (Porch) came into the game and did a great job for us," said MCC head coach Chris Rose. "He pitched some big innings and he kept us right in the game."

Hinds (13-9, 0-2) took the early lead with a pair of runs in the first

inning. Jonathan Ettinger off with a single and Corey Stevens followed with another single to put a pair of runners aboard for Hinds.

Jess Shelby drove in the first run on yet another single and Stevens later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Eric Douglas to give Hinds the two-run lead.

Hinds extended its lead in the third inning thanks to an RBI single by Douglas.

Meridian cracked the scoreboard in the third inning with a pair of runs to trim the lead to 3-2.

Porch led the inning off by reaching on a throwing error and later crossed the plate on a double by Shannon Steed. Michael Guerrero knocked in the second run of the inning on a single to bring MCC to within one run.

Meridian later tied the game in the fourth inning on an RBI ground out

by Matt Holliman which knocked in Jarrod Parks, who led the inning off

with a triple.

Moore gave MCC the lead for good with a solo home run

in sixth inning. The home run for the Mississippi State signee was his ninth of the 2007 season.

Game One

MCC 10
Hinds 4

MCC got three hits from freshman Toddrick Stevenson and a pair of hits from former West Lauderdale standout Drew Snider to take a six-run win in game one.

Stevenson finished the game with a pair of doubles and a single for the Eagles.

Meridian scored five runs in the fifth inning which proved to be the

difference. The inning was highlighted by a solo home run by

freshman Jarrod Parks; his second long ball of the season.

David Woods added an RBI double for MCC and former Enterprise standout Scott Mosley tallied a pair of hits.

Sophomore Jordan Brown (3-2) picked up the pitching win in game one

for the Eagles, tossing five innings and collecting seven strikeouts.

MCC Softball places third in Florida Tourney

The Meridian Community College fast-pitch softball team wound up third in the Okaloosa-Walton Community College Tournament this past weekend.

The Lady Eagles, who won two-of-three contest in pool play on Friday, won their first game Saturday in the single-elimination bracket with a 7-0 victory over Johnson County (KS) College. MCC Then fell 5-4 to Gadsden State in the semifinal round.

“We just left too many runners stranded,” MCC coach Robert Eakins said.

“We out-hit them. But we didn’t put together our hits until the last inning.”

MCC, which is now 8-8 on the season, opens up Central Division play Tuesday with a doubleheader at East Mississippi.

MCC Baseball sweeps KC

The Meridian Community College baseball team swept the visiting Kishwaukee College at Scaggs Field Wednesday during Spring Break.

The Eagles won game one, 12-7 and the completed the sweep with a 10-5 victory in game two.

The Eagles, who improved to 18-4 with the the sweep, return to action Tuesday by hosting Hinds.

MCC Golf places top-five at Spring Fling

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – The Meridian Community College golf team wrapped up the sixth annual Illinois Central College Spring Fling golf tournament with a top five finish after posting a final round of 296 in Scottsboro, Ala.

The Eagles had the third lowest team score on the final day to leap over two teams and claim 5th place after entering the final day in seventh place.

Over 25 teams representing nine different states competed in the Illinois Central College hosted “Spring Fling” colligate golf tournament March 15-17 at the Goosepond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL.

“I was really proud of the team, we saved our best round for last which gives us some momentum heading into our next event,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“We outplayed some outstanding teams on that final day (including MS Gulf Coast CC, J.A. Logan College, Univ. Arkansas-Ft. Smith and Wallace State), and the guys were really pumped about that.”

Sophomore Dustin Petit was MCC’s top-finisher in the 54-hole event. The Luling, La.-native fired a three day total of 228 (71, 78, 74).

MCC’s low-round of the final day came from freshman Joshua Ivy. Ivy registered a 2-over par score of 73. The Quitman, Miss.-product rebounded from opening rounds of 77 and 79 to finish t-26th in the individual standings.

Scottsboro, Ala native Jarrod Lemaster turned in a 3-over par 74 on the final day to also finish t-26th in the event.

Freshman Bryant Self shot 229 (79, 75, 75) and also found himself in a t-26th with his teammates.

After opening the event with a strong 73, sophomore Justin Eaves closed out the three day event with rounds of 80 and 77 to shot a three day total of 230 to finish t-31st.

Second round leader Darton College claimed team honors with an 867 (282, 290, 295) three day total. Central Alabama claimed second with an 879 (293, 296, 290) and Tyler (TX) Junior College finished third with an 894 (285, 314, 295). Darton’s Troy Bartkowicz took home medalist honors with a three day 1-under par 212 (69, 73, 70).

MCC will prep this week for the ECCC Invitational at Forest CC on March 24-25.


Rank Team Scores Total Par
1 Darton (GA) College Cavaliers 282 290 295 867 +15
2 Central Alabama CC Trojans 293 296 290 879 +27
3 Tyler (TX) JC Apaches 285 314 295 894 +42
4 John A. Logan (IL) Volunteers 295 310 297 902 +50
5 Meridian (MS) CC Eagles 300 308 296 904 +52
6 Mississippi Gulf Coast CC 290 305 310 905 +53
7 Univ. of Arkansas-Fort Smith 299 306 305 910 +58
t 8 Hinds (MS) CC Eagles 305 303 314 922 +70
t 8 Wallace State (AL) CC Senators 308 309 305 922 +70
10 Northwest Shoals (AL) CC 310 302 311 923 +71
11 Kansas City Kansas CC 305 312 322 939 +87
12 Black Hawk (IL) College Braves 307 314 319 940 +88
13 Rend Lake (IL) Coll. Warriors 315 312 316 943 +91
14 Muskegon CC Jayhawks 325 309 319 953 +101
15 Springfield (IL) Coll Bulldogs 322 319 315 956 +104
16 Kaskaskia (IL) Blue Devils 316 319 322 957 +105
17 Illinois Central College Gold 315 317 326 958 +106
18 Owens (OH) CC Express 321 322 321 964 +112
19 OAKLAND CC RAIDERS 313 332 325 970 +118
20 Georgia Military Coll Bulldogs 312 322 337 971 +119
21 Andrew (GA) College Tigers 315 331 335 981 +129
22 Vincennes (IN) University 334 338 332 1004 +152
23 Illinois Central College Blue 319 340 351 1010 +158
24 Illinois Valley CC Eagles 339 338 336 1013 +161
25 Schoolcraft College Ocelots 344 349 352 1045 +193

MCC Linksters In Seventh After Two Rounds At Spring Fling

03/17/2007

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – Meridian Community College’s golf team opened play at the sixth annual Spring Fling golf tournament hosted by Illinois Central College with rounds of 300 and 308. After 36 holes of competition, MCC stands tied for 7th on the team leaderboard.

25 teams from across the nation, representing nine different states are participating. Nearly 150 colligate golfers are entered into the event.

“We had a late tee time on day one which meant that we had to play in the rain all day long,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“Then on day two we tee off early and play in 30 mph winds and freezing temperatures. As soon as Dustin (Petit) holed out on #18, the sun came out. So with all that considered I think we’ve handled ourselves well.”

Pacing the Eagles line up on after two days was sophomore Dustin Petit. The Luling, La.-native opened with an even-par round of 71, then in the second round he posted a 78. Petit is currently tied for 19th in the individual standings heading into Wednesday’s final round. Sophomore Justin Eaves turned in rounds of 73 and 80. The Louisville, MS.-product is tied for 31at place. MCC’s Bryant Self, a freshman from Tupelo, MS shot 79-75 to start the event, and sits in a tie for 36th place. Scottsboro, Ala native and MCC freshman, Jarrod Lemaster came back from an opening round 79 to shot 76 in round two. Eagle freshman, Joshua Ivy continued his steady play with rounds of 77 and 79.

Back-to-back defending NJCAA Div. II national champions, Darton College leads the 25-team field after Friday. The Cavaliers carded rounds of 282 and 290. Darton’s Bill Jones III leads the individual leaderboard at 2-under par (68, 72).






Scottsboro, AL
Dates: 3/15-3/17/2007
2nd Round Scores
Par 71, 6904 yards, Slope 125, Rating 70.7


Rank Team Scores Total Par
1 Darton (GA) College Cavaliers 282 290 572 +4
2 Central Alabama CC Trojans 293 296 589 +21
3 Mississippi Gulf Coast CC 290 305 595 +27
4 Tyler (TX) JC Apaches 285 314 599 +31
t 5 John A. Logan (IL) Volunteers 295 310 605 +37
t 5 Univ. of Arkansas-Fort Smith 299 306 605 +37
t 7 Meridian (MS) CC Eagles 300 308 608 +40
t 7 Hinds (MS) CC Eagles 305 303 608 +40
9 Northwest Shoals (AL) CC 310 302 612 +44
t 10 Kansas City Kansas CC 305 312 617 +49
t 10 Wallace State (AL) CC Senators 308 309 617 +49
12 Black Hawk (IL) College Braves 307 314 621 +53
13 Rend Lake (IL) Coll. Warriors 315 312 627 +59
14 Illinois Central College Gold 315 317 632 +64
t 15 Georgia Military Coll Bulldogs 312 322 634 +66
t 15 Muskegon CC Jayhawks 325 309 634 +66
17 Kaskaskia (IL) Blue Devils 316 319 635 +67
18 Springfield (IL) Coll Bulldogs 322 319 641 +73
19 Owens (OH) CC Express 321 322 643 +75
20 OAKLAND CC RAIDERS 313 332 645 +77
21 Andrew (GA) College Tigers 315 331 646 +78
22 Illinois Central College Blue 319 340 659 +91
23 Vincennes (IN) University 334 338 672 +104
24 Illinois Valley CC Eagles 339 338 677 +109
25 Schoolcraft College Ocelots 344 349

MCC Golf in action at ICC Spring Fling

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – A soggy, wet and rainy day met the Meridian Community College golf team as they wrapped up the first round of the sixth annual Illinois Central College Spring Fling golf tournament with a 300 team score. The Eagles are in seventh place after round one, which was completed Friday morning after play was suspended due to darkness. The tournament is being played at the 6,904 yard, par 71 Goosepond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala. Over 25 teams representing nine different states are competing in the Illinois Central College hosted “Spring Fling” colligate golf tournament. The final round will take place Saturday.

Sophomore Dustin Petit was MCC’s best score on day one with an even-par 71. The Luling, La.-native is in a tie for 7th overall out of 137 golfers.

MCC Golf Returns To Alabama For Spring Fling Invitational

03/13/2007

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – The Meridian Community College golf team returns to the state of Alabama the fourth time during the 2006-07 golf season. The Eagles will participate in the Spring Fling hosted by Illinois Central Community College in Scottsboro, Ala., beginning on Thursday, March 15, at the Goose Pond Colony Golf Course.

MCC opened the 2006-07 season at the Central Alabama Fall Invitational, played in the Sylacauga, Ala. area in late September. In November the Eagles closed out their fall session with an appearance in the University of Mobile Ram Classic, played in Mobile, Ala. Then earlier this semester MCC continued their travels to ‘Bama with a trip to the prestigious Wynlakes Wynter Nationals in Montgomery, Ala.

The 54-hole Spring Fling tournament that will be played over a three-day span features nearly 20 teams from across the country.

“This is definitely a strong field this week,” said MCC head golf coach Sean Covich. “We’ve got some special feelings at this place for a few reasons: this is the same course that host nationals where MCC finished third in the nation last year and it’s the home of one of our freshmen (Jarrod Lemaster), I hope he can give us an advantage.”

The MCC line up features sophomores Justin Eaves and Dustin Petit with freshmen Joshua Ivy, Jarrod Lemaster and Bryant Self.

Eaves shot 69 (-3) in tow rounds during last year’s NJCAA national championship held at Goose Pond. Petit fired two under par rounds of his own, shooting 71 (-1) twice during the nationals last year. For Lemaster, the trip will serve as a homecoming. The Eagle freshman is from Scottsboro and played most of his golf at Goose Pond. The trip to the Spring Fling will be the first time that Ivy and Self have seen the course.

The opening round of the event will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday at the par 72, 6,965-yard Goose Pond Course.

MCC Tennis to Ink Four Friday

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Meridian Community College tennis coach Wanda McPhail has announced the signing of four tennis players to join the Eagle tennis program.

Kayla Daughtrey, Dawson Dyess, ClaireMassey, and Bliss Pigott will ink with MCC on Friday, March 9 at 1:00 pm in the Damon Fitness Center.

Dyess comes to the MCC men’s team from Lamar School. At Lamar, Dyess helped lead the Raiders to the MPSA State Tennis title. In 2004, he was first place in number two singles. In 2003, he earned first place in the Mississippi Team Tennis Tournament. Dyess has been a member of the high school tennis team since 2001. He is also a member of the Raider soccer team and has played Meridian Youth Soccer for over a decade. Dyess has volunteered for the American Red Cross, Hurricane Katrina and is a member of Highland Baptist Church. Dawson is the son of B. J. and Cindy Dyess.

“Dawson Dyess joins a strong recruiting class and an outstanding group of returnees for 2008,” according to Coach McPhail. “Dawson could strengthen the line-up tremendously if he concentrates on his game. He has a tremendous amount of match experience and is a fundamentally sound player.”

Daughtrey comes to the MCC campus from Northeast Jones High School. Last season at NEJHS, she had a 13-2 record in doubles and placed third in her district. Currently she is ranked No. 20 in singles and No. 8 in doubles in Mississippi. In the summer of 2006, she won the summer league state championship with her squad and advanced to the Southern Sections where she earned a top-five finish. As a student, Daughtrey received the English award in 11th grade, was voted Best Dressed and is a member of the honor roll. She is the daughter of Paul and Christi Daughtrey.

Massey comes to MCC from West Lauderdale High School. She is a member of the USTA Tennis Association. Last year she participated in the Mississippi State Tennis Championship. In 2005, she participated in the State Games of Mississippi and received the silver medal in mixed doubles. In 2006, she earned the bronze medal for playing girls doubles in the State Games. In high school she was awarded "Most Improved" at WLHS. Massey has volunteered for Love's Kitchen, nursing homes, and Central United Methodist Church. Claire is the daughter of Donnie and Charlotte Massey.

Pigott comes to MCC from West Lauderdale high School. She is a member of the cheerleading squad and tennis team at WLHS. She is currently playing girls' doubles for the West Lauderdale team and is off to a great start this season. Pigott is the captain of the cheerleading squad and a member of the student council. She is a member of "Who's Who Among High School Students," national Honor Society and the WLHS Student Council. She is a two time UCA All Star Cheerleader. Bliss is the daughter of Wade Pigott and Tammy Fawcette.

“These three young ladies along with a player from Louisiana will complete the 2007-2008 Lady Eagle squad,” said MCC tennis coach Wanda McPhail. “The Lady Eagles will have more depth than any squad before them. Each of these players brings a tremendous amount of talent and work ethic to the squad. They will not only be an asset to the team but to MCC as well.”

Running On Empty: Lady Eagles run out of gas in tourney final

By Jeff Edwards / assistant sports editor
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — The Meridian Lady Eagles’ surprising run through the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament ran out of steam in the championship game against Copiah-Lincoln in a 67-60 loss Thursday night here at Mississippi College.

MCC had defeated state champion Northeast Mississippi and Jones in the first two rounds by winning the battle to every loose ball and fighting for rebounds.

However, in the championship game, the Co-Lin combination of Nikki Williams and Erica Trahan wore down the smaller Lady Eagles.

“There’s no question the first two games took its toll,” MCC coach Hilary Allen said. “Our legs weren’t as strong tonight, but that’s the tournament atmosphere.”

Co-Lin’s deliberate style of play might have been better suited to three games in three days, but Allen said a frenetic pace is the only style of play his team knows.

“If you’re asking if Co-Lin’s deliberate style of play is better suited for a championship game, that’s probably true,” Allen said. “But we got here by playing our style of play. It’s the way the kids want to play and we wouldn’t be here tonight (in the championship game) without it.”

Co-Lin led by as many as seven points in the first half before Meridian cut the score to 36-33 at halftime. MCC took its first lead of the game 2 minutes into the second half and seemed like they might pull away when Carla Latham hit a 3-pointer to put the Lady Eagles up 47-43 with 12:55

remaining.

But MCC didn’t score over the next 5:55 and the Lady Wolves went on a 7-0 run to take a 50-47 lead with 7:15 remaining.

Co-Lin expanded its lead to 56-52 with 4:30 left before Latham rattled in a big 3 from the baseline to cut the lead to one.

MCC took a 57-56 lead when NaDosha Strickland found Jennifer Wair in the paint for a layup with 4:00 left.

However, Co-Lin’s Nikki Williams answered with two consecutive 3-pointers to give the Lady Wolves a lead they would not relinquish. Williams led all scorers with 29 points and drew the praise of Allen.

“Williams had a great performance,” Allen said. “Scoring 29 points in the championship game is outstanding on her part.”

Erica Trahan also had a big game for Co-Lin, scoring 14 points of her own and giving the Lady Eagles major problems in the paint.

“She gives us the most problems,” Allen said. “We don’t have a big inside presence and she’s just a moose inside. She’s a very strong inside player.”

Strickland led MCC with 17 points while point guard Holly Dial had 12. Latham chipped in with 11 and Anesia McBride talled 10 points.

Strickland and McBride were named to the Region 23 All-Tournament Team, and Allen praised Dial for her efforts.

“Holly Dial is the heart and soul of this team,” Allen said. “She’s our point guard and leader on the floor. The team goes as she goes. We have other players who are very talented but Holly made them better with her play. She’s a once in a lifetime player to coach.”

MCC Lady Eagles one W away from NJCAA National Champ. Tourney

By Jeff Edwards / assistant sports editor
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles might be small, but what they lack for in size, they make up for in hustle and tenacity.

That was never more evident than in the Lady Eagles’ 86-74 win over Jones County Junior College in the semifinals of the Region 23 Tournament here at Mississippi College’s A.E. Wood Coliseum.

MCC led throughout and withstood a late charge by the Lady Bobcats to advance to the tournament championship game against Copiah-Lincoln tonight at 6 p.m.

Even though Jones had two big inside players in Pauline Love and Rosemary Green, the Lady Eagles were quicker to every loose ball and withstood constant pressure that led to fast-break baskets.

“That’s my style of play anyway, but it’s definitely my style of play with the team we have,” MCC coach Hilary Allen said. “We’re lacking in size but we’re very quick and we use that to our advantage.”

Surprisingly, the Lady Eagles also held a 32-31 rebound advantage over the Lady Bobcats.

“When you look at the team, we do lack in size, but we have kids who really rebound the ball well in Jennifer Wair and NaDosha Strickland” Allen said.

“And Anesia McBride gets all those loose ball and junk rebounds that you just can’t teach. That’s all hustle.”

After trailing most of the first half, the Lady Eagles took their first lead when Strickland sank a driving layup to give MCC at 26-24 advantage with 6:10 left in the first half. The Lady Eagles never trailed again.

MCC led 38-30 at halftime and steadily pulled away in the first 13 minutes of the second half, taking its biggest lead when Strickland made a basket to put the Lady Eagles up 70-54 with 7:20 remaining.

Jones would not go quietly, turning up the pressure defense and forcing four consecutive MCC turnovers at one point. The Lady Bobcats ripped

off a 14-2 run over the next 5 minutes to cut the lead to 72-68 with 3:06 remaining.

“Jones has got the option of playing big or fast and when they picked it up and started playing fast, it caused us problems,” Allen said. “They created steals out of their press and it led to easy baskets for them.”

But the Lady Eagles finally broke the press on their next possession which led to a Strickland layup and seemed to calm the nerves of the MCC players.

Jones pulled within four once more but Meridian was 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final minute to preserve the win. Meridian was 17-of-19 from the line in the game.

Strickland once again led all scorers with 32 points and eight rebounds while McBride added 20 points and nine boards. Carla Latham also had 11 points in the winning effort.

Love and Green led Jones with 16 points apiece while Kelsey Hopkins had 14 and Kim Lewis chipped in with 10.

According to Allen, MCC’s hustle was the key to the double-digit victory.

“We talked about hustling before the game,” Allen said. “We had to come up with hustle points. We came up with a lot of loose balls that led to a lot of second chance possessions and baskets for us.”

Strickland, MCC shock Northeast

By Jeff Edwards / assistant sports editor
The Meridian Star

CLINTON — Meridian Lady Eagle coach Hilary Allen continuously touts NaDosha Strickland as one of the top junior college women’s players in Mississippi.

Tuesday night, in the quarterfinals of the Region 23 Tournament, she lived up to the billing.

Strickland scored 32 points, including hitting the game-tying 3 at the end of regulation and the game-winning free throws with 0.8 seconds left in overtime to carry MCC to a stunning 82-81 overtime win over MACJC state champion Northeast Mississippi.

“I told her back in October in our fourth practice that she would hit a game-winning shot at some point in time,” Allen said. “I didn’t know when it would happen, but I knew she’d have the chance and it would be up to her to convert.”

Meridian (16-10) trailed 68-65 after Northeast’s Krystal Robinson made one of two free throws with 11.2 seconds left in regulation. The Lady Eagles hurried the ball down the court for Carla Latham to shoot a quick 3. Latham missed, but Strickland grabbed the offensive rebound, ran back behind the 3-point line and nailed a desperation shot from the corner as the horn sounded.

“I couldn’t believe it went in,” Strickland said. “I work on my 3s in practice but I’m not as routine as the other 3-point shooters on the team.”

Northeast (19-7) recovered after Strickland’s shot and led throughout overtime, taking a 81-77 lead with 16.3 seconds left on two free throws by Whitney Mayes.

However, Latham kept hope alive for MCC when she nailed a 3 from the top of the key with 6.3 seconds remaining to cut the lead to one. The Lady Eagles then forced a jump ball after the inbounds pass, with the possession arrow pointing their way with 3.9 left.

Strickland took the inbounds pass and went baseline where she was fouled with 0.8 seconds remaining. Northeast called two consecutive timeouts to try to ice her, but Allen knew the game was over.

“I told the team (in the huddle) that I’ve got the kid I want shooting free throws.”

Strickland made that faith pay off, coolly swishing both attempts to give MCC the stunning win over the defending Region 23 champions.

“I shoot them everyday in practice,” Strickland said. “I had missed some earlier but I just did what I do every day in practice.”

The fact Meridian was even in the game at the end was something of a surprise. The Lady Eagles trailed by 10 points at halftime and Northeast stretched the lead to 50-35 with 13:05 remaining.

However, MCC went on a 13-2 run to trim the deficit to 52-48 with 8:30 left and stayed in a holding pattern the rest of the way.

“We never gave up,” Strickland said. “We don’t have any big players but we hustle after every loose ball and rebound. We may be little, but we never give up.”

Northeast had numerous opportunities to put the game away in the final minutes, but failed at the free throw line. The Lady Tigers were only 7-of-14 from the line in the final 6 minutes of the game and only 4-of-8 in the final minute.

“Down the stretch, we didn’t put it away,” Northeast coach Ricky Ford said. “We didn’t have that killer instinct. You miss seven free throws, you can’t expect to win a game.”

In addition to Strickland’s 32 points and 10 rebounds, Meridian’s Anesia McBride had 21 points and Jennifer Wair 16. Erica Grayson led Northeast with 20 points.

Meridian now advances to tonight’s semifinal game at 8 p.m. against South Division rival Jones — which beat Mississippi Delta 89-77 Tuesday.

For the Lady Eagles, the win was sweet redemption for the close games they’ve lost. MCC lost two games in overtime in the regular season, as well as two games by two points and another game by four points.

“You say we’ve lost a lot of close games this year and that’s true,” Allen said. “But NaDosha Strickland has taken the big shots in those close games and was getting herself prepared for tonight.”

MCC Golf Captures RUSH/SPRING INVITATIONAL

MERIDIAN – The Meridian Community College men’s golf team shot a team score of 298 at historic Northwood Country Club to win MCC/Rush Spring Invitational by five shots. MCC was the only team in the event to break 300. MACJC rival, Mississippi Gulf Coast came in at second place with a 303. The win was MCC’s fourth on the 2006-07 season.

“For the sophomore class, this makes it a clean sweep in MCC hosted events,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich. “I’m really proud, the guys showed a lot of maturity out there when they certainly didn’t have their “A” game.”

Sophomore Justin Eaves and freshman Jarrod Lemaster led MCC’s scoring with rounds of 73. Eagle freshman, Bryant Self shot 74, while sophomore Dustin Petit fired a 78. Curt Sparks shot an 85 to round out MCC’s A-team scoring.

Freshman Michael Burton of West Lauderdale led the scoring for the MCC B-team with a round of 76. Zach Rushing and Joshua Ivy fired rounds of 81, while Ryan Hill shot an 82. Cole Clopton shot an 88. Reid Kennedy of Meridian shot an 80 competing as an individual for MCC.

T. Robert Oakley, of Northwest MS CC, shot an even-par round of 71 to win the medalist title.

Co-Lin’s, Grant McDonnieal shot 72 and was named to the All Tournament team along with Eaves, Lemaster, and Self of MCC. MS Gulf Coast players, Drew Goff, Chris Loughlin and Stone Thames were also named All Tournament with rounds of 75.

MCC will travel to Canton, Miss for the Holmes Inv. on March 7th at Colonial-Deerfield Country Club.

Lady Eagle, Strickland, named All-Region

After leading her Lady Eagles to a birth in the NJCAA Region XXIII tournament, freshman Nadosha Stickland of Bay Springs received All Region honors announced Monday by head coach Hilary Allen.


Strickland led the Lady Eagles in several categories, including scoring with over 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. She also averaged nearly 3.5 steals per game.


Stickland, along with the rest of her team, will be in action at the NJCAA Region XXIII tournament Tuesday, March 6 at Mississippi College.

MCC, ECCC to compete in Region 23 Tourney

By Jeff Edwards / assistant sports editor
The Meridian Star

After coming up on the wrong end of a three-way tie and being left out of the MACJC State Tournament, the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles thought their season might have come to an end.

However, the Lady Eagles got a reprieve when they qualified for the Region 23 Tournament which begins Tuesday at Mississippi College.

“It was pretty tough (waiting to see if we qualified),” Lady Eagle coach Hilary Allen said. “We didn’t have any control over it. But we did what we had to do in the regular season to make the tournament.”

MCC isn’t the only local team the make the Region 23 tourney. The Lady Warriors of East Central Community College also qualified for the tournament after falling in the first round of the state tourney to eventual state champion Northeast Mississippi.

“Anytime we make a regional we feel like we’ve had a pretty decent season,” ECCC coach Billy Smith said. “We’re happy to still be playing at this point.”

Meridian brings an overall record ot 15-10 into the tournament while East Central is 16-9.

Both teams face extremely tough tests in their opening games. East Central will take on nationally-ranked MACJC state runnerup Co-Lin Tuesday at 2 p.m. while Meridian will face MACJC State Champion Northeast in the following game at 6 p.m.

“I got a chance to watch Northeast play in the championship game and they are an outstanding team,” Allen said. “They won the championship going away. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Neither team has played in awhile, with MCC missing the state tournament entirely and East Central playing just one game. Both coaches have to be wary of the layoff affecting their teams.

“It’s an unusual situation,” Allen said. “Twelve days between games is unusual for us. We have had great practices and come up with gamelike situations but Northeast played three games last week and we didn’t play any. We haven’t done that before.”

Smith said he hasn’t spent the week working on new things, just continuing with fundamentals.

“At this point, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s hard to learn anything new,” Smith said. “We’ve had a week to prepare and are going the the basics and conditioning work.”

Both coaches think their respective teams have a chance to pull upsets in the tournament. Five of East Central’s nine losses were by two points or less while MCC suffered two overtime losses and two more losses by four points or less.

“We feel that finishing in a tie for third in the South Division makes us one of the top teams in the region,” Allen said of his Lady Eagles. “It’s time for us to go play like we’re one of the top teams in the region.”

Smith thinks that his girls have a chance to surprise some people in the tournament.

“We’re glad to be playing still,” Smith said. “Now our goal is to win three in a row and make it to the national tournament.”

MCC takes two from Chipola

from staff reports

The Meridian Community College Eagles swept a doubleheader from highly-touted Chipola (Fla.) Community College Friday.

The Eagles took game one 10-5 and won game two by a 9-1 score. The two wins improved MCC’s record to 13-3 on the season.

In the first game, the Eagles scored seven runs in the first two innings to jump out to a big lead.

Michael Guerrero got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the first inning and Tyler Moore added to that with a three-run blast in the second. Toddrick Stevenson and Matt Holliman also had RBI hits in the second inning.

Chipola scored twice in the fourth to close the gap before Guerrero hit his second homer of the game, this one a solo blast.

Chipola scored twice more in the fifth, but once again MCC answered, plating two runs on RBIs by Josh Demoney and Nathan Wright.

Lee Swindle picked up the complete-game victory, allowing only two earned runs on 10 hits.

MCC was even more dominant in the second game. A three-run second inning and six-run third were all the scoring the Eagles needed.

In the second, Moore hit a solo homer before Drew Snider had an RBI single and Demoney hit an RBI double.

Snider drove in two more runs in the third on another single and Wright drove in another run with a single of his own. Snider scored on an error before Stevenson drove in the final two runs with a double.

Kedrick Martin picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits in five innings. Jason Coats pitched the final two innings, allowing only one hit.