MCC softball inks MHS standout

(MERIDIAN) – Meridian Community College softball head coach, Robert Eakins, announced that Meridian high School standout Victoria Moore has signed with the Lady Eagles.

Moore, a left-handed outfielder and pitcher for the Cats, has been named All Division 5A five times in slow pitch and fast pitch softball. In her junior season, she was named All State 5A after batting .439 in 2007.

In 2007 she led the Cats to Division and South State Championships and a Runner-Up finish in the State Championship.

As a senior she led the team in batting average with a .407, runs batted in and slugging percentage. She was named best defensive outfielder with a .965 defensive average and was given the Slugging Award and Pitching Award.

“Although Victoria is listed as an outfielder she is a player that can play several positions. We recruited her to play the outfield but as the year will unfold we may count on her to help us in several positions,” said MCC coach Robert Eakins.

“Coming of a good career at MHS she has the chance to a great player for us. She is a raw athlete that has good speed, size, arm strength, and a natural swing at the plate. The tools are there it is just a matter of her adapting quickly to the game at this level. We are looking forward to working with her and using her talents to help us have a great deal of success the upcoming season.”

MCC tennis players given National Sportsmanship Awards

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College tennis players, Elliott Clark and Kelly Sterling have been named recipients of the Arthur Ashe Jr. National Sportsmanship Award by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. This TA award, which dates back to 1984, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA and NJCAA men’s and women’s players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements their sophomore year. This award is given by the ITA in conjunction with the United States Tennis Association.

Both Clark and Sterling were honored at the NJCAA National Banquet at their respective national tournaments. The process for this award begins with a nomination from the player’s coach. A supporting letter must be submitted by the candidate’s coach and a supporting letter from the nominee must state his/her accomplishments and personal philosophy as they relate to his/her involvement in activities to help others.

The selection process then selects Regional winners for each of the four regions located across the country. MCC is in Region III which is comprised of Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. Each regional winner receives a special award certificate from ITA and is named on the ITA website. The National Arthur Ashe Jr. Award Winner (for Sportsmanship and Leadership) will be honored by the USTA and ITA at a special awards luncheon held in the USTA President’s Dining Room during the 2009 U. S. Open on Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day. Courtesy of the USTA and the ITA, the national winner will be flown to New York City for a weekend of festivities including a Friday evening “TEAM DINNER”, the ITA Collegiate Team Awards Luncheon on Saturday and the chance to watch the Center Court Show during Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day from the President’s Box. Sunday events are also set with breakfast with the mayor of New York.

The ITA has long been recognized as one of the best organized collegiate sports associations. It is a non-profit organization, which serves as the governing body of collegiate tennis in the US. It administers a comprehensive calendar of tournaments and events and a far-reaching awards program. The ITA has as its goal to improve the level of intercollegiate tennis competition and the quality of college tennis coaching. It is comprised of nearly 1, 700 men’s and women’s coaches representing over 1,200 institutions across the country form all three NCAA divisions, the NAIA, and Junior and Community Colleges. The ITA oversees activities involving over 15, 000 varsity college student-athletes.

Elliott Clark is the son of Bobby and Cherry Clark. He is a Meridian native and played high school tennis at West Lauderdale and developed his talent under the tutelage of Rod Hartzog, former tennis pro at Northwood Country Club.

As a freshman he played No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles with Lamar High School product, Dawson Dyess. On a much improved team this season, Clark played No. 3 doubles with partner Jeremy Purdum of Laurel. Clark has signed to continue his tennis career at Belhaven College. Clark was the team captain this year and brought much maturity to a very young team. He has been the recipient of the Ricardo Calderon Spanish Award, was named to Who’s Who Among Outstanding Junior and Community College Students, was a member and on the executive board of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was chosen as a Coca Cola “Best of the Class”, and was inducted into the Circle of Excellence at graduation. He was also selected as male scholar athlete of the year at awards night. He graduated with highest honors with a 3.94 GPA.

“Elliott is ever the gentleman. He is truly a “cut above the rest.” Sportsmanship is his mantra,” said MCC tennis coach, Wanda McPhail.

“This is not to say that he does not get upset when he loses because he does and sometimes he shows that he is upset; however, he conducts himself always as a gentleman. He has been a valuable asset to the team this season offering maturity and guidance. He should serve as a role model to others of what the term student-athlete means. He exemplifies what we should all look for in a player-sportsmanship, leadership, scholarship, and service.”

Clark plans to seek a law degree and wants to be a prosecuting attorney someday.


Kelly Sterling is the daughter of Mike and Nancy Sterling. She played high school tennis at Meridian High School for Coach Thad George. Kelly was the co-captain of the women’s tennis team at MCC this year. She played No. 2 singles for two years. Her freshman season she played number two doubles with Katy Shoptaugh and her sophomore season she played number one doubles with Anna Vavrik. Kelly was an Ivy League Recruiter and a member and Vice-President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She participated in the Appalachian Leadership Program this year. She was the recipient of the Lucille Rosenbaum Scholarship at Awards Night and female scholar athlete of the year. She was also chosen for the Circle of Excellence at graduation. She graduated with honors finishing with a 3.87 GPA.

“Kelly was the heart of the MCC team; her work ethic is unquestionable,” said MCC tennis coach Wanda McPhail.

“She led by example. Sportsmanship is more than being “a good sport.” Sportsmanship can be defined as never giving up no matter the odds, helping teammates out when needed, fighting through adversity and being gracious when winning or losing. Sportsmanship is holding oneself to the highest standards academically, athletically, morally, and giving back to society. Kelly epitomizes all of these things.”

Sterling will continue her studies at Mississippi State University next year. She plans to get an Occupational Therapy degree.

Eagles finish sixth in nation

Westbrook named All-American

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — For the third day in a row, Meridian Community College freshman Garrett Westbrook birdied his final hole at the NJCAA Division I National Championship played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail- Hampton Cove River Course.

Friday’s birdie putt helped MCC secure sixth place and Westbrook earned All-American status as he finished tied for 11th after a 297 four-day total (76-72-76-73).

The Eagles claimed a top-10 national finish in their first Division I National Championship after a final round 295, their best score of the week.

“I am so proud of this team,” MCC coach Sean Covich said. “We came in here ranked 12th and were in 13th place after Day 2. To move up seven spots over the last 36 holes is great, you always love finishing with your best stuff.”

Leading the way for MCC on the final day was sophomore Jarrod Moulds, who tied his career low with a 1-under-par 71. Moulds finished with a 304 (76-80-77-71).

MCC sophomore Clay Bounds had a solid week, shooting 302 (73-75-76-78).

Freshman Cory Williamson had a solid final two rounds finishing with a 301 total (78-79-71-73).

Freshman Nick Hawkes finally contributed the final day and finished with a 329 (87-80-84-78).

McLennan (Texas) Community College won the National Championship with 1185 (290-294-304-297).

Midland College golfer Tommy Sikes won the medalist title with a 285 (68-75-72-69).

Eagles make big move on day three, climb into sixth place

Williamson shoots team low, 1-under par

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - The Meridian Community College golf team finished day three of the NJCAA Division I National Championship with the second lowest score of the day. The Eagles shot their tournament low, a 12-over par 300 at the par 72, 7, 192 -yard River Course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove in Huntsville, AL. MCC now stands alone in sixth place, as they were the biggest movers on day three with a seven spot up from 13th.

"This was the round we had been looking for," said third year MCC head golf coach Sean Covich.

“In our first team meeting I told the guys if we just shoot 300 everyday we’ll be near the top, well it took us a few rounds but we finally shot that number.”

MCC freshman, Cory Williamson, shook off his first two round struggles and started the third round sinking a 12-foot eagle putt on the par-5 1st hole. He went on to make two more birdies on the day, finishing the day at 1-under 71. After three rounds, Williamson is 12-over par 228 (78-79-71).

"Everyday our low individual score has been lower and lower, Clay had 1-over on day one, Garrett Even par on day two and now Cory 1-under on day three, hope that means something even lower tomorrow,” added Covich.

MCC golfers, Clay Bounds and Garrett Westbrook, are currently tied in the top 15 individual standings at 12th place. Bounds and Westbrook both carded 4-over par rounds of 76 in the third round to finish with three-day totals of 8-over 224. Bounds shot 73-75-76 and Westbrook shot 76-72-76.

MCC sophomore, Jarrod Moulds, struggled on the first six holes shooting 5-over par on that stretch, but then managed to shoot even par the rest of his round to shoot a 5-ver par 77 on day three. After three rounds, Moulds is at 17-over par 233 (76-80-77).

The Eagles once again dropped the score from freshman Nick Hawkes who is struggling this week. Hawkes sits at 35-over par 251 (87-80-84).

McLennan (TX) Community College leads the team race with a 888 (290-294-304), while New Mexico Junior College is in second place with a 896 (295-295-306). Jason Hamilton of Lon Morris College and Tommy Sikes of Midland College are leading the medalist race with Even par after 54 holes.

MCC is seven shots out of third place and only one stroke out of the top five. The Eagles came into the national tournament ranked 12th in the NJCAA.

“At the start of the week I said that a top ten would be nice but a top five would be really special for our first season in Division I,” said Covich.

“I’m just proud of the guys this week because this course is so difficult and to have two rounds of even par or lower already says a lot about their talent, I just hope we can finish this thing off on a positive note tomorrow.”

The Eagles will be paired with former national champions, Indian Hills (IA) College and Central Alabama Community College for the final round on Friday. Action begins at 10:30 A.M.

“It’s an honor for MCC golf to be playing in the same pairings with those great programs,” said Covich.

“They have combined for nearly ten national titles and for us to be in the mix with them says a lot.”

Live scoring available on golfstat.com

Westbrook fires Even Par, MCC falls to 13th

Bounds, Westbrook in top 15

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - Meridian Community College freshman golfer, Garrett Westbrook, drained a ten foot long birdie putt on his final hole Wednesday to shoot a team low, even par, 72 at the NJCAA Division I National Championship in Huntsville, Ala.

"Garrett had one of the best scoring rounds I've ever seen," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

Westbrook stands at 4-over total at 148 (76-72) and is tied for 13th place.

"He hit very few fairways and very few greens but he scored well and that's what golf is all about. He made par from places most folks would make bogey, it was just one of those rounds that he had to grind."

Despite the even par round from Westbrook, MCC struggled on the second day with a team score of 306 to drop a four spots from 9th place in the team standings down to 13th heading into the third round.

After a 1-over par 73 on day one, sophomore Clay Bounds shot a solid 3-over par 75 on Wednesday. Bounds is tied for 13th in the individual standings at 148 (+4).

Freshman Cory Williamson posted a 7-over par 79 in round two. Nick Hawkes and Jarrod Moulds both posted rounds of 8-over par 80 on Wednesday.

"We lost ground again today," said Covich.

"We had two rounds under 75 but once again failed to get all four scores under 75. We will try and climb the leader board tomorrow."

McLennan (TX) Community College leads the tournament with a 584 (290-294), New Mexico Junior College is in second place with a 590 (295-295), and Frank Phillips (TX) College is in third place with a 594 (299-295).

Leading the individual standings is Jens Johansson of New Mexico JC who stands at 2-under par for the event (71-71).

Meridian will be paired with Wallace (AL) State and Scottsdale (AZ) College tomorrow. The teams will begin play at 9:30 AM.

Scoring available at www.golfstat.com


Garrett Westbrook
76
72
148

Clay Bounds
73
75
148

Jarrod Moulds
76
80
156

Cory Williamson
78
79
157

Nick Hawkes
87
80
167

MERIDIAN CC
303
306
609

Bounds leads MCC at Nationals

Eagles in top ten after day one

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - Meridian Community College sophomore, Clay Bounds led the Eagles on Tuesday in the opening round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship in Huntsville, AL.

Bounds fired a team low round of 1-over par, 73 on the 7,129 yard long River Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove.

The former Lamar High School standout used three birdies (#4, #10 and #13) to shoot his eighth round under 75 this season. He is currently in the top 15 out of 120 golfers.

"We had the feeling during the practice rounds that Clay would play really well this week and he certainly did on day one," said MCC coach Sean Covich.

MCC is currently in a tie for ninth place with a 303 team score.

"As a team we were just a few shots off our goal of 300," added Covich.

"We were really just one shot per player away from breaking 300 and being happy right now, but you can't win this thing on the first day and we're still in it- just need sub-300 scores the rest of the way."

The Eagles had a 73 from Bounds, a pair of 4-over par rounds of 76 from Jarrod Moulds and Garrett Westbrook, and a 6-over par round of 78 from Cory Williamson. MCC dropped the 87 shot by Nick Hawkes.

Central Alabama Community College and McLennan (TX) Community College lead the 24-team field with rounds of 290. Midland (TX) College is third with a 294, and New Mexico Junior College is in fourth with a 295. Three teams are tied for fifth with a 299.

”The leader board is really crowded at the top, and there is a lot of golf yet to be played,” said Covich.

“We really need a 295 or around there tomorrow to jump into the top five.”

Tommy Sikes of Midland leads the individual race with an opening round of 3-under par, 69. Garrett Driver of McLennan and Zach Primavera of CACC are tied for second with 2-under par rounds of 70.

The tournament continues tomorrow and concludes on Friday.

Scoring available on www.golfstat.com.

http://www.golfstatresults.com//public/index.cfm?tournament_id=1521

MCC golf set for opening round of NJCAA DI National Championship

(HUNTSVILLE, Ala.) - Unseasonably cool temperatures and soggy conditions greeted the participating teams at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove in Huntsville for practice rounds at the 2009 NJCAA Division I Men's Golf National Championship.

Among the 24 teams from across the country participating this week is Meridian Community College, who learned their tee times and pairings for the first two rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Eagles, currently ranked as the No. 12 team in the country, will start at 10:20 AM on Tuesday and will be paired with Iowa Western College and Paris (TX) Junior College. In the second round, MCC will start at 9:30 AM on Wednesday and will be paired with Iowa Western and Paris again.

"We have a really good starting time for the first two days," said MCC golf coach, Sean Covich, who has now led the Eagles to two national championship tournament appearances in the past three seasons.

"We're in the middle wave both days which means we'll avoid having to play really early and really late in the first two rounds."

For the final two rounds on Thursday and Friday, Tournament Officials will repair the teams according to score.

"The first two practice rounds (Sunday and Monday) the course was still pretty wet," added Covich.

"But it dried up a bit today and the forecast is for sunny skies with warmer temperatures the rest of the week which will help."

The four-day competition will feature four 18-hole rounds starting Tuesday and ending Friday. The 72-hole national championship is being played on the RTJ-Hampton Cove's River Course at 7,192 yards long and a par 72.

This is MCC's 12th national championship tournament appearance but the program's first Division I national tournament as the Eagles were a member of Division II until this season.

"The boys are playing well," said Covich.

"We've had five consecutive top three team finishes to end the season, so this is the best we've played all season."

Live scoring will be available on www.golfstat.com starting Tuesday.

Trojans eliminate Eagles

from staff reports

Whenever Meridian Community College made a push Saturday, Seminole (Okla.) State had the answer.

The result was a 6-4 Trojans win that eliminated the Eagles from the NJCAA South Central District tournament at Metro Community College-Longview in Kansas City, Mo., following a deluge Friday night that left the Maple Woods field flooded.

Seminole State defeated the host Monarchs 4-3 earlier Saturday and the two teams will meet again today to decide the district champion and earn a berth in the NJCAA World Series.

“That was just a good baseball game,” MCC coach Chris Rose said. “It was well-played on both sides. They just made a couple of big-time plays that were game-changers.

“Brent Tanner was up with guys on first and second and hits an absolute laser down the line that the first baseman snagged. Just a couple more inches and we’re talking runs. The center fielder makes one of the best catches I’ve ever seen to rob us a home run in the last inning.

“If you’re going to win it, you make plays like that and they did.”

The Trojans (39-17) delivered the first blow, scoring four in the top of the fourth. One day, though, after being hammered 18-3, the Eagles (37-19) would battle back.

Following a Corey Dickerson ground out, Jordan King and Brent Tanner each singled. Folowing a walk to Wesley Thigpen, William Beckwith provided a two-run double and Johnathan pace added an RBI single to pull MCC within 4-3.

After Seminole pushed the lead to 5-3, MCC again answered. After former West Lauderdale standout Tyler Vick walked in the sixth, Thigpen reached on a fielder’s choice and would then score on another Beckwith double.

It was as close as the Eagles would get, though. MCC would be robbed of a home run in the ninth and would get the tying run to the plate following a two-out walk in the last frame, but the Eagles were unable to capitalize.

“I don’t know it was the two week layover that we hadn’t played much, but we weren’t as potent offensively as we had been for the vast majority of the year,” Rose said. “We didn’t hit a home run in either game, and that’s a big part of our offense. It just didn’t happen for us.”

Mandella Mingo started for MCC, pitching four innings before Jared Cavenaugh relieved. Mingo retired the first nine batters he faced.

“Mingo was absolutely unbelievable,” Rose said. “That was far and away the best game he’s pitched all year and he’s pitched well many times.

“Cavenaugh then came in and did an exceptional job.”

Monarchs maul Eagles

Rain postpones remainder of NJCAA district tourney slate

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Even before rain hit Friday afternoon, there was a downpour on the Maple Woods campus as the host Monarchs hammered Meridian Community College 18-2 in the first game of the NJCAA South Central District tournament.

Seminole (Okla.) State led Maple Woods 1-0 after four innings in the second game before the rain arrived. The Eagles and Trojans were also scheduled to play Friday afternoon. Instead, MCC coach Chris Rose said there will be a coaches’ meeting this morning to revise the schedule once the field conditions are known.

The Eagles (37-18) got off to a quick start in Friday’s opener, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Brent Tanner singled with two outs and moved to second on a passed ball before former West Lauderdale star Tyler Vick drove him home with a single. Vick now has 71 RBIs.

After Maple Woods (39-17) tied it in the home half, MCC again grabbed the lead. Jonathan Pace singled to open the second and moved to third on a Taylor Scarborough single and scored on a Kenny Sanders grounder.

From there it was all Monarchs. Maple Woods scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good before scoring 10 in the third, all unearned, to seize control.

“It was horrible,” Rose said. “We couldn’t play defense. They score 18 runs and, I think, only four were earned. (Starting pitcher Eric) Callender was pitching well.)

“We’ve just got to find a way to come back and get it done. We’ve been in elimination games before. If we had lost 18-2 and just been overwhelmed, it would be disheartening. But, I’ve checked on the team and they’re good. Maple Woods is a good team, but they can be beaten.”

MCC basketball players ink with four-year programs

(MERIDIAN) – Meridian Community College men’s basketball head coach, George Brooks, announced that three Eagle sophomores have signed national letters of intent to continue their careers at the next level.

Brandon Baker, Mario Luckett and Travis Thompson all signed to play for four-year schools starting in 2009-2010.

Baker, from Opelika, Ala., signed to play with the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The 7 foot tall center, averaged 9 points, 11 rebounds and 7 blocks per game during the 2008-2009 season at MCC.

Luckett, from Vicksburg, signed to play with Tougaloo College. The 6 foot 5 inch tall forward averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals per game during his sophomore season at MCC. The former Warren Central High School standout lettered two seasons at Meridian.

Thompson, from Memphis, Tenn., signed to play for Lemoyne-Owen College. The 6 foot 6 inch tall forward averaged a double-double during his time with the Eagles with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Over 30 players have now gone on to four-year schools during the George Brooks Era at MCC.

Eagles face loaded field

By Rocky Higginbotham / Sports Editor

Fans in Kansas City, Mo., who are able to take in this weekend’s NJCAA South Central District Baseball Tournament will not only see three talented teams — but a trio of programs steeped in tradition.

Region 23 champion Meridian Community College is one of those teams, in Kansas City this weekend to battle host Maple Woods and Seminole (Okla.) State in a three-team, double-elimination event, which will decide who represents the district in the Juco World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., on May 23-30.

MCC and its high-powered offense is 37-17 — the same record sported by perennial power Seminole. Maple Woods, meanwhile, is 38-17.

“At this point in the season, everybody you play is going to be good,” MCC coach Chris Rose said. “That’s certainly the case with both of these teams.

“There’s a reason they’re here. Both of these teams are good and they’ve played good schedules.”

MCC, which hit the road in the wee hours of Thursday morning, will play a pair of games in the district tournament today.

The Eagles will take the field at 10 a.m. against the host Monarchs. Seminole faces Maple Woods at 1 p.m., and Meridian goes up against Seminole at 4 p.m. The tournament wraps up Saturday.

“Seminole is a just a power year-in-and year out,” Rose said. “They’ve probably been to the World Series more than anybody else except San Jac (five-time national champ San Jacinto).

“Maple Woods is very strong and has come on after a slow start. They’ve started to figure out things offensively and started scoring a bunch of runs.

“It’s really just going to come down to whoever is hot or whoever makes the fewest mistakes. It might come down to something on the basepaths or something as simple as getting a bunt down or not getting a bunt down.”

MCC, fresh off its 10th region championship, is looking for its eighth juco World Series trip and first since 2004. In fact, 15 of the high-powered Eagles’ 17 losses have come by one run.

Sophomore infielder Tyler Vick leads the potent offense with a school-record 24 home runs (he also holds the career mark with 39). Vick is hitting .415 with 70 RBIs and an .881 slugging percentage — and he also has 14 doubles.

Jordan King leads the team with a .418 batting average and also sports 14 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases; while Brent Tanner bats .396 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs, 17 doubles and is second on the team with a .514 on-base percentage.

Among the other big sticks in MCC’s lineup: Corey Dickerson (.381, 54 RBIs, 21 doubles, 15 home runs, 14 steals); William Beckwith (.388, 32 RBIs, 13 steals, .519 on-base percentage); Wesley Thigpen (.381, 11 home runs, 15 doubles, 50 RBIs); Jonothan Pace (.367, 35 RBIs) and Kenny Sanders — who was 4-for-5 in the region-clinching win against Delgado and has his average up to .329.

Eric Callender (2-1, 2.26 earned-run average), Garrett Harris (5-3, 47 strikeouts in 55 1-3 innings) and former Newton County star Jared Cavenaugh lead the MCC pitching staff. Cavenaugh is 8-2 with a 4.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 55 1-3 innings.

Freshman Mandella Mingo is 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA, Blake Hennington of Enterprise is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA and the staff also includes ex-Lake star Jason Judge, Leake Academy product Allen Johnson and Alan Williams.

Seminole just won the Region 2 title for the 20th time, and the Trojans are seeking their 15th South Central title and 15th trip to the juco World Series.

Terrance Jackson is the star for Seminole both on the mound and at the plate. Jackson is hitting .418 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs, and he is also 7-2 on the hill with a 4.11 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 50 1-3 innings.

Jordan Underwood (4-0) and Dustin Andrews (4-1) are other key arms for the Trojans — whose program has sent a long list of players to the Major Leagues, including current big-leaguer Adam LaRoche.

David Chester (.362, 10 HR, 48 RBIs) and Ky Burgess (.378, 31 RBIs) provide offense along with Jackson.

Maple Woods, meanwhile, has built quite the reputation in the last decade or so. The Monarchs — whose alumni include current St. Louis Cardinals star and MVP Albert Pujols — have eight Region 16 titles to their credit, all in the last 12 years.

Kyle Jackson (9-2, 63 strikeouts in 60 innings) and Chris Thomas (7-2, 1.67 ERA, 59 strikeouts in 54 innings) head up the Maple Woods pitching staff, while Steven Ross carries a big stick for the Monarchs with a .418 batting average, nine home runs and 56 RBIs.

Eagles head to District

If anyone has an advantage heading into this weekend’s NJCAA South Central District Baseball Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., it would appear to be Metropolitan Community College’s Maple Woods team — which will get to play on its home field.

After all, trying to judge the trio of teams by their won-loss records won’t get you anywhere.

“Their records are almost identical to ours and they’ve both played very good competition throughout the year,” Meridian Community College coach Chris Rose said of Maple Woods and Seminole (Okla.) State — the two teams his Eagles face in the two-day tourney which will decide who goes to the Juco World Series.

Maple Woods, the Region 16 champ, comes in with a 38-17 overall record — just one game better than both Meridian and Region 2 champ Seminole, who are each 37-17.

The Eagles will face a schedule in the three-team, double-elimination tournament in Kansas City similar to the one they went through when they won the Region 23 championship in New Orleans a week ago.

“It’s the exact same tournament format we were in during the regionals ... and we’re seeded in the same part of the bracket, so we play the first and third games on the first day.”

MCC, which left shortly after midnight this morning, will practice from 3-5 p.m. today in Kansas City.

Friday, the Eagles will take the field at 10 a.m. against the host Monarchs. Seminole faces Maple Woods at 1 p.m., and Meridian goes up against Seminole at 4 p.m.

The tournament wraps up Saturday, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA Division 1 Junior College World Series May 23-30 in Grand Junction, Colo.

MCC Golf prepares for NJCAA national championship

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –The Meridian Community College golf team will tee off at the NJCAA National Championship for the 12th time in the school’s history on Tuesday, May 19. However, this will be the program’s first ever appearance at the Division I level. The Eagle competed at the Division II level in the years before 2009. This years NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship will be played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove Golf Course in Huntsville, Ala.

“All the RTJ golf courses are spectacular and challenging, this one is no different,” said MCC head coach, Sean Covich.

“The defining characteristics of this course would have to be the length at nearly 7,500 yards long and the elevated greens that are extremely undulating. We’re not used to bent grass greens with this much break, but the good thing for us is that in the fall we played a 54-hole event on this course so that experience should help a little.”

The Eagle lineup will include team stroke average leader, freshman Garrett Westbrook, who is the only MCC golfer to start in all 11 events this season. He has the lowest scoring average on the team, which includes 13 rounds of 76 or lower this season and two rounds of even-par or lower. He led the team in birdies made (59) and has the most All Tournament team honors (3) on the team this season.

Sophomore Clay Bounds of Meridian will add some much needed experience to this young team. Bounds shot a 5-under-par 66 at the Spring Fling College Classic in March and tied the lowest ever score by a MCC golfer. In fact, Bounds has posted two of the lowest scores in MCC golf history with a 67 in his first round as a freshman back in 2007 and his recent 66 at the Spring Fling.

Sophomore Jarrod Moulds of Meridian enters the Championship having notched four career All Tournament Team honors. Moulds best event came this spring where he finished ninth out of 130 golfers in the Spring Fling College Classic.

Freshman Cory Williamson enters the Championship having participated in 10 events for MCC, posting 11 rounds of 76 or below which included two rounds of 72 or lower, and three times this season he was the best MCC individual score.

Freshman Nick Hawkes participated in nine events for MCC this season, posting a season low 1-under par (71) at the NJCAA National Preview played at the RTJ-Hampton Cove course.

“We started this journey back in August-really before that if you consider recruiting this guys back in high school,” said Covich.

“It is special to have Clay and Jarrod, two of Meridian’s own junior golfers, representing MCC in an opportunity to bring a National Championship to their hometown.”

MCC enters the field as the only Mississippi school to advance to the NJCAA Division I National Championship. The Eagles are currently ranked as the No. 12 team in the nation according to NJCAA.com.

“This is the reason kids want to play for MCC, the chance for a national title,” said Covich.

“Four out of the last five years, MCC golf has competed for a national title, we’ve had a few top five’s including two third place finishes but those were all at the Division II level so its hard to know what to expect this season at the highest level.”

MCC participated in the NJCAA Division I National Preview on the RTJ-Hampton Cove Golf Course back in October of 2008, but featured a different line-up than the one playing this week. The Eagles finished tenth in that event out of 20 teams.

MCC basketball announces 2009 recruiting class

(MERIDIAN) – Meridian Community College men’s basketball head coach, George Brooks, announced the latest additions to the 2009 Eagles recruiting class.

Matthew Betts of Collinsville, MS; Cameron Bradley of Wiggins, MS; Deionte Dean of Jackson, MS; Emmanuel Donald of Lake, MS; Kendell Hosten of Houston, TX; Tory Johnson of Birmingham, AL; Edrico McGregor of Nassau, Bahamas; Rashad Robbins of Newton, MS; and Jermal Taylor of Waynesboro, MS have all committed to play for Brooks starting in the fall of ’09.

“We’re excited about this class,” said Brooks.

“Every player in this signing class brings talent and will help us compete for a championship.”

The Eagles are looking for their third consecutive winning season after coming off back to back winning seasons in 2008 and 2009.

Matthew Betts comes to Meridian by way of West Lauderdale high School. The 6 foot guard averaged 18 points per game with 5 rebounds and 4.5 assist per contest. He led the Knights to a 20-11 record his senior season and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

“Matthew is a very good shooter from behind the arch and a good decision maker with the ball,”

“He has a natural ability to score.”

Cameron Bradley comes to Meridian by way of Stone County High School. The 6 foot 5 inch forward is the nephew of former Parade All America, Bubba Wilson who stared for Mississippi State in the mid-90’s. Bradley averaged 15 points per game, 8 rebounds per game and 3 assist per game.

“Cameron is an athletic forward who will provide length and athletic ability,” said Brooks.

“He will also give us a consistent outside jumper to help out our perimeter play.”

Deionte Dean comes to Meridian by way of Forest Hill High School. The 6 foot 8 inch forward is a physical 240 lbs and led his team to the State Tournament with a 29-6 record in 2009. He was named to the Mississippi-Alabama All Star game after averaging a double-double his senior season, with 13 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. Dean also averaged 8 blocks per contest.

“Deionte is a big, physical post player with a great defensive presence and a lot of toughness,” said Brooks

“He is one of the top players in this year’s senior class because he was named a Mississippi-Alabama All Star.”

Emmanuel Donald comes to Meridian by way of Lake high School. The 6 foot 4 inch guard/forward averaged a double-double during his senior campaign. He averaged nearly 20 points per game (19.8) and 11 rebounds per game.

“Emmanuel has a great ability to create plays for himself and his teammates,” said Brooks.

“He is great off the dribble.”

Kendell Hosten comes to Meridian by way of Christian life Center Academy in Houston, TX. The 5 foot 11 inch guard averaged 11 points per game, 8 assist per game and 3 steals per game. He led his team to the National Association of Christian Athletes National Championship in 2009.

“Kendell played in a great league out in Texas,” said Brooks.

“He is a true point guard with great floor leadership and defense.”

Tory Johnson comes to Meridian by way of Wenonah High School in Birmingham, AL. The 6 foot 1 inch guard averaged 26 points per game, 5 assist per game and 4 rebounds per game. He was a First Team All State member in Alabama and led his team to a 20-8 record. He was named the team MVP his senior season.

“Tory is a combination guard- can play the point or the shooting spot for us,” said Brooks.

“He can really score, he is a pure scorer who had three 40 point games, and we are delighted to get him.”

Edrico McGregor comes to Meridian by way of Nassau, Bahamas. The 6 foot 8 inch 220 lbs forward was a member of the Bahamian National Team where he averaged a double-double with 18 points per game, 11 rebounds per game and 5 blocks per game.

“Edrico is a strong athletic forward,” said Brooks.

“He played on the 18 and Under Bahamian National Team.”

Rashad Robins comes to Meridian by way of Newton High School. The 6 foot guard averaged 22 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. He helped lead NHS to a 24-9 record.

“Rashad is an athletic three point shooter who played for a great coach in Crandal Porter at Newton,” said Brooks.

“He will really knock down some threes for us and those outside shoots will help our perimeter threat.”

Jermal Taylor comes to Meridian by way of Wayne County High School. The 5 foot 11 inch guard led the War Eagles to a 28-4 record and the MHSAA State Tournament. He scored 15 points per game, with 5 assist per game and 3 steals per game.

“Jermal will bring penetrating ability and a quick jump shot,” said Brooks.

“He will cause teams problems with his quickness. His coach Ron Norman coached one of our former guards, Reggis Huddleston who is now at Troy University. If you play for Coach Norman you’re going to come here well coached.”

MCC women in 9th place at National Tournament

from combined reports

After two days of play at the NJCAA National Tournament, the Meridian Community College women's tennis team is in ninth place.

Playing at the Randolph Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz., the Lady Eagles have earned 15 points and are currently six points behind Tyler (Texas) Junior College.

Seeded fifth in No. 1 singles, Anna Vavrik opened with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the round of 32, before posting a 6-1, 6-4 victory in Monday's round of 16.

Kelly Sterling, who received the National Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award, took a round of 32 victory 6-0, 6-1; but fell 6-4, 7-6(1) in the round of 16.

At No. 3 singles, seventh-seeded Ashton Hartley dropped her opening round match 6-4, 6-0. In consolation play Tuesday, Hartley picked up an 8-3 win.

Katy Shoptaugh, the sixth seed in No. 5 singles, won her first two matches — 6-0, 6-1 in the round of 32 and 6-4, 6-1 in the round of 16.

Seventh-seed Kayla Daughtrey fell 6-4, 6-1 in the round of 32 in the No. 5 singles. Daughtrey won 8-1 in consolation play Monday.

At No. 6 singles, Claire Massey lost 6-3, 7-6(3) in the opening round. She will continue play in the consolation draw Wednesday.

Doubles play began Tuesday with all three MCC teams picking up wins.

As the No. 4 seed, Vavrik and Sterling won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. Hartley and Shoptaugh won their No. 2 doubles match in come-from-behind fashion, taking a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Massey and Daughtrey won 6-4, 6-2.

Eagles capture region crown

from school reports

BATON ROUGE, La. — Facing elimination, Delgado Community College rallied in the ninth to force a second game Monday to determine the NJCAA Region 23 championship against Meridian Community College.

In the title game, the Dolphins again used a ninth-inning rally to avoid defeat. However, the Eagles responded to claim the region crown with a 15-10 win in 13 innings. Delgado won the first game 14-13. The Eagles advance to the South Central District tournament May 15-16 at the Region 16 champion in Missouri.

“We never gave up,” MCC coach Chris Rose said. “It was a situation where both teams had many opportunities to feel sorry for themselves or give up or take an at-bat off, but they never did.

“It was a pretty unbelievable game, and definitely glad that we’re on this side of it. You hate to play that hard and have to go home losing it. That would be absolutely atrocious. I don’t know how you lose that game when you play that hard and leave everything out there on the field, like you’re supposed to do. It’s like I told the guys, ‘We’re going to find a way to win. There is something special about being an Eagle.’ And they got it done.”

After Delgado scored four runs in the ninth inning of Monday’s first game to grab the comeback win, the Dolphins got a solo home run from Cory Guidry with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of the championship to knot the game at 10. From there, each team managed to work out of trouble to remain tied. MCC left two runners on in the 10th, while Delgado left the bases loaded in the 11th and grounded into an inning-ending double play in the 10th. The Dolphins also had a runner on third with one out in the 12th before MCC shortstop Jordan King stepped up to keep the game knotted.

With one out, King fielded a grounder and fired home to Brent Tanner in time to nab the Delgado runner at the plate to help send it to the 13th inning. There, King started a five-run Eagles rally with a leadoff double. Former West standout Tyler Vick was intentionally walked following a Tanner sacrifice fly to put runners on the corners. Drew Crosby then produced a two-run double to put MCC in front. Kenny Sanders would added a two-run double later in the frame as the Eagles scored five.

“It took every guy,” Rose added. “I mean Drew Crosby had probably only one at-bat in the past 15 games and he gets a big bases-loaded triple. That was unbelievable.”

Jared Cavenaugh closed out the game for the Eagles on the mound, earning the win with four strikeouts in two innings. Starter Garrett Harris allowed 10 hits and eight runs in five innings before Mandelo Mingo and Blake Hennington each allowed one run.

Tanner and Vick each homered for MCC, while Sanders went 4-for-5 and Taylor Scarborough scored three runs on three walks. Vick’s blast was his 24th of the year, upping his single-season record for the Eagles.

Delgado 13
Meridian 12

In Monday’s first game, MCC grabbed a 12-7 lead with a five-run seventh behind a three-run triple from Corey Dickerson and a two-run home run from King. However, Delgado scored three in the eighth and then scored four runs off of three Eagles’ pitchers in the ninth.

After Jason Judge allowed a walk and a single to open the top of the ninth, Allen Johnson took over and got two outs on a sacrifice bunt and a fielder’s choice ground out to third. However, an infield single and a walk left the bases loaded with two outs when Hennington relieved. Another infield single and a walk produced two more runs to score.

MCC’s offense answered with a single by Dickerson, who scored on an error on a King grounder. However, Tanner, Vick and Wesley Thigpen were unable to plate King from second to force the championship game.

Dickerson went 4-for-6 with 5 RBIs for MCC in the opener, while King drove in two runs on four hits and Vick and William Beckwith each went 3-for-5.

Cavenaugh allowed seven runs on nine hits in 5 1-3 innings for MCC before giving way to Allen Williams, Judge, Johnson and Hennington.

Eagles enter postseason looking to be remembered

By Robby Atkinson/Special to The Star

The Meridian Community College Eagles will look to build on their championship tradition this weekend as the Eagles open postseason play in the 2009 Region 23 Division I Baseball Tournament in Baton Rouge, La.

The Eagles will enter the tournament this weekend as the second seed among the three teams and MCC head coach Chris Rose hopes the past will repeat itself this weekend.

“Since I have been head coach we have always started slow and peaked in the post season,” Rose said. “I hope this year is no exception. We have played well at times and poor at times, but that’s junior college baseball.”

The Eagles finished the 2009 regular season with a 34-16 overall record and a 9-4 Miss-Lou Conference record which was good enough for the second seed in this weekend’s tournament. Delgado is the top seed after posting an overall record of 33-14 and a Miss-Lou Conference clip of 10-3. Baton Rouge struggled throughout the regular season with a 9-39 overall record and a Miss-Lou Conference record of 1-12. The one win for Baton Rouge in conference play came against the Eagles by a 5-4 final score.

Fourteen of the 16 losses for Meridian during the 2009 regular season came by just one run and the Eagles are hoping to reverse its fortunes in the postseason.

“Losing 14 times by one run was tough,” added Rose. “If we would have won those games we would be 48-2. Right now I don’t know if that’s good or bad. If we have learned the lessons from those games then it’s good, if not we will have a short postseason life.”

MCC will open the Region 23 Tournament against Baton Rouge on Saturday at noon and will also battle rival Delgado on Saturday, as well, at 7 p.m. The Eagles and Dolphins spilt their season series against each other during the regular season. MCC dropped two of three on the road in New Orleans earlier this season and the Eagles battled back to take two of three games against Delgado a couple of weeks ago.

The tournament schedule will also include at 3:30 p.m. game between Delgado and Baton Rouge. The tournament will be double-elimination format and the potential championship game will take place Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with an if necessary game to follow.

MCC enters the tournament with one of the hottest offenses in the country that features four power hitters. Tyler Vick leads the charge with 22 home runs which leads the NJCAA and the former West Lauderdale standout also sports a .418 batting average with 63 RBI’s.

“Tyler has more juice than any player I have ever coached,” said Rose. “Because he has protection in front and behind him in the lineup he gets pitches to hit and he is such a valuable player.”

Vick also holds the single season and school record for home runs which he set earlier this season against Delgado.

Brent Tanner and Wesley Thigpen are the two players that surround Vick that have also put up impressive numbers this season. Tanner collected 13 home runs and batted .416 for the Eagles with 54 RBI’s, while Thigpen had a .381 batting average with 11 home runs and 48 RBI’s.

Freshman Corey Dickerson enters the tournament with a .378 average with 15 home runs and 44 RBI’s from the leadoff spot for MCC. Dickerson also became the second player in school history to hit for the cycle which came against Delgado earlier in 2009.

Shortstop Jordan King also finished strong for MCC with a .409 batting average with six home runs and 37 RBI’s.

On the mound, the Eagles have had multiple arms that have made a huge difference in 2009. Sophomores Eric Callender and Garrett Harris will look to be factors as starters this weekend in the regional tournament for the Eagles. Freshman Mandella Mingo has been a solid conference starting pitcher for Meridian as well. Sophomore Jared Cavenaugh and freshman Alan Williams will look to have key roles out of the bullpen this weekend for MCC as well.

All of the MCC games in the Region 23 Tournament will be carried on radio locally by WMER 1390 AM.

“We have been waiting for this day from the first team meeting,” said Rose. “At Meridian you are remembered by your postseason play. The seven World Series teams are remembered and the rest are not. Now we to get make our mark and continue the tradition.”

MCC golf adds two recruits

(MERIDIAN, Miss.) – Meridian Community College golf coach Sean Covich has announced the addition of two golfers for the 2009 recruiting class.

Oscar Mariscal, Jr. of Santa Cruz, Bolivia and Bo Reed of Tupelo, MS have signed to play for Covich and the Eagles starting in the fall of 2009.

Mariscal has been the No. 1 ranked junior golfer Bolivia for the past two seasons (2007, 2008). He is also the No. 4 ranked amateur golfer in his home country.

In 2008, he averaged a 73.4 in all tournaments played, including four rounds in the 60’s.

Mariscal’s father, Oscar Mariscal, Sr. is a member of the Bolivian PGA.

“We are excited to add another international golfer to this team,” said Covich.

“Nick Hawkes of England is currently a freshman for us and he has contributed all season long. We look for Oscar to do the same for us next season.”

Reed is a senior at Tupelo (MS) High School where he plays under Coach Mark Enis.

In 2008, Reed helped the Golden Wave capture the MHSAA 5A State Championship, and in doing so, he was named to the MHSAA 5A All State Team.

Last summer he was the No. 2 ranked golfer on the Northeast Mississippi Coca Cola Junior Golf Tour. In 2007 he was the No. 1 ranked golfer on the Northeast Mississippi Coca Cola Junior Golf Tour.

“Tupelo has a strong tradition in golf and we are excited to add another player from that program,” said Covich.

“Bo has the potential to help this team next season.”

Mariscal and Reed will be joining Brandt Garon (Baton Rouge, LA), Adam Monsen (San Antonio, TX) and JT Soley (Laurel, MS) in the 2009 MCC golf recruiting class.

“This should wrap up recruiting for the 2009 campaign,” added Covich.

“Now I can turn my attention to the National Championship in May.”

MCC golf will host their annual Alumni & Friends Scramble Friday, May 8th at the NAS-Ponta Creek GC, then return to action for the season ending NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship May 19-22 in Huntsville, AL at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail-Hampton Cove Golf Course.