MCC Soccer Adds 7 Local Standouts

(MERIDIAN) - The Meridian Community College men's and women's soccer program welcomed seven local high school standouts last Thursday as MCC kicked off their 2010 signing class.

Signing with the Lady Eagles were: Chelsea Byrd from Meridian High School, Brooke Dew of Quitman High School, and Hannah Scott of West Lauderdale High School.

Signing with the MCC men's team were: Andy Waite of Lamar School, Brandon Bowen of Southeast Lauderdale High School, Reed Scarbrough from Meridian High School, and James Cranmore of Northeast Lauderdale High School.

"We are excited to be able to add these great local players," said MCC head soccer coach, Alex George.

"They are a talented group that will help us the next two years."

Poise pays off for MCC

By Daniel Rigdon / sports writer

(MERIDIAN) - The Meridian Community College women's basketball team showed poise and determination Thursday night as the Eagles rallied from a 15-point deficit to defeat Shelton State 79-75 at Graham Gymnasium.

The first half was closely contested as neither team was able to seize momentum. The largest lead of the first half was seven as Shelton State led early. The teams were tied at 34 at the half.

The second half, however, did not start off well for the Eagles as Shelton was able to find a rhythm in its transition game and built a 15-point lead eight minutes in.

MCC never gave up as it stormed back to tie it at 63 with 5:45 left to go in the game. Two minutes later the Eagles would take their first lead of the contest, a lead they would not relinquish.

Kayla Hawkins would seal the deal as she stole a Shelton pass and was fouled with 11.4 seconds remaining. She would drain the ensuing free throws and Meridian improved to 8-1 on the season.

"Kayla Hawkins came off the bench and made the defensive play of the game for us," said Meridian coach Hilary Allen.

Meridian was led by LaDerica Campbell's 20-point, 10-rebound performance. Shardae Johnson followed suit with 19 points of her own. LaQuita Burrough and Kiara Jones each dropped in 10. Shelton was led by Saraethea Brown's team-high 15 points.

"This is a huge win for us," added Allen. "Shelton State is a very good basketball program and this is a big win at home for us."

MCC returns to action Saturday as it visits Bishop State.

Meridian men 74
Shelton State 93

Meridian came out firing on all cylinders Thursday night, however, it was not able to sustain that play throughout and eventually fell to Shelton State.

The Eagles (3-7) built their lead to as many as 10 points early in the first half only to enter halftime leading by two at 48-46.

The second half remained close through the first eight minutes as the lead swapped back-and-forth between the two teams. However, Shelton was able to pull away as Meridian was only able to manage eight points in the final 11:49.

MCC was led by Emmanuel Donald, who scored 16 points and pulled down five rebounds on the night. Cameron Bradley and Jared Hudnall also dropped in 10 each for the Eagles.

Shelton put four players in double figures as Serling Jones led all scorers with 21 points, followed by 18 from Josh Mickler. Bobby Glover and Courtney Carr each had 10 points.

MCC gets back on the hard court Saturday at Bishop State.


Incase you missed MCC’s basketball double-header vs Shelton State, here are the clips…Pre Game Interview w Coach Allen: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2703740
MCC women vs Shelton State 1st half: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2704047
MCC women vs Shelton State end of 1st half: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2704400
MCC women vs Shelton State 2nd half: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2704551
Post Game Interview w Coach Allen and player: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2705147
MCC men vs Shelton State 1st half: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2705278
MCC men vs Shelton State 2nd half: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2705930

MCC basketball set to host Shelton State

Ranked opponents travel to Graham Gymnasium Thursday night

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College basketball teams will host Shelton State Community College in a double-header on Thursday night, women’s game starts at 6pm and the men play at 8 pm.

The Lady Eagles have won six consecutive games to improve their record to 7-1 on the season. The MCC women will face a challenge, Shelton State is coming off a 30 win season in 2009 and was ranked in the preseason NJCAA top 15 at No. 12.

On the men’s side, the Eagles have hit a streak of their own, but one they look to reverse as MCC enters the game 3-6, having lost five straight. Likewise, the Eagles face a tall task as Shelton State men come into the game 9-1 and are currently ranked in the NJCAA top 25 poll at No. 21.

As always, the games will be webcast live on www.ustream.tv (search MCC Sports) or simply click on the “Live Sports Feed” on MCC’s athletic homepage (www.meridaincc.edu/sports)

Lady Eagles roll in win over Selma

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles basketball team hadn’t played in over a week when they faced Wallace State-Selma last night, but it didn’t show as the MCC women put together perhaps their best performance of the season thus far, a 106-66 thrashing of Wallace State-Selma.

Brittany Bohannon and Alondra Jefferson, both of Kemper County High School, led the Lady Eagles in scoring with 15 points and 13 points, respectively. Sharda’e Johnson added 11 points, while Tiara Logan and Porsha Wilson each scored 10 points for MCC. LaDarica Campbell pulled 14 rebounds for MCC.

Cher’Ryan Scott from Wallace State-Selma led all scorers with 16 points.

With the win, MCC improves to 7-1 on the season, having won six straight games.

The Lady Eagles return to action when the No. 12 team in the country, Shelton State Community College, rolls into Meridian on Thursday. Tip off is set for at 6:00 pm in the Graham Gymnasium.

Game will be webcast live on www.meridiancc.edu/sports (click “Live Sport Feed”).

On the men’s side, MCC dropped their sixth straight game, a 102-68 defeat at the hands of Wallace State-Selma. The Eagles fall to 3-6 on the year and prepare to face Shelton State on Thursday at 8:00 pm.

MCC Sports set to Webcast this season

MERIDIAN - The Meridian Community College basketball teams will have its home games and selected road games webcasted live this season for the first time.
The MCC team had their first live webcast on Nov. 23 when they played Hinds Community College (click here to view http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mcc-sports ). MCC's games with Wallace State-Selma tonight and Shelton State on Thursday will also have a live webcast.

"The opportunity to webcast some of our basketball games is really exciting," said MCC sports information director, Sean Covich.

"It gives our fans from around the country the chance to follow MCC. We look forward to having all the home games webcast and archived so parents and fans can watch no matter where they are or what time it is."

MCC will plan to have all home basketball games available on live webcasting. In addition, when the teams begin post-season play: Miss-Lou Conference Tournament (Feb 23-24) and NJCAA Region 23 Tournament (Mar 1-4), those tournaments will also be available.

Fans should visit the front page of MCC sports (www.meridiancc.edu/sports ), then to access the webcast click the “LIVE SPORTS FEED” link and you will be directed to the MCC Sports Channel on www.ustream.tv.

The audio/video webcast of the game will start at tip-off of every game and the games will be archived for viewing immediately following the conclusion of each game on www.usteam.tv/channel/mcc-sports .

“We are excited about this for basketball season and look for the other sports such as baseball, softball, and tennis to be webcast later this year- along with soccer starting next season,” added Covich.

The webcast will look to provide an exciting multimedia experience for MCC fans and an inside look into Eagle and Lady Eagle athletics during the 2009-2010 year. Interviews from players and coaches as well as live game audio/video will also be available.