Rough opener for MCC Eagles

By Robby Atkinson / Special to The Star The Meridian Star

(PANAMA CITY, Fla.) - The Meridian Community College Eagles opened the 2010 season taking part in the First Pitch Classic on Friday at Florida Gulf Coast Community College and the first day for the Eagles was a tough one.

Central Alabama scored two runs in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference as the Trojans spoiled opening day for MCC with a 4-2 win. MCC (0-1) will advance into the loser's bracket game today against Chipola at 1 p.m. Chipola lost on the opening day of the tournament 6-5 to Young Harris Community College.

"We had our opportunities to win and we just couldn't make the plays we needed," said MCC coach Chris Rose. "We know that this tournament is filled with some great teams and we just need to bounce back and play better tomorrow."

MCC opened up the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning thanks to poor fielding by Central Alabama. Alan McWhirter led the inning off by reaching on a fielding error by the Trojans and later scored on a single by former Meridian High standout Kenny Roberts to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles extended its lead in the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead against Central Alabama. Former West Lauderdale standout Darren Farmer led the inning off with a double to right field and later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give MCC a two-run lead.

Central Alabama would climb back into the game with a pair of runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at 2-2. Shane Lewis delivered an RBI single in the inning for the Trojans and the second run of the inning scored on a wild pitch.

Central Alabama would pull away for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to seal the 4-2 win against MCC. Nick Gunnells had an RBI single in the inning and Lewis also delivered another run scoring hit for the Trojans.

MCC collected sevens hits as a team in the game, but the Eagles left nine runners on base. Central Alabama ended the game with 10 hits as a team and the Trojans left 10 runners on board.

Roberts and Farmer led the Eagles with two hits apiece and Kenny Sanders added a pinch-hit single in the loss for MCC. Dustin McWilliams, a former West Lauderdale star, was the losing pitcher in relief for MCC. Former Enterprise standout Blake Hennington was the starting pitcher for MCC, going five innings and collecting a pair of strikeouts

Lewis led the Trojans with three singles in the victory for Central Alabama.

The Trojans advance to take on Young Harris Community College today at 4 p.m. at Bill Frazer Field.

2010 MCC baseball season ready to start

The 2010 Meridian Community College baseball season will begin this Friday as the Eagles face Central Alabama Community College in the First Pitch Classic played in Panama City, Florida.

The first home game is schedule for Friday, February 5th when the Eagles entertain Shelton State Community College at 2:00 pm for a nine-inning contest at Scaggs Field.

MCC is coming off a 37-17 season last year which saw the Eagles capture their ninth Region 23 championship.

For a look at the Eagles entire 2010 schedule please see link below:

http://www.meridiancc.edu/baseball/2004/schedule.htm

Berry honored by Eagles

Former MCC baseball coach, Scott Berry, was honored by the Eagles as his #30 jersey was retired by the baseball team Sunday night at the team’s banquet in Graham Gymnasium. Berry is joined by former Eagles players and administrators from the school.

Jags pull away from Eagles

By Daniel Rigdon / sports writer

Meridian Community College played a solid 30 minutes of basketball Saturday afternoon. Unfortuantely, the game is 40 minutes long as the Eagles dropped an 80-59 decision to Southern University at Shreveport at Graham Gymnasium in Miss-Lou Conference men's basketball action.

MCC (4-15) weathered a hot start by the Jaguars as it trailed 23-12 just 10 minutes into the contest. The Eagles rallied behind the strong first-half play of freshmen duo Emmanuel Donald and Ma'Quirus Burton. The Eagles went on a 22-10 run to claim its first lead of the game at 34-33 at the five minute mark in the first half.

Southern would then go on another mini-run of its own to lead by eight points before Burton hit a big 3-pointer with just seconds left to head into the locker room at half only trailing by a five-point margin.

Donald had 11 first half points, while Burton knocked down three 3-point field goals in the first 20 minutes.

The second half began with the two teams trading baskets back and forth and with 10 minutes left in the contest the score stood 52-47 in favor of the Jaguars.

Just as it had all throughout the contest, Southern, was able to string together another run to distance itself from the Eagles. However, this time MCC was not able to answer and did not register a basket in the last two-and-a-half minutes of play. The Jaguars were able to score 12 points in that same span to close out MCC by 21.

Meridian was led by Burton's 15-point effort, while Deionte Dean chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Donald finished with 13 points and Nate McCrory added 10 in the loss.

Justin Patten led the way for the Jags with a game-high 25-point performance, while Brion Staffore followed suit with 18 points

Meridian coach George Brooks was unavailable for comment after the game.

The Eagles are back in action Wednesday as they travel to take on Miss-Lou Conference foe Delgado.


Meridian women 82
Southern 70

Meridian used a late first-half run Saturday afternoon to distance itself and take a Miss-Lou Conference victory as it cruised past visiting Southern University at Shreveport.

The contest was close throughout much of the first half as after a 6-0 run to start the two teams became dead-locked at 11 five minutes in. The Jaguars answered the Eagles basket-for-basket until Philadelphia product Tiara Logan and Bianca Powell scored an impressive 12 points in just 54 seconds to push Meridian's lead to 18 points with just 1:56 left in the half. Southern was able to manage two late buckets to enter halftime trailing 49-32.

Logan had three 3-point field goals in the half, while Powell dropped in two.

MCC (15-4) tightened the screws even more to begin the second half as it went on a 17-6 run in the first six minutes of the second half to lead by 30 points.

However, the Jags would not go away and rallied back to within 12 points before time ran out.

"I was a little concerned how we would come out after going on a two-game skid," said Meridian coach Hilary Allen. "I thought the group went out there and played hard, especially the last few minutes of the half. Tiara Logan hit some big shots for us and Brittany Bohannon keeps making big plays for us."

MCC was led by Logan's 17 points, including four 3-pointers, while LaQuita Burrough scored 16 points and pulled down 10 boards. Amber Fields got in on the action dropping in 12 points.

Meridian travels to Delgado on Wednesday in Miss-Lou Conference action.

MCC baseball signs two locals

Meridian Community College head baseball coach, Chris Rose, announced Friday the addition of two local stand outs to the 2010 recruiting class.

MCC signed West Lauderdale standouts: Dustin James and Wes Stokes to play baseball starting in the fall of 2010 for the Eagles.

James, a 5’9” right handed infielder, played for WLHS seeing action at third-base, shortstop and on the mound.

Stokes, a 6’2” tall 205 lbs right-handed pitcher dominated over the past two seasons with a 19-3 record his sophomore and junior years.

Webcast of MCC basketball set for Saturday

Meridian Community College sports information department is set to webcast the first Miss-Lou Confrence game of the 2010 season as MCC will play Baton Rouge Community in Clinton, MS this Saturday on the campus of Mississippi College.

The Lady Eagles play at 5 p.m. and the Eagles at 7 p.m.

The games will be available on MCC’s athletic homepage (www.meridiancc.edu/sports) by simply clicking on the “Live Sports Feed” link or visit www.ustream.tv and search “MCC Sports”.

The Lady Eagles enter the contest with a 14-2 record, averaging 75 points per game while opponents are averaging 66.5 points per game. The Lady Eagles are led by sophomore LaDerica Campbell who is averaging a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The Eagles enter Miss-Lou Conference play with a 5-12 overall record.

Lady Eagles defeat Wallace State, prepare for Miss-Lou action

The Lady Lions of Wallace State-Hanceville jumped out to a 40- 22 lead with eight minutes left in the first half against the Meridian Community College Lady Eagles Wednesday night. The lead was built on extremely hot three-point shooting as the Lady Lions connected on 11 three-pointers in the first half and connected on 17 for the game.

However, MCC got hot as well and closed the gap to only six points at halftime as they trailed 52-46.

Lady Eagle sophomores Sharda’e Johnson and Tiara Logan combined for nine three-pointers to overtake the Lady Lions as MCC pulled away for a 94-89 vicotry to improve to 14-2 on the season.

Sophomore LaDarica Campbell, from MCC, led all scorers with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Sophomore LaQuita Burrough added 14 points and 10 rebounds for MCC.

Morgan Duncan, from WS-Hanceville, scored 16 points.

The Lady Eagles return to action on Saturday at 5:00 pm when they open up Miss-Lou Conference play against Baton Rouge Community College played at the A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College.

The MCC men will also be in action Saturday against BRCC, they tip-off at 7 p.m.

2010 MCC Baseball Banquet

Honoring Coach Scott Berry
Special Guest: Cory Palmer
Date: Sunday, January 24th
Time: 5:00 pm
Site: Graham Gymnasium on MCC Campus
Cost: $25 per person
Corporate Sponsor: $400 per table
Banquet will include:
Speaker- Scott Berry
Special Guest- Corky Palmer
Dinner catered by Outback
Introduction of 2010 Team
Retiring of Coach Berry’s Number
Silent Auction
Contact: Chris Rose, MCC head baseball coach
crose@meridiancc.edu
(601) 917-5291

Include: Your Name
Number of Guests
Address
Phone Number
For Corporate Sponsorships please include Business Name

6th Annual Meridian Community College High School Baseball Showcase

When: Saturday, January 23
9:00 am-3:00 pm
Registration starts at 8:15 am
Where: Scaggs Field on the MCC campus
How much: $75 pre-registered, $95 walk-up
Showcase events:
60 yard dash
Position Evaluations
Pitching Evaluations and Radar reading
Hitting Evaluation (BP on field)
Lunch provided by MCC baseball
Professional Scouts and College Coaches will be in attendance
Contact: Dillon Sudduth, Assistant Baseball Coach
601-484-8844
dsudduth@meridiancc.edu

Lady Eagles fall at Hinds

Sophomores Sharda’e Johnson and LaDarica Campbell each scored 12 points for MCC in the five point loss to Hinds Community College.

The Lady Eagles had a cold shooting night, hitting only 12 out of 25 free throws. Campbell pulled 11 rebounds for MCC.

Sophomore Tiara Logan dished of 7 assists.

LaShondra Dunson, from Hinds, scored 19 points.

The Lady Eagles return to action on Wednesday at 5:30 pm at Wallace-Hanceville.

MCC women extend winning streak to 12, now 13-1 after win over Shleton State

(Tuscaloosa, AL) - The Meridian Community College Lady Eagles jumped out to a 20 point halftime lead (42-22) and led by 17 with less than a minute to play before Shelton State made it interesting late.

MCC sophomore Tiara Logan hit four free throws during the last minute to preserve the 73-66 victory for the Lady Eagles. Logan finished with 14 points and eight assists.

MCC sophomore LaDarica Campbell scored 13 points and pulled nine rebounds. Sophomores Sharda'e Johnson and Brittany Bohannon added 10 points apiece for MCC while sophomore LaQuita Burrough pulled down 13 rebounds.

Saraetha Brown, from Shelton, scored 20 points.

The Lady Eagles have now won 12 straight and improved to 13-1 with the win Saturday and will return to action on Monday at 6:00 pm when they travel to Hinds Community College.

In men's action, freshman Emmanuel Donald led MCC in scoring with 18 points, while Jermaal Taylor added 16 points.

Nate McCrory scored 13 points for MCC, while Brandon Pettaway scored 10 points. Courtney Carr led Shelton with a game-high of 24 points.

The Eagles (5-11) return to action on Monday at 8:00 pm when they travel to Hinds Community College.

Lady Eagles defeat rival EMCC for season sweep

(MERIDIAN) - Meridian Community College Lady Eagles closed out a season sweep of their in-state rival East Mississippi with a 52-44 victory Wednesday night before the home crowd at Graham Gymnasium.

Sophomore LaDarica Campbell led MCC with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the eight-point victory.

Freshman Tiara Logan also scored 13 points and had six assists for MCC.

Freshman Kierra Jones added 10 points.

The Lady Eagles improved to 12-1 and have now won 11 straight games, they are ranked #24 in the latest NJCAA poll. Natalie Tate led East Mississippi with 9 points.

The Lady Eagles return to action on Saturday at 5:30 pm at Shelton State.

In men's action, freshman Jermaal Taylor started the second semester off hot by pouring in 23 points for the Eagles, but this was not enough as East Mississippi pulled out a road victory.

EMCC defeated MCC 78-45.

Coco Ware led a trio of East Mississippi players that scored 14 points.

The Eagles (5-10) return to action on Saturday, 7:30 pm at Shelton State.

Battle of Highway 45 set: Meridian vs Scooba

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College basketball teams return to action Wednesday night when they play host to rival-East Mississippi Community College.

The women’s game is set to tip off at 6 p.m. while the men will get underway at 8 p.m.

The Lady Eagles enter the contest 11-1, riding a 10 game winning streak, which includes a 64-53 victory against their Highway 45 nemesis back in November.

In the last NJCAA Women’s Basketball Top 25 poll, the Lady Eagles were ranked #24 and have won three games since that last poll was released (Dec. 9).

The Lady Lions boast a record of 7-5 on the year, but are coming off an impressive 63-55 road win at Shelton State.

Meanwhile, the rolls are reversed in the men’s game as EMCC enters the contest versus the Eagles ranked in the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Top 30 poll and the Lions sport a record of 11-2.

The Eagles will enter start the second half of the schedule with a 5-9 mark. MCC lost at Scooba, 82-65 versus EMCC back in November.

MCC baseball banquet to honor Berry

(MERIDIAN) – The Meridian Community College baseball program is set for their 2010 team banquet and will honor former MCC baseball coach Scotty Berry. In addition, special guest Corky Palmer, also a former MCC coach, who recently retired after leading Southern Mississippi to the College World Series, will speak at the banquet.

The banquet honoring Berry will be held on Sunday, January 24 at 5:00 p.m. in the Graham Gymnasium on MCC’s campus. The banquet will include a dinner catered by Outback Steakhouse, speeches from Scott Berry and Corky Palmer, introduction of the 2010 MCC baseball team, silent auction, and the retiring of Berry’s MCC jersey.

Tickets are $25 per person and are available by contacting MCC head baseball coach Chris Rose at 601-917-5291 or crose@meridiancc.edu.

Berry spent ten seasons at MCC during his coaching career. He was an assistant coach under Corky Palmer at Meridian from 1991-96 then he took over the program when Palmer left for Southern Miss in 1997.

Berry was the head coach at MCC for four seasons (1997-200) where he amassed a 186-57 mark. In his four years as the head coach at MCC, Berry guided the Eagles to the NJCAA World Series twice, won the Region 23 Championship three times and captured the Mississippi/Louisiana Championship all four years. He was named the Regional Coach of the Year three times (1997, 1998 and 2000), District Coach of the Year twice (1998 and 2000), while earning the Diamond Sports ABCA Region Coach of the Year in 1998 and the Louisville Slugger Coaching Award two times in 1997 and 1998.

At Meridian, he coached 30 players who signed to play Division I baseball and had 10 players selected in the major league draft, including 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, of the Cleveland Indians, who played for Berry in 1999 and 2000.

Former MCC head coach, Corky Palmer, asked Berry to rejoin him at Southern Miss before the start of the 2001 season.

Since he joined the staff, the Golden Eagles have garnered a 346-197 (.637) record while advancing to NCAA postseason play six times. The team also won the Conference USA Championship in 2003.

In his tenure at Southern Miss, Berry's main responsibility has been working with the pitching staff, mentoring four pitchers to seven All-American honors, including at least one All-American in four consecutive years from 2003-06. He also has coached three pitchers to freshmen All-American honors and saw 12 pitchers drafted into professional baseball.

On May 7, 2009 USM named Berry their next head baseball coach after Palmer announced his retirement. Similar to the situation at MCC when Palmer was named the head coach at Southern Miss and Berry took over at Meridian.