Norianna Haynes leads youthful group in 2010 - 2011(MERIDIAN) - Last year's Meridian Community College women's basketball team was quite successful. They should have been since five sophomores started for the Lady Eagles who went 24-7 and captured the 2010 Miss/Lou Conference Tournament Championship.
"I have often stated that a good sophomore is better than a great freshman in junior college athletics," said MCC Head Coach, Hilary Allen.
"A sophomore can win a game sometimes just with experience and not making a mistake at the wrong time."
The 2009 - 2010 team helped Coach Hilary Allen win his 200th game in just 10 years at the helm of the MCC program. Several sophomores led the way, including the 2010 Miss/Lou Tournament MVP Sharda'e Johnson and the 2009 Miss/Lou Tournament MVP, LaQuita Burrough.
But that veteran group is gone and only point guard, Bianca Powell, returns with a lot of game experience from last year. Powell played in all 31 games and started in six games due to injuries to one of the starters from last year (Tiara Logan).
"Bianca gained a lot of experience last year and played late in the game when we needed extra ball handlers on the floor," said Allen.
"She also became a defensive stopper for us with fresh legs down the homestretch of a close ball game."
Powell is expected to provide the leadership for the outstanding freshman class brought in by Coach Allen. The highly-touted freshman class is led by Mississippi All-Stars, Norianna Haynes and Chasity Kearney.
Haynes, a 5'10 guard from Northeast Lauderdale was also a Dandy Dozen selection by the Clarion-Ledger.
The 5'11" Kearney was the Player of the Year in North Mississippi.
"Both Haynes and Kearney have shown a lot of potential in preseason workouts," said Allen.
"They are both so strong having played the post position in high school."
However, both are expected to move to the wing position in college.
Which is just fine with Coach Allen, because he has three taller freshmen than Haynes and Kearney.
Arnissa Galloway, a 6'1" post player from East Marion, was the Player of the Year in South Mississippi as a junior, but was forced to miss her senior year with a knee injury.
"Galloway has not played organized basketball for over 18 months and she is chomping at the bit to get back out on the court," said Allen.
Shana Lampton, a 6'2" post player from Hattiesburg High, played in several big games last year in high school, since her team was ranked #1 for most of the season and made it all the way to the Big House for the finals.
Calnitra White, a 6'0" post player, was injured late in the season last year at Collins High and missed the play-offs.
Coach Allen has two additional sophomores returning and both are expected to contribute.
Tay Odneal, 5'4" guard from Starkville and Kayla Hawkins, 5'4" guard from Pass Christian.
"Tay and Kayla have worked on their shooting skills over the summer and have turned into zone busters," said Allen.
Several other players are looking to make an impact on the 2010 - 2011 season. Markia Nix, from Moss Point, Shumond Hughes, from Bay Springs, and Mariane Bilbro are looking for playing time at the wing position.
Deanna Bolton, from Perry Central, Angel Mbikay, from Toronto, Maranda Agee, from Bay Springs, Kia Morris, from Hattiesburg, and Jasmine Anderson, from Harrison Central are looking for time at the point guard position.
As always, the Lady Eagles are looking for an up-tempo style on the court with a high-powered fast break and full-court pressure defense.
MCC opens up their season Wednesday against Wallace State-Selma at 6 pm.
