Divergent paths at EMCC
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 5, 2003
SCOOBA East Mississippi Community College's basketball teams have taken divergent paths to start the 2003-04 season.
The Lady Lions have jumped out of the gate to a 2-0 start, while the Lions have dropped their first two games of the young season.
While the EMCC women's team has hurt its opponents on the scoreboard, the squad picked up a 70-65 win over Bevill and a 72-55 victory over Jones County Junior College, the Lady Lions have also had to deal with some bumps and bruises on their bench.
EMCC forward Krystal Wells turned her ankle in the squad's win over JCJC last Monday, and she joined a growing list of players that have endured ankle problems at the start of the season.
The Lady Lions on suiting up 11 freshman on their 14 player squad this season.
So far the young EMCC team hasn't been hampered by having so many new faces in its line up. The Lady Lions have scored a combined 147 points and have only given up 130 points in their first two games.
EMCC has been led by the play of sophomore point guard Starr Potts so far this season, and the team showcased its ability to play low in the post against JCJC.
Lady Lions sophomore forward Katrina Jamison and freshman forward Jocelyn Spearman tallied a combined 30 points playing on the blocks against the Lady Bobcats.
The two front-court player's production emerged in earnest in the second half of last Monday's game, with Jamison scoring 12 points and Spearman adding six in the final half.
While the Lady Lions are perfecting their inside-outside game, the Lions are struggling to find a way to win a game.
EMCC lost its season opener to Bevill 94-89, despite a powerful effort from freshman point guard Phillip Lockhart.
The Turrell, Ark., native scored 43 points for the Lions in the first game, including a 17-for-18 performance at the foul line, but Lockhart was kept in check by JCJC in last Monday's game scoring just seven points.
Though the EMCC men's team has lost its first two games, the squad has shown signs that its record will improve throughout the season.
Lions forward/center Joseph Collins scored 11 points, nine in the second half, against JCJC in a losing effort.
EMCC also got a pick lift from its bench in the form of forward Boo Ramsey.
The 6-foot freshman scored a team-high 15 points against the Bobcats, and he provided a strong long-range threat for the Lions hitting six three-pointers in last Monday's game.
The Lions and Lady Lions return to action against ECCC starting at 6 p.m. Thursday with the women's contest. The men's game is scheduled to follow.
