By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
April 20, 2001
PHILADELPHIA Choctaw Central has had much success in girls' basketball in recent years. So have the women of East Central Community College.
It was only natural that CCHS seniors Melinda Ben and Crystal Lewis signed national letters-of-intent to continue their careers at ECCC Thursday morning in the library at CCHS.
Ben averaged 14.8 points and 11.7 rebounds this year as Choctaw Central reached the Class 3A state tournament semifinals, losing 72-67 to eventual 3A state champion Southeast Lauderdale.
Lewis averaged 16.4 points and 5.4 assists.
The Lady Warriors were 31-5 this year after going 29-4 the previous season.
While the folks at Choctaw Central will miss the two, current ECCC head coach Sammy Pace and assistant Brad Hodge will be glad to have the two in Decatur next year as they try to repeat as Region 23 champions.
The two Pearl River community girls are looking forward to competing beyond high school.
Ben has a 3.47 GPA and is ranked in the top eight in her senior class.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com.