By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
November 4, 2001
DECATUR After 16 years of coaching girls' basketball at Neshoba Central High School, Billy Smith will lead the East Central Community College men's basketball program this winter.
The ECCC men opened their season on Nov. 2 at Holmes. The Warriors will host Northeast Mississippi on Thursday.
Smith has five sophomores back from last year's 12-14 squad. Leading the returnees is 6-foot-3 guard/forward James Denson, who led Choctaw Central to the Class 2A state championship in 1999. Denson averaged 12.2 points and 7.5 rebounds a year ago.
Also back is 6-foot-4 forward Winfred Craig from Louisville. He averaged 11.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last winter.
Another key returnee is 5-foot-11 guard Markeith Brown from Jackson Provine. He added 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds a year ago.
Other sophomores are 6-foot-3 guard Maurice English from Union and 6-foot-6 forward/center Clint Hatch from Carthage.
Incoming freshman expected to make major contributions are 6-foot-7 center Maweessha Carter from Fort Payne, Ala., and 6-foot-7 center Jason Richardson from Wilcox Central High School at Pine Hill, Ala.
Other freshmen are 6-foot guard Kevin Bobbitt from Lake, 6-foot-5 forward/center Reggie Carter from University Christian, 6-foot freshman guard Daniel Price from Jackson Wingfield, 6-foot guard Demario Qualls from Class 2A state tournament participant Newton, 6-foot-4 guard/forward Donzel Crenshaw from Memphis (Tenn.) Ridgeway, 6-foot-1 guard Carlton Dodd from Thomastown, and 6-foot guard Will Florence from North Delta School.
Assisting Smith is Shane Eck.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.