By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Nov. 8, 2002
Monique Horner is the leading girls basketball scorer in Mississippi prep history. Now, Horner is about to begin her second season of junior college basketball.
Given the state of the Meridian Community College's women's basketball team, Horner could be back to her free-scoring ways this season.
Horner, a 5-foot-4 dynamo guard from Southeast Lauderdale, is currently the only returning starter from last year's 25-3 team. That could change if sophomore post Cantea Brown can return to the fold by the end of the semester.
Brown, a 6-2 center, and the team's leading scorer at 17.3 points per game last season, is on academic suspension.
That leaves Horner, who averaged 14 points while directing the team at point guard, will have to lead a young Lady Eagle squad that will have eight or so freshmen in the rotation.
MCC head coach Hilary Allen says it will be challenge for MCC with such a young and unproven lineup. Then add to the fact that there is a new division for MCC, the MACJC South Division.
Horner will move to the two-guard role this season. That should elevate her scoring back into the 20-per game range. Allen would like to see her improve on defense to make her a complete player.
As for Brown, Allen rates her return to the team as a break-even prospect.
The team's four key sophomores from last year are all playing senior college ball. Felicia Washington is at South Carolina State, Eva Lockart is at William Carey, Tiwana Collins is at Texas-San Antonio and Genice Terry could play a major role at Ole Miss.
In their places comes a herd of freshmen. Two local products in Meridian High guard Stephanie Mosley and West Lauderdale forward JaWanda Huggins factor in the mix.
Mosley will split time at point guard with Silvo Harris out of Bastrop, La.
Chelse' Alford, a 5-9 wing from Meridian, played with Mosley on Meridian's 5A State runner-up team. She sat out last year with a knee injury.
Taking over for Brown will be Warren Central freshman JaQuita Benard.
ReRe Bolton out of Beaumont will be counted on to provide a backup at the forward spots.
Even more a concern than the team's youth, is the team's new league. Allen was not particulary happy about being placed in an eight-team South Division which features Southwest CC who beat Meridian twice last year including at the Region 23 Tournament.
Instead its Co-Lin, Southwest, Pearl River, Gulf Coast, Jones, Hinds, East Central and MCC. The top four teams from the division advance to the state tournament.