By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
April 24, 2003
One of the top scoring guards in Lauderdale County is headed west to East Central Community College.
Dekino Winston of Northeast Lauderdale High School signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday with head coach Bill Smith's Warrior basketball program.
All parties, including Northeast Lauderdale head coach Lewis Lightsey, were pleased with the decision.
Winston led the Trojans to back-to-back 20 win seasons which included the Trojans' first appearance at the State Basketball Tournament in nearly 30 years for the school.
The Trojans then held on to beat Laurel in a first round game at home in overtime. They then defeated Pass Christian 58-57 in the consolation game at the South State 4A Tournament at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis. Northeast played and lost to eventual 4A State champion Jackson Provine at the State 4A Tournament in Jackson.
East Central lost all five starters from a team that qualified for the Mississippi Community and Junior College's State Tournament last month.
In Winston, the Warriors get a combination-type guard who has excellent outside range on his jump shot. Winston averaged 20.2 points per game for the Trojans. He also dished off 5 assists per contest.
Winston is glad to be continuing his basketball career.
Winston was joined by his mother Bertha Wintson. He hopes to major in Computer Technology and Computer Repair.
Smith says Winston becomes his fourth in-state signee. The remainder of his recruiting class will come from out of state.