Meridian taps Murphy

By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
April 17, 2004
Meridian High School plans to announce its new girls head basketball coach at a press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
Stephanie Murphy has been tabbed to take over the Lady Wildcats program, pending approval by the Meridian Public Schools Board.
Murphy will come to Meridian High after serving as an assistant coach in North Mississippi. She played for the Ole Miss women's basketball team from 1998-2001 and went to the NWIT twice with the Lady Rebels.
Murphy will be the first new girls basketball coach in 14 years at Meridian High.
Donald Shirley retired at the end of last season, after serving as the Lady Wildcats coach since 1990.
Shirley guided Meridian High to a 23-8 record in 2003-04. The Lady Wildcats were eliminated from the 4-5A playoffs with a 56-46 loss to Brandon on Feb. 17.
The 14-year Lady Wildcats coach left the school with 496 career wins, and he guided Meridian High to four South State championships and one North State title.
Meridian High reached three Class 5A State Championship tournaments under Shirley.
The Lady Wildcats return eight players from last year's squad for the 2004-05 season.
Sade Coates, Dana Cox, Brittany Davidson, Whitney Hood, Marissa Mendiola, Tamara Winfield, Carsheena Blanks and Dominique Williams should all return to the team for the next season.