Newton County, Collins meet in the postseason again

By Staff
Newton County
The Newton County Lady Cougars are coming off their first losing season in school history as they went 13-15 last year.
A key is that the Lady Cougars went 0-7 after guard Andrea Dubose went down with a broken ankle. Dubose is back for her senior year, along with returning starters Le'Eshaa Wesley, junior forward Lynnesha Ramsey and junior guard Chan Moore.
Another key factor was the hiring of Willis Tullos as girls' coach. From 1994-2001, he led Choctaw Central to three state championships (1996, 1997, and 1999) and a 224-24 record.
Also on the roster are Angela Hunter, Morgan Stringer, Bettina McDougle, Danielle Gaddis, Chelsea Pugh, Sha Coleman, Cecily Granger, Kanisha Warnsley, Sierra Croft, Brittney Cochran and Brittany Evans.
Marty Stamper
Union
The Union Lady Jackets return four starters from last year's 9-21 team, three of whom are seniors. They are Curbie Buckley, Amechia Hickmon and Erykah Buckley. Also back as a starter is junior Carlena Clemmons.
Returning as coach of the Lady Jackets after the four-year run of Brandi Reeves is Tim Land.
The other two seniors are Loren Kennedy and Latoya Moment.
Marty Stamper
Neshoba Central
Last year, the Neshoba Central Lady Rockets suffered through an uncharacteristic 5-25 season.
Needless to say, coach Noah Hamilton has set goals for his team to improve on that mark this year.
A pair of juniors Kristi Pilgrim and Sondria Hillie return as starters off that team.
Also on the roster are Trish Tahahwah, Taryn Gibson, Shanine McMillan, Hettie Brewer, Tiffany Jackson, Mamie Gaddis, Tasha Ragsdale, Molly Talbott, Sabrina Isaac, Danita Willis, Tobi Lynn Beckham, Jennifer Carter and Doris McWilliams.
Marty Stamper
Newton County Academy
The Newton County Academy Lady Generals finished 10-20 a year ago and return two starters from that team juniors Erin Watkins and Brookes Mayes.
In fact, coach Tim Bean has no seniors on his 10-girl roster. Other juniors are Caitlin Harper, Jennifer Wyatt and Reva Coate. Other members are sophomore Amber Collins and freshmen Anna Williams, Casey Rowzee, Kate Mason, and Abby McMillian.
Watkins led NCA in scoring last year, averaging just under 20 points per game.
Marty Stamper
Quitman
It's not how you start but how you finish.
That's the approach the Quitman High School Lady Panthers are taking at the beginning of the 2004-2005 season.
The Lady Panthers have one starter back from last year's team in junior forward Karichshia Hopson.
After that, they have very little on-the-court varsity experience. However, coach Steve Hampton says the players are working hard and he foresees improvement as the season progresses.
The Lady Panthers are off to a 0-3 start, having lost to Northeast Lauderdale 60-28, Newton County 74-34 and Kemper County 49-24.
Steve Swogetinsky
Kemper County
The Kemper County Lady Wildcats lost five seniors off last year's team and will depend on youth this year.
Leading the Lady Wildcats will be Javita Eades. She will play in the low post for Kemper County this year.
By Ryan Satcher
Kemper Academy
The Kemper Academy Lady Rams will have a new coach and a new starting lineup on the court this season.
Gone is longtime coach Russell Cruise, along with Kayla Mosley, Eve Darnell, Libby Myers, Nichole Sanders and Ashley George who all graduated last spring.
Last year's team went 24-11, finished third in the Class A State Tournament and played in the Overall State Tournament for the second season in a row.
Veteran coach Alton Leach will lead this year's team. Several of his players have some game-time experience. That includes Samantha Harpole, Kasey Barnes, Ashley Smith, Sacia Stovall, Chrissi Luke, Meredith Hutcherson and Anna Horton.
Steve Swogetinsky
Enterprise
With the loss of four senior starters off last year's team, veteran EHS coach knows that his team will be young and inexperienced.
One of the juniors Perkins and the Lady Bulldogs will be counting on heavily is Jessica Gray.
Laura Speed is also being counted on to play a big role inside.
The Lady Bulldogs, who finished, 14-15 last year are opening with a tough schedule. They opened with West Lauderdale last week, face Scott Central Tuesday and Philadelphia Thursday.
Austin Bishop