PRESS RELEASE: Aug. 27, 2008

            SCOOBA, Miss. – The Buddy Stephens era of East Mississippi Community College football kicks off Thursday evening, as the Lions play host to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in their 2008 season opener.  Game time is set for 7 p.m. at EMCC’s Sullivan-Windham Field.

            Thursday’s contest, as will at least five other EMCC football contests this season, can be heard on WFCA-FM (107.9) – the Voice of French Camp Academy – with Brett Bouchillon and Glen Barlow handling the play-by-play duties and color commentary, respectively.  The 100,000-watt station can be heard in 28 Mississippi counties.  Lion football broadcasts can also be heard via audio streaming on EMCC’s athletics website - www.athletics.eastms.edu.

            Stephens takes over the EMCC program after spending the past seven years as an assistant coach at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville.  Most recently as PRCC’s co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, Stephens helped guide the Wildcats to a seven-year composite record of 60-12 (.833), including a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship in 2004 and four consecutive Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) and four straight top five national finishes (2003-06).

            Bidding for their first winning season on the gridiron since 1998, the Lions are coming off a 4-5 campaign a year ago under former head coach Roger Carr.  With a 4-2 division mark and third-place finish in the North Division, EMCC capped the 2007 season with a 31-28 overtime road victory over nationally ranked and North Division champion Itawamba Community College.

            Headlining this year’s East Mississippi Community College club are six former NCAA Division I signees plus returning All-Region 23 wide receiver Leon Berry of Griffin, Ga.  Also on offense, the Lions will feature freshman quarterback Randall Mackey, a former Ole Miss signee who was a Parade All-American a year ago after leading Bastrop (La.) High School to a third consecutive Class 4A state championship.  On the defensive side of the ball, EMCC will showcase former University of Florida defensive back Jamar Hornsby, along with a pair of former University of Alabama signees – linebacker Devonta Bolton and defensive lineman Brandon Lewis – and two former University of South Florida signees – defensive linemen Leslie Stirrups and Claude Davis.

            Following their season opener at home, the Lions will be on the road for the next three games, beginning with their Sept. 6 contest at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville.  

    SCOOBA, Miss. – Freshman Nikeisha Noel tallied five goals to lead the East Mississippi Community College women’s soccer team to a season-opening 8-1 home triumph over East Central Community College Friday afternoon at the EMCC Soccer Field.  The Lions and Warriors battled to a scoreless deadlock in the men’s nightcap. 
    A member of Trinidad & Tobago’s Under-20 National Team, Noel previously netted four goals for the Lady Lions in their 4-4 exhibition tie against Southwest Mississippi CC on Wednesday.  Also scoring for the Lady Lions on Friday were sophomore Heather Boatner of New Albany along with freshman Raycine Clarke of Trinidad and fellow rookie Alex Shelton of West Point with one goal apiece.
    In the men’s match, the two teams battled for an extra pair of 10-minute sessions before settling for the stalemate.
Playing eight of their first nine matches of the season at home, second-year head coach Junior Noel’s  teams resume their homestand Tuesday (Aug. 26) by playing host to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.  The women will play at 2 p.m. followed by men’s action at 4 p.m. on the Scooba campus.

The East Mississippi Community College men's soccer team claimed a 3-2 exhibition win over Southwest Mississippi Community College, while the Lady Lions and Lady Bears tied at 4-4 in exhibition play Wednesday afternoon at EMCC's Soccer Field in Scooba.

Freshman Nikeisha Noel, a native of San Fernando, Trinidad, individually scored a pair of goals in each half to provide all of the scoring for coach Junior Noel's Lady Lions.  In the nightcap, EMCC freshman Leonardo Reyes, also from Trinidad, collected two goals for Noel's Lions, while freshman Jake Tutor, a North Pontotoc High School product, tallied one score in the victory. 

"Overall, everyone played very well.  After just one week of practice, I think we played above what my expectations were going into the matches," EMCC's second-year head coach noted.  "We need to work on our fitness, which is to be expected so early in the season, and focus more on finishing plays at the net and communicating as a group out there on the field."

EMCC begins regular-season soccer action Friday afternoon at home against East Central Community College, with the women's match set for a 2 p.m. start followed by the men at 4 p.m.

 

Women’s head basketball coach Sharon Thompson announces the following new signees for the 2008-09 season:

 

Raona Stowers is a graduate of Noxubee County High School and the daughter of Octavia Stowers. Thompson said the 5-foot-6-inch guard will add athleticism, quickness, speed and defense at EMCC’s guard positions. Stowers is a sports administration major.

 

Angel Little is a graduate of West Point High School and the daughter of Shelia Little. Thompson said the 5-foot-5-inch guard is very competitive, has great quickness and speed and is a very good passer.  Little is a physical education major and will also be a member of the Lady Lions softball team.

 

Cassandra Bradford is a graduate of East Oktibbeha High School and the daughter of Emma Gillespie. Thompson said the 5-foot-7-inch guard will bring competitiveness and a great work ethic to the EMCC program. Bradford is an art major.

 

Brittani Jones, at 5 feet 10 inches, will play the 3 & 4 positions. Thompson said she brings great quickness and speed at both positions. Jones attended Putnam County High School in Eatonton, Ga. Her parents are LaCorrie and Cheryl Brown, and she is majoring in physical therapy.

 

Angelique Burtts is a 6-foot transfer from Middle Tennessee State University and the daughter of Angela Burtts and Arthur Thomas. She attended Rockdale County High School in Conyers, Ga. Thompson said she brings experience and leadership – and brings the team depth at both the 3 & 4 positions. Burtts is majoring in psychology.