Justin Sims, a stand-out forward on Richland High School’s soccer team, has signed to play at East Mississippi Community College during the 2008-09 season. Sims said he heard about the Lions’ soccer program through a friend who attended EMCC’s Scooba campus. Sims, seated, is pictured on signing day with: his father, left, Paul Sims of Birmingham, Ala.; head men’s soccer coach Junior Noel, center; and his mother, Elaine Gray-Sims of Richland. For more information about EMCC’s athletic programs, call (662) 476-5000.

Head softball coach Kate Neely of East Mississippi Community College is on the recruiting trail, building on the strength of the 2007-08 season and looking to add new talent to the roster.

Alex Shelton, a catcher from West Point High School, has signed with EMCC. Neely said Shelton’s got a lot of speed and is willing to learn. Shelton will also be a member of the women’s soccer team.

Angel Little, also from West Point High School, is a utility player. Like Shelton, the coach said, Little brings a lot of speed and she’s a hard worker. Little will also play for the EMCC women’s basketball team.

Shortstop Linsey Upton, a graduate of New Hope High School, has also signed with EMCC for the upcoming season.

“Linsey has a great glove and is going to contribute a lot defensively. We saw Linsey play during one of New Hope’s games – and Angel and Alex came to tryouts in Scooba,” Neely said. “All three of these athletes will be able to contribute right off the bat for EMCC.”

Other recent softball signings include: Regan Shows of Beaumont, a transfer student from Jones County Junior College; and Portia Randle of Starkville, a graduate of Starkville High School.

Kristie Owens of Red Banks, right, played center field on East Mississippi Community College’s 2007-08 softball team; she is pictured with EMCC head softball coach Kate Neely. Owens graduated from EMCC in May and has signed with Mississippi College in Clinton, where she will play for coach Brooke O’Hair in the upcoming season. The daughter of Burt and Tassie Skelton, Owens is a health and physical education major and plans to become a softball coach. She is a graduate of Byhalia High School. For more information about EMCC sports, call Mickey Stokes, vice president for athletics, at (662) 476-5068.

James Stoddard, left, a stand-out pitcher on East Mississippi Community College’s 2007-08 baseball team, has signed with the University of Montevallo in Alabama. He is shown with his parents, Marsha and Terry Stoddard, and EMCC head baseball coach Tony Montgomery. James Stoddard posted an 8-1 season this past season for the EMCC Lions, with a 2.98 earned run average. The University of Montevallo competes in the Gulf South Conference, and played in the Division II World Series in 2006. James Stoddard is also a graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where he played under coach Jerry Boatner. For more information about EMCC sports, call Mickey Stokes, vice president for athletics, at (662) 476-5068.