Terrance Bennett, star G from Jackson inks with EMCC!!
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The East Mississippi Lions continued to find outstanding talent out of the area with the signing of Jackson Forest Hill HS star G Terrance Bennett. Bennett, who started the past two years for Coach Clay Norton at Forest Hill, led his team to two straight 25+ win seasons. Bennett, an amazing athlete, and lock down defender, ran both guard spots at Forest Hill, and averaged 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 3.4 apg.
"Terrance is one of the better athletes in the state of Mississippi, and we are fortunate to have him at East Miss. He has as a lot of upside, a tremendous work ethic, and a motor that never stops." -Head Coach Mark White
Terrance also excels in Track and Field, in the Long Jump and 100m sprint. Terrance recently placed 4th in the State Track Meet in the Long Jump.


Kenneth Hoskins, basketball star and high jump champ signs with Lions!!
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The East Mississippi Lions got one of the better athletes in the State with the addition of 6'4 Jackson Forest Hill Forward Kenneth Hoskins. Hoskins averaged 10.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg for the State-ranked Forest Hill squad this past season. Ken is along, athletic Forward who can go inside and out, and will be a welcome addition to the Lions roster.
"Ken is a kid we feel very fortunate to have signed, and think he has the upside and talent to be a very good player in this league. Ken is also a great kid, who will greatly add to the East Mississippi community off the court as well as on it." -Head Coach Mark White
Ken is also a track star, showing off his amazing athletic ability by winning a number of meets this past year in the High Jump, and finishing 3rd in the State meet.


Ray Knight, State Champion PG from New Hope inks with East Miss!!
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The East Miss Lions continued their trend of signing winners, with the recent addition of PG/2G Ray Knight of 4A State Champions New Hope High School, in Columbus. Knight is a true winner and 3 year starter, and turned down numerous top out of state Junior Colleges to play close to home with the up and coming Lions program. Very good with the ball, Knight is a true PG, but also has the size and scoring ability to play the shooting guard position.

"Ray is an outstanding addition to East Mississippi, and will bring with him great toughness, competitiveness, and a high basketball IQ." -Head Coach Mark White

Ray averaged 12.3 ppg and 7.1 assists per game for New Hope this past year, and was ranked among the Top 30 players in the State, according to a number of recruiting sites.

Anthony Foster, Lions sign one of Jackson's top PG's!!
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The East Mississippi staff searched the state looking for a tough, hard nosed point guard, and came away with signing Jackson Wingfield 5'7 PG Anthony Foster. Foster is a physical PG that can get in the lane at will, as well as knock down the outside shot, and comes from a high school program with great tradition in Jackson Wingfield. Foster was instrumental in leading Wingfield to a State Tournament birth this year.

"Anthony is as tough as they come. And he is a winner. Anthony has that never-back-down attitude on the court, and will be a huge asset to the East Mississippi program." -Head Coach Mark White

Anthony averaged 10.2 ppg and 8.1 assists per game, which ranked near the top of the State in that category. Anthony is also one of the top defensive PG's in the State.



Larry Foster, star Alabama guard ready to suit up for Lions!!
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Former Mr. Basketball winner in Alabama, 6'3 G Larry Foster signs with the East Mississippi Lions, and is ready to suit up for the 2008-'09 season. Foster, the former Sumter Co HS star, won a State Championship to go along with the Mr. Basketball award his senior season. In addition, Foster was first team All State, and an honorable mention All American. Foster played one season at Wallace State CC in Alabama, and will have one season to play in a Lions uniform.

"Words cannot express how excited we are to have Larry as a part of the East Miss family. Larry is a hard working, talented kid who we will look to be a team leader." -Head Coach Mark White
Foster averaged 22.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg his senior year in high school.



Robert Elam, D-1 commitment inks with East Mississippi!!
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The Lions got a huge signee this past week with the addition of 6'7 F Robert Elam from Nashville Christian Academy. Elam, who had committed early to Austin Peay, a Division 1 school in Clarksville, TN, opted instead to go the junior college route and increase his stock. Elam is an athletic, versatile 6'7 F who can play on the wing as well as going inside.
"We are very fortunate to have signed a player of Robert's caliber, and are excited about his potential in this league. Robert is very long, skilled, and athletic, and has the work ethic and drive to be a very special player." -Head Coach Mark White
Elam, originally from Batesburg, SC, excelled at the powerhouse Prep School in Nashville, Tn under the tutelage of coach Carl Reed, averaging 16.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg, to go along with 3 blocked shots per game playing a loaded schedule that included a close loss to national power Oak Hill Academy.



Johnathon Harris, 6'3 guard signs with Lions!!
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Starkville High School star guard Johnathon Harris signed this past April with the East Mississippi Lions, turning down a host of other top Junior Colleges all over the south. Harris, who led Starkville High to back to back Mississippi State Final 4 appearances, will be asked upon to produce early for the Lions next year. Playing for coach Greg Carter at Starkville High, Johnathon averaged 10.3 ppg on a balanced Yellowjacket attack, to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game, and was the team's top defender.

"We are very fortunate to have a young man like Johnathon coming into the program. He is an outstanding talent, but also a very hard working and humble individual. Johnathon is the next in a long line of outstanding talent coming out of Starkville High" -Head Coach Mark White

Johnathon was ranked as the #2 ranked player in the Class of 2008 area rankings, according to www.centercourtbasketball.com after his outstanding play last summer during a number of high profile showcases.



Jeremy Blair, one of State's top scorers inks with East Miss!!
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The East Mississippi Men's Basketball team got some great news with the signing of one of Mississippi's top scorers in 6'0 East Oktibbeha HS PG Jeremy Blair.  Blair was outstanding this past year as he tried to lead a young East Oktibbeha team in their quest to repeat as State Champs. Blair averaged 24.6 ppg along the way, and scored at will from all over the court, using his sweet shooting stroke and excellent quickness.
"Jeremy is going to be a great asset to the East Mississippi basketball family, and we could not be more excited to bring in a kid with his ability to score the ball. Jeremy is a fantastic kid, and we see a bright future for him at East Mississippi CC" -Head Coach Mark White


Charles Houston, former Columbus High star signs for second stint with Lions!!
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The Lions got a huge boost with the news that former Columbus High School star Charles Houston, who played as a freshman for East Miss a few years back, decided to make a comeback and sign with the 2008-09 East Mississippi hoops program. Houston was an honorable mention All State performer at Columbus, and put up astounding numbers at 23.4 ppg and 12.1 rebounds per game.
"We are very excited about having CJ (Charles) as a part of the East Miss family. He is an outstanding talent, and has been working very hard to prepare himself for this upcoming season. CJ could be one of the better frontcourt players in this league next year." -Head Coach Mark White



Rodricko Ware, former Starkville star ready to suit up for Lions!!
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The most recent signee to the East Mississippi hoops program is former Starkville High star G Rodrikco Ware. Ware, originally part of the Class of 2005, has yet to play in his first collegiate game, and comes to the Lions hungry to make an immediate impact. Ware was one of the top players in the State during his time at Starkville and a highly sought after recruit. Ware will bring high energy play and a great scoring ability with him to Scooba.
"We are all very excited about the possibilities that Koko (Rodrikco) brings to the table. He is a fierce competitor, and hungry to be an outstanding college basketball player. Koko is quick, athletic, and a true scorer." -Head Coach Mark White

Ware averaged 21 ppg and 6.3 rebounds per game during his senior year at Starkville, and was a teammate of graduating Lions stars Jarvis Hill and Keith James during his time there.