By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Nov. 1, 2001
DECATUR If the 2001-2002 basketball season ends like last year, it will suit the Lady Warriors of East Central Community College just fine.
The Lady Warriors won the Region 23 championship and advanced to the NJCAA Women's National Championship at Salina, Kan., where they lost a one-point decision to eventual national champion Cloud County (Kan.) in the first round.
The Lady Warriors know they'll be wearing the bull's eye when they take the court this winter.
ECCC opens its season Friday at Holmes before hosting Northeast Mississippi on Nov. 8.
The lone returning starter from last year's 22-7 team is 5-foot-9 guard Nikki LaCour, who averaged 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds as a freshman out of Natchitoches (La.) Central High School.
Also returning as a top sub from a year ago is Lori Cumberland, a 5-foot-9 guard from Leake Academy. She averaged 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds.
Also back from the 2000-2001 team is 5-foot-9 forward Trelisa Eichelberger from Noxapater, who averaged 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds.
Hodge has a few more vets who either sat out last year or have transferred from other schools.
Returning after a one-year layoff is 5-foot-5 guard Becky Killen from Sebastopol.
Transferring to ECCC from Tougaloo College is 5-foot-8 guard/forward Christina Ford from Enterprise.
Another incoming sophomore is 5-foot-6 guard Shelley Giddings from University City High School in Philadelphia, Pa.
Freshmen are 5-foot-9 guard/forward Melinda Ben and 5-foot-4 guard Crystal Lewis, both from 2001 Class 3A state semifinalist Choctaw Central; 6-foot center Ashley Brown from 2000 Class 1A state champion Scott Central; 6-foot-3 center Lakelia Bogan and 5-foot-10 guard Tamekia Foley, both from Newton County; 5-foot-7 guard Shaneka Cistrunk from Louisville; 5-foot-5 guard Patsy McKee from Forest, and 6-foot-3 center Belinda Potter from Neville High School in Monroe, La.
Just as long as they're cured by March.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.