By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Oct. 31, 2001
Northeast Lauderdale faces a tall challenge for the 2001-2002 season. The problem is, the Lady Trojans are a pretty small bunch.
Head coach Don Stegall says his team must overcome their height problem by playing good defense.
The Lady Trojans finished 21-12 last season finishing second in Division 5-4A. They advanced to the second round of the 4A playoffs.
The club will be led by senior guard Keisha Sanders. Joining her in the starting lineup will be junior Quinn Jackson, ninth grader Shaquita Bell and sophomore Crystal Hobson. All four are in the 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7 range. The fifth spot is still undecided.
Northeast will try to fool opponents with a tenacious half-court trap.
The Lady Trojans will once again be in another tough division with West Jones and George County.
The Lady Trojans will open the season at the Newton County Tournament this weekend. On Nov. 9, they will take on West Lauderdale who is ranked eighth in the Clarion Ledger's Top 15 prep girls poll.
In late December, Northeast will again head to Birmingham, Ala., to play in an elite 16-team tournament.
Jeff Byrd is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. He can be reached at 693-1551 or by e-mail at jbyrd@themeridianstar.com.