By By Josh Taylor/The Meridian Star
Nov. 7, 2001
Led by second year head coach Charles Coleman the defending district champion Northeast Lauderdale High School Lady Trojans are ready for another title run.
The Lady Trojans enjoyed a 10-3 record last year ending with a district title and a trip to the playoffs.
The Lady Trojans sent three key seniors from last year on to college teams including midfielder Elyse Parker, fullback Casey Abrams, and fullback Kristina Barrett.
Parker is playing for William Carey, while Abrams and Barrett are both playing for East Mississippi Community College.
The Lady Trojans' 2001 squad is filled with potential stars including last year's leading scorer, sophomore forward Danielle Smith. She racked up 28 goals last year.
Other key players for the Lady Trojans will be junior midfielder Melissa Brents, senior midfielder Katie Bergin, senior sweeper Jodi Oubre, junior goalie Raleigh Odom, senior midfielder April Harper, ninth grade forward Ivy Rawson, and senior fullback Lisa Needler.
The Lady Trojans will face tough district competition from Laurel and West Jones.
Meridian High School
Coming off a very successful 22-4 season that ended in the state championship game, the Lady Cats are geared up for another run at the title.
The Lady Cats won their district and the South State Championship last year under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Pat Ross.
The Lady Cats will be playing without standout midfielder Ramey Rush, who currently plays for Ole Miss, Midfielder Julie Pollman, striker Deanna Harris, and striker Erin Brown. Pollman plays at Mississippi College.
The Lady Cats will look to a handful of girls to take the reins including junior sweeper Kirsten Gambrell, sophomore back Jamie Easterwood, and senior back Lindsey Key.
The Lady Cats defense will be led by possibly the best goalie in the state in sophomore Sarah Denham.
The Lady Cats will be facing tough district competition with Northwest Rankin and Brandon on the schedule.
Clarkdale
Coming off a 6-5 season that ended in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Lady Bulldogs of Clarkdale are geared up for another competitive season of soccer with the addition of first year head coach Lea Castleberry.
The Lady Bulldogs will be returning nearly half of last year's squad and a few new ones.
The Lady Bulldogs will look to a handful of sophomores and a junior to lead the team to another playoff berth. Sophomore midfielder Brandi Wright looks to be a big contributor for the Lady Bulldogs along with sophomore goalie Emily Howard.
Also look for junior midfielder Tara Smith and sophomore forward Bethany Spidle to have big impacts.
Castleberry is optimistic about the upcoming season. "They're a good group of girls," said Castleberry. "They are very supportive of each other and I think they will pull together and play hard."