By Staff
POWER MOVE Neshoba Central's Miranda Rosar (51) has become quite a force in the paint for the Lady Rockets. Photo by Marty Stamper / The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/staff writer
Jan. 7, 2002
PHILADELPHIA When Miranda Rosar first moved to rural Neshoba County, she wasn't exactly the happiest person on the face of the earth with her new surroundings.
Now that she's become successful on the basketball court, she isn't about to leave.
Rosar is hard to miss as a 5-foot-11 senior on the Neshoba Central Lady Rockets' basketball team.
She moved to south Neshoba County from near Myrtle Beach, S.C., when she was in the eighth grade. At the time, she already stood 5-foot-10.
As is often the case, growing so much so quickly had its drawbacks.
She had never been big on sports until she tried out for the Neshoba Central girls' basketball team for former Lady Rockets' coach Bill Smith.
They are the team's four seniors.
Smith said it didn't take a genius to keep Rosar on the roster.
Rosar actually outlasted Smith at Neshoba Central as he now coaches the men's basketball at East Central Community College. He didn't take that job until the current school year had begun.
Rosar's other stops before coming to Mississippi include Hawaii. The Myrtle Beach area wasn't bad either.
Smith's departure was made easier for this year's team when his wife, Susan Fox-Smith, was promoted from assistant to head coach.
The Lady Rockets went 28-11 last year, reaching the semifinals of the Class 4A state tournament where they lost 65-58 to Crystal Springs. The Neshoba girls are off to a 14-5 start this year.
Rosar has battled ankle and shoulder injuries already this season.
She hopes to continue her hoops career after graduating this spring.