By By Shawn Wansley / EMG Sports Writer
Aug. 28, 2003
ELLISVILLE The Mississippi State University Lady Bulldogs enjoyed their best season ever in 2002-03.
They finished the campaign with a 22-6 record and finished 10-4 in the Southeastern Conference, good enough for third place behind powerhouses LSU
and Tennessee. They advanced to round two of the NCAA Tournament.
And then four-time All-American LaToya Thomas became the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft when she was selected by the Cleveland Rockers.
But now school has started for 2003-04 and eighth-year coach Sharon Fanning is ready for a challenging season, without Thomas, and probably the toughest schedule in school history, including a CBS nationally televised home game with Big Ten power Illinois.
The Lady Bulldogs will host Illinois Jan. 4 on CBS.
Two-time All-SEC selection Tan White is someone Fanning can count on. White has been named as one of 30 selectees to the inaugural Wooden Women's Award Preseason All-American Team. She finished fourth in the SEC in scoring last year with 18.1 points per game.
Fanning points to White and Doceide Warren, a 5-foot-7 sophomore from Dallas, Texas, as being the leader at point guard, replacing former Northeast Jones standout Renea Jones. Tiania Burns, a standout performer from Co-Lin Community College, will be on the perimeter as well.
The post position, with Thomas gone, is the biggest question mark.