Sports

EC Enhancements: East Central Announces Baseball Facility Expansion

lcalvert — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 19:39:53 +0000

EC Enhancements: East Central Announces Baseball Facility Expansion lcalvert Thu, 09/14/2023 - 14:39

September 14, 2023

After a historic 2023 season, �Ӱ��Ƶ is excited to begin the first phase of a comprehensive three-phase expansion project at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex.

“We are ecstatic about this project. This is another step to get our facility to where we ultimately want it to be,” said 17-year head coach Neal Holliman. “We’ve recently added new lighting and a padded outfield wall, and this upgrade will really take us into an entirely different category in this league. Student-athletes, just like all of us, are visually driven so we expect these upgrades to continually help us recruit and retain the best players in the local area, state, and beyond.”

Phase one of the project includes the construction of bathrooms, storage facilities, an umpire area, and a viewing deck. The development will also include a skybox in phase two and additional bleacher seating in phase three. The new facility, located on the first base side of the field, will be integrated under the existing covered area.

Anticipated completion for phase one is set to coincide with the start of conference play in the 2024 season.

"Over the years, Coach Holliman has done an outstanding job of engaging fans and supporters of the �Ӱ��Ƶ Warrior Baseball program. Those individuals and local businesses have been very generous in their donations to make the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex what it is today,” said Director of Athletics, Paul Nixon. “The College continued its commitment to the Department of Athletics with the addition of the state-of-the-art LED lights on all our outdoor athletic venues this past year. I want to thank Dr. Gregory and the �Ӱ��Ƶ Board members for their dedication to improving Warrior Athletics. This stadium expansion is a much-needed addition that will benefit our student-athletes, their families, and the Wall O’ Sound band as it will provide bathroom facilities to their practice field."

In 2023, the Warriors concluded with an impressive 37-20 overall record and clinched both the MACCC and NJCAA Region 23 championships. Notably, their region title secured the college's first-ever bid to the NJCAA World Series in Enid, Oklahoma. The team looks to build upon this success as they prepare for the 2024 season.

�Ӱ��Ƶ Mourns Loss of Chris Clark

lcalvert — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 19:48:40 +0000

�Ӱ��Ƶ Mourns Loss of Chris Clark lcalvert Fri, 11/25/2022 - 13:48

November 25, 2022

The �Ӱ��Ƶ family mourns the passing of Workforce Development Coordinator and �Ӱ��Ƶ Warrior golf coach, Chris Clark.

Clark, 59, of Decatur passed away Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Laird Hospital in Union. He was born July 27, 1963, in Kosciusko, MS.

"We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Chris," said �Ӱ��Ƶ President Dr. Brent Gregory. "Chris was not only a great co-worker and coach, but he was a friend to everyone on campus and his genuine personality will be missed by all at the college and in the community."

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Clarke Venable Baptist Church, Decatur, MS. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Newton County Funeral Home North (9998 Hwy 15 North, Newton, MS). Rev. Mark Vincent and Rev. Kelvin Boone will officiate. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Chris graduated from Decatur High School in 1981 and was known as a gifted athlete, fierce competitor, and one of the nicest guys in the school. He played basketball and baseball in high school, golf, baseball, and tennis at �Ӱ��Ƶ, and was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame. Chris graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1985 earning the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. Chris worked for La-z-Boy and �Ӱ��Ƶ where he coached the golf team and worked in the Workforce development department where he oversaw training opportunities for district businesses and companies.

Chris enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and investing in the lives of students at his Church, Clarke Venable Baptist Church. Clark served as a deacon and often chaperoned student events such as Centrifuge, Mission Fuge, and Disciple Now. Chris also taught the third and fourth-grade boys' Sunday School class at CVBC.

Chris is preceded in death by his father, Joe Clark; grandparents, Alton and Mattie Lee Johnson and Marzene and Odessa Clark. He is survived by his mother Carolyn Clark; wife, Sandy Hemmingway Clark; son, Luke Clark; daughter, Olivia Clark; brothers Kevin Clark and Stan Clark (Melba); nephews, Thomas and Andrew Clark; nieces, Riley Kate and Dru Sheppard; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shannon and Johnny Sheppard; father-in-law, Wayne Hemmingway (Marie); mother-in-law, Sue Hemmingway.

Pallbearers will be Chris Vance, Scotty Russell, Chris Harris, Cole Harris, Graham Clarke, Robert Munn, Joel Nelson, and Roger Whitlock.

Honorary pallbearers are Michael Alexander, Joseph Knight, Ronnie Westbrook, Don Munn, Jeff Ezelle, Scott Hill, and all current and former �Ӱ��Ƶ golfers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Clarke Venable Baptist Church Children's ministry.

(Obituary by Newton County Funeral Home)

�Ӱ��Ƶ Golfer Earns Co-Medalist at William Carey Showcase

bwagnon — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:45:10 +0000

�Ӱ��Ƶ Golfer Earns Co-Medalist at William Carey Showcase bwagnon Thu, 11/17/2022 - 14:45

November 17, 2022

The �Ӱ��Ƶ Warrior golf team finished fourth in a seven-team field at the William Carey University Showcase November 8. The event, a one-round tournament, featured all MACCC schools, with Meridian winning the event and Gulf Coast and Co-Lin rounding out the top three.

East Central's Gage Miller led the charge for the Warriors as he earned co-medalist honors tying for the lowest round of the day, a one-under, 71. Bryce Denley also finished top 10 as tied for ninth with a two-over, 74.

Max Guzhvin carded a 79 for a top-20 finish, while Peyton Herrington and Lane Moore rounded out �Ӱ��Ƶ's players with rounds of 88 and 89, respectively.

The event, which did not count as a MACCC event, wrapped the fall portion of the 2022-23 season for �Ӱ��Ƶ's golf team.

RESULTS
FINISH	TEAM	SCORE
1st	Meridian	295 (+7)
2nd	Gulf Coast	296 (+8)
3rd	Co-Lin	302 (+14)
4th	�Ӱ��Ƶ	312 (+24)
5th	Hinds	317 (+29)
6th	Jones	325 (+37)
7th	Pearl River	334 (+46)

RESULTS
FINISH	PLAYER	SCORE
T-1st	Gage Miller	71 (-1)
T-9th	Bryce Denley	74 (+3)
T-20th	Max Guzhvin	79 (+7)
37th	Peyton Herrington	88 (+16)
38th	Lane Moore	89 (+17)

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors

bwagnon — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:30:32 +0000

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors bwagnon Thu, 11/17/2022 - 11:30

November 17, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ had two players earn All-MACCC honors for their play on the gridiron in 2022. �Ӱ��Ƶ's Treyon Wash, a sophomore defensive back from Forest, was tabbed as Second Team All-MACCC, while Jaylin Thompson, another sophomore defensive back who hails from Vicksburg, earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Wash finished the season second on the team in tackles with 62 on the year. The sophomore led the team in interceptions as he snagged three on the season and blocked a pair of kicks. He also posted four breakups during the year.

Thompson was another lockdown defensive back who wrapped up 39 tackles on the year. Thompson posted two interceptions, both against Southwest, and returned one for a 56-yard touchdown. He also broke up six passes on the year, second most on the team.

The Warriors finished the season 1-8 overall as the season opener was forfeited by Coahoma.

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach

bwagnon — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:30:05 +0000

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach bwagnon Wed, 11/16/2022 - 09:30

November 16, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ in Decatur is excited to welcome Jonathan Webster to campus as the 22nd head coach of the Warrior football program. Webster replaces Ken Karcher who served in the role for 10 seasons before announcing his retirement in October.

Webster, a notable name in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC), has over 16 years of experience as both a student-athlete and coach in the league.

“Coach Webster is exactly what we are looking for at East Central,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ President Dr. Brent Gregory. “His energy, excitement, recruiting ability, and knowledge of this league are unmatched. We expect Jonathan to directly fit into the culture of success and community that we are building, and we are very excited to have him and his family join us in Decatur.”

Webster most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville where he led the Tiger defense to national prominence as the team ranked top 15-nationally in fumble recoveries, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns all three years at the helm.

His stint at Northeast was the second of his career as he also coached the Tiger defensive backs in 2012-13 before serving as the defensive backs coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia from 2013-2019.

Webster was a key part of Northwest’s success during his tenure. That includes the Rangers’ 2015 campaign in which NWCC won both the MACCC conference and NJCAA national championships.

Northwest qualified for the MACCC playoffs each season that Webster was on its staff, and the Rangers appeared in three bowl games, including the 2015 Mississippi Bowl, the 2016 C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl, and the 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl.

Webster, a Batesville native, began his coaching career at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit as a defensive backs coach in 2009.

“Coach Web emerged from a very competitive group of applicants as the best choice due to his passion to be our next head coach. He has experienced consistent success in the MACCC as a student-athlete, an assistant coach, and a defensive coordinator,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ Director of Athletics Paul Nixon. “He is absolutely ready to be a head coach in this league, and he presented a fantastic plan with a clear vision as to why EC Warrior Football is the perfect fit for him. We are thrilled to introduce him to our student-athletes, our campus community, and the high school programs throughout our five counties.”

Along with his experience in the college ranks, Webster has spent numerous months in the professional football world through internships beginning in 2014. These include stops with the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Webster’s duties included assisting with game preparation and working with defensive backs, linebackers, and special teams.

The South Panola High School graduate was a standout student-athlete as he played at both Northwest Mississippi Community College and Arkansas Tech University. During his tenure with the Rangers, NWCC went 15-4 and was nationally ranked in the NJCAA both seasons. He earned Northwest’s defensive most valuable player honors as a sophomore and helped lead the Rangers to a MACCC North Division championship during his freshman campaign.

At Arkansas Tech, Webster was named Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District on two occasions.

“My family and I are extremely excited about the opportunity to have an impact on the young men at East Central and in the surrounding community,” said Webster. “It is a blessing to be in this role, and I do not take it for granted, but I am ready to get to work and bring some excitement to the East Central football program. I would like to thank the East Central Board of Trustees, Dr. Gregory, and Mr. Nixon for affording me this opportunity and trusting me in this position.”

Webster has a bachelor of arts in sociology from Arkansas Tech and a master of science in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife Bridget have three children, Kenadie, Kaleb, and Nori.

Lady Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-Conference

bwagnon — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 18:37:48 +0000

Lady Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-Conference bwagnon Wed, 11/09/2022 - 12:37

November 9, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ's women’s soccer program had two players earn post-season honors, Torrance Rouchon and Juliana Wells. The duo was tabbed All-MACCC (Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference) for their strong play throughout the 2022 season.

Rouchon, a freshman from Perksinton, earned Second Team All-MACCC recognition as a defensive back. Despite playing as a defender, Rouchon picked up five points on the year as she netted a pair of goals and picked up an assist in the Lady Warriors' 4-0 victory over Southwest early in the season.

“Torrance has come in and solidified herself as a top defender, and works tirelessly every day to improve,” said �Ӱ��Ƶ head coach Ryan Joiner. “Her being named All-MACCC is a very well-deserved honor.”

Wells earned an Honorable Mention nod for her play at midfield this year. The sophomore from Poplarville started in 15 games for the Lady Warriors and scored two goals, one against the Mississippi University for Women and another against Oxford College. She also posted an assist in the game against The W and another against Southwest.

“Juliana is a model student-athlete at EC, and her hard work off the field preparing for the year showed throughout the season,” said Joiner. “That effort and dedication are why she was selected All-MACCC, and again it is well deserved.”

The Lady Warriors made the MACCC playoffs in 2022 after defeating Itawamba in a must-win season finale, 2-1. �Ӱ��Ƶ fell to Northwest in the Gulf South District quarterfinals, 3-0, to finish the year 8-7-2, 3-5-2.

Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-MACCC Honors

bwagnon — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 18:35:19 +0000

Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-MACCC Honors bwagnon Wed, 11/09/2022 - 12:35

November 8, 2022

�Ӱ��Ƶ had two men’s soccer players earn post-season hardware for their play on the pitch throughout the 2022 season. �Ӱ��Ƶ defender Noah Shockley and forward Evan Reape both got the nod as Honorable Mention All-MACCC (Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference) selections.

Shockley, a sophomore from Long Beach, was the vocal leader for the Warriors on the backline the entire season. His efforts helped the Warriors pick up two shutout victories on the season.

“Noah was a leader for this team both on and off the field,” said head coach Ethan Paschal. “He constantly strives for greatness, and the hard work that he puts in shows on the field, and this honor is very well deserved.”

Reape was a goal-scorer for the Warriors this season as he netted eight goals, including a staggering four-goal performance against Northwest.

"Evan has been a goal threat all season. His quality in the final third was crucial on our road to the playoffs," said Paschal.

The Warriors finished the season 5-7 overall and 5-5 in MACCC play, earning a spot in the Gulf South District quarterfinals. �Ӱ��Ƶ fell to Pearl River, 3-0, to close out the season.

Warrior Basketball Falls in Overtime at No. 15 Northeast

bwagnon — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 17:35:49 +0000

Warrior Basketball Falls in Overtime at No. 15 Northeast bwagnon Tue, 11/08/2022 - 11:35

November 8, 2022

The �Ӱ��Ƶ Warriors traveled to Booneville on Monday night, Nov. 7, and took the No. 15 nationally ranked Tigers of Northeast Mississippi Community College to overtime, ultimately falling by just four points, 119-115. The loss dropped the Warriors to 2-1 on the year, while Northeast moved to 2-0.

The contest was an offensive shootout in the first half as both teams blew up the scoreboard with stellar shooting from all parts of the floor. The impressive play from both squads did not allow either team to pull away as the lead continually traded hands and rarely grew beyond three points in either direction.

However, in the final two minutes of the first half, the Tigers strung together an 8-0 run to pull out to a 53-45 lead, but �Ӱ��Ƶ cut it down to 54-48 going into the half.

�Ӱ��Ƶ came out of the break ready to play and quickly recaptured the lead in the early goings of the second frame, but a 10-0 Tiger scoring burst ensued, putting NEMCC on top, 69-59, with 13 minutes remaining in regulation. That lead grew to a 78-61 lead just a couple of minutes later.

The Warriors never waivered and slowly chipped at the Tiger lead with solid rebounding on the defensive end and converting offensively. With six minutes remaining, the lead had been cut back to 10, 92-82. A big three-pointer from Christopher Keys, a dunk from David Berry, and solid free throw shooting from Tai'Reon Joseph gave the Warriors new life in the final five minutes and pulled the Warriors within two, 96-94. An Antwan Hatten dunk and Berry free throws down the stretch sent the game to overtime, 102-102.

In the extra frame the Warriors pulled out to a 108-102 lead, but a big three from the Tigers and a jumper from Corey Stephenson knotted the game back up. After the Tigers re-took the lead and with time running out, the Warriors were forced to foul, but solid shooting from the charity stripe pushed the Tigers to the 119-115 win.

Tynerious Daniels led the Warriors with 33 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 14-of-18 shooting from the free throw line. Four other �Ӱ��Ƶ starters, Keys, Berry, Julius Ellerbe, and Joseph all scored in double-digits with Keys netting 19, Joseph scoring 18, Berry adding 16, and Ellerbe netting 12. Berry led the team with 12 rebounds and five assists on the night.

The Warriors outrebounded the Tigers 46-44 but turned the ball over seven more times.

�Ӱ��Ƶ is back at home this Thursday, Nov. 10, as the Warriors host Meridian at 6 p.m. That game can be seen live at www.eccclive.com/gold.

Ellerbe Named MACCC Men's Basketball Player of the Week

bwagnon — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:32:43 +0000

Ellerbe Named MACCC Men's Basketball Player of the Week bwagnon Tue, 11/08/2022 - 10:32

November 8, 2022

Julius Ellerbe had an electric start to his time as a Warrior. The 6’7 guard from Virginia Beach Sports Academy posted back-to-back triple-doubles in the Warriors’ 105-83 and 98-72 victories over Wallace Community College-Selma and William Carey JV to open the 2022-23 season. His stat lines were 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Selma contest, and 13 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Carey game.

For his efforts he was named the Mississippi Association of Community College’s Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Women's Basketball Comes Up Short Against Northeast

bwagnon — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:06:08 +0000

Women's Basketball Comes Up Short Against Northeast bwagnon Tue, 11/08/2022 - 10:06

November 8, 2022

The Lady Warriors of �Ӱ��Ƶ fell to 1-1 on the year on Monday night, Nov. 7, with a 68-61 loss to Northeast Mississippi Community College.

The contest had a slow start for East Central as the Lady Tigers of NEMCC pulled out to a nine-point, 13-4, lead late in the first quarter. The Lady Warriors battled in the final minutes of the frame and capitalized on some key trips to the free throw line with Kennedee Shelton and Angela Middleton rattling home some freebies. Between the trips to the stripe, �Ӱ��Ƶ's Leilaya McMillian nailed a three-pointer. The quick turnaround cut the Lady Tiger lead to just two, 16-14, at the end of the frame.

In the second the action was back and forth with the Lady Warriors taking their first lead of the night, 20-19, at the six-minute mark. The lead came on a second-chance layup from Mady Buckley. The Lady Warrior Lead was short-lived as the Lady Tigers responded with a scoring burst that NEMCC on top 33-26 going into the half.

The game ground to a halt in the third quarter as fouls mounted for both teams. The free throw battle swung in both directions with the Lady Tigers growing their lead to as much as 10, 51-41, before a 7-0 �Ӱ��Ƶ run closed out the quarter with the Lady Tigers on top by just three, 51-38.

The scoring run continued in the fourth quarter and the Lady Warriors took their second lead of the night, 52-51, in the opening minutes of the final frame on a Middleton layup. The Lady Tigers hit back with a three-pointer and despite some solid play down the stretch with baskets from Kaedre Denson and a three-pointer from Cori Keats, the Lady Warriors were not able to come back and lost, 68-61.

The Lady Warriors finished the night shooting 28 percent (17-of-60) and 20 percent from three-point range (4-of-20), but were 77 percent from the free throw line, making 23-of-30 attempts. �Ӱ��Ƶ also outrebounded NEMCC by two, 46-44, but turned the ball over 22 times on the night.

Shelton led the Lady Warriors with 24 points, while McMillian added nine. Middleton and Denson came off the bench to score eight each. Denson also led the team in rebounding with 12 on the night and five blocks.

The Lady Warriors are on the road this Thursday, Nov. 10, as the team travels to Utica to take on the Hinds Lady Bulldogs at 6 p.m. More information will be released when it is available.

Sports

EC Enhancements: East Central Announces Baseball Facility Expansion

�Ӱ���Ƶ Mourns Loss of Chris Clark

�Ӱ���Ƶ Golfer Earns Co-Medalist at William Carey Showcase

Two Football Warriors Earn All-MACCC Honors

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ���Ƶ Head Football Coach

Lady Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-Conference

Warrior Soccer Players Earn All-MACCC Honors

Warrior Basketball Falls in Overtime at No. 15 Northeast

Ellerbe Named MACCC Men's Basketball Player of the Week

Women's Basketball Comes Up Short Against Northeast

�Ӱ��Ƶ Mourns Loss of Chris Clark

�Ӱ��Ƶ Golfer Earns Co-Medalist at William Carey Showcase

Jonathan Webster Named �Ӱ��Ƶ Head Football Coach