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Spring Sports Media Guide
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Table of Contents p. 4..............................................Presidential Greeting p. 5....................................................Board of Trustees p. 6......................................Athletic Director Greeting p. 7..........................................AD David Robbins Bio. p. 8 ............................Baseball Coach Kent Farris Bio. p. 9 ...........Asst. Baseball Coach Richy Harrelson Bio. p. 10 ............Asst. Baseball Coach Jon Andy Scott Bio. p. 10.........................Head Golf Coach Nick Coln Bio. p. 11....................Head Softball Coach Jody Long Bio. p. 12...............Asst. Softball Coach Jaisa Emerson Bio. p. 12...........Asst. Softball Coach Haylei Plummer Bio. p. 13.................Head Tennis Coach Ben Shappley Bio. p. 13...............Head Athletic Trainer Hope Barnes Bio. p. 14............................................SID Blake Long Bio. p. 14..................................................... Mascot History p. 15...........................................Athletic Support Staff p. 16......................................................All-Americans p. 17 .................................................... Retired Jerseys p. 17 ........................................................... Fight Song p. 18 ................................................ Baseball Preview p. 19 ............................................... Baseball Schedule p. 20 .............................. Baseball Roster/Team Photo p. 21-23...................................... Baseball Biographies p. 24 .................................. Diamond Girl Team Photo
p. 25-26 ............................. Diamond Girl Biographies p. 27 .........................................................Golf Preview p. 28 .......................................Golf Roster/Team Photo p. 29 ..................................................Golf Biographies p. 30 ........................................................Golf Schedule p. 31 .....................................................Tennis Preview p. 32 .................Lady Tiger Tennis Roster/Team Photo p. 33 ............................ Lady Tiger Tennis Biographies p. 34 .......................... Tiger Tennis Roster/Team Photo p. 35 ......................................Tiger Tennis Biographies p. 36 ....................................................Tennis Schedule p. 37 ................................................... Softball Preview p. 38 ................................. Softball Roster/Team Photo p. 39-40 ...................................... Softball Biographies p. 41 ................................................ Softball Schedule p. 42-43 .................2013 NEMCC Sports Hall of Fame p. 44 ...........................2012-13 Athletic Year in Review p. 45 ....................................................... Social Media p. 46 ............................................. JucoWeekly.org Ad p. 47 ........................................................... Sodexo Ad p. 48 ............. Northeast Athletics Contact Information
Program Credits
The 2013-14 Northeast Mississippi Community College Spring Sports Media Guide was produced in the Public Information Office of the college under the direction of Associate Vice President of Public Information Tony Finch and Sports Information Director Blake Long. Layout and design was handled by Michael H. Miller.
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Letter from the President Dear Friends of Northeast:
Thank you for your support of the athletic efforts of Northeast Mississippi Community College. Each coach and each athlete has worked hard to ensure that our teams are ready to give performances that make you proud to be a “Tiger Fan.� Northeast exists to provide educational, recreational and social resources for students and supporters to grow and enjoy their accomplishments.
While you are on campus, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable visit. I trust you will use this opportunity to get to know our students, coaches and staff. We are always ready to assist you to enjoy your time with us.
Thank you for everything that you do to encourage and support our efforts. We are always glad to have you on our campus.
Sincerely, Johnny L. Allen President 4
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Board of Trustees T. Jack Ramsey
Troy Holliday
Chairman Tenure of Service: 1983 Tishomingo County/ Banker
Ken Basil
Tenure of Service: 2008 Union County Superintendent of Education
Tonya Butler Farris Tenure of Service: 2012 Alcorn County Businesswoman
Sam McCoy
Tenure of Service: 1988 Prentiss County Businessman
Alvia Blakney
Tenure of Service: 2011 Tishomingo County Retire Businessman
Douglas Jackson
Tenure of Service: 1995 Tippah County Retired Educator
Gina Smith
Tenure of Service: 2012 Alcorn County Superintendent of Education
Vice Chairman Tenure of Service: 1964 Tippah County Businessman
Bill Breedlove
Tenure of Service: 1999 Prentiss County Businessman
Tracie Langston
Tenure of Service: 2004 Prentiss County Businesswoman
Luzene Triplett
Tenure of Service: 2002 Prentiss County Retire Educator
Northeast Mississippi Community College
John O. Cunningham Secretary Tenure of Service: 1995 Prentiss County Businessman
Randle Downs
Tenure of Service: 2012 Prentiss County Superintendent of Education
Ben McClung
Tenure of Service: 2013 Tishomingo County Superintendent of Education
Vance Witt
Tenure of Service: 2007 Union County Businessman
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Letter from the Athletic Director Parents, Fans, Supporters, Alumni; On behalf of the Athletic Department at Northeast Mississippi Community College, I want to welcome you to this athletic event. We hope that your visit today will create an interest that will encourage you to come back. As we strive for excellence in the classroom and in the athletic arena, we would like to encourage every one of you to become involved in all aspects of our athletic department. As we try to reach the highest level with all of our sports programs we must continue to work very hard to be the very best we can be. We are looking for all avenues of resources to build on our already competitive programs. Within the last five (5) years, we have steadily improved every one of our athletic teams. We now have great leadership in all of our athletic programs and we are very excited about what the future holds for all of them. We would like to invite you to become a part of our Athletic booster club and help us as we strive to reach the highest level. Our goal is to educate our student/athletes to a level that will put them at the very top in their perspective sport. In addition, we want our athletes to be some of our most productive citizens. Again, welcome to the NEMCC campus and we hope you have a very enjoyable visit and we welcome you back at any time either to visit our campus or to attend another athletic event. Thanks! David Robbins Athletic Director, NEMCC 6
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Athletic Director David Robbins
David Robbins Longtime Northeast Mississippi Community College employee David Robbins moved into a new role in the spring of 2013 when he accepted the position as the new athletic director and dean of students. He took over for NEMCC Hall of Fame coach and longstanding athletic director Ricky Ford, who transitioned into the duties of executive vice president of the college. Athletics at Northeast have excelled in the first year of the Robbins era. Brian Alexander’s women’s basketball team finished as the runner-up in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Tournament and qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament to get his tenure started the right way. The Tiger baseball program under the direction of Kent Farris continued the great streak of fortune for Northeast sports this year. The Tigers won their first MACJC North Division title since the 1991-92 campaign and hosted Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in a first round playoff series. Jody Long and the Northeast softball squad clinched another spot in the MACJC State Tournament, while the Tiger football team claimed their seventh MACJC North Division runner-up finish with Ricky Smither at the helm. Before taking over for Ford, Robbins served as the school’s men’s basketball coach for eight years. When he accepted that position at Northeast in the spring of 2005, he enthusiastically accepted the challenge of returning the tradition-rich program to a place of prominence in the state and nation. With an emphasis on doing things the right way on and off the floor, the Tigers recorded their first winning season since the 1999-2000 season at 15-9. After stumbling in 2006-07 with nine freshmen and only four sophomores on the court, Robbins and company burst onto the MACJC scene in 2007-08. The Tigers went 15-10, 7-5 during the regular season and captured a runner-up finish in the MACJC North Division. After making semifinal runs in the State and Region 23 tournament, Robbins led the 2008-09 Tiger basketball team to a 12-13 record, and the 2009-10
Years 2013-Present 2005-2013 2002-2005 1991-2002 1987-91
Position School/Organization Dean of Students/Athletic Director NEMCC Head Men’s Basketball Coach NEMCC Head Coach/Athletic Director Corinth High School Head Men’s Basketball Coach Corinth High School Assistant Coach/ NEMCC Assistant Director of Student Activities
team to a 12-11, 7-5 record. On the hardwood in 2010-11, David Robbins led the Tiger basketball team to appearances in the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament after finishing as the North Division runner-up with a 7-5 mark in the North Division and an 11-14 mark overall. The Tigers found the same opponent awaiting them in both the state and region tournaments – 19th-ranked Pearl River Community College – and the Tigers gave the Wildcats a run in the state tournament before falling in overtime 92-83. Robbins’ team reached the national rankings during the 2012-13 season as the Tigers started the season strong and posted a 7-1 mark at the Christmas holiday break and carried a 10-2 overall record into the January 18, 2012 NJCAA Top 20 poll where the Tigers were ranked thirteenth in the nation. Northeast continued to build on its early success and finished the year with a 14-9 mark and tied for fourth in the North Division but lost out on a tiebreaker with Itawamba for a spot in the MACJC State Basketball Tournament. However, the Tigers did have three players selected to the MACJC All-State team with Acie Vance (Ripley), Lavon Hooks (Atlanta, Ga.) and Jermaine Hollimon (Memphis, Tenn.) all receiving postseason accolades. Vance was the North Division’s leading scorer with 16.9 points per game and finished second in the MACJC while Hooks led the North Division and the MACJC with 8.6 rebounds per game. Hollimon and Cedric Janes of Dyersburg, Tenn., were also selected to play in the MACJC All-Star game in Decatur. Before returning to his alma mater, Robbins spent 14 seasons as head boys basketball coach at Corinth High school. During that time, Robbins led the Warriors to a 310-147 overall record, including four 30-win seasons, eight 20-win seasons, nine Alcorn County championships (seven straight from 1999-2005), three Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) North Half titles and three MHSAA State Championship trophies. Robbins’ teams appeared in five MHSAA State
Tournaments and eight North Half Tournaments en route to a 44-15 record in post season play, a .745 winning percentage In only his second season at Corinth, Robbins guided the Warriors to the State Championship and a 36-5 overall mark, a school record for wins in a season. He became the winningest coach in Warrior history with win number 267 in 2003 and picked up his 300th triumph with a 50-46 victory over Ripley on Jan. 11, 2005 Robbins was named the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2003, and was selected to coach in the 2002 Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) North vs. South AllStar Game. Initially, Robbins also served as a physical education instructor, but left the classroom to become athletic director in 2002. A Tippah County native, Blue Mountain High School graduate and former basketball player and team captain at then-Northeast Mississippi Junior College, Robbins worked at Northeast, assisting both former men’s basketball coach Harvey Childers and Ford, the women’s headman (1987-89). His duties included on-the-floor coaching and recruiting in-district as well as out-of-state players. Robbins also worked as an assistant director of student activities at Northeast (1987-91). Robbins earned an Associate in Arts Degree from Northeast in 1985, a Bachelor of Science degree from Millsaps College in 1987 and a master’s degree from Mississippi College in 1989. Robbins played two seasons for the Millsaps Majors and was selected the 1987 team captain. David and his wife Pam have three children, Brandon, Mary Beth, and Brody.
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Head Baseball Coach Kent Farris
Kent Farris Kent Farris has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball program. Farris led the Tigers to the 2013 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division championship with an 18-6 mark in league play and 30-18 overall record. It was the first division title in the sport of baseball at Northeast since 1992. The Tigers then took their opening round playoff series over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at Harold T. White Field by winning the final two games of the best-of-three series to clinch a spot in the MACJC State Tournament. Seven members of that squad were named to the MACJC All-State team, including Will Robertson (Falkner), Josh Mills (Lafayette County) and Tanner Gaines (Baldwyn) to the first-team. Justin Neal (Southaven), Kyle Stephenson (Booneville), Ethan Estes (Biggersville) and Heath Wood (Kossuth) made the secondteam list. In addition to those honors, a number of Tigers that learned the game for two years under Farris signed with four-year schools. Gaines signed at Arkansas State University, Stephenson moved on to the University of North Alabama, Estes inked with the University of West Alabama and Neal landed at Christian Brothers University. Dalton Sims (DeSoto Central), Hunt Halford (Oxford) and Stephenson were also selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for academic awards. Stephenson garnered Superior Academic Achievement status for his 3.86 grade point average (GPA) while Halford and Sims received Exemplary Academic Achievement for their 3.70 and 3.66 GPAs, respectively. The longtime veteran of the Mississippi coaching fraternity also hit a personal milestone during the 2013
campaign when he won his 150th game as Northeast headman with a 10-0 victory against East Central Community College on March 9. Farris’ teams have consistently qualified for the MACJC playoffs since he came to Northeast from Columbus High School before the 2007 season. Within three years of taking the reigns of the program, Farris had the Tigers in a hosting role for the state postseason for the initial time since the 1992 campaign. That 2009 squad finished as the MACJC North Division runner-up for the second straight season with a 33-14 record and 17-7 standing against conference competition. The year before could be Farris’ most successful season to date. The 2008 edition of the Tigers tallied a 3218 record with appearances in both the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament after concluding the regular season in second-place in the MACJC North Division. Northeast against made the postseason under the tutelage of Farris during the 2010 campaign after claiming the third-place spot in the MACJC North Division. The Tigers were unable to get by Hinds Community College in the first round, best-of-three series and ended with an overall record of 25-27. Farris had a quintet of players selected to the 2010 MACJC All-State first and second teams. Sophomores Brandon Farley (Cookeville, Tenn.) and Michael Collie (Houston, Tenn.) made the first-team while freshmen Ben Wallis (Ripley), Jordan Gurley (Corinth), and Blake Powell (Germantown, Tenn.) landed second-team honors. Farris replaced Northeast Hall of Fame coach Ray Scott when he accepted the position at Northeast from Columbus, where he spent the two seasons as head coach. Under Farris, the Falcons recorded an 18-11 record in 2006. That Columbus squad won the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Division 2, Class 5A championship and hosted a first round playoff series for the inaugural time in school history. His 2005 team went 14-16, which was a 12-win improvement over its 2004 total. During his tenure with the Falcons, five players signed community college scholarships and two athletes participated in the Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game in Jackson. Farris was named the Commercial Dispatch Coach of the Year in 2006. Before taking over the Columbus program, Farris was head coach at Caledonia High School from 2002-2004. He worked as an assistant baseball coach at New Hope
High School in Columbus from 1996-2002, where he was a part of two state championship teams and one of three Mississippi high school squads to ever end a season without a loss in 1996 when the Trojans went 43-0. Farris’ most extensive head coaching experience came at Alcorn Central High School, where he served as headman for both from 1984-95. While with the Golden Bears, Farris compiled a 265-162-7 record. His teams qualified for the MHSAA Class 3A State Playoffs in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1990. Alcorn Central won the MHSAA Class 3A State championship in 1988; the 3A North Half crown in 1988 and 1990; and the division title in 1988. Farris was selected as the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Coach of the Year in 1988. Nineteen of his players from Alcorn Central signed college scholarships and two signed professional contracts. Farris was an assistant baseball coach at the University of North Alabama from 1983-84 and helped lead the Lions to the Gulf South Conference (GSC) title for the first time in school history in 1984. That team also finished second in the NCAA Division II South Central Region and featured five men that signed professional baseball contracts. An active coach in American Legion Baseball during his career, Farris also began working as an associate scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates Professional Baseball Club in 1998. Farris earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Alabama in 1981 and a Master of Arts in secondary education from the same institution in 1983. He also completed teaching certification requirements in health from the Mississippi Department of Education in 1994 and in driver’s education from Mississippi State University in 2001. Professionally, Farris is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), the Crossroads Diamond Club, the Baseball Coaches Association (national high school), the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC), the Mississippi Association of Professional Educators and is a founding member of the Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association for Better Baseball (NEMCABB). Farris’ other professional honors and awards include being named a Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game coach in 1989, a NEMCABB All-Star coach in 1992 and 2002, and a Junior Sunbelt Classic coach from 1979-99 and in 2001. Farris has one son, Keaton, and is happily married to his wife, Joye.
Farris at Northeast
Season Coach W L Division 2007 Kent Farris 14 32 2 14 2008 Kent Farris 32 20 10 6 2009 Kent Farris 33 14 17 7 2010 Kent Farris 25 27 15 9 2011 Kent Farris 22 20 12 12 2012 Kent Farris 18 28 13 10 2013 Kent Farris 30 18 18 6 Overall 174 159 87 64 8
Results
Fourth in State Tournament, Qualified for Region XXIII Tournament North Division runner-up, Hosted Playoff with Jones Co. Third in the North, went to Hinds in first round Fifth in the North Finished third in North; Lost to Gulf Coast in first round of playoffs at Biloxi High School Won the North Division, beat Gulf Coast 2-1 in best of three first round, Lost to East Central, Northwest in MACJC Tournament in Poplarville
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Assistant Baseball Coach Richy Harrelson
Richy Harrelson Richy Harrelson, “The Bazooka from Iuka,” enters his third season in the dugout when Northeast Mississippi Community College opens up the 2014 season. Harrelson has been alongside Tigers headman Kent Farris for much of his success at Northeast, including in 2008 when the Tigers recorded a 32-18 record and finished as the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division runner-up. That team, with Harrelson serving as pitching coach, also qualified for the MACJC State Tournament and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament. Following a successful first stint at Northeast, Harrelson helped guide the University of Southern Mississippi to its first-ever NCAA Super Regional in 2009 after downing host Georgia Tech to win the NCAA Atlanta Regional. The Golden Eagles continued their surge with a sweep of the University of Florida in the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional to advance to the first NCAA College World Series in Southern Miss history. Harrelson and the Golden Eagles did not fare as well in Omaha, Neb., with losses to the University of Texas (7-6) and University of North Carolina (11-4) to end their campaign at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium with a 40-26 record. Magic struck again in 2010 when Southern Miss
ran the tables through the Conference USA (C-USA) Tournament in Houston, Texas, to win the championship over Rice University by a score of 7-4 to earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Prior to his 2008 season with the Tigers, Harrelson was a successful prep coach helping to guide the Lafayette County High School Commodores to a 10580 record during his time in Oxford with 14 postseason victories and the 2006 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A state title. During his final year at Lafayette County, Harrelson led the Commodores to a 23-11 record while reaching the MHSAA postseason for a fourth straight year before falling to Neshoba Central High School in the Class 4A North Half semifinals. Harrelson made his mark on the Northeast Mississippi baseball community during his prep career at Iuka High School and Tishomingo County High School. While a Chieftain and Brave from 1989-92, Harrelson put himself among the nation’s best. He is still listed in the National High School Baseball Record Book for career hits (236), career runs batted in (226) and career pitching wins (55). Harrelson began his coaching career as an assistant with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1997 before moving to Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson one year later. At Southern Miss, Harrelson oversaw the Golden Eagle outfielders, worked with the Golden Eagle hitters and coached first base. Harrelson also helped Chad Caillet in leading an offensive attack that topped C-USA in each of the last 3 years in several categories, including walks, hit by pitches, on-base percentage, runs batted in, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies and runs scored. Harrelson signed to continue his playing days on the diamond out of Tishomingo County with Ole Miss. He saw time as a third baseman and pitcher for the Rebels from 1993-96. Ole Miss won two Mayor’s Trophy games over rival Mississippi State University at Smith-Wills Stadium in
Jackson while Harrelson starred with the Rebels. Harrelson was part of the 1995 team that won a then-school record 40 games and earned the program’s first NCAA Regional bid since 1977. Ole Miss finished on the verge of its first NCAA College World Series appearance since 1972, placing second at the NCAA Atlantic I Regional behind host Florida State University. Harrelson also played a season in the prestigious Cape Cod League in New England during the summer of 1994 and one year as a professional in 1997. The local legend returned home in 2011-12 to once again assist Farris and the Tigers. He was an integral part of the 2013 team that won the MACJC North Division championship for the first time in 21 years and won its opening round playoff series against Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Harrelson and his wife Hope have two children, Gage and Mary Cille. His mom and dad, Jerry and Lana, also live in Booneville.
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Assistant Baseball Coach Jon Andy Scott
Jon Andy Scott Jon Andy Scott, son of former Tiger baseball coach and Northeast Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame member Ray Scott, will don the black and gold once again as the Booneville native helps guide the Northeast pitching staff. Scott finished his playing career with two seasons with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford after putting on the Northeast uniform during the 2009 season. In his senior year with the Rebels, Scott made nine relief appearances and posted a 0.77 earn run average and was a part of three shutouts for the Rebels during the 2012 season. Scott tossed 11.2 innings during the Booneville native’s final year in Oxford and did not allow an earn run until his final appearance on the mound against Arkansas State on May 15, 2012.
Scott fanned five against one walk while allowing just three runs – one earned and was a part of shutouts against the University of Houston on March 10, 2012, Jackson State University on March 27, 2012 and the University of Central Arkansas on April 10, 2012. In his junior season in Oxford, Scott made two relief appearances for Ole Miss – opening his Rebel career with a scoreless inning of relief against Austin Peay on March 2, 2011 where the former Northeast Tiger struck out three and walked one. Scott also made a relief appearance later in the season for Mike Bianco’s club coming on against Southeast Missouri State University on May 17, 2011. However, Scott was a steward in the classroom as well during his time at Northeast and with Ole Miss. At the culmination of his junior year, Scott was named to the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) Spring Academic Honor Roll. Scott was one of 61 Ole Miss Rebels and Lady Rebels to receive the honor but was one of only 10 Rebel baseball players that were selected for inclusion on the list. As a member of the 2009 Tiger baseball team, Scott was one of seven Northeast baseball players to be inducted into the Northeast Iota Zeta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society along with Wheeler’s Neal Tice, Kossuth’s Patrick Hinton, Tishomingo County’s Seth Kennedy, Pontotoc’s Nick McGregor, Lafayette County’s Jake Mills and Clinton’s Phillip Chapman. For inclusion into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Scott had to attain a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale just to join and maintain a 3.25 GPA to remain in good standing with the organization throughout his time at Northeast.
During his 2009 season with the Tigers, Scott led Northeast to a 33-14 record and a 17-7 mark in the North Division and helped lead the Tiger baseball team to a North Division runner-up finish. Northeast also hosted the opening round of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) state baseball playoffs during Scott’s time with the Tigers. Scott appeared in 11 games for the Tigers in 2009 and threw 49 innings allowing just 19 earned runs while striking out 46 and allowing 22 walks. Scott, who was sidelined in 2008 after having Tommy John surgery, posted a 6-4 mark during his only year at Northeast and had a 2.71 earn run average. Scott ended his collegiate career with a 5-4 overall record and a 3.63 earn run average that included a 0.77 earn run average during his senior season at Ole Miss. Scott was a part of 21 games in three years for the Tigers and the Rebels with 10 coming for the Tigers while tossing 56.2 innings and allowing just 23 runs, no home runs and struck out 52 batters against just 25 walks. Prior to his time at Northeast, Scott lettered at Booneville High School under the tutelage of Bo Sandlin and batted .445 as a senior in 2007 while sporting a .78 ERA on the mound in 45 innings pitched. Scott, who was a two-time Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Division 1, Class 3A first team All-Division pitcher, also clocked time with the Jackson 96’ers and the Tallahatchie Rascals of the Cotton States Baseball League in New Albany.
six Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) tour stops. Northeast shot a 635 total score and finished only four strokes out of the eighth spot in the MACJC State Tournament at the Dixie Golf Course in Laurel. Freshman golfer Blake Farris tallied a two-day score of 154 and just missed qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament. Farris lost a tiebreaker to Hinds Community College’s Caleb Terry and Jones County Junior College’s Zach Toney. Coln comes from Olive Branch High School where he led the Conquistadors to a 21-8 overall mark and a 4-2 record in league play during the 2009-10 season. Olive Branch advanced to the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state basketball playoffs. Coln helped lead the Northeast men’s basketball team to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament at the Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan., during his sophomore season in 1999-2000 under the direction of NEMCC Hall of Fame coach Mike Lewis. During that year at Northeast, Coln averaged 16 points per game, was 40-percent from beyond the threepoint arc and finished with an eight-assist per game average in 36 outings with the Tigers. However, it was inside the friendly confines of the Alcorn Central High School gymnasium that Coln made
a name for himself. Coln, who played for Alcorn Central from 1992-97, became Alcorn County’s all-time leading male scorer with 2,364 points during his varsity career and, while with the Golden Bears, he also set school records for points (794) and three-pointers made (119). He set a school single-game record with 52 points against Potts Camp High School during his senior season in 1996-97. While at Alcorn Central, Coln also excelled on the track and still holds the school record in the triple jump at 41-feet, 8-inches. Coln returned to his home town to coach Alcorn Central after the graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and led the Golden Bears to a 24-9 mark during the 2003-04 season. While at Louisiana-Monroe, Coln earned his stripes and was the eighth-ranked junior in the nation in threepoint field goals made per game and the twenty-sixth ranked player overall nationally with an average of 3.0 three-pointers an outing during the 2001 campaign. Coln finished his two-year career in Monroe, La., fifth all-time with 157 three-pointers in 432 attempts and is second behind Larry Carr in players who registered just two years with the Indians (now Warhawks). When not on the hardwood at Louisiana-Monroe, Coln earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health.
Golf Coach Nick Coln
Nick Coln
Nick Coln, who is one of the most prolific scorers of all-time in this area, will continue to help the Tiger basketball team under the direction of first-year headman Cord Wright during the 2013-14 campaign. He enters his third season of walking the sidelines at Bonner Arnold Coliseum as an instructor to student athletes. A former Northeast player himself, Coln served as a volunteer assistant in 2011-12 and officially joined the coaching staff a year later with current athletic director and former hoops skipper David Robbins. The Glen native serves a dual role in Booneville and instructs the men’s golf team during the spring semester. Coln’s linksters were very consistent in his first season as head coach in 2013. The Tigers finished in eighth place in three of their 10
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Head Softball Coach Jody Long
Jody Long Jody Long enters the 2014 softball season as the longest tenured and winningest head coach among Northeast Mississippi Community College’s nine intercollegiate athletic programs. Long’s last edition of the Tigers finished with a 23-15-1 overall record and 15-9 mark in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division. The fourth place finish in league play clinched yet another spot in the postseason for one of the most storied programs in the state. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College got the best of Northeast in the opening game of the MACJC State Tournament in Perkinston, but a handful of Tigers were recognized for their sharp play on the field of competition. Andrea Cutts (Ackerman) and Bianca Chagolla (Riverside, Calif.) were selected to the MACJC All-State team while Erin Dixson (Amherst, N.Y.), Haleigh Moffett (West Lauderdale), Ellen Tarrant (New Albany), Victoria White (Mooreville) and Dana Glissen (Kossuth) were each named to the MACJC All-North Division team along with Cutts and Chagolla. Cutts received recognition around the entire country after becoming the thirteenth softball player in Northeast history to be recognized as an All-American. She and Tarrant, who was received an Exemplary Academic Achievement award from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for her 3.66 grade point average (GPA), both signed scholarships to continue their careers at Delta State University while Dixson inked with Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla. Long reached a personal milestone as well during the 2013 campaign when the New Albany native won his 200th career victory as head coach of the Tigers against
rival Itawamba Community College on April 23. During the 2012 campaign, Long led the Tigers to top three finishes in both the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. In the MACJC State Tournament at Itawamba, Northeast brought back the state runner-up trophy. Northeast finished the season with a 32-19 record and posted a school-record for MACJC North Division wins with 17. The Tigers finished second to Jones County Junior College at the MACJC State Tournament and then continued its postseason momentum as Northeast was one of the last three teams standing at Clinton’s Traceway Park in the regionals. Long’s Tigers not only did work on the field but also were successful in the classroom as well with seven members being selected for NJCAA Student-Athlete Academic Awards. The team as a whole was honored by the NJCAA as well for its academic prowess. Northeast was ranked as the thirteenth best team in the nation with a 3.42 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale and was fifth countrywide in the National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) rankings. Northeast’s highlight of 2012 came during its annual StrikeOut Cancer doubleheader that saw Jaisa Emerson (Cincinnati, Ohio) throw a perfect game against Mississippi Delta Community College. Dixson (Amherst, New York) followed up with a no-hitter in the nightcap. By the end of that campaign, Northeast was receiving votes in the NJCAA Division II nationwide rankings. Long and the Tigers turned the corner during the 2011 season when Northeast qualified for the MACJC State Tournament in Perkinston after missing out the year before. Northeast gave host Mississippi Gulf Coast a run in the first round of the single-elimination event before seeing its season come to an end with a 25-23 record. Just a year prior, Northeast was able to collect wins during the second half of the season to close the 2010 campaign on a positive note. However, the Tigers missed qualifying for the MACJC State Tournament for the only time in Long’s tenure as head coach. Long took over the reins of the program from MACJC and Northeast Sports Hall of Fame coach David Carnell in 2006 and kept the Tiger softball program going strong in his first years as commander-in-chief. Following postseason berths in both of his first two years, Northeast’s 2008 team found its stride as the Tigers plowed through their competition to a 34-20 overall record, including a 14-3 mark in league play that helped Northeast secure its seventh MACJC North Division championship in the previous eight years.
In his first season as head coach, Long led the Tigers to a 32-23 mark and their third straight TigerFest Tournament championship, a sixth consecutive MACJC North Division title and MACJC State Tournament and NJCAA Region 23 runner-up finishes. Northeast’s MACJC State Tournament and NJCAA Region 23 Tournament runner-up finishes were the fourth and third years in a row that Northeast had finished in those respective positions. Long began working as an assistant softball coach at Northeast in 1997 and, following the 2000 season, played a major role in the program’s switch from slowpitch to fast-pitch competition. Beginning with the 2001 season, the Tigers shared one North Division title (2001) and won the championship outright five times (2002-06). Northeast has hosted the MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 Tournament twice (2002, 2004) and battled through the loser’s bracket to win the NJCAA Region 23 title and participate in the NJCAA National Tournament in 2003. Northeast’s softball team was the only team in NJCAA Region 23 to play in every regional championship matchup from 2001-06. In 2001, Long was named the All-Region/All-American Director through the NFCA. Following the 2003 campaign, he was named NFCA Division II South Region Coach of the Year. Long has also served as the president of the MACJC Softball Coaches Association since 2003. After attending Northeast as a student and working as a manager on the baseball team, Long returned to Booneville in the spring of 1997 to complete an internship through the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He joined the Northeast family full time that summer as the director of the college’s health and fitness center, which he planned and developed, and as assistant director of student activities. Since then, Long has become an instrumental member of the Northeast athletic family, helping turn the Tiger softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Prior to coming to Northeast, Long earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and leisure management (ESLM) from the Ole Miss. He was named the ESLM undergraduate of the year in 1997 with a 3.85 core GPA. Long obtained a master’s degree in education administration in December 2000. Long is a member of the Booneville Church of Christ. He and his wife Wendi have two sons, Anderson and Thomas.
Long at Northeast Season 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Coach Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long Jody Long
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L T 23 29 20 21 30 23 19 15 1
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Division Results 14 2 Division Champion, Region Runnerup 14 4 Division Runner-up 14 3 Division Champion 13 11 4th in Division 10 14 12 10 4th in Division 17 7 3rd in Division, State Runnerup, Region XXIII Third Place 15 9 4th in the Division, played Gulf Coast in Perkinston first round of State Tournament 109 60
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Assistant Softball Coach Jaisa Emerson
Jaisa Emerson After serving as a student assistant for the Tigers in 2013, Jaisa Emerson will join head coach Jody Long and company on a part-time basis for the 2014 campaign. However, Emerson is not a stranger to the Tiger program. Prior to her role as an assistant for the Tigers, Emerson helped lead Northeast to one of its most successful seasons in the last half-decade in 2012 and was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 selection for her work in the circle. Emerson, who sat out her freshman year due to an arm injury, came back to help lead the Northeast softball team to a 32-19 record overall and set a school-record
for wins in the North Division with 17 as the Tigers finished third in the division. However, it was the postseason where Emerson made the most of her time in the circle. Northeast parlayed the playoff berth into an appearance in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) state championship game against Jones County Junior College and finished third in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament at Clinton’s Traceway Park. In addition to Emerson’s NJCAA Region 23 status, the Ohio native was also named to the MACJC All-State Team and was honored as the MACJC North Division’s Most Valuable Player. Emerson appeared in 43 games for the Tigers in 2012, clocking time as a pitcher and designated player. During her time on the mound, Emerson tossed 144 innings and allowed just 52 runs of which 43 were earned. In addition to holding opponents to just one earned run a game, Emerson limited the opposition to 110 hits on the year while striking out 143 and gave up just 34 walks. Emerson’s 143 strikeouts place her fourth in school history and her 15 wins during the year also are also fourth in team history. Emerson posted a 15-9 record with a 2.09 earn run av-
erage. At the plate, the she was 37 for 110 in 43 games with 10 doubles, 23 RBI and 20 runs scored. While posting a .336 batting average, Emerson also picked up a .424 on base percentage while picking up 18 walks, one hit by pitch and three sacrifices in addition to her 37 hits. Emerson was a tough out for the opposition at the plate. In 132 plate appearances on the season, she struck out just five times – an average of one strike out for every 26.4 plate appearances. In the field, Emerson posted a .906 fielding percentage while committing just five errors in her 43 games for the Tigers. Before coming to Northeast, Emerson was a standout pitcher at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Ohio. In her senior season with the Lady Indians, Emerson went 20-7 with a 0.60 ERA while striking out 233 in 175 innings and was named The Journal-News Butler County Pitcher of the Year for the second time in her varsity career. During her prep days at Fairfield, Emerson set most of the school’s pitching records and finished with a 70-28 overall record with a 0.83 ERA. She still holds the records for complete games (90) and strikeouts with 480.
Assistant Softball Coach Haylei Plummer
Haylei Plummer Haylei Plummer enters her first season as assistant coach under headman Jody Long at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Plummer was a starter at South Panola High School for four years and carried the Lady Tigers to a pair of Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state championships. Plummer parlayed her prep career into two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College under Ranger head coach Mike Rowan. While at Northwest, Plummer, a second baseman, was named to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State squad in both her freshman and sophomore years. She was also named to the National Junior College 12
Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 team at the culmination of her second year in Senatobia. Plummer started in 40 of 76 games – all starts coming her sophomore season – and registered an outstanding .425 batting average at Northwest. Plummer came on strong during her sophomore year where the Batesville native collected 57 hits in 131 at bats for a .435 batting average. She totaled 31 RBIs while scoring 38 more. Plummer was named the Most Offensive Player for the MACJC North Division during her sophomore year at Northwest as well. Plummer left her mark on the Ranger record book during her two years in Senatobia. Plummer still holds school-records for hits (57), stolen bases (11-for-11) and assists (88) in a season and is second on the list in batting average (.435), on base percentage (.497), at bats (131) and hit by pitches (15). She was able to set career marks in on base percentage (.523) and stolen bases (14-for-14) at Northwest while registering second in school history in slugging percentage (.575), runs scores (71), total bases (126) and being hit by a pitch (23). A lifelong softball player, Plummer’s playing days did not end after her two-year stint as a Ranger. She made the short trek to Blue Mountain College to finish her undergraduate degree and playing career as part of the Toppers’ first softball team.
Plummer clocked two years at Blue Mountain under Northeast alumni and Toppers’ head coach Kevin Barefield all while pursuing a secondary education degree in history and psychology. Under Barefield, Plummer, who made the transition to shortstop for the Toppers, was named to the All-TranSouth Athletic Conferences (TSAC) second team. In two seasons at Blue Mountain, Plummer was a part of 94 contests seeing the field 44 times during her junior year and reaching the 50-game plateau her senior season. Plummer pieced together a .284 batting average during her pair of campaigns in Tippah County and came away with a .355 slugging percentage. Plummer collected two home runs with the Toppers – both coming in her junior year - and tallied 37 runs, 29 RBIs and struck out just 20 times in 282 at bats. In the field, Plummer posted a .909 fielding percentage while becoming the anchor of the Topper middle infield. Plummer converted on 308 chances out of 371 opportunities during her 94 games, including 131 assists her senior year. During the 2012 season, Plummer was ranked in the top 25 nationwide in NAIA Division I in total assists at 131 and assists per game with 2.62.
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Head Tennis Coach Ben Shappley
Ben Shappley Ben Shappley enters the 2014 men’s and women’s tennis seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College with a year of experience under his belt. Shappley’s Lady Tigers and Tigers combined to win five matches last season in his inaugural campaign at the helm of Northeast’s programs. The men ended 2013 on a positive note with a 7-2 victory over rival Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Tigers scored wins in four of the six singles competitions and swept the doubles matchups,
with the top-ranked combination of Matt Lorick and Andrew Ferrell leading the way with an 8-6 decision. Wesley Brandon and Hunter Seeley tied for the most individual wins on the season with three. Brandon downed Michael Moss of Northwest 6-0, 6-1; Holmes Community College’s Connor Wilson 7-6 (10-6), 6-1 and Chase Black of Holmes 7-5, 6-4. Seeley defeated Northwest’s Seth Cook 6-2, 6-1; Will Godfrey of Holmes 7-6 (10-3), 6-3 and Josh Peoples of East Central Community College 6-2, 6-1. The Lady Tigers went 4-7 under the direction of Shappley last year with two triumphs over Holmes and wins over Northwest and Hinds Community College as well. Northeast edged past Hinds for Shappley’s first career victory as headman of the program with big singles wins by Maegan Trexler and Elizabeth Mitchell. Allison Wiltshire and Nikki Baird joined Trexler and Mitchell for singles wins in their initial decision against the Lady Bulldogs in Goodman. Valerie Mitchell and Emily Wiltshire took a key doubles match 8-1 in the second triumph over Holmes last season.
The Lady Tigers then closed the campaign by edging past Northwest 5-4. The two archrivals split the six singles matches scheduled, but the combinations of Valerie Mitchell and Emily Wiltshire plus Allison Wiltshire and Elizabeth Mitchell earned key doubles wins for the decisive points. Baird individually claimed the most decisions with a 6-5 record during her freshman year. The Houston native nabbed her biggest win over then-No. 19 Meridian Community College’s Stephanie Grayson with a 7-5, 7-6(5) victory. Elizabeth Mitchell represented Shappley and Northeast well during his first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Tournament as head coach at Rob Leake City Park in Tupelo. She downed Hinds’ Octavia Pendleton 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the second round of the threeday event. Shappley’s first set of Tiger Award honorees were Brandon and Baird, who both return for their sophomore seasons in 2014.
Athletic Trainer Hope Kingsley A north Mississippi native will begin her first year as Northeast Mississippi Community College’s athletic trainer starting with the 2012-13 academic year. Hope Kingsley, a native of Nettleton, has agreed to become Northeast’s head athletic trainer. Kingsley graduated from Nettleton High School in May 2009 and was a member of both the Lady Tiger cheerleading squad and powerlifting team, which helped set the stage for the Lady Tigers powerlifting state championship just a year later. After her varsity career, Kingsley carried her talents to the University of Southern Mississippi where she helped with various Golden Eagle and Lady Eagle sports including the successful USM football team. Before moving to Hattiesburg, Kingsley was also awarded the Haskell Scholarship, which was named by Amory native and Hollywood veteran Sam Haskell for his mother and is given to a senior at each of the Monroe County schools plus selected seniors at Amory High School. The Haskell Foundation chooses Haskell Scholarship recipients and awards are based upon student achievement, academics, activities and other criteria. At Nettleton High School, Kingsley was also a part of the nurse mentorship academy that partnered with the North Mississippi Medical Center to train certifiednursing assistants (CNAs).
Hope Kingsley While at the University of Southern Mississippi, Kingsley carried on her high academic standards and finished her degree in three years including all prerequisite work while splitting time with the Golden Eagle and Lady Eagle sports along with Oak Grove High School. In May 2012, Kingsley graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training. At the University of Southern Mississippi, Kingsley was a member of various clubs and organizations including Eagles for Life, the Legacy and the Student Sports Medicine Association. Even after graduation, Kingsley was instrumental in helping high school athletes by serving as one of
the athletic trainers for the youth football camps at Southern Mississippi. Kingsley married her husband John, a Saltillo native, in December 2013.
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Sports Information Director Blake Long
One of northeast Mississippi’s native sons has returned to the area to take over the role of Assistant Public Information Officer and Sports Information Director at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Blake Long, a native of Tishomingo County, accepted the position in August 2013 – taking over from M. Joseph Miller, who had held the title for the previous five years. Long is no stranger to the northeast Mississippi region or Northeast Mississippi Community College and graduated from the Booneville-based college in 2011 with an associate of arts degree with an area of concentration in communication… mainly journalism and other related programs. During his time at Northeast, Long was instrumental in helping to get the student newspaper, The Beacon, back in print and served as the periodical’s sports writer during his time in Booneville. When not writing for The Beacon, Long dedicated his time to the Northeast baseball team serving countless hours in the field house at Harold T. White Field at Booneville City Park as the team’s top-ranking manager. While Long was a member of The Beacon’s staff, he was awarded the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi’s (CPRAM) annual scholarship based on his writing capabilities and recommendations by current CPRAM members. Long parlayed his managerial skills with the Northeast baseball team on the four-year level where the Tishomingo County High School graduate served as a manager for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) women’s softball program for two months. During his time under Windy Thees at Ole Miss, Long had the pleasure of visiting almost
While most of Long’s work featured mainly var-
sity athletes, Long ventured from the high school realm to aid the newspaper in its coverage of the local junior college sports scene as well. Long is a graduate of Tishomingo High School where he starred on the baseball diamond for his father and long-time Brave baseball and softball coach Jerry Long.
Blake Long
every venue in the Southeastern Conference – with the exception of the University of Florida and University of Kentucky complexes – and clocked miles across the country with one of the top softball programs in the Magnolia State. Long earned his Bachelors of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in print journalism and a minor in history while at the University-based college and used his experience in the sports world to begin a stringer career for various local media outlets. One of Long’s main writing positions was a contributing sports writer role with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo where the Northeast alum was able to gain valuable skills and expertise such as multi-tasking, meeting deadlines, teamwork and leadership attributes. During his time with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and its parent company Journal Inc., Long had the opportunity to cover a variety of sporting events throughout the northeast Mississippi region from swimming to ice hockey to the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s (MHSAA) Bowling State Championships.
Under his father’s tutelage, Long helped lead the Brave baseball team to the MHSAA Class 4A North Half Championship Series against Vicksburg in the spring of 2008. When not working, Long enjoys the annual “Long Family Vacations” where the Tishomingo County native and his family visit various sporting icon arena such as the Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Long Family Vacations have also seen the TCHS graduate end up on the west coast and earned him one of his more prized stories – being able to interview former New Albany High School catcher Eli Whiteside as Whiteside and the San Francisco Giants made a push for a World Series Championship. In total, Long has visited all 48 continental states during the “Long Family Vacations.” Long is a member of Maud Church of Christ. Long is engaged to former Lady Tiger softball player Leslie Hendrix and the pair is planning a June 2014 wedding.
“TIGERS”
When Northeast was founded in 1948, Bonner Arnold served as physical education instructor, men’ basketball coach and athletic director. Arnold and legendary University of Kentucky Wildcat men’s basketball coach Adolph Rupp were friends and as a result of this friendship and the success of the Kentucky basketball program, Arnold wanted the school’s athletic teams to sport a similar nickname. “Fighting Tigers” was adopted as the school’s mascot. Later, the school’s athletic program grew to include men’s and women’s varsity sports. “Fighting” was dropped and the teams became known as the “Tigers” and “Lady Tigers.” 14
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Athletic Support Staff (People Behind The Scenes) Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Students/ Athletic Director Chassie Kelly
Jeremy Kennedy
Athletic Facilities Head Equipment Manager Matt Werner
Voice of the Tigers
Operations Manager
WNAU 1470AM
Sodexo USA Don Knowles
Bus Drivers Phillip Moore (left) Marvin Ozbirn (right)
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All-Americans Throughout the history of Northeast Mississippi Community College, superior athletes have been named to the All-American team, the highest honor bestowed upon any player. Recipients of this honor are chosen by the 23 regional directors of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Their selection for the All-American team, second team and honorable mention are made only after careful evaluation of the hundreds of nominations which are submitted by community/junior college coaches from across the country. We are proud to salute those who brought honor to themselves as young men and women and to Northeast Mississippi Community College for the time to come.
Baseball
2007 Kelly Hankins Infielder Distinguished Academic All-American Mooreville
2008 Chase Porch Designated Hitter Third Team East Union
Fast-Pitch Softball
2008 Callie Weaver Shortstop NFCA All-American Houston
2001 Lori Wilson First Base All-American Blue Mountain
2013 Andrea Cutts Utility All-American Ackerman
2002 Jessica Spain Shortstop All-American NFCA Louisville Slugger Booneville
Football 1956 Jerry King Running Back All-American Chattanooga, Tenn
2003 Jocelyn McGolrick Pitcher NFCA All-American Richmond, BC, Canada
2003 Charity Graham Outfielder NFCA All-American 2nd Team Mantachie
2004 Josie Lindgrin Pitcher NFCA All-American 2nd Team Vancouver, BC, Canada
2004 Paige Wright Shortstop All-American Southaven 2004 Staranna Fraizer Outfielder Third Team NFCA All-American 2nd Team New Albany 2007 Shanika “Boo” Randle Outfielder NFCA All-American Houston 16
2011 Deion Belue Defensive Back Honorable Mention Deshler, Ala.
1968 Gaylon Baird Forward All-American Myrtle
2012 Jonathan Harrison Punter First-Team Belmont
1982 Maurice Stafford Forward Honorable Mention Biggersville
2012 Lavon Hooks Defensive End Honorable Mention Atlanta, Ga.
1984 Anthony Anderson Guard Second Team New Albany
1987 Sherry Slayton Forward All-American Belmont
Golf
1989 Anthony Gamble Forward All-American Booneville
1987 Phyllis Stafford Center All-American Biggersville
2007 Chase Williams All-American Corinth
1969 Donnie Clayton Tight End Honorable Mention Ripley 1977 Larry Parker Running Back Honorable Mention Rogersville, Ala. 1977 Barry Todd Defensive Back Second Team Memphis, Tenn.
1959 Vincent Del Negro Forward All-American Springfield, Mass.
1990 Craig Lauderdale All-American Booneville
1969 Johnny Buskirk Quarterback Honorable Mention New Albany
2003 Brandi Vondenstein Third Base Honorable Mention NFCA All-American Rayne, La.
2010 Antonio Foster Offensive Lineman Honorabal Mention Valdosta, Ga.
2010 Blake Hatfield All-American Booneville
Men's Basketball 1950 Gene Garrett Guard All-American LaCenter, Ky.
1979 Maury Hill Defensive Back Second Team Ripley
1951 Ken Lindsey Forward All-American Booneville
1980 Paul Rhodes Defensive Lineman Second Team Kossuth
1954 Charles “Doodle” Floyd Forward All-American Water Valley, Ky.
1980 Anthony Norman Running Back Honorable Mention Morrow, Ga.
1956 Adrian “Odie” Smith Guard All-American Kirksey, Ky.
1989 Clay Johnson Guard All-American Booneville 1995 Dontae Jones Forward All-American Nashville, Tenn. 1998 Tim Cole Guard All-American Memphis, Tenn. 2000 Eric Batchelor Forward All-American Memphis, Tenn. 2002 Qyntel Woods Forward All-American Memphis, Tenn.
Slow-Pitch Softball 2000 Stephanie Stubblefield Infielder All-American Ecru
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Women’s Basketball 1986 Jackie Perry Forward All-American Jackson, Tenn. 1986 Kunshinge Sorrell Point Guard All-American Booneville
1988 Evelyn Thompson Forward All-American LaGrange, Ga. 1998 Tiffany Sitton Forward All-American Glen 2001 Tamica Pierce Forward All-American Decatur, Ga. 2004 Marqueciqa Thomas Forward All-American Jackson 2006 Jessica Hooker Forward All-American Brownsville, Tenn. 2006 Krystal Robinson Forward All-American Covington, Tenn.
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Retired Jerseys
Northeast athletic department officials have announced the retirement of nine jerseys worn by former Tiger athletes who played or are currently playing on the professional level.
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David “Nub” Strickland (‘55) Holly Springs Denver Broncos (NFL)
Adrian Smith (‘56) Kirksey, KY Cincinnati Royals (NBA)
Mike Williams (‘81) Atmore, AL Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
Jackie Perry (‘86) Jackson, TN Int’l Women’s Basketball League
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Jerome Woods (‘93) Memphis, TN Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Mitch McNeely (‘94) New Albany Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Dontae Jones (‘95) Nashville, TN New York Knicks (NBA)
Michael Boireau (‘98) North Miami, FL Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Qyntel Woods (‘02) Memphis, TN Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
Boa-Viagem, Portugal
Go, Fight, Win “Go --- Tigers, We’re behind you. Fight --- till the battle’s over. Win --- for --- the pride of Northeast Gain the Victory! Go!......................... Fight!..................... Win!....................... N.E.M.C.C. Lyrics by former Northeast director of bands and ‘74 alumnus Ricky Bishop. Sung to the tune of “The Victors,” (L.Elbel) the University of Michigan fight song.
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Tigers hope to maintain preseason hype The time for celebration has come to an end for the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball team. After claiming the program’s first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division championship since 1992 last season with a 30-18 record, the Tigers are now tasked with defending their crown during the 2014 campaign. “That was a real compliment to the work that our kids put in last year and they were very deserving,” said Northeast head coach Kent Farris. “They played extremely well, but this is another year.” Just ten athletes return from the Northeast squad that penciled itself into the history books last season with a first-round playoff win at Harold T. White Field over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and an appearance at the MACJC State Tournament in Poplarville. That means newcomers could earn time on the diamond quickly and must step up in key situations. “For the most part, we’re probably as inexperienced with young freshman this year than at any time since I’ve been here,” Farris said. “That’s the thing about junior college, your turnover is so great from one year to the next.” Among those returning to lead this youthful group is Heath Wood. The Kossuth native was a MACJC All-State second team selection in 2013 and looks to build off that success during his sophomore campaign. In 42 outings last year, Wood hit .338 with an impressive .463 on-base percentage. He added eight doubles, two home runs and 25 RBIs. Wood was even better in the field and did not commit an error in MACJC North Division competition from his position in left field. “He’s very athletic and can play just about anywhere on the field,” said Farris. “To come in and do what he did as a freshman for us was outstanding and we’re expecting big things from him again this spring.” Joining Wood in the outfield will be a mixture of freshmen, including Colby Williams (Brandon), Cody Bo Dillard (East Union), Jordan Montgomery (DeSoto Central) and Harding (Tenn.) Academy’s Jack Hurdle. Two more former Kossuth Aggies that should have pivotal roles for this squad are right-handed pitchers David Gibson and Tyler Nelms. Gibson saw action in 10 games last year and compiled a 5-2 record in 33 innings pitched. He struck out 18 and allowed just one home run in his outings. Nelms played his freshman season at Itawamba Community College and made the move to Booneville during the offseason. In Fulton, he saw action in 14.1 innings and struck out on average five batters per matchup. Even with the graduation of Northeast’s two top earned run average (ERA) hurlers from a year ago in Tanner Gaines (Arkansas State University) and Kyle Stephenson (University of North Alabama), Farris feels pitching could be the strength of his team entering the spring schedule. “We’re hoping that our staff will be what we think they’re going to be early on to give our young guys a chance to get a little experience,” he said. “Our kids feel as though when these guys step out on the mound that all we’ve gotta do is play.” Tyler Cox and Ethan Taylor look to make an immediate impact after transferring from the senior college level. Cox, who saw action as a freshman in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) at the University of Kentucky, was part of the Wildcats’ 11th-ranked 2012 signing class according to Collegiate Baseball. Taylor tossed 5.1 innings in six appearances in 2013 at Christian Brothers University. The Arlington, Tenn., product has already signed his National Letter of Intent (NLI) to join Arkansas Tech University after his sophomore campaign with 18
the Tigers. “Those are two huge additions to our pitching staff,” said Farris, who enters his eighth season as the Tigers’ headman. “They come in with experience at the four-year level.” Ripley’s Ben Hellums has the most innings thrown of any returning Northeast hurler with 49.2 in 12 contests. He allowed just 18 earned runs in that stretch and attained a 3.26 ERA. Hunt Halford, who received an Exemplary Academic Achievement award from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in his initial season in Booneville for holding a 3.7 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, also returns after tying for the most appearances of any Tiger in 2013 with 14. The Oxford High School alumni had one save and struck out 14 in his relief stints. New arrivals Landon Boyd, who won the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A championship at New Hope High School as a senior, and Hernando’s Caleb Goff caught the eye of Farris while toeing the rubber in fall competition. Farris has set no starting or bullpen rotation, but does expect Townsend Myers (Hernando), Tanner Whitaker (Tishomingo County) and Mason Maxey (New Albany) to serve mainly in a relief role. For every sound pitching staff, there must be an equally solid catching core, and Northeast has plenty of men coming back at that spot. Riley Alef of New Albany, Corinth native Blake Frazier and Lake Cormorant High School product Blake Harwell each recorded game-time behind the plate in 2013. Alef saw the most action of any returning catcher and had an on-base percentage of .355 with 19 hits, six of them for extra bases, and 14 RBIs. Frazier and Harwell both showed their power by hitting long balls in fall meetings against East Central Community College and Meridian Community College on September 28 at Harold T. White Field. Luke Stanley, a Lafayette County High School product who is one of two team captains alongside Alef, will anchor the infield at shortstop and has the fifth-highest career fielding percentage of current Tiger position players at .924. “You can’t say enough about the job that (Stanley) does for us,” said Farris. “He’s the defensive glue that holds us together and is just an outstanding leader.” Holding down the hot corner of third base is three-year Northeast athlete Drew Wray of New Albany. The sophomore had 11 putouts and 17 assists last season. A trio of Tigers that features Trent Turner (Brandon), Ben Foster (New Albany) and Scott Pala (Hernando) could see time at second base. Two big left-handed sticks expect to make some noise as the starting first baseman in Easton Hall and Josh Peterson. Hall is a one-time Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Class 4A Player of the Year while at New Albany High School. He put up solid stats in his freshman season with 34 appearances, a .309 batting average, a .462 on-base percentage, 14 RBIs and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Coming to the Magnolia State from Arvada, Colo., Peterson hit four home runs as a senior and had a .381 batting average at Ralston Valley High School. Fans attending games at Harold T. White Field in 2014 should expect a typical Tiger team that is aggressive in all facets of the game and hits gap-to-gap. “I think we’ve got some overall good team speed that we can do some things with,” said Farris. “Our guys this year will be more of a line drive gap hitters that must play smart and have quality at bats.”
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2013-14 Tiger Baseball Schedule
September 28
Meridian$ East Central$ October 10 Baton Rouge (La.)$# Faulkner State (Ala.)$# February 10 Jackson State (Tenn.) (2) 13 at Jackson State (Tenn.) (2) 18 Calhoun (Ala.) (2) 21 Hinds (2) 23 Lake Land (Ill.) (2) 27 at Victory University (Tenn.) JV (2) March 1 vs. Wabash Valley (Ill.) % at East Central 4 at Calhoun (Ala.) (2) 7 Wes Cliburn Memorial Tournament ^ Kishwaukee College (Ill.) St. Louis (Mo.) CC 12 at Northwest Miss.* (2) 15 Itawamba* (2) 18 Southeastern (Iowa) ! at Arkansas Baptist College 22 Holmes* (2) 26 at Mississippi Delta* (2) 29 at Coahoma* (2) April 1 East Mississippi* (2) 5 Northwest Mississippi* (2) 9 at Itawamba* (2) 12 Pearl River (2) & 15 at Holmes* (2) 18 Mississippi Delta* (2) 23 Coahoma* (2) 26 at East Mississippi* (2) $-Scrimmage *-North Division #-at Smith-Wills Stadium, Jackson
%-at Decatur ^-at Raymond
10 a.m. 4 p.m. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon 12:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 5 p.m. Noon Noon 3 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 4 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. !-at Little Rock, Ark. &-at Clinton
Northeast Mississippi Community College
19
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Baseball Roster
Head Coach: Kent Farris (8th year - University of North Alabama) Assistant Coach: Richy Harrelson (3rd year - University of Mississippi) Assistant Coach: Jon Andy Scott (1st year - University of Mississippi)
# 1 2 Managers: Jodey Varner, Jake Scott, Cody Friga 3 4 5 President: 6 7 Dr. Johnny L. Allen, Ed.D. 8 (9th year - Mississippi State 10 University) 11 12 13 Athletic Director: 16 David Robbins 17 (2nd year - Millsaps College) 18 19 20 Sports Information Director: 21 Blake Long 23 (1st year - University of Mississippi) 24 25 26 Head Equipment Manager: 27 Matt Werner 28 (2nd year - NEMCC) 29 30 31 Athletic Trainer: 32 Hope Kingsley 33 (2nd year - University of Southern Miss) 35 20
Player Drew Wray Dustin Pratt Heath Wood Ben Foster Colby Williams Luke Stanley Jack Hurdle Hunt Halford Riley Alef Cody Bo Dillard Trent Turner Scott Pala Townsend Myers Blake Drabik Dustin Allen David Gibson Landon Boyd Josh Peterson Easton Hall Tyler Cox Ben Hellums Jordan Montgomery Mason Maxey Tyler Nelms Ethan Taylor Blake Frazier Caleb Goff Tanner Whitaker Evan Hickman Blake Harwell
Pos. INF INF INF INF/P OF INF OF P C OF/P INF INF INF/P P OF/P P INF/P INF INF P P OF P P P C P P P C
Tigers
B/T R/R S/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R L/L R/R L/L R/R R/R L/R R/R L/L R/R R/R L/L L/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R
Class Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman
Ht. Wt. Hometown High School 5’10” 139 New Albany New Albany 5’9” 196 Blue Springs East Union 5’10” 150 Corinth Kossuth 5’11” 155 New Albany New Albany 5’8” 164 Brandon Brandon 5’8” 147 Oxford Lafayette County 5’10” 174 Byhalia Harding Academy 6’2” 175 Oxford Oxford 5’11” 220 New Albany New Albany 6’0” 194 Blue Springs East Union 6’0” 179 Brandon Brandon 6’1” 161 Hernando Hernando 6’1” 148 Hernando Hernando 6’0” 181 Houston, Tenn. Houston 6’0” 193 Iuka Tishomingo County 6’4” 213 Corinth Kossuth 6’3” 182 Columbus New Hope 6’5” 196 Arvada, Colo. Ralston Valley 6’2” 198 New Albany New Albany 5’11” 186 Lexington, Ky. Paul Dunbar 6’8” 174 Ripley Ripley 5’10” 171 Southaven DeSoto Central 6’0” 152 New Albany New Albany 5’10” 230 Corinth Kossuth 6’2” 190 Arlington, Tenn. Arlington 5’11” 190 Corinth Corinth 5’11” 173 Hernando Hernando 6’4” 220 Iuka Tishomingo County 6’1” 194 Holly Springs Marshall Academy 6’1” 180 Lake Cormorant Lake Cormorant
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Baseball Team No. 1 Drew Wray Infielder Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 2 Dustin Pratt Infielder Freshman East Union HS
No. 3 Heath Wood Infielder Sophomore Kossuth HS
No. 4 Ben Foster Infielder Freshman New Albany HS
No. 5 Colby Williams Outfielder Freshman Brandon HS
No. 6 Luke Stanley Infielder Sophomore Lafayette County HS
No. 7 Jack Hurdle Outfielder Freshman Harding (Tenn.) Aca.
No. 8 Hunt Halford Left-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Oxford HS
No. 10 Riley Alef Catcher Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 11 Cody Bo Dillard Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman East Union HS
No. 12 Trent Turner Infielder Freshman Brandon HS
No. 13 Scott Pala Infielder Freshman Hernando HS
Northeast Mississippi Community College
21
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Baseball Team
22
No. 16 Townsend Myers Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Hernando HS
No. 17 Blake Drabik Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Houston (Tenn.) HS
No. 18 Dustin Allen Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman Tishomingo County HS
No. 19 David Gibson Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Kossuth HS
No. 20 Landon Boyd Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman New Hope HS
No. 21 Josh Peterson Infielder Freshman Ralston Valley (Colo.) HS
No. 23 Easton Hall Infielder Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 24 Tyler Cox Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Paul Dunbar (Ky.) HS
No. 25 Ben Hellums Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Ripley HS
No. 26 Jordan Montgomery Outfielder Freshman DeSoto Central HS
No. 27 Mason Maxey Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 28 Tyler Nelms Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Kossuth HS
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Baseball Team No. 29 Ethan Taylor Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Arlington (Tenn.) HS
No. 30 Blake Frazier Catcher Sophomore Corinth HS
No. 31 Caleb Goff Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman Hernando HS
No. 32 Tanner Whitaker Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Tishomingo County HS
No. 33 Evan Hickman Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Marshall Aca.
No. 35 Blake Harwell Catcher Freshman Lake Cormorant HS
Commuter Meal Tickets Whenever hunger strikes... 10 meals for $50, 20 meals for $98 or 30 meals for $145.50
Northeast Mississippi Community College
23
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Diamond Girls
Name
Nikki Baird Kelsey Bishop Haley Brown Lexi Burt Lindsey Clark Tatum Emmons Lexie Gamble Andi Houser Leigh Kilgore Jo Beth Lee Reaghan Lewellen Megan McDonald Kolbe McElwain Fu Meng MaKayla Pullen Brooke Smith Kayla Smith Jessie Teel Haleigh Tennison Kayla Marie Thomason Lara Lynn Waddell Laken Weathers Claire Wilkerson 24
Classification Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Hometown
Houston Bolivar, Tenn. Iuka Bruce Olive Branch Booneville Booneville Houston Houston Olive Branch Ripley Ingomar Falkner Corinth Houston New Albany Iuka Red Banks Booneville Olive Branch Booneville Ingomar Myrtle
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Diamond Girls Nikki Baird Sophomore Houston
Kelsey Bishop Sophomore Bolivar, Tenn.
Haley Brown Sophomore Iuka
Lexi Burt Sophomore Bruce
Lindsey Clark Freshman Olive Branch
Tatum Emmons Freshman Booneville
Lexie Gamble Freshman Booneville
Andi Houser Sophomore Houston
Leigh Kilgore Freshman Houston
Jo Beth Lee Freshman Olive Branch
Reaghan Lewellen Freshman Ripley
Megan McDonald Sophomore Ingomar
Northeast Mississippi Community College
25
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Diamond Girls Kolbe McElwain Sophomore Falkner
Fu Meng Freshman Corinth
Makayla Pullen Freshman Houston
Brooke Smith Sophomore New Albany
Kayla Smith Sophomore Iuka
Jessie Teel Sophomore Red Banks
Haleigh Tennison Freshman Booneville
Kayla Marie Thomason Freshman Olive Branch
Laura Lynn Waddell Freshman Booneville
Laken Weathers Freshman Ingomar
Claire Wilkerson Sophomore Myrtle
26
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
Sophomores lead way for Tiger linksters With a year under his belt, Northeast Mississippi Community College head golf coach Nick Coln hopes to make strides with his program as his second season at the helm gets underway. Two sophomores return to guide a team that averaged an eighth place finish during its 2013 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) tour stops. Blake Farris is one the pair of leaders who saw success as a freshman. Farris ended the second round of competition at the MACJC State Tournament at the Dixie Golf Course in Laurel in a tie with Hinds Community College’s Caleb Terry and Jones County Junior College’s Zach Toney for the final individual spot for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament. Farris unfortunately fell short of clinching a spot at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club after Terry snatched the last opening in a one-hole playoff. But Coln expects great things from the Corinth native after the solid start to his collegiate career in which he shot an average of even-par 72. “I’m expecting a lot from him,” said Coln. “He should be the leader of the team.” Jay Swinney is the only other man returning from the 2013 edition of the Tigers. The Booneville product should also contribute at each event after averaging an 88 last season. “He played really consistent last year,” Coln said. “I expect him to also be a leader for these underclassmen.” Lew Johnson also comes on board as a sophomore. Coln sees big things in the former Corinth High School linkster. “He’s probably number two behind Blake as far as scoring averages and being a leader on the team,” said Coln. “I’m expecting him and Blake to lead the guys and whatever three that follow them.”
Chase Little heads a group of four freshmen that look to make an impact and improve the program. “He’s got a chance to be a really, really good golfer,” said Coln. “He has a good swing. His scoring average should be around 79 or 82.” Zach Potts serves as the only out-of-state athletes on the 2014 Northeast golf squad. The Hohenwald, Tenn., native could easily make his way into the upper tier of Tigers in the lineup card. “Coming in, I’m expecting him to be in our top five on a daily basis,” Coln said. “Probably around a 70 to 75 scoring average.” Heath Davis of Tupelo Christian Prepatory School and Corinth High School’s Tanner Parker round out the group of seven golfers seeking playing time at the six Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) tournaments throughout the campaign. Coln can take six men to each event, five that compete as a team and one that counts as an individual only. That means one Tiger must be left at Northeast each tournament, making the qualifying rounds at Booneville Country Club much more important than last year when only five men comprised the team. “I expect it to be very competitive,” Coln said. “There’s going to be a guy left at home. On a daily basis they’re going to be competing against each other not only to better themselves, but for a spot on the six that goes to each match.” With three sophomores on the team for the first time, Coln expects them to set the tone at each practice and event without him even having to say a word. “I expect them to lead by example,” he said. “They’ve been through it and know the weather conditions. The challenge is the mental side, not the physical side, of keeping your composure. At times, it can become overwhelming and I expect them to show leadership.”
Check out the all-new nemccathletics.com
Northeast Mississippi Community College
27
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Golf
Name
Class
Hometown
Heath Davis
Freshman
Tupelo
Tupelo Christian Prep
Blake Farris
Sophomore
Corinth
Corinth
Lew Johnson
Sophomore
Corinth
Corinth
Chase Little
Freshman
Corinth
Corinth
Tanner Parker
Freshman
Corinth
Corinth
Zach Potts
Freshman
Hohenwald, Tenn.
Sophomore
Booneville
Jay Swinney 28
High School
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Lewis County Booneville
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Golf Heath Davis Freshman TCPS
Blake Farris Sophomore Corinth
Lew Johnson Sophomore Corinth
Chase Little Freshman Corinth
Tanner Parker Freshman Corinth
Zach Potts Freshman Lewis County (Tenn.)
Jay Swinney Sophomore Booneville Northeast Mississippi Community College
29
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Golf Schedule
February 9-10
MACJC Event #1
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Great Southern GC Gulfport
22-23
MACJC Event #2
Hinds
Eagle Ridge GC Raymond
March 3-4
MACJC Event #3
Meridian
Northwood CC Meridian
March 31-April 1
MACJC Event #4
North Creek/Wedgewood
Northwest Miss.
Southaven/Olive Branch
14-15
MACJC Event #5
Lion Hills
East Miss.
April Columbus
27-28
MACJC State Tournament
Mississippi Gulf Coast
The Oaks GC Pass Christian
May May 4-5
NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament
Copiah-Lincoln
30
BOLD Denotes Home Matches
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Wolf Hollow GC Wesson
Northeast
Sports
Shappley plans for successful second season With one year under his belt, Northeast Mississippi Community College head tennis coach Ben Shappley is expecting great things from his squad. “I feel much more comfortable and confident and prepared this season than the last simply by virtue of going through a season,” he said. “I know how the processes are, how things work, and I think we’ll be a better team for it.” Shappley returns his two Tiger Award winners from the 2013 season in Wesley Brandon and Nikki Baird. “Wesley has gotten better and better. He’s in a good place now and I’m excited to see him play this season,” Shappley said. “Nikki is a leader on the cheerleading squad and she has stepped up to be a leader on our tennis team as well.” Micah Page also returns and should serve as the No. 1 singles player for the Tigers. The Tishomingo native suffered a season ending injury as a freshman and Shappley is ready to see how he responds as a sophomore. “Micah was injured very early on,” Shappley said. “He’s back and healthy. I’m looking for great things for him.” Anderson Mills out of Alcorn Central High School took it upon himself to improve every aspect of his game and should play a pivotal role for Shappley in 2014. “Ande has done some personal conditioning during the offseason,” Shappley said. “He’s getting a little more involved with that and I think that’s going to pay off as well. I’m looking forward to his progress this season.” Two of Booneville’s own, Wesley Tye and Noah Wright, bring with them excitement each time they step onto the court. “Both bring a lot of youth and energy to the team,” said Shappley. “They’ll both contribute right off the bat.” Reid Price rounds out the six-man roster. The Alcorn Central graduate brings with him a deep background in tennis.
“He had a very good senior year in high school,” Shappley said. “His time in practice is limited because I’m sharing him with the band, but he’s got lots of potential and is a good strong player.” Twin sisters Allison Wiltshire and Emily Wiltshire are two of three returning Lady Tigers along with Baird. “Those veterans will definitely lead the way,” Shappley said of the trio of sophomores. Two ladies that did not play during their freshman year but came aboard during the offseason are Allie Downs of Booneville and Haley Brown out of Tishomingo County High School. “They both work hard and try hard and you can see it in practice,” said Shappley. “I’m very impressed with Haley’s and Allie’s work ethic.” Shappley grabbed two more hometown kids during his recruiting class in freshmen Erica Whitten and Hannah Billingsley. Lindsey Clark of Olive Branch, who, like Baird, serves as a cheerleader, rounds out the roster of eight athletes. Shappley decided to select team captains for the first time in his tenure and put the title upon Page and Baird. “In making those selections, I looked at two or three key issues,” said Shappley. “I wanted someone with experience, someone who was available to me, someone who was available to be at practice everyday, and that led me to those two individuals there. I’m pleased with my decision.” The Lady Tigers and Tigers have yet another tough schedule inside the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC). The two teams combine to face seven nationally ranked teams throughout the campaign.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
31
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Lady Tiger Tennis
Name
Class
Hometown
Sophomore
Houston
Freshman
Booneville
Haley Brown
Sophomore
Iuka
Lindsey Clark
Freshman
Olive Branch
Allie Downs
Sophomore
Booneville
Booneville
Erica Whitten
Freshman
Booneville
Booneville
Allison Wiltshire
Sophomore
Belmont
Belmont
Emily Wiltshire
Sophomore
Belmont
Belmont
Nikki Baird Hannah Billingsley
32
High School Houston Booneville Tishomingo County
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Olive Branch
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Lady Tiger Tennis Nikki Baird Sophomore Houston
Hannah Billingsley Freshman Booneville
Haley Brown Sophomore Tishomingo Co.
Lindsey Clark Freshman Olive Branch
Allie Downs Sophomore Booneville
Erica Whitten Freshman Booneville
Allison Wiltshire Sophomore Belmont
Emily Wiltshire Sophomore Belmont
Northeast Mississippi Community College
33
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Tiger Tennis
Name
Class
Hometown
Wesley Brandon
Sophomore
Belmont
Belmont
Anderson Mills
Sophomore
Corinth
Alcorn Central
Micah Page
Sophomore
Tishomingo
Reid Price
Freshman
Corinth
Wesley Tye
Freshman
Booneville
Booneville
Noah Wright
Freshman
Booneville
Booneville
34
Northeast Mississippi Community College
High School
Belmont Alcorn Central
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Tennis Wesley Brandon Sophomore Belmont
Anderson Mills Sophomore Alcorn Central
Micah Page Sophomore Belmont
Reid Price Freshman Alcorn Central
Wesley Tye Freshman Booneville
Noah Wright Freshman Booneville
Northeast Mississippi Community College
35
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Tennis Schedule
October 8
Northwest Miss.$#
1 p.m.
February 21
at Hinds
Noon
22
at Copiah-Lincoln
Noon
27
at Meridian
1 p.m.
March 4
at East Central
1 p.m.
7
at Holmes
1 p.m.
18
Meridian
11 a.m.
21
Holmes
1 p.m.
25
at Northwest Miss.
1 p.m.
28
Jones County
2 p.m.
April 1
East Central
1 p.m.
4
Itawamba
1 p.m.
8
Northwest Miss.
1 p.m.
11
Miss. Gulf Coast
1 p.m.
14
at Itawamba
Gold Denotes Home Matches All home tennis matches are played at the Northeast Tennis Courts adjacent to the Haney Union 36
Northeast Mississippi Community College
1:30 p.m.
Northeast
Sports
Softball enters 2014 with different look
Fans packing the stands at Booneville City Park to catch a glimpse of the Northeast Mississippi Community College softball team should expect to see a different look this season. The 2014 edition of the Tigers will not be over dominating at any certain position or spot in the batting order. Instead, an overall balance in the lineup and at key spots on the diamond is the story for head coach Jody Long. For example, last year National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American Andrea Cutts stood out at the plate with a .414 batting average and Eckerd (Fla.) College signee Erin Dixson found a home on the rubber and threw 144 innings. More than likely that will not be the case this year. Followers of Northeast should look no further than in the circle for proof, where Long says multiple changes per contest could happen due to depth. “We’ve got five or six kids working on the mound that you could very easily see each game,” he said. “It’s going to be very strategic when we make changes and who moves where. It’s going to take our kids buying into it and being committed.” Team captain Bianca Chagolla returns to lead the pitching effort. She was the Tigers’ No. 2 arm as a freshman behind Dixson with 102 innings pitched. The Riverside, Calif., native recorded a 2.81 earned run average (ERA) in 21 outings. Chagolla held a 10-6 record with nine complete games, 91 strikeouts and just 70 hits allowed the entire season. She also established herself at the plate during the 2013 campaign with a .374 batting average. Chagolla had five home runs, 19 extra base hits and 29 runs batted in (RBI) with just six strikeouts the entire year. Chagolla was one of two Tigers selected to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State team in 2013, joining a current Delta State University standout in Cutts. “Bianca has an opportunity to be one of the elite ladies that has played here,” Long said. “She put up great stats as a freshman and has great softball sense. She’s one of those kids that will do whatever it takes to be successful.” Past Chagolla, the rest of the Northeast pitching rotation will feature new faces. Sophomore Erica Clifton of Walnut has good movement with her pitches while redshirt athlete Trenisha King of Colbert Heights (Ala.) High School sports an entirely new look in her form. Chelsea Buntin impressed in the fall and could be a key part in Long’s plans. The Alcorn Central High School product held Freed-Hardeman University, which finished 2013 ranked No. 17 in the NAIA and made a trip to the National Tournament after winning the TranSouth Athletic Conference championship, to just two runs in first semester exhibition action. “She has a chance to be really good as a left-handed pitcher in this league,” Long said. “She’s a late bloomer that’s still maturing and growing. The weight room has
helped her and she’s bought in to what I’ve told her.” Tiger catchers will have to adapt quickly if the ninthyear head coach decides to pull pitchers at a faster rate depending on certain situations that arise mid-game. Two newcomers that could see time behind the plate are Haley Christian (Corinth) and Yasmeen Cooper (Houston). “Both of them are still trying to learn the system and that we anticipate our catcher to run everything and kind of be the general on the field,” said Long. “They’ve done a decent job, but both have a lot to learn before we hit conference play.” Northeast returns experience and perhaps the best speed it ever has in the strong history of the program in the outfield, led by Fulton’s Mirah Terry and Walnut’s Becky Robinson. Terry is more of a slapper at the plate while Robinson brings a heavy stick when she steps into the batters box. The duo was used in a courtesy runner role as well last season and combined to steal 16 bases and score 18 runs. “Mirah is the type of kid that when she gets the ball on the ground, she’s got the opportunity to be safe,” Long said. “Becky is a very strong kid that has the potential of hitting the ball out of the park every swing.” The veteran headman has been quite impressed with South Panola High School’s Marla Rudd, who could fit right in as the leadoff hitter and centerfielder for the Tigers as a freshman. Haleigh Moffett, who joins Chagolla as a team captain, is the leader of the infield at third base. Hailing from softball powerhouse West Lauderdale High School, Moffett had a solid opening campaign in Booneville with a .319 batting average and .378 on-base percentage. She participated in all 39 outings for Northeast in 2013 and hit five home runs with 24 RBIs. Moffett struck out just nine times in 113 plate appearances. The sophomore from Bailey had a .954 fielding percentage last year and was named to the MACJC AllNorth Division second team. When not pitching, Chagolla will showcase her strong arm at shortstop to complete an experienced left side of the infield. A number of ladies have the chance to pencil themselves into the starting lineup with a good set of practices building up to the 2014 lid lifter on Wednesday, February 12 on the opposite side of the dirt. Included in that mix at second base is Shannon Goode (New Albany), Avery Springer (Houston) and Cooper. Pine Grove product Lacy Blakney, plus Springer and King, could vie for time at first base. One woman in particular that caught Long’s attention and could develop into a pivotal leadership role is Sydney Martin of Central Catholic (Ohio) High School. “She is probably one of the best motivators we have whether she’s on the bench or on the field,” he said. “She brought a lot to us this fall other than just softball.
I was able to see the ways that that helped our team.” Booneville’s own Bre Agnew and Audrey Goss, who comes from Red Bay (Ala.) High School, could see parts as courtesy and pinch runners while Abigail Rish out of East Webster High School is a steady bat that can come off the bench. Overall, the 18-player roster features just four returning sophomores that aim to step up and carry Northeast to its fourth straight appearance in the MACJC playoffs and improve upon 2013’s 23-15-1 record. Long has the more options this year in the batting order than in the past with multiple lefties at his disposal, including Blakney, Goss, Rish and Rudd. While that does present more flexibility when it comes to facing right- or left-handed pitching, Long feels the offensive philosophy of the Tigers must change slightly this year. “We’re going to have to manufacture more runs,” he said. “We’re not going to be a team that hits 40 home runs like we have in the past. We’re going to have to play one base at a time.” With a much younger and inexperienced group than in past campaigns, Long hopes to simplify the team objectives and keep his ladies focused on the present instead of the past. “Our goal ultimately has to be to give 100 percent one pitch at a time,” said Long. “It is very important that you’re not thinking about the previous pitch or what I’m going to do next. We do drills and some mental training to try to help them prepare to have concentration and focus on the current pitch. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.” Northeast’s athletes have also gained from the knowledge of two new assistant coaches for the 2014 season in Jaisa Emerson and Haylei Plummer. Emerson is no stranger to the Tiger program after playing for Long from 2011-12 and serving as a volunteer assistant in 2013. She was a NJCAA All-Region 23 selection and the MACJC North Division’s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore. Plummer is a graduate of Blue Mountain College and appeared in 94 contests over a two-year span after transferring from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Like Emerson, Plummer was the MACJC North Division’s MVP during her sophomore season with the Rangers. “They’ve been a huge, huge impact,” Long said. “The pitchers, catchers and position players having somebody that strictly works with them. Me having somebody that I can discuss hitting flaws and this and that. It has made a tremendous impact. “All in all, it’s been a God sent blessing to have those two young women that love what they do to be here to help us do whatever it takes to be successful. Emerson will call pitches and work directly with the battery while Plummer will be the third-base coach on offense where Long can better communicate with hitters as they head to bat.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
37
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Northeast Softball Roster
Head Coach: Jody Long (9th year - University of Mississippi) Assistant Coach: Jaisa Emerson (2nd year - NEMCC) Assistant Coach: Haylei Plummer (1st year - Blue Mountain College) Managers: Jawan Dailey, Jarrell Howell,
#
Player
B/T
Class
Hometown
1
Lacy Blakney
UT
L/R
Freshman
Ripley
2
Yasmeen Cooper
C
R/R
Freshman
Houston
(9th year - Mississippi State
3
Sydney Martin
OF
L/L
Freshman
Lafayette, Ind.
University)
4
Chelsea Buntin
P
L/L
Freshman
Glen
5
Bianca Chagolla
INF/P
R/R
Sophomore
Riverside, Calif.
Poly
David Robbins
6
Trenisha King
P
R/R
Freshman
Tuscumbia, Ala.
Colbert Heights
(2nd year - Millsaps College)
7
Avery Springer
INF
R/R
Freshman
Houston
Houston
8
Haley Christian
INF
R/R
Freshman
Corinth
Corinth
Blake Long
9
Whittney Gee
INF
R/R
Freshman
Vardaman
Vardaman
(1st year - University of Mississippi)
11 Audrey Goss
OF
L/L
Freshman
Belmont
Red Bay
13 Erica Clifton
P
R/R
Freshman
Walnut
Walnut
Matt Werner
14 Haleigh Moffett
UT
R/R
Sophomore
Bailey
West Lauderdale
(2nd year - NEMCC)
15 Becky Robinson
UT
R/R
Sophomore
Walnut
Walnut
16 Shannon Goode
UT
L/R
Freshman
New Albany
New Albany
OF/P
R/R
Freshman
Maben
East Webster
OF
L/L
Freshman
Batesville
South Panola
22 Bre Agnew
OF
R/R
Freshman
Booneville
Booneville
23 Mirah Terry
OF
S/R
Sophomore
Fulton
Daniel Rowland President: Dr. Johnny L. Allen, Ed.D.
Athletic Director:
Sports Information Director:
Head Equipment Manager:
Athletic Trainer: Hope Kingsley
17 Abigail Rish
(2nd year - University of Southern Miss) 18 Marla Rudd Student Athletic Trainer:
Jacob McVey 38
Pos.
Tigers
Northeast Mississippi Community College
High School Pine Grove Houston Central Catholic Alcorn Central
Itawamba Agricultural
Northeast
Sports
2013-14 Tiger Softball No. 1 Lacy Blakney Utility Freshman Pine Grove HS
No. 2 Yasmeen Cooper Catcher Freshman Houston HS
No. 3 Sydney Martin Outfielder Freshman Central Catholic (Ind.) HS
No. 4 Chelsea Buntin Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman Alcorn Central HS
No. 5 Bianca Chagolla Utility Sophomore Poly (Calif.) HS
No. 6 Trenisha King Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Colbert Heights (Ala.) HS
No. 7 Avery Springer Infielder Freshman Houston HS
No. 8 Haley Christian Infielder Freshman Corinth HS
No. 9 Whittney Gee Infielder Freshman Vardaman HS
No. 11 Audrey Goss Outfielder Freshman Red Bay (Ala.) HS
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2013-14 Tiger Softball
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No. 13 Erica Clifton Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Walnut HS
No. 14 Haleigh Moffett Utility Sophomore West Lauderdale HS
No. 15 Becky Robinson Utility Sophomore Walnut HS
No. 16 Shannon Goode Utility Freshman New Albany HS
No. 17 Abigail Rish Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman East Webster HS
No. 18 Marla Rudd Outfielder Freshman South Panola HS
No. 22 Bre Agnew Outfielder Freshman Booneville HS
No. 23 Mirah Terry Outfielder Sophomore Itawamba AHS
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2013-14 Tiger Softball Schedule
September 24
at Jackson St. (Tenn.)$% vs. Blue Mountain College$%
1 p.m. 3 p.m.
11
Breast Cancer Awareness Fall Tournament$ Southwest Tenn.$ Dyersburg St. (Tenn.)$ Southwest Tenn.$ Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.)$
Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.
12 13 15 21-22 26
at Jackson St. (Tenn.) (2) at Calhoun (Ala.) (2) Dyersburg St. (Tenn.) (2) TigerFest Tournament at Southwest Tenn. (2)
1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon TBA 2 p.m.
1 4 7-8 11 12 13 19 22 25 28
Itawamba* (2) at Mississippi Delta* (2) Gadsden CC Cardinal Spring Fling # East Mississippi* (2) at Dyersburg St. (Tenn.) (2) at Three Rivers (Mo.) (2) Coahoma* (2) at Northwest Mississippi* (2) at Holmes* (2) at Itawamba* (2)
2 8 11 14 16 21
Mississippi Delta* (2) at East Mississippi* (2) at Coahoma* (2) Northwest Mississippi* (2) Holmes* (2) Jackson State (Tenn.) (2)
October
February
March
April
26
$-Scrimmage
*-North Division
#-at Gadsden, Ala.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
11 a.m. 1 p.m. TBA Noon 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. Noon 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m.
%-at Jackson, Tenn.
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NE welcomes five into Sports Hall of Fame
Northeast Mississippi Community College is proud to announce its latest class of honorees to be inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. Harry Cosby, Myrl Crowe, Mike Lewis, Jerry Reno and Ray Scott became the sixth class to be enshrined during a ceremony in the Claude Wright Room of the Haney Union at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5. The five gentlemen were recognized before the kickoff of the 2013 homecoming football game against Coahoma Community College on Saturday, October 5. Harry T. Cosby (Football 1976, 1977) Harry T. Cosby anchored one of the best defenses in Northeast Mississippi Community College football history while under the tutelage of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Hall of Fame coach W.B. (Bill) Ward. During his sophomore year of 1977, Cosby and the Tigers held opposing teams to only 10.9 points per game. That mark is good for the third best in a season at Northeast. The Tigers also posted three shutouts against Coahoma (32-0), Holmes (100) and Mississippi Delta (10-0), which is tied for the school record for most scoreless games for an adversary in one campaign. Only two other Northeast squads have posted a trio of shutouts – the first ever Tiger team in 1949 that finished as the Mississippi Valley Conference champion at 5-5-1 under Woody Johnson and the Horace McCool led 1956 group that posted a program-best 10 victories. Northeast finished with a winning record for the first time in nine seasons at 6-4 and as North Division runner-up in Cosby’s final year in Booneville. During the two-year span that the Iuka native starred on the gridiron at Northeast, the Tigers went a combined 10-10 with a 7-5 division record. Cosby continued his football career at East Tennessee State University from 1978-79. In his two years at Johnson City, Tenn., the Buccaneers went 11-11 and notched their first winning campaign in nine seasons. Among the list of those he played with at East Tennessee State is current Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith. Cosby graduated with a degree is general dentistry and still has a practice today in Tupelo.
Ellis “Myrl” Crowe (Men’s Basketball 1953-54, 1954-55; Baseball 1955) Ellis “Myrl” Crowe began a career in the sport of basketball that would span six decades as a student at Thrasher High School before becoming a standout player at then-Northeast Mississippi Junior College. Crowe started at forward in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns for legendary Tiger coach Bonner Arnold and found great success over the two-year period. Both the 1953-54 and 1954-55 teams won the state championship. The Tigers made the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., during his freshman campaign and finished in seventh place. He was named to the All-State team during his sophomore season of 1955 and also starred on the Tiger baseball squad as a pitcher that same year. After leaving Booneville, Crowe continued his basketball playing days at thenBethel College in McKenzie, Tenn., where he was named to the All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference team as a junior. Upon graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Bethel, Crowe returned to the sport he loved as the head coach of Marietta High School’s basketball programs in 1957. 42
Fans there got an early taste of what would become one of the most successful careers in Mississippi’s storied basketball history when he led Marietta’s girls team to a North Half appearance in 1960. After five years in rural Prentiss County, Crowe moved to Kossuth High School where he rose to fame over the next 20 years. Over that period of time, Crowe captured numerous Alcorn County Tournament and invitational tournament crowns on both the boys and girls side of the game. The Aggies finished as the Mississippi Class A-AA state runner-up in backto-back seasons from 1965-66. The 1964-65 edition also won the Tombigbee Conference title. He made another North Half appearance with the Lady Aggies in 1974 and was named the conference Girls Coach of the Year in 1981. Following that season, he took a hiatus from coaching before returning to the Kossuth sidelines as girls only coach in 1988. He also had a stint as the headman of the girls program at Booneville High School. Crowe coached high school girls basketball for 31 seasons total, the first 26 with no losing seasons, and boys basketball for 19 years with only two campaigns without a winning record. Combining both sides, Crowe won more than 950 games throughout his illustrious career to become another Hill Country basketball legend. Mike Lewis (Baseball 1970, 1971; Head Men’s Basketball Coach 1992-2004) Mike Lewis continued the winning tradition that men’s basketball fans of Northeast Mississippi Community College have come to expect each season. Lewis compiled a 206-135 record in 12 years as the head coach of the Tigers. His tenure in Booneville saw the Alcorn County native win multiple awards and lead Northeast back to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament. The 1994-95 edition caught on fire and won 16 of its last 20 games and qualified for the trip to Hutchinson, Kan., by winning the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Five years later, magic struck again for Lewis and Northeast. The Tigers swept through the 1999-2000 campaign as champions of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division, the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament. Northeast’s second excursion to the NJCAA National Tournament under Lewis saw the Tigers finish in eighth place. After the season, Lewis was named the Region 23 Coach of the Year for guiding Northeast to a 30-6 overall record. Overall, he won four MACJC North Division Tournament titles (1993, 1994, 1995, 2000) and two MACJC State Tournament championships (1994, 2000) to go with his National Tournament appearances. Lewis rose to prominence on the baseball diamond and not the hardwood as a player. He was a main member of the 1970 Tiger team that won the Mississippi Community College Conference North Division title and lost in a one-game playoff to Perkinston Junior College. His prowess on the ballfield led Lewis to continue his playing career at Delta State University under legendary coach David “Boo” Ferriss. The 1972 Statesman team finished second in the Gulf South Conference Tournament and defeated NCAA Division I programs such as the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi. Lewis earned a Bachelor’s degree from Delta State and a Master’s degree from the University of North Alabama. Before becoming the headman of the Tigers, Lewis directed the programs
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Northeast Sports Hall of Fame 2008
David ‘Nub’ Strickland, Football W.B. “Bill” Ward, Football coach/Athletic Director Kenneth “Cat” Robbins, Basketball Coach Kenneth Lindsey, Men’s Basketball Chuck “Doodle” Floyd, Men’s Basketball Gene Garrett, Men’s Basketball Adrian Smith, Men’s Basketball Bonner Arnold, Basketball Coach/Athletic Director Harold T. White, Football/College President Earline “Woodsie” Woods, Supporter
Jim Drewry, Football
Harvey Childers, Men’s Basketball Coach Gerald Caveness, Men’s Basketball Clyde Jones, Men’s Basketball Larry Parker, Football Evelyn Thompson, Women’s Basketball
Johnny Buskirk, Football Vincent Del Negro, Men’s Basketball Sherry Slayton, Women’s Basketball
2012
2012 Ricky Ford, Women’s Basketball Coach/Athletic Dir.
2011 Kunshigne Sorrell Howard, Women’s Basketball
2010
Audrey Covington, Women’s Basketball
David “Nub” Strickland, Football
Freddie Copeland, Men’s Basketball Bandi Vondenstein Dannelly, Softball Malcolm Kuykendall, Alumni
2009 Harvey Childers, Men’s Basketball Coach
2008
2013 Harry T. Cosby, Football
Michael Grier, Football Kunshigne Sorrell Howard, Women’s Basketball Phyllis Stafford Dilworth, Women’s Basketball Jack Martin, Men’s Basketball David Carnell, Sr., Softball Coach/Athletic Director
2013
David Carnell, Sr., Softball Coach/Athletic Director
Benjamin Guy Gardner, Men’s Basketball
2009
2010
2011
Ricky Ford, Women’s Basketball Coach/Athletic Dir.
MACJC Sports Hall of Fame
Kenneth Lindsey, Men’s Basketball Harold T. White, Football/College President
2007
Ellis “Myrl” Crowe, Men’s Basketball, Baseball Mike Lewis, Baseball, Men’s Basketball Coach
Adrian Smith, Men’s Basketball
Larry “Jerry” Reno, Men’s Basketball
Bonner Arnold, Basketball Coach/Athletic Director
Ray Scott, Baseball Coach
W.B. “Bill” Ward, Football Coach/Athletic Director
of Alcorn Central High School, Biggersville High School and Water Valley High School. At Alcorn Central, Lewis led the Golden Bears to a 112-55 record, one Division 1-3A title, a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 3A championship and three Tombigbee Conference crowns during his five-year tenure. In 1988, Lewis was named the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal co-Coach of the Year and was named Coach of the Year by the Clarion-Ledger and the Daily Corinthian. Lewis is currently the head boys basketball coach at Walnut High School. He and his wife Shirley have two daughters, Lesley and Lana. Larry “Jerry” Reno (Men’s Basketball 1970-71, 1971-72) Jerry Reno was the latest in a long string of talented basketball players to enter the halls of then-Northeast Mississippi Junior College when he first stepped onto campus in 1970. The Ripley native earned respect quickly and was named team captain as a freshman. He served in the same capacity during his second season in Booneville. The 1970-71 edition of the Tigers under the direction of NEMCC Sports Hall of Fame coach Kenneth Lindsey finished with a 20-6 record, only two losses of which were in conference games. A high-powered Northeast offense eclipsed the century mark in points six times 90 or more in four other games. Northeast won the North Half title by defeating Mississippi Delta Junior College and earned the right to host the Mississippi Junior College State Tournament. The Tigers ran the tables to the championship game, but lost to Hinds Junior College to conclude the season. Reno was named second team All-State and led Northeast in free throw percentage and assists. He again led the Tigers in the same two categories as a sophomore in 197172 on the way to earning first team All-State honors.
Reno’s play on the court was so sharp that he earned a scholarship to thenBethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. Ray Scott (Baseball Coach 1992-2006) Ray Scott brought the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball program back to postseason prominence during his 15 seasons as head coach. His very first team in 1992 won the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division for the first time in over 20 years. Ralph Johnson’s 1970 squad was the last before then to do so and went 8-41 with a loss to Perkinston Junior College in a one-game state championship playoff. The Tigers closed the regular season with eight straight wins and finished 2023 overall, 14-6 in the North. Scott’s Tigers earned the right to host Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the MACJC State Championship series at Harold T. White Field. The Bulldogs won the series, but Northeast still qualified for a program first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament. Eight years later, Scott broke the school record for wins in a season at the time with 26 victories on the way to another playoff bid. Ronnie Key’s 1989 troup held the previous mark with 24 wins. All told, Scott left the baseball diamond as the winningest headman in program history with 277 total triumphs. His teams earned five postseason berths, including three straight from 1999-to-2001. Northeast returned to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in 2004 in the final playoff appearance of Scott’s storied career. Scott earned an Associate’s degree from Northeast and both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Mississippi State University. He started his coaching career with baseball and football stints at Baldwyn High School and Corinth High School. He and his wife Wendy have two sons, current Tiger assistant Jon Andy and Jake.
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Athletics prove to be among the best in 2012-13 Whether it was on the gridiron, hardwood, diamond or courts, Northeast Mississippi Community College athletics continued to excel during the 2012-13 academic year. Northeast athletics enjoyed a successful 2012-13 with athletic teams bringing back a state runner-up title, a North Division championship and scoring memorable victories for the college. Leading the way for the Tigers and Lady Tigers during the 2012-13 year were Kent Farris’ baseball team and Brian Alexander’s women’s basketball team. Farris led the Tigers to their first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division championship since 1992 and the Northeast baseball team advanced to the MACJC State Baseball Tournament in Poplarville after besting Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in a best-of-three opening round series at Harold T. White Field in Booneville. Northeast’s baseball Tigers were led by Falkner’s Will Robertson, who led the nation for part of the 2013 season in runs batted in (RBI) and finished in the top ten in the nation in RBI and on-base percentage. During the 2012-13 year, the Tigers pieced together an impressive streak of four straight weeks with a player being selected as the MACJC Player or Pitcher of the Week. Robertson started the trend after receiving the honor for games played April 1-7 while Southaven’s Justin Neal was honored twice by the state organization – first for games played April 8-14 and then for games played April 22-28. Baldwyn’s Tanner Gaines, a Mississippi State University transfer, helped continue the streak when Gaines was selected as the MACJC Pitcher of the Week for the week of April 15-21. After posting a 30-18 record and an 18-6 record in the North Division, five members of the Tiger baseball team went on to sign scholarships with four-year colleges and universities. Booneville’s Kyle Stephenson signed with the University of North Alabama while Neal inked with Christian Brothers University in Memphis. Biggersville’s Ethan Estes headed to the University of West Alabama while the Tiger duo of Kyle Robbins and Robertson both became Statesmen at Delta State University. On the hardwood, Alexander’s Lady Tigers (14-12) picked up momentum at the right time after finishing third in the North Division during the regular season. Northeast women’s basketball team knocked off a pair of South Division foes en route to the MACJC State Championship game against power Copiah-Lincoln Community College on February 28. Northeast dispatched Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 68-66 in overtime as freshman Kiki Gwyn (Kossuth) sank a pair of free throws with 2.5 seconds left in regulation to force the extra period and give the Lady Tigers a chance at the victory. After knocking off Mississippi Gulf Coast, Northeast rolled through Jones County 68-49 before dropping the MACJC State Championship game to Copiah-Lincoln Community College 64-46. With their run in the MACJC State Tournament in Poplarville, Northeast qualified for the National Junior Colleges Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XXIII Tournament held on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton and found a familiar opponent waiting – Mississippi Gulf Coast. Northeast would not be as lucky as it was in the first round of the MACJC State Tournament as the Lady Bulldogs ended the Lady Tigers season 68-60. Under Jody Long, the Lady Tiger softball team returned to the MACJC State Tournament in Perkinston after finishing in fourth place in the North Division. Long’s Lady Tigers posted a 23-15-1 record on the season, which included a few milestone moments. Northeast recorded its first tie in softball since converting to the sport in 2000-01 as the Lady Tigers tied Copiah-Lincoln on February 15 at the Rush Invitational in Meridian and Long’s Lady Tigers opened up their home schedule by knocking off perennial power and former NJCAA champion Muskegon (Mich.) 7-2 on February 23. Long reached a personal milestone late in the season as Northeast dispatched rival Itawamba Community College 8-2 on Tuesday, April 23 for his 200th collegiate coaching win. During the 2012-13 season, three Lady Tigers were selected as MACJC Softball Players of the Week with the Erin Dixson receiving the honor for her work during games played February 18-24, Andrea Cutts picking it up March 11-17 and Haleigh Moffett turning in a three home-run game against Mississippi Delta on April 13 to secure the award for April 8-14. Dixson was named the NJCAA Pitcher and Player of the Week for February 18-24 while Cutts picked up All-American status at the culmination of the season becoming the first Lady Tiger softball player to be named an All-American since Paige Wright was selected as an honorable mention selection in 2005. 44
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ben Shappley, the Lady Tiger tennis team turned in one of its most successful seasons in recent history. Shappley guided the Lady Tigers to a 3-6 record on the court and saw the only Lady Tiger sophomore – Elizabeth Mitchell – advance to the second round of the MACJC State Tournament in Tupelo. Shappley’s Lady Tigers scored all three wins on the road with Northeast knocking off Holmes Community College in Goodman 7-2 on March 19 and Northwest Mississippi Community College 5-4 on April 11 in the final regular season match. Northeast’s first decision of the year came when the Lady Tigers upended Hinds Community College on March 4 at the New Albany SportsPlex after the Tiger and Lady Tigers moved their home matches to the SportsPlex due to resurfacing of the tennis courts on the Booneville campus. After a rough start to the 2012-13 year, the Tiger tennis team ended the 2012-13 season on a positive note with the Tiger notching their initial victory of the season against Northwest Mississippi Community College 7-2 in Senatobia. On the hardwood, David Robbins ended his coaching tenure and made the transition to Dean of Students/Athletic Director after leading the Tigers to a 9-13 record in the 2012-13 season. Robbins’ Tigers picked up win in each month of the season with five of the Tigers’ wins coming during the middle months of the year – December and January. Northeast knocked off Northwest Mississippi Community College in its home North Division opener 95-92 and then dispelled Gadsden State (Ala.) 91-84 before the holiday break. Northeast picked up where it left off with a 75-65 win at Meridian on January 7 and knocked two more North Division wins during the month. After beating Holmes Community College 78-68 on January 24, Northeast electrified the Tiger fanbase with a last-second win over rival Itawamba Community College 75-74 on January 31 in front of a packed Bonner Arnold Coliseum. On the gridiron, Ricky Smither’s Tigers continued to be competitive and battled for a spot in the MACJC State Playoffs. During the 2012-13 season, Smither’s troops posted a 3-6 record and picked up all three victories on the road with wins over Jones County Junior College 30-21 in Ellisville, Coahoma Community College 21-17 in Clarksdale and Mississippi Delta Community College 24-3 in Moorhead. At the end of the season, a pair of Tigers was named All-Americans by the NJCAA. Belmont’s Jonathan Harrison, the Tiger punter, was the first Tiger football player to receive first-team All-American status since running back Jerry King was selected as a first-team All-American in 1956 and defensive end Lavon Hooks of Atlanta, Georgia was named an honorable selection All-American at the culmination of the season as well. Eight Tigers signed scholarship offers at the end of the season including Donnell Chapman of Batesville who signed with Missouri Southern State University, Jay Jones of Horn Lake who signed with the University of South Alabama, Nick Thomason of Muscle Shoals, Alabama who signed with Louisiana Technical University, Jonathan Braddock of Ripley who signed with Southeastern Louisiana, J.R. White of Muscle Shoals, Alabama who signed with the University of North Alabama and Harrison who inked with the University of Central Alabama. Logan Stokes of Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Hooks both signed with schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as Stokes agreed to become a Louisiana State University Tiger and Hooks headed to the University of Mississippi in Oxford Under the direction of first-year head golf coach Nick Coln, the Tiger golf team wrapped up its 2012-13 season at the MACJC State Golf Tournament at Dixie Golf Course in Laurel. Northeast finished the tournament in ninth place after posting a 321 on the first day and rallied for a 314 on the second day of competition. Corinth’s Blake Farris came on strong for the Tigers during the second MACJC tour stop of the year as the first-year Tiger golfer carded a two-day 160 to finish in a tie for eleventh overall after the two day event. Under the direction of first-year cheerleading coach Karri Davis, the Northeast cheerleading squad continued to provide positive support for the Tiger and Lady Tiger athletic teams whether it was on the gridiron or the hardwood, the Northeast cheerleaders continued to applaud the efforts of the Northeast athletic teams through the entire season.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Social media
For fans that cannot make it to the games in Booneville or away contests, Northeast athletics and individual teams have made it easier for family, friends and fans to keep up with their favorite sport via various social media accounts.
Twitter:
@NEMCCTigers - General athletic news & live game updates for all nine intercollegiate athletic programs from SID Blake Long. Interact by using the hashtags #TigerPower and #NEMCC @NETigerFootball - Tiger football team @NEMCCBaseball - Tiger baseball team @NETigerSB - Tiger softball team @NEMCCGolf - Tiger golf team @NEMCCcheer - Tiger cheerleading squad
Facebook:
For updates on each of Northeast’s athletic programs, including links to videos and news stories, like the Tigers at www.facebook.com/ NEMCCTigers Fans can also follow the Tiger softball team at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Northeast-Mississippi-Community-College-SoftballTeam
General Information:
As a reminder, general information about the college can be found at the Northeast website at http://www.nemcc.edu
Athletic News:
Athletic news will be posted at http://www.nemccathletics.com
Videos:
For those wishing for those wishing to view video highlights of Northeast athletics, videos can be found at http://www.youtube.com/ nemcctigers while news articles can be found at http://www.youtube.com/nemcctv You can also find short behind-the-scenes and game day videos on Vine by searching and following NEMCCTigers
Photos:
Small snippet photos can be found via Instagram at nemcctigers or at the web address http://www.instagram.com/nemcctigers Photos from athletic and campus events from staff photographer Michael H. Miller can be found on the college’s SmugMug site at http://nemcctigers.smugmug.com
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Your One Source for Mississippi Junior College Scores, Statistics & News • • • • •
MACJC School News MACJC Team Rosters MACJC Sport Schedules MACJC Coaching Bios MACJC League Statistics
• • • • •
In-Game Score Updates Instantaneous Final Scores Post-Game Statistics Post-Game News Release Game of the Week Coverage
Log onto www.jucoweekly.org and join our Facebook page and view photos of your Tigers and Lady Tigers Coahoma • Copiah-Lincoln • East Central • East Mississippi • Hinds • Holmes Itawamba • Jones County • Mississippi Delta • Mississippi Gulf Coast • Northeast Mississippi Northwest Mississippi • Pearl River • Southwest Mississippi www.jucoweekly.org 46
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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A proud sponsor of Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics. Go Lady Tigers and Tigers! Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Sodexo cafeteria staff invites the public to stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner Monday-Friday Breakfast 7-9 a.m. Lunch 10:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dinner 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday lunch buffet open to the public every Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Don’t forget to call for your catering needs 662-720-7260 Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Quick Facts about Northeast Athletics Location........................................................................................................................................................Booneville, MS Founded.........................................................................................................................................................................1948 President..........................................................................................................................Dr. Johnny L. Allen, Ed.D.(7226) jlallen@nemcc.edu Athletic Director................................................................................................................................David Robbins (7241) wdrobbins@nemcc.edu Sports Information Director..................................................................................................................Blake Long (7448) bdlong@nemcc.edu Athletic Trainer.................................................................................................................................Hope Kingsley (7286) hdbarnes@nemcc.edu Head Football Coach.........................................................................................................................Ricky Smither (7890) resmither@nemcc.edu Asst. Football Coaches.........................................Paige Anders (7587), Greg Davis (7580), Kenny Jackson (7575), Dustin Jones (7351)
rpanders@nemcc.edu; gadavis@nemcc.edu; krjackson@nemcc.edu, dbjones@nemcc.edu
Head Men’s Basketball Coach.............................................................................................................Cord Wright (7241) cdwright@nemcc.edu Men’s Assistant Basketball Coach......................................................................................................... Nick Coln (7505) tncoln@nemcc.edu Head Women’s Basketball Coach.................................................................................................Brian Alexander (7887) bcalexander@nemcc.edu Women’s Assistant Basketball Coach...................................................................................................Paul Nixon (7887) penixon@nemcc.edu Head Baseball Coach..............................................................................................................................Kent Farris (7309) wkfarris@nemcc.edu Assistant Baseball Coaches......................................................................Richy Harrelson (7344), Jon Andy Scott (7223) rwharrelson@nemcc.edu; jascott@nemcc.edu Head Softball Coach................................................................................................................................Jody Long (7305) jwlong@nemcc.edu Assistant Softball Coaches........................................................................Jaisa Emerson (7218), Haylei Plummer (7317) jfemerson@nemcc.edu; hdplummer@nemcc.edu Golf Coach................................................................................................................................................Nick Coln (7505) tncoln@nemcc.edu Tennis Coach.......................................................................................................................................Ben Shappley (7242) bshappley@nemcc.edu Cheerleading Coach................................................................................................................Karri Davis (870-403-6980) kedavis@nemcc.edu Athletic Phone..............................................................................................................................................(662) 720-7302 Athletic Office Fax.......................................................................................................................................(662) 728-1165 Football Stadium...........................................................................................................................................Tiger Stadium Basketball Arena..........................................................................................................................Bonner Arnold Coliseum Baseball Field...................................................................................Harold T. White Field/Booneville Westside City Park Softball Field......................................................................David Carnell Memorial Field/Booneville Westside City Park Golf Home Course........................................................................................................................Booneville Country Club Tennis Courts.................................................................................................................................Northeast Tennis Courts Athletic E-mail............................................................................................................................... wdrobbins@nemcc.edu National Affiliation......................................................................National Junior College Athletic Association/Region 23 State Affiliation......................................................................Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Colors..............................................................................................................................................................Black & Gold Mascot...........................................................................................................................................................................Tiger (All numbers carry a 662 area code and are led by a 720-prefix unless otherwise noted)
Northeast Mississippi Community College