By Shawn Wansley
JCJC Sports Information Director

ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats enjoyed a banner season last year.

In fact, the Lady Bobcats won the MACJC championship, advanced to the Region 23 semifinals and posted an impressive 23-7 record. Eleventh-year head coach Sandra Sumrall hopes this year’s team can use last year’s championship to its advantage.

“Winning the state title was wonderful,” said Sandra Sumrall. “We are going to get that banner up and the freshmen see the rings we have and it is a motivator. It is a great feeling and they want to do it again. But it is also a motivator for our opponents.

“Our team wants to do it again and that is what they are setting their goal to be.”

It will be a challenge to repeat. Jones lost nine players off of last year’s team and returns only four sophomores this year. Sumrall said the young players would have to grow up quickly this season.

But the national pollsters are taking notice in the Lady Bobcats. JCJC received votes in the NJCAA preseason rankings. (For a complete look at the poll, go to www.njcaa.org).

“We have an awful lot of new kids,” she said. “And a lot of them are going to have to play different positions than what they did in high school. It’s been a big adjustment for a lot of them. They are not completely there yet, but they are working hard.

“Our sophomores are stepping up and showing good leadership. But we have a long ways to go and a lot of work to do. But the players always give good effort.”

Returning sophomores are 6-foot forward/center Ashley Lee of Taylorsville, 5-foot-9 forward Brigit Taylor of Jackson Jim Hill, 5-foot-7 guard Erica Moore of Grove Hill, Ala., and 5-foot-6 guard Dominique Evans of South Jones. Sooby Cooks, a 5-foot-5 guard from Quitman, sat out most of last year and returns. Erin Griffin, a 6-foot-2 center, is a sophomore from East Rankin Academy who did not play last year.

Lee averaged 11 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season, while Taylor averaged 6.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Moore scored 8.3 points and 2.7 assists per game, while Evans scored 4.0 points per contest.

“Ashley Lee is doing an awesome job of trying to get better, working hard and being a leader,” Sumrall said. “Brigit, Erica and Dominique are doing well, too. Sooby is back with us and is working hard.”

Sumrall said the sophomores would, as usual, play a vital role.

“That first year makes a big difference for a player,” she said. “We are looking for all of them to step up and make a difference because of that experience. Plus, the experience we have from being in the state and regional tournaments will help, too.”

Coco McLaurin, a 5-foot-10 freshman from Collins, along with Northeast Jones’ freshmen Kerri Simmons, a 5-foot-8 forward, and Crystal Tucker, a 5-foot-10 forward, will provide strength inside, along with Lee, Taylor and Griffin.

“Coco is working hard to come in and get some playing time,” said Sumrall. “We are looking for Kerri to step in and be a ‘4.’ We have a lot of ‘4s,’ but we don’t have many true ‘5s.’ Those ‘4s’ can move in and they can move out. Crystal Tucker is a ‘4’ and she was a strong rebounder in high school. Erin will help us inside, too.”

In the backcourt, the Lady Bobcats have experience with Moore, Evans and Cooks. Tanecka Carey, a 5-foot-9 freshman from Jackson Murrah, will play point guard, while 5-foot-7 freshman Kiana Harris from Jackson Provine, 5-foot-3 freshman Jessica McCann of Northeast Jones and 5-foot-4 freshman Candace Little from Lawrence County will provide depth.

“We have a lot of experience with Erica, Dominique and Sooby coming back,” said Sumrall. “Tanecka Carey is doing a good job of running the point for us.”

Sumrall said the Lady Bobcats would have to rely on defense if they are to have a successful season.

“We’ve got some good shooters, but we’ve still got to work on our defense and our transition game,” she said. “We give really good effort in practice, but it is an adjustment for a lot of these kids. High school ball is much different than playing at this level.

“It is a faster pace and a much more physical game.”

In the South Division race, Sumrall places Co-Lin at the top. She also thinks JCJC’s opening opponent, defending Region 23 champion East Mississippi, will be strong once again.

The national pollsters agree. Co-Lin is the preseason No. 4 team in the nation, while East Mississippi is No. 27.

“Co-Lin, as usual, is loaded. East Mississippi just re-loaded from last year and they have a lot of great players,” she said. “I think those two will be at the top and everybody else will be right in there.”

The championship feeling from last year is still evident in Bobcat Gym. Returning players and coaches have their championship rings and they would love to add another to the collection.

“That was such an exciting time for them and they loved it,” Sumrall said of last February’s state title run. “They want us to get back there again, so these other kids can feel that and share in that with them and know what it is like to be a Lady Bobcat.”

JCJC opens the season at East Mississippi at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. The home opener will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, against Delgado Community College (La.).

Sumrall, who is assisted by Cara Hyatt, is optimistic about the season.

“We have to improve every time we step on the court and keep working hard,” she said. “We have enough talent to be pretty competitive.”

All JCJC home games can be heard on www.jcjc.tv and all home division contests will air on the same website.