EMCC women will have 'fresh' look in '12-13

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October 31, 2012

EMCC women will have 'fresh' look in '12-13

Staff Writer The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Wed Oct 31, 2012, 10:55 PM CDT

DECATUR — By Austin Bishop

Special To The Star

    SCOOBA — Sharon Thompson says the word freshman should be clear enough, without much explanation.

    "They are fresh," said Thompson, head women's basketball coach for East Mississippi Community College. "That is the right word for first-year college students."

    The Lions will be depending heavily on first-year players when the season kicks off at home tonight.

    Thompson, who is beginning her eighth season as head coach of the Lions, said it takes a while for high school players to make a transition to the college level.

    "Unless you have an elite player, most of them just want make the transition in their first season," she said. "Maybe midway through the season they will begin to come around, but it just takes experience to compete on this level."

    Thompson said being able to adapt is key to coaching on the junior college level.

    "As a coach, your philosophy changes as you adapt to your personnel," she said. "You want to try to bring in kids who can run the kind of system you want to implement, but sometimes you have to make adjustments."

    She said due to the loss of some key post players, this year's squad will be more guard oriented.

    "We are going to put pressure on our opponents defensively and try to make our defense set the tone for our offense," she said.

    EMCC went 7-16 last year, but the Lions have posted a composite mark of 62-46 over the last four years, including a 25-7 record and a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in 2008-09.

    "We are always excited (about a new season), but especially since we had a rough year last year," Thompson said.

    Among those Thompson will be counting on this year are returning sophomores Brianna May and Dajah McCarty. McCarty, a former Quitman star, averaged 4.2 points and 5.0 rebounds last season in 23 starts, while May got 11 starts of her own.

    After opening at home against Georgia Highland College today at 5:30 p.m., the Lions hit the road to Baton Rouge, La., to take on San Jacinto (Texas) College. EMCC then hosts Meridian Community College on Nov. 8 and then entertains Shelton State on Nov. 12. After that game, the Lions will play their next six on the road before returning home to face East Central on Jan. 8.

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