Published: December 14, 2007 12:19 pm            

ECCC hands out awards in annual fall sports banquet

DECATUR — Football and soccer players and members of the cheerleading squad for 2007 were honored during East Central Community College’s Fall Sports Banquet held recently on the Decatur campus.

ECCC President Dr. Phil A. Sutphin was among presenters at the annual ceremony, and recognized student athletes who received academic awards. Additional honors were presented by coaches of each sport and the cheerleading sponsor. Letters were presented to all sophomore athletes.

Team awards in football were presented to cornerback Fredrick Lyons, a product of Newton County High School, Academic Award; nose guard Henry Scott of Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Okla., most valuable defensive lineman; guard James Jenkins of Columbus, offensive team captain and most valuable offensive lineman; free safety Ray Frierson, a product of Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Kemba Bryant Most Valuable Defensive Back; offensive tackle John Bailey of Hillcrest HS in Tuscaloosa, defensive lineman Mark Hoskins of Louisville and linebacker Jamar Lawrence of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County, Warrior Award; linebacker David Brackett of Philadelphia, defensive team captain; and running back Roosevelt Ross, a product of Ocala-Forest HS in Ocala, Fla., most valuable player and most valuable offensive back.

Ross was also recognized for being named honorable mention J. C. Grid-Wire All-American, All-Region 23 and first team All-State.

Ross, who is among numerous Warriors expected to sign mid-year scholarships at four-year schools and universities, finished second in the state in rushing with 695 yards on 98 carries, a 7.1-yard average. He also scored eight touchdowns. Ross missed the last two games of the season due to a knee injury. LeGarrette Blount of East Mississippi Community College was the top rusher with 1,042 yards on 178 carries – a 5.9-yard average - through nine games. He scored six touchdowns.

Frierson was also chosen All-Region 23, first team All-State and participated in the annual MACJC All-Star Classic. He led ECCC in interceptions with three.

Warriors receiving second team All-State honors include quarterback Deon Williams, a product of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) County High School; wide receiver Freddie Parham, of St. Clair County HS in Margaret, Ala.; offensive lineman James Jenkins of Columbus; return specialist Maurice Langston, of Northeast Lauderdale High School in Meridian; nose guard Henry Scott, of Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Okla.; and David Brackett of Philadelphia.

Williams completed 57-of-121 passes for 942 yards and nine touchdowns. He had four interceptions. Williams, who averaged 104.7 yards passing per contest, finished the season with a league-best 130.4 rating in pass efficiency.

Brackett, who was also chosen on the J.C. Grid-Wire All-American honorable mention squad, was one of the state’s top tacklers all season and finished in third place with 81 solo stops and 30 assists. Scott had 63 tackles and 19 assists.

Williams joined Frierson and offensive lineman Marquis Harris of Meridian, tight end Spencer Spane of Terry, linebacker Jamar Lawrence of Tucaloosa County and cornerback Dameon Brown of Thomastown on the South squad in the MACJC All-Star Classic held Dec 1 at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville. The North All-Stars won the annual matchup 17-14.

Harris, Spane, Lawrence, Brown and Lyons also received honorable mention All-State honors along with linebacker Harvey Brown of Neshoba Central, wide receiver Kendrick May and defensive end Josh Lewis, both of Tuscaloosa County; cornerback Travis Robinson and offensive tackle John Bailey, both of Hillcrest HS in Tuscaloosa, defensive lineman Quan Lowe of Holt High School in Tuscaloosa, wide receiver Michael Townsend of Forest, running back Lamario Hopson of Meridian, wide receiver Katlan French of Starkville Academy, defensive end Chris Ivy, defensive linemen Ken Whitfield and Mark Hoskins, and strong safety Ken Coleman, all of Louisville; linebacker Vonzell Jackson of Aliceville, Ala.; kicker/punter Beau Hannah of Morton, fullback Courtney Shelton of Tuscaloosa Academy, kicker/punter Derek Crenshaw of Neshoba Central and offensive lineman Justin Moore of Leake Academy.

Football awards were presented by head coach Terry Underwood and assistants Fred Lyons, James Miller, Steve Cheatham, Kyle Watson and Brian Jones.



Soccer

Award winners in women’s soccer included midfielder Jana Johnson of Newton County, Academic and Warrior awards; midfielder Skye Tindall of Newton County Academy, hustle award; forward/midfielder Meagan Munn of Newton County, best offensive player and All-State; forward Brooke White of Florence, most valuable player, team captain and All-Region 23; defender Kimbo Seale of Clarkdale, best defensive player; midfielder/forward Megan Klauck of Neshoba Central, most improved; and keeper Kaley Ball of Laurel, honorable mention All-State.

White finished sixth in South Division scoring and 11th in the state with eight goals and 10 assists. Munn, who had eight goals and four assists, placed 10th among South Division scorers and finished 17th in the state.

The Lady Soccer Warriors were recognized as this year’s recipient of the MACJC Tom Shepherd Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented to the women and men’s soccer team with the fewest number of cards (fouls) assessed during season competition. The ECCC women received just one yellow card for the 2007 campaign.

Recipients of men’s soccer awards included midfielder Noah Cook of Newton County, Academic Award; defender/midfielder Justin Traylor of Florence, hustle award; midfielder Sam Wilson of Meridian, most valuable, best offensive player and All-State; midfielder Josh Moore, a product of Walker (Ala.) High School now residing in Newton, team captain and Warrior Award; midfielder Sam Lewis of Newton County, most improved; and midfielder Jerrid Hickman of Mendenhall, best defensive player.

Awards were presented by head coach Kenneth Thompson.



Cheerleader

Cheerleaders receiving honors included Dru Anderson of Newton County, Academic Award; Dustin Evans of Collins, Tavares Walker of Morton and Elaina James of Sylva Bay Academy, Captain awards; Noah Cook of Newton County and Emily Thrash of Sebastopol, most improved; Austin McNair of Neshoba Central and Kacy Covert of West Lauderdale, Best All-Around; and Phillip Vines of Neshoba Central and Adam Brown of Lake, Warrior Award.

Cheerleader sponsor Huellen Watson presented awards.

        

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