MGCCC ladies look for breakout season in 2009-10

Kiara Johnson (21) will run the offense as the team’s point guard in 2009-10.

A savvy group of returning sophomores and a talented batch of incoming freshmen have Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College women’s basketball coach Melanie Stone more than optimistic about the upcoming season.

“We should have lots of depth and some size this season,” Stone said. “Our sophomores are leaders and all of them are motivated to take this team to the next level.”

Returning Lady Bulldogs Kaci Burkhalter (5’6”-D’Iberville), Brooke Eccles (5’10”-McNeill), Vivian Hall (5’9”-Hattiesburg), Kiara Johnson (5’2”-Wiggins), and transfer student Brianna Burt (5’9”-Jackson) head up a sophomore class that’s determined to improve upon the team’s 11-14 overall record.

They’ll be joined by incoming freshmen Samantha Butcher (6’1”-Robertsdale, AL.), Brianne Collins (5’3”-Erwinville, LA.), Ebony Davis (5’10”-Moss Point), Racheal Jones (5’6”-Gulfport), Demesha Leatherwood (5’5”-Petal), Ashleigh Lewis (5’8”-Gulfport), Michelle Millender (6’0-Gulfport), and Jaerica Young (5’4”-Jackson).

“All of our freshmen can step in and contribute,” Stone said. “This class has good height and they seem to know where to be on the floor.”

Stone, who’s entering her third season as head coach, feels like this team has already begun to bond during their off-season workouts. She’s hoping that team chemistry will help the lady Bulldogs make it to the post-season for the first time since 2006.

“Our sophomores will step up and lead,” she added. “They know that it’s important to be focused in the classroom and on the court. These players have the right mindset needed to win.”

Peter Georgian will once again serve as the team’s assistant coach. Fall practice began Oct. 1 after the team concluded its off-season conditioning programs.