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NEMiss.News Myrtle's Robert Gordon inducted into NEMCC Hall of Fame

 

 

 

New Albany Native Robert Gordon, currently the athletic director at Myrtle was inducted into the Northeast Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame on September 22, 2022, along with Tim Cole (Men’s Basketball, 1996-98) and Lisa Jansen (Softball, 2007-08) .

 

NEMCC Hall of Fame: Robert Gordon (Baseball, 1992-93)

New Albany native Robert Gordon was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the W.P. Daniel High School team in 1991. He received an invitation to both the Crossroads Diamond Club and Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association for Better Baseball (NEMCABB) all-star games.

Gordon made his debut with the NEMCC Tigers on February 27, 1992 during a doubleheader at Jackson State (Tenn.) Gordon’s first home run at Northeast came during a 7-2 win at Shelby State (present-day Southwest Tennessee) Community College. He also had three hits and three RBIs that evening.

Northeast went on to win its final eight regular season games and secure its first then-Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division crown in over two decades.

That year, Northeast hosted the state championship series versus Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at Harold T. White Field before participating in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament for the first time in program history.

Gordon was one of the Tigers’ top performers as a freshman, with a .306 batting average, four triples and 16 RBIs.

During his second and final season at Northeast, Gordon, who was the only returning position player in 1993, led the Tigers in most every major offensive statistical category. He had a .344 batting average with nine doubles, three home runs and 32 RBIs. He added five triples, which is still tied for the second most in a single season at Northeast.

Gordon was recognized by head coach Ray Scott with the team MVP and best batting average awards, and was also selected for the Tiger Award for his leadership and positive attitude on-and-off the diamond. He obtained NJCAA All-Region 23 distinction as a sophomore and was a two-time all-conference recipient.

He finished up his on-field career by clinching the 1996 Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC) championship at Union University, in Tennessee. Gordon earned NAIA All-American, NAIA All-Region and he completed All-TCAC honors as a senior.

Gordon has spent essentially his entire tenure in education at Myrtle High School. He was the head baseball coach for 25 years and won 10 division crowns, two north half titles and the 2002 state championship. He also directed five state championship teams in 16 seasons with Myrtle’s slowpitch softball program.

Gordon’s coaching record between baseball, softball and volleyball, which he started from scratch in 2019, is 800-387-1. Gordon was picked to coach in the NEMCABB All-Star Game three times and at the Crossroads All-Star Game in 2003. He was acknowledged as the NEMCABB Class 1A-2A Coach of the Year in both 2001 and 2010.

He currently continues his long and distinguished athletics career at Myrtle. As athletic director there, he oversees 11 varsity sports.

Gordon and his wife Brooke have two children, Paxton and Kinsley.

–Information excerpted from NEMCC press release by:

Blake Long,  Sports Information Director, Northeast Mississippi Community College

NEMiss.News Northeast Baseball Tigers

 

The Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball program is wrapping up a great season with another accolade for its achievements away from the diamond. The Tigers were recipients of the 2022 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award presented by Sports Attack. Northeast obtained this recognition by accumulating an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.29 on a 4.0 scale.

The Tigers were also acknowledged as an All-Academic Team by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). “It does not surprise me one bit that our GPA was that high with this group,” said Northeast head coach Richy Harrelson. “When you get high character kids that care about everything, it’s amazing to watch them. I’m proud of them.”

The Tigers were one of just four members of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) that received this decoration. There was a total of 34 NJCAA institutions on the ABCA’s scholastic listing. Twenty Northeast players secured individual honors for maintaining a GPA greater than 3.25.

That includes NJCAA All-Academic Award winners Logan Bland (Olive Branch), Hayden Donahue (Booneville), Lock Elliott (Oxford), Colby Holcombe (Florence, Ala.), Eli Jones (Booneville), Jackson McCoy (Booneville), Jackson Owen (Starkville), Carter Phillips (Blue Springs) and Grayson Stone (Tishomingo).

That tandem also earned academic all-conference distinction along with Gray Berry (West Point), Connor Bonds (Burnsville), Dylan Bowers (Southaven), John Eaton (Biggersville), Aidan Foeller (Southaven), AJ Kaelin (Olive Branch), Davis Oswalt (Nettleton), Chess Parker (Corinth), Peyton Peoples (Oak Grove), Jake Reeder (Pontotoc) and Luke Willard (Pinedale).

The Tigers pieced together a historic campaign on the field.

  • Northeast finished the regular season with a 27-16 record and
  • brought playoff action to The Plex for the first time in its brief three-year existence.
  • Northeast won 15 of its last 17 MACCC contests to vault up the standings into a host role. The Tigers had victories over nationally ranked opponents East Central Community College and Pearl River Community College during that stretch.

Among the other highlights for Northeast this year was:

  • a combined no-hitter by Holcombe and Reeder against Kaskaskia (Ill.) College. It was the first no-no by the Tigers since March 2008.
  • Northeast also boasted the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year in Owen, and the
  • MACCC Pitcher of the Year in Holcombe, who also collected
  • first-team All-American laurels from the NJCAA.

The Tigers have now captured the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award, which is given to programs at all levels of collegiate athletics plus high schools as well, for four of the past five years.

Members of the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball program that received the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award include (bottom, from left) Kyle Church of Booneville, Colton Fitzsimmons of New Site, Gray Berry of West Point, Logan Bland of Olive Branch, Khi Holiday of Tupelo, Charlie McAnally of Iuka, Ward Johnson of Biggersville, Luke Smith of Jasper, Ala., Noah Foster of Tupelo, Grayson Stone of Tishomingo, (middle, from left) Shawn Dalton Weatherbee of Thrasher, Jackson Owen of Starkville, Connor Bonds of Burnsville, Zac Gann of Booneville, John Eaton of Biggersville, Davis Oswalt of Nettleton, Eli Jones of Booneville, Peyton Peoples of Oak Grove, Lock Elliott of Oxford, AJ Kaelin of Olive Branch, Chess Parker of Corinth, manager Seth Ivy of Decatur, Ala., (back, from left) Luke Willard of Pinedale, Carter Phillips of Blue Springs, Jackson McCoy of Booneville, Dylan Bowers of Southaven, Mason Walden of New Site, John Whiteside of Haleyville, Ala., Colby Holcombe of Florence, Ala., Jackson Conn of Jackson, Aidan Foeller of Southaven, Alex Marshall of Corinth, Hayden Donahue of Booneville, Seth Bagwell of Jackson, Jake Reeder of Pontotoc and Caleb Huggins of Burnsville.

–Blake Long, Sports Information Director Northeast Mississippi Community College

NEMiss.News Jamarcus Smith

 

Smith Earns Academic All-America® Honors for Second Straight Year

By: Blake Long

 

August 5, 2022  AUSTIN, Texas – Jamarcus Smith had one more historic accomplishment to make before officially ending his tenure with the Northeast Mississippi Community College football program. Smith has repeated as a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America® selection as part of the College Division men’s at-large team.

The Saltillo native became Northeast’s inaugural CoSIDA Academic All-America® recipient in 2021. Smith is consequently the first student-athlete in school history to capture this award in consecutive years.

Smith was an arts and humanities major at Northeast with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.66 on a 4.0 scale. He transferred to the University of West Alabama to continue his career on the gridiron following the fall 2021 semester. He was one of just 16 CoSIDA Academic All-America® winners from the College Division, which includes all two-year institutions, Canadian universities and any four-year school in the United States that is not a member of the NCAA or the NAIA.

“I’m very glad that I could contribute to this great school,” said Smith. “I appreciate every one that’s helped me on my journey. I really enjoyed everything here. Working hard is what we were taught, so I stayed on top of my work.”

Smith is the only player ever to lead the Tigers in tackling for three straight seasons. It is a feat that will likely never happen again as Smith took advantage of an additional year of eligibility, due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Smith concluded his final campaign at Northeast with 74 tackles. He had six games with eight or more stops, including a season-best 14 takedowns during a victory by the Tigers at Coahoma Community College.

He received Fall All-America distinction from the Rivals recruiting network publication JCGridiron as well as all-conference honors for helping Northeast finish as the division runner-up during the abbreviated 2020 campaign. The 6-1, 205-pound linebacker racked up 58 stops along with a team-high eight tackles for loss that year. Smith also accounted for two forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception.

“Jamarcus is a very intelligent football player, but even a better person overall,” Tigers head coach Greg Davis said. “He’s got a very, very bright future ahead of him. He put a lot of time and effort into his class work. This is very well deserved.”

Smith’s cumulative stats at Northeast include 221 takedowns, 20.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and two interceptions over the course of 24 total contests. Smith averaged 9.2 stops per outing with nine double-digit tackling performances. He posted a career-high 18 tackles during a matchup at East Mississippi Community College as a freshman.

He was twice decorated with scholastic accolades from both the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as well.

Blake Long Sports Information Director Northeast Mississippi Community College

Haney Union Room 215 101 Cunningham Boulevard Booneville, MS 38829

www.nemccathletics.com

NEMiss.News NMSBCA logo

 

 

For the second consecutive year, Northeast Mississippi Community College will host the annual North Mississippi Softball Coaches Association (NMSBCA) All-Star Games on Thursday, June 9 at The Plex.

A home run derby kicks off the action at 2 p.m. followed by a junior all-star game at 3:30 p.m., the 1A-3A senior all-star game at 5:30 p.m. and the 4A-6A senior all-star game at 7:30 p.m.
Included below are rosters for the NMSBCA All-Star Game as they were presented by the coaches association this afternoon. All three games will be broadcast on the Black Channel of NEMCCTV.

 

Junior All Stars- Kyle Long

  1. Sommer Tyes- Baldwyn HS
  2. Abby Keller- New Albany HS
  3. Kam Thomas- North Pontotoc HS
  4. Ella Jobe- Kossuth HS
  5. Madie Holcomb- South Pontotoc HS
  6. Peyton Flora- East Webster HS
  7. Lulu Franks- Mooreville HS
  8. Carly Dunagin- Senatobia HS
  9. Cari Scott- Shannon HS
  10. DaylonEisenzimmer- Shannon HS

 Junior All Stars- Halford

  1. Gracey Harbour- South Panola HS
  2. Addison Owen- Pontotoc HS
  3. Maddie Terrell- Vardaman HS
  4. Sydney Bean- Houston HS
  5. Lulu Mcnease- Houston HS
  6. Arlee McClellan (Hurt but still coming)- South Pontotoc HS
  7. Katelee Box- East Webster HS
  8. KenselyWoolbright- New Hope HS
  9. Madyson McBrayer- New Hope HS
  10. Sadie Morris- Tupelo HS
  11. Amyah Hill – Saltillo HS
  12. Lauren Brown – Caledonia HS
  13. Joryie McKnight- Pontotoc HS
  14. Carlee Dunlap- South Pontotoc

4-6A Seniors Hicks/Vondenstein

  1. Maggie Ross- South Pontotoc HS
  2. Brittany Johnson- South Panola HS
  3. Kara Johnson- Senatobia HS
  4. Emma O’Bryant- New Hope HS
  5. Carys Goodwin- Corinth HS
  6. Kaylee Owens- Itawamba HS
  7. Madalyn Dvorak- Caledona HS
  8. Ashlyn Jordan- Caledonia HS
  9. Jenna Smith – Houston HS
  10. Taylor Brownlee- New Hope HS
  11. Savley Alyzza Helton- Independence HS

4-6A Seniors- Wildmon

  1. Brooke Knoop- Caledonia HS
  2. Kemya McDonald- Ripley HS
  3. Natalie McKinney- Saltillo HS
  4. Caitlyn Carnathon- Salitillo HS
  5. Chloe MsClain- Itawamba HS
  6. Sydney Brazil- South Pontotoc HS
  7. Madyx McNatt- Tish County HS
  8. Taylor Styers- Lafayette HS
  9. Kat Smith – North Pontotoc
  10. Kaydence Sudduth- Caledonia HS
  11. Shelby Payne- Saltillo HS

1-3A Seniors- Thornton

  1. Liz Massey- East Webster HS
  2. Madison Stokes- Belmont HS
  3. Autumn Campbell- Belmont HS
  4. Hanna Grace Gillien- Mantachie HS
  5. Madison Garrett- Wheeler HS
  6. Chloe Summerford- Smithville HS
  7. Katie Meeks- Kossuth HS
  8. Ava Meeks- Kossuth HS
  9. Millie Speed- TCPS HS
  10. Macie Williams- Amory HS
  11. Cara Whatley- Baldwyn HS

  1-3A Seniors- Bogue

  1. Preslee Fischer- Water Valley HS
  2. Emma Rose Thompson- Hatley HS
  3. Bre Harmon- Hatley HS
  4. Faith Imel- Hamilton HS
  5. Jorja Roberson – East Union HS
  6. Makynlie Jones- Vardaman HS
  7. Orlandria Smith- Smithville HS
  8. Tamiya Martin- Nettleton HS
  9. Kinsley Gordon- Myrtle HS
  10. CaylieStreich- Mrytle HS
  11. Emma Callicutt- West Union HS
  12. ClaireDouell- West Union HS

Blake Long
Sports Information Director
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Haney Union Room 215

NEMiss.News Brenda Mayes to remain at NEMCC

 

BOONEVILLE, Miss. – Brenda Mayes is sticking around to take on a unique challenge at her alma mater of Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Mayes will serve as the inaugural head coach of Northeast’s brand-new women’s volleyball program.

The Tigers begin intercollegiate competition during the fall 2023 semester. “We’re excited about coach Mayes continuing on here and bringing her expertise to the volleyball program,” said Northeast president Dr. Ricky Ford. “She brings a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge about this game.” In addition, Mayes is also taking on the role of assistant athletic director with an emphasis on female sports. Northeast currently sponsors women’s teams in basketball, cheerleading, softball and tennis.

“It’s going to be exciting to start this program,” Mayes said.

“Volleyball is an exciting sport. I’m hoping that I can take the experience that I had at the high school level and make a difference here at Northeast.”

Mayes was in charge of a Muscle Shoals (Ala.) High School program that captured four consecutive Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) state titles from 1998-2001. She was recognized as the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year in 2001. Mayes was The Birmingham News Coach of the Year for the entire state of Alabama in 1998. Her Lady Trojan teams claimed 11 AHSAA Elite Eight berths, including seven in a row from 1997-2003. Their last such playoff run resulted in Mayes receiving Coach of the Year honors from The Times Daily. Mayes also secured 14 AHSAA area championships and 10 AHSAA area runner-up finishes for a total of 24 postseason appearances. Muscle Shoals also won 13 Colbert County (Ala.) Tournament crowns. She was selected to serve as a coach in the 1999 Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association (AHSADCA) All-Star Game. Mayes was also a member of the AHSAA volleyball committee.

Mayes’ journey at Northeast continues after serving as head women’s basketball coach for the past seven seasons. She guided the Lady Tigers to five playoff berths and the 2018 north division championship. She helped 11 Lady Tigers move on to the four-year level. Mayes also instructed 10 players that garnered All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) distinction at least once. Mayes originally came to the Booneville campus after signing a basketball scholarship to play for Ford. She earned all-conference laurels after topping the Lady Tigers in scoring and rebounding during the 1982-83 campaign.

The Biggersville High School alumna was also a founding member of Northeast’s softball program. The Tigers, who competed in slow-pitch at that time, advanced to the national tournament during Mayes’ sophomore year of 1983. She completed her basketball career at the University of North Alabama from 1983-85. Mayes led the Lady Lions to their inaugural Gulf South Conference (GSC) title and to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

Mayes received several awards during her tenure at North Alabama, including Kodak NCAA Division II All-American and NCAA South Region All-Tournament in 1985. She was a two-time All-GSC recipient as well. The Corinth native has been inducted into the Alabama High School, Colbert County, North Alabama, Northeast and Mississippi Community College sports halls of fame.

-Blake Long, Sports Information Director

Northeast Mississippi Community College

The Northeast Mississippi Community College golf program is looking to piece together two consecutive positive rounds during its state championship defense. The Tigers will compete in the 2022 Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Tournament beginning on Friday, April 8 at Wolf Hollow Golf Club.

“We’re feeling good,” said Northeast head coach Derek DeVaughn. “I think we’re coming into our A-game right here at the end of the year. We’ve made some adjustments throughout the week and I think that’ll lead to some big improvements.” The Tigers won this event last year at Meridian’s Briarwood Golf Club by four shots over runner-up Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Tate Dickerson, Carson Wilder and current Troy (Ala.) University standout Jake Kilcrease each made the all-tournament team.

The reigning champs put their title up for grabs on the campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Wolf Hollow is a par-72 course that features 6,745 yards from the longest tees with a slope rating of 120.

“It’s got some what we call quirky holes,” DeVaughn said. “The key is just going to be getting through those and try to attack some of the easier holes. We’re very confident.”  Northeast enters the postseason with a No. 15 ranking among National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II affiliates from Golfstat.

In addition, Dickerson is individually rated 10th in the country and number one in the MACCC. Dickerson has compiled a brilliant second campaign with the Tigers. The Austin Peay State (Tenn.) University transfer earned medalist honors during three of the six regular season conference events and received all-tournament recognition five times. Austin Lauderdale of Booneville has three top 10 finishes to his credit this year while Kossuth’s Wilder has one. Booneville’s John Daniel Deaton and Andrew Fennell of New Albany complete Northeast’s five-man roster for the MACCC Tournament.

The Tigers ended up in third place as a team during each conference competition. However, Northeast held a lead following the opening round at both River Birch Golf Club in Amory and McComb’s Quail Hollow Golf Course. Northeast boasts recent success at Wolf Hollow. The Tigers were runner-up to Meridian Community College at a regular season meet in Wesson from March 3-4, 2021 while Dickerson qualified for an individual playoff for medalist distinction.

The top five finishers at the MACCC Tournament will move on to the NJCAA District D Tournament, which takes place from April 25-26 at Castlewoods Country Club in the Jackson metro area.

–Blake Long Sports Information Director Northeast Mississippi Community College, Haney Union Room 215, 101 Cunningham Boulevard Booneville, MS 38829

Fennell signs to play for NEMCC: https://newalbanyunionco.com/nemcc-signs-bulldog-golfers/

NEMiss.News Bright signs to play college soccer

 

New Albany Bulldog Soccer Player Ray Bright (front center) is surrounded by family and coaches as he signs to play soccer for Holmes Community College on Friday, February 25.

 

Pictured front row l-r: Abby Bright, Heidi Bright, Ray Bright, C.J. Bright Back row l-r:
Annie Bine Bright; Austin Baker, NAHS Head Boys Soccer Coach; Buddy Hall, NAHS Head Baseball Coach; Bert Anderson, NAHS Head Girls Soccer Coach

Melanie Shannon
Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”
NEMiss.News Two lady Bulldogs sign for area colleges

 

 

 

New Albany Lady Bulldog Soccer Player Caroline King (front center) is surrounded by family and coaches as she signs to play soccer for Northwest Mississippi Community College on Thursday, February 17.
Pictured front row l-r:  Bailey King, Elizabeth King, Caroline King, Geoffrey King
Back row l-r:  Sara Jane King; Katelyn Robbins, NAHS Assistant Soccer Coach; Cody Stubblefield, NAHS Athletic Director; Bert Anderson, NAHS Head Girls Soccer Coach.

 

New Albany Bulldog Madison McDonald (center) is surrounded by family and coaches as she signs to play basketball for Odessa College on Friday, February 18.

Pictured front row l-r: Derica Jones, Madison McDonald, Shawn McDonald, Renea McDonald
Back row l-r: NAHS Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Phillip Laney, NAHS Head Girls Basketball Coach Micha Washington, NAHS Athletic Director Cody Stubblefield

 

Melanie Shannon
Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”

NEMiss.News Two bulldogs sign for college soccer

 

Two New Albany Bulldog soccer players committed to play college soccer in front of friends, family, and school staff on Thursday, February 10. Jamie Eli Mejia signed with Northwest Mississippi Community College and Kevin Hernandez signed with Holmes Community College.

 

Pictured front row l-r: Sergio Mejia, Jamie Eli Mejia, and Gabriela Pantoja; back row l-r: NAHS Boys Head Soccer Coach Austin Baker and NAHS Athletic Director Cody Stubblefield.

 

Pictured front row l-r: Evaristo Hernandez, Kevin Hernandez, Sandra Munoz; back row l-r: NAHS Boys Head Soccer Coach Austin Baker, NAHS Athletic Director Cody Stubblefield, and Jerry Hernandez.

 

Melanie Shannon
Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”

NEMiss.News John David Nelson signs for college tennis

 

New Albany Bulldog tennis player John David Nelson signed to play college tennis in front of friends, family, and school staff on Wednesday, February 9.  Nelson signed to play with Jones College.
Pictured front row l-r:  Lee Ellen Nelson, John David Nelson, Ren Nelson; back row l-r:  Gregory Nelson, NAHS Head Tennis Coach Suzy Bowman, Bo Bowman, NAHS Athletic Director Cody Stubblefield.

 

 

 

Melanie Shannon

Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”
NEMiss.News Michael Smith signing

 

 

 

New Albany Bulldog Michael Smith (center) is surrounded by family and coaches as he signs to play basketball for Co-Lin (Copiah Lincoln Community College) on Friday, January 28.

Pictured front row l-r: Melissa Fryar, Michael Smith, Annie Smith
Back row l-r: Cody Stubblefield, NAHS Athletic Director and Scotty Shettles, NAHS Head Boys’ Basketball Coach.

 

Melanie Shannon
Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”

New Albany MS Bulldogs Logo

 

New Albany Bulldog Kamron Carter (center) is surrounded by family and coaches as he signs to play basketball for Jones College on Friday, December 10.

Pictured front row l-r:  Jamie Carter, Kamron Carter, Heather Carter
Back row l-r:  Kaelin Carter, Chris Carter, NAHS Head Basketball Coach Scotty Shettles, Tyson McKenzie, and Khloe Carter.

 

New Albany High School Bulldog Cameron Knox signed to play football with the University of Southern Mississippi on Wednesday, December 15.

Pictured are front row l-r:  Kiristen Knox, Karter Judon, Lashuna Judon, Cameron Knox, Terrance Judon, Kylen Knox; back row l-r:  Coach Collin Stubblefield, Coach Kendall Murphy, Coach Jake McDonald, NAHS Head Football Coach Cody Stubblefield, Coach Trent Hammond, Coach Shawn Sanks, and Coach Josh Curbow.

Melanie Shannon
Coordinator
New Albany Schools
“Preparing ALL for Success”