ESCC Men's Basketball
January 7, 2010 - The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils hosted conference rival Bishop State Thursday looking for their first conference win of the 2009-10 season.
Outmanned 12 players to eight, the Weevils fell behind early and trailed by 18 points a little less than midway through the first half.
But then the Weevils kicked in their tenacious pressure defense and ran, and ran and ran some more against the Wildcats to cut the deficit to 35-29 by intermission en route to a 68-61 win that improved ESCC to 1-1 in conference play.
“We came out a little slow and dug ourselves a hole,” Person said. “But we picked up the tempo and put on a great comeback for the win.”
After the Weevils held Bishop to three points in a 12-minute stretch in the second half, most of Enterprise’s baskets down the stretch came on lay-ups.
James Lodman led ESCC with 18 points, Tremon Spencer had 15, and Chris Blount had 14.
“The shots started to fall for us in the second half,” Person said. “The guys played hard on both ends of the court, and got the conference win.”
Enterprise State hosts Alabama Southern Monday at 7 p.m.
ESCC Women's Basketball
January 7, 2010 - Maybe it was the new name - Enterprise State Community College that went into effect earlier this week after several years as Enterprise-Ozark Community College - that caused problems Thursday.
Or maybe it was the three-week holiday layoff.
Regardless, the ESCC Weevil Women were stale against the visiting Bishop State Wildcats Thursday night, but in spite of being their own worst enemy, the Weevils led, 33-27, at halftime and went on to win the see-saw game, 72-66, and notch their first conference win.
Enterprise is 6-6 on the year, 1-0 in conference play under veteran coach Charles Cole.
“We made so many turnovers in the first half you’d have thought we were running a bakery,” Cole said. “And we didn’t stop turning the ball over in the second half.
“Christmas is over and we’ve got to quit giving the other team so many scoring opportunities that they don’t earn. Unforced errors are killing us.
“But, we did shoot free throws down the stretch to earn the win, and we finished the game which is something that hurt us earlier in the season.’
Kendra McKinney, a sophomore from Daleville, led ESCC in scoring with 16 points. Kiara Henderson, a sophomore from Opp, had 15, and Ashton Coleman, a freshman from Enterprise, had 11.
Enterprise hosts Alabama Southern Monday with 5:30 tip-off planned.
ESCC Men's Basketball
January 4, 2010 - The Boll Weevils have played their last game for Enterprise-Ozark Community College.
When they take to the Ray Lolley Gym floor to entertain Bishop State Thursday night, the Weevils will be representing Enterprise State Community College.
The Weevils split a year-opening pair of games played in Tallahassee over New Year’s weekend to mark the end of the EOCC era.
Enterprise fell to Kankakee, Ill., 78-47, in Friday’s opener, but rebounded with a 76-75 win against Gordon College Saturday.
“We played well but came up short in the first game,” said first-year Weevil coach Wesley Person. “We had way too many turnovers.”
Tremon Spencer led Enterprise with 17 points and Chris Blount had 12.
The second game was what Person had been looking for from the now 7-11 Weevils throughout the early season.
“We finally made some shots,” Person said. “We shot free throws well, but we still have to learn to finish games. We were up by eight points with 30 seconds to play and had to hang on.”
Blount led the Weevils with 22 points and seven rebounds. Edward Robinson had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Cortez Chaney scored 13 points and Spencer added 10 to round out double-digit scoring for the Weevils.
Time Change for January 7, 2010
The Enteprise State Community College Weevil Women's basketball team will host Bishop State Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Ray Lolley Gym on the ESCC campus. The Boll Weevil men's game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
ESCC Men's Basketball
December 6, 2009 -The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils played their last non-conference game before the holiday break Sunday afternoon against Bevill State and lost, 75-65, to fall to 3-9 on the season.
The Weevils were coming off a 3-point loss to Albany Tech Friday, a game that was lost, according to ESCC coach Wesley Person, “because we continue to miss shots we should make. Poor shooting is killing us.”
Sunday, Enterprise and Bevill swapped early leads until midway through the first half when Enterprise rallied to lead by seven points.
“I don’t understand it,” Person said at halftime. “We had a seven-point lead then we just went crazy.”
The Weevils trailed, 39-32, at intermission, and couldn’t mount a comeback. Poor shooting from the field and from the charity stripe again contributed to the loss.
James Lodman led ESCC with 22 points; Edward Robinson added 18; and Roderick Moss had 17
Enterprise hosts Jeff Davis Thursday at 7 p.m. in the conference opener.
ESCC men win
December 2, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils improved to 3-6 on the season under first-year coach Wesley Person with a 90-58 win against Huntingdon College in Montgomery Tuesday night.
James Lodman led ESCC with 38 points despite sitting out the final 10 minutes of the game, Person said.
Roderick Moss had 14 points and 13 rebounds; Edward Robinson had 12 points and six rebounds; Courtavious Dorsey chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds; and Darius Wilson had 10 assists for Enterprise.
The Weevils travel to Chipola Thursday and will play at Albany Tech Friday.
Sunday, in a postponed game, ESCC will host Bevill State.
Enterprise concludes its pre-holiday schedule by hosting conference foe Jeff Davis Thursday, Dec. 10
ESCC women's basketball
December 1, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women improved to 5-5 on the season with a 76-61 win against Huntingdon College in Montgomery Tuesday. The win was the second in as many nights this week.
“It wasn’t pretty but it was a win and I’ll take a win any time,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole.
Camille Watkins led the Weevils with 22 points. Zykeya Barton had 16 points; Tayler Byrd had 11; and Catherine Green had 10.
Kiara Henderson had nine points for the victors; Chelsea Abbott had six, and Jameiah Drakeford had two points to round out Enterprise scoring.
“The rewards of good practices are wins,” Cole said. “Hopefully, what we’re doing now will form the foundation for a good conference season that begins in January.”
The Weevils return to action Friday against Albany Tech in Albany, Ga.
ESCC Women Win
November 30, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevil Women partially recovered from a pair of losses in Decatur, Ga., over the weekend with a 59-55 win against Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga., Monday night.
The Weevils improved to 4-5 with the win, and hit the road again Tuesday for a game against the Huntingdon College Lady Hawks in Montgomery.
“I was really proud of how we played Monday,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We played short-handed as a result of three players being suspended, but all nine of our players who got into the game contributed to the win.”
Kiara Henderson had a big part in the decision.
“We were down 13 points with eight minutes to play and came back, scratching and clawing and got the win,” Cole said. “Kiara scored the go-ahead basket with eight seconds to play, then went down and got a defensive rebound and got fouled. She then sank the free throws that put the game on ice.
“She had 16 points and seven rebounds. Zykeya Barton had 14 points, six rebounds and eight steals and that's a pretty good night any way you look at it.
“Camille Watkins, who plays on two bad knees, had eight points, and 11 rebounds, seven of which were defensive rebounds; and Tayler Byrd added six points and had eight steals.
“I am just so proud of this performance. The hard work we've done paid off tonight.”
ESCC Men's Basketball
November 30, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils men’s team lost a pair of games at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City over the weekend, but the losses didn’t produce all negatives.
“We played well in both games; we just didn’t win,” said first-year coach Wesley Person.
The Weevils lost to Walter State Friday, 91-70, despite double-figured scoring by three ESCC players.
Edward Robinson led Enterprise with 22 points and was four-of-10 from beyond the three-point line. Courtavious Dorsey had 17 points and James Lodman added 16.
Dorsey was also one of two Weevils in double-digits in Saturday’s 64-43 loss to Gulf Coast; Dorsey had 10 points and Tremon Spencer had 14 to pace ESCC.
“It was a four-point game at halftime, 29-25,” Person said. “We didn’t make any shots in the second half.”
ESCC was 6-of-28 from the floor in the second half against the Commodores.
“We played well,” Person concluded. “I really thought we were going to get them in the second half, but we just didn’t make the shots.”
Enterprise plays at Huntingdon Tuesday, at Chipola Thursday, and at Albany Tech Friday.
ESCC Women's Basketball
November 28, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevil Women were short-handed Saturday against Georgia Perimeter College in Decatur, Ga., and as a result fell to 3-5 on the year after a 98-67 loss.
“(Sophomore) Kendra McKinney and (freshmen) Ashton Coleman and Latreshia Lymon have been indefinitely suspended from the team,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole of the threesome that violated unspecified team rules after Friday's games. “They didn't dress out for Saturday's game and had to sit in the stands, not on the bench.”
As a result of the suspensions, Cole was forced to start four freshmen.
“I've never been so proud of young players as I was of these four for how they responded and how they played,” Cole said.
Zykeya Barton led ESCC with 19 points that included four 3-point goals. Tayler Byrd had 14 points; Kiara Henderson had 12 points; and Camille Watkins had 10. Barton and Byrd are freshmen; Henderson and Watkins are sophomores.
The Weevil Women travel to Andrew College Monday and Huntingdon College Tuesday.
ESCC Women's Basketball
November 27, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevil Women took a drubbing Friday afternoon losing to Walter State Community College, “The College of the Smokies,” 88-38.
The fifth-ranked Lady Senators, who finished third nationally a season ago, improved to 6-0 while the Weevils fell to 3-4 in the game played at Georgia Perimeter College in Decatur, Ga.
“We never got anything going at all,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “I played the freshmen most of the game because the sophomores weren't doing anything, so I let them sit on the bench with me.”
Teresa Lymon led Enterprise with 10 points.
“We didn't do the things you have to do to compete against the top teams in the country,” Cole said. “We made it easy for them and a good team like that didn't need any help from us.
“But tomorrow is another day and we've got to get ready for another game against another good team.”
Enterprise plays the Georgia Perimeter Lady Senators Saturday at 6 p.m. eastern time.
ESCC Men Win
November 19, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils improved to 2-3 on the year with a 99-89 victory against visiting Albany Tech Thursday.
Seven Weevils played and five scored in double figures in the fast-paced action that saw several lead changes in the first half.
“It was a great game and I thought that in the first half we came out well,” said first-year coach Wesley Person. “We executed well to start the game but then we lost our focus late in the first half.”
The Weevils lost an 8-point lead late in the first period and trailed by six at intermission.
“We got tired at one point but we played through that,” Person said. “I thought today’s practice was the best one we’ve had even though it was only a walk-through.”
James Lodman led ESCC with 24 points and Rodney Moss had 21. Edward Robinson added 19 points; Chris Blount had 13, and Daris Wilson netted 12 to round out double-figure scoring for the Weevils who next play Nov. 27 against Walter State at Panama City.
Weevil Women Win
November 19, 2009-Thursday wasn’t Thanksgiving, but the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women had cause to celebrate and be thankful after Kiara Henderson’s basket with 11.3 seconds remaining broke a tie and gave ESCC a 67-65 victory against Albany Tech in Ray Lolley Gym on the ESCC campus.
“We didn’t play well much of the game; we made too many unforced errors; failed to get offensive rebounds; and gave up too many easy scores under the basket,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole of the Weevils who improved to 2-3 on the season.
Ashton Coleman led the victors with 17 points; Kendra McKinney, who fouled out with 12:03 to play, had 16; and Henderson had 10.
“They picked us clean under our own goal all night, but we hung in there and got the win,” Cole said. “We played a lot of the game like we’d welcomed them to our house for Thanksgiving and were doing everything we could to help them have a good time.
“But we got the win, and for a young team like ours, winning a close game is an important step in the right direction.”
The Weevil Women return to action Saturday entertaining Andrew College at 2 p.m.
Gulf Coast
November 17,2009- The Gulf Coast Community College Commodores will challenge the ESCC Boll Weevils at 6 p.m. in Ray Lolley Gym. Tonight's game was originally scheduled for 8 p.m.
GCCC has five players already signed to play at four-year colleges next year, and neither of the 6'10" freshmen are among the five.
ESCC Women's Basketball
November 16, 2009- Monday’s game between the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women and the visiting Lady Hawk jayvees of Huntingdon College didn’t produce a pretty win for the Weevils; it produced a beautiful win, a decisive 95-42 decision that was the first win against three losses for the rebuilding ESCC squad.
“We really needed a win after what we’ve experienced so far this season,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “It’s hard on a team to devote so much time and energy preparing to play and then not reaping any positive rewards for its effort.
“It’s always good to win, but in this sport it seems that how a team starts a season often dictates how it finishes. Basketball losses and wins snowball on you and if you don’t stop a losing streak early on, you’re in trouble and may stay in trouble.”
Cole wasn’t pleased with every aspect of Monday’s game.
“I am not happy with how we played defense at all,” he said. “But we have something positive to go on now, and our defensive play Monday is something we can work to improve.”
The Weevils were 18-of-26 from the free throw line and shot 46 percent from the field as a team. Kiara Henderson led ESCC with 24 points; Ashton Coleman had 14; and Zykeya Barton had 12 in the win.
Enterprise hosts Albany Tech Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Andrew College Saturday at 2 p.m.
Former Major Leaguer visits ESCC team
November 10, 2009- Countless millions of baseball fans remember Los Angeles Dodger Kirk Gibson’s dramatic pinch-hit, walk-off home run in the 1988 World Series against the Oakland A’s.
But few had a better view of the classic at-bat than Mike Davis, Gibson’s L.A. teammate who was at second base, after having drawn a two-out walk from future Basball Hall of Fame relief pitcher Dennis Eckersley.
Davis had avoided four pick-off attempts before stealing second base where he stood when the unforgettable blow was struck in the first game of the Series.
Gibson, whose only at-bat in the five-game series produced arguably one of the Top 10 most memorable baseball moments, and numerous other moments were among the topics Davis touched on with the Enterprise State Community College baseball team Monday at Gold’s Gym.
Davis, a 10-year Major League veteran, was in Enterprise visiting a youth camp at Tartan Pines.
Both Davis and Gibson were in their first year with the Dodgers in 1988, and former Boll Weevil Stan Shelby’s brother, John “T-Bone” Shelby, also played for the series underdog Dodgers that season.
Now, Davis travels the country talking baseball, golf, and Jesus Christ, not necessarily in that order.
While much of his talk was instructional and in answer to specific questions from the 2009-10 Weevils and their coaches, Tim and Will Hulsey, some of his words apply beyond sports boundaries.
“You accomplish great things when everyone on a team is tugging on the same side of the rope,” Davis said. “There are about 33 million people every year, from T-ball on through college and the professional minor leagues who all have the same goal: to reach the Major Leagues.
“Only a truly small number of them actually get there and of the two out of 100 in various professional organizations who make it, even fewer than that stay more than two years.”
Davis said baseball success and success in other aspects of adult life are similar in their requirements.
“Baseball has to be something you really want to shoot for,” Davis, who arrived in the big time with Oakland as a 20-year-old, said. “When I was coming up through the organization, I was singled out to play in the morning “B” games in spring training, and then dress out for the games with the Major Leaguers everyone paid to see in the afternoons.
“I started feeling sorry for myself and wondered, ‘dude, no one else is doing this, why am I? My body’s hurting and I’m tired and don’t need to be out here more than eight hours a day since nobody else is out here that long!’”
Davis would learn that key people in the Oakland organization saw promise in the young left-hand-hitting and throwing outfielder from San Diego. “The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Oakland and I surely didn’t expect that at that point.
“The extra work I was doing, and the extra work you’re doing today in this gym when baseball season is all over, was because my coaches and is because your coaches realize they are polishing diamonds.
“They see something in you that you might not even see. It’s easy to hold a ‘pity party’ for yourself sometimes, but that won’t help you reach your baseball goals or any other goals.”
A career .260 hitter Davis faced Roger Clemons, Dwight Gooden, Nolan Ryan and other top pitchers in the 1980s, and while he did better against some than others, he said Jimmy Key, a Huntsville native who pitched for Toronto, owned him.
“He used to send a taxi to get me the day we played them,” Davis said of his years in Oakland.
Davis offered a piece of advice for young ballplayers who seek to add velocity to their throws regardless of the position they play.
“Long-toss,” he said. “Do it all the time and use your entire body to develop muscles not only in your arm and shoulder, but in your back and legs.”
Davis, who played for managers Billy Martin, Tony LaRussa, and Tommy Lasorda, among others, has a wealth of baseball knowledge.
“I took something from all of them that I have used when I’ve coached in the San Diego Padres organization and elsewhere, and that I use when I speak to groups,” he said.
“One thing I want you to take away from today is ‘Good, Better, and Best. Never let it rest, until good gets better, and better gets best!’”
Players from left to right: Zack Kles, Shane Adkinson, Mike Davis, Chane Tauton, Xavier Randoph.
ESCC Women's Basketball
November 9, 2009-The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women lost their second game in the Quality Inn Classic in Niceville, Fla., over the weekend falling to Northwest Florida State Community College Saturday, 125-54.
“We played without three of our starters, including our point guard, Tyleshia Brown, and her backup, Catherine Green, played on a bad ankle,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole, whose Weevils lost to Pensacola Community College, 102-31, Friday.
“I’d have liked to see those teams play each other,” Cole explained. “Hopefully, we’ve learned from these games and will get our players well. But there were times in this tournament if we’d had 10 healthy players to put on the court I’m not sure we could’ve stopped either of these teams.”
Kendra McKinney led ESCC on Friday with eight points; Zykeya Barton had seven; and Kesia Williams had six.
Saturday, Ashton Coleman led the Weevils with 21 points.
Enterprise’s game at Northwest State scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed due to weather.
ESCC Men's Basketball
November 3, 2009- One game does not a season make, and for new Enterprise State Community College coach Wesley Person, the fact the Boll Weevils came up on the short end of a 94-57 decision against Bevill State in Jasper Monday night was not all that bothersome.
“We are experiencing growing pains,” Person said of the 2009-10 ESCC squad that features only five sophomores on its 13-man roster. “We’re mostly a freshman team but I think we’re going to be OK down the line.”
Person said he’s felt the Weevils will struggle early in the season.
“We’re still adjusting to everything at this level,” he said. “We’re making adjustments in how we prepare for games; we’re adjusting to classes; we’re adjusting to travel; we’re adjusting to everything.
“These guys aren’t accustomed to sitting on the bench; all of them were among the best players on their high school teams, so having to sit when others are playing is a major adjustment.
“But we’re going to be all right. The guys have found out the speed of the game is greater than what they’ve played, and now that they’ve got a real game under their belt, I believe they’ll listen to what I say about what they have to do to compete at this level.”
Enterprise shot 20-of-70 from the field, made 3-of-9 free throws, turned the ball over 23 times, made only two of 52 shots outside the paint, and had but four assists.
“We were nervous; this was new to them,” Person said. “We’re settling into our college routine now and everything’s going to get better.
“I was really proud of the way we carried ourselves on and off the court at Bevill. We’ve got that to build on and all we can do from here is improve.”
The Weevils travel to Tallahassee Thursday for a two-day tournament. ESCC faces the College of Coastal Georgia Thursday, and Middle Georgia College Friday.
“We are experiencing growing pains,” Person said of the 2009-10 ESCC squad that features only five sophomores on its 13-man roster. “We’re mostly a freshman team but I think we’re going to be OK down the line.”
Person said he’s felt the Weevils will struggle early in the season.
“We’re still adjusting to everything at this level,” he said. “We’re making adjustments in how we prepare for games; we’re adjusting to classes; we’re adjusting to travel; we’re adjusting to everything.
“These guys aren’t accustomed to sitting on the bench; all of them were among the best players on their high school teams, so having to sit when others are playing is a major adjustment.
“But we’re going to be all right. The guys have found out the speed of the game is greater than what they’ve played, and now that they’ve got a real game under their belt, I believe they’ll listen to what I say about what they have to do to compete at this level.”
Enterprise shot 20-of-70 from the field, made 3-of-9 free throws, turned the ball over 23 times, made only two of 52 shots outside the paint, and had but four assists.
“We were nervous; this was new to them,” Person said. “We’re settling into our college routine now and everything’s going to get better.
“I was really proud of the way we carried ourselves on and off the court at Bevill. We’ve got that to build on and all we can do from here is improve.”
The Weevils travel to Tallahassee Thursday for a two-day tournament. ESCC faces the College of Coastal Georgia Thursday, and Middle Georgia College Friday.
ESCC Basketball Season Opens Up
11/2/2009- The Enterprise State Community College men’s basketball team opened its 2009-10 regular season under first-year coach Wesley Person in Jasper Monday against Bevill State.
Sophomore members of the Boll Weevils are: Marcus Goodman, of Anniston, who played at Dothan High; Tremon Spencer, Marianna, Fla.; Roderick Moss, Milledgeville, Ga.; Jarrel Whitehead, of Ozark’s Carroll High; and Cary Foster, of Montgomery, who played at Robert E. Lee High School.
Freshmen expecting to play include: James Lodman, of Bainbridge, Ga.; Cortez Chaney, Headland; Darius Wilson, Charles Henderson High School, Troy; Kodi Hamilton, of New Brockton who played at Cordova High School; Wesley Ware, Yazoo City, Miss.; Edward Robinson, Houston County High; Courtavious Dorsey, of Midway who played at Barbour Co. High; and Chris Blount, of Marianna.
The Boll Weevils will play in Tallahassee, Fla. Thursday and Friday. ESCC plays the College of Coastal Georgia Thursday at 6 p.m., and face Middle Georgia College Friday at 4 p.m.
The Weevils scheduled home-opener is planned for Sunday, Nov. 15, against Huntingdon at 3 p.m.
Women also opening
The ESCC women’s team is participating in the Quality Inn Classic in Niceville, Fla., Friday and Saturday. The Weevil Women play Northwest Florida State - formerly Okaloosa-Walton Community College - Friday at 9 a.m., and will square off against Pensacola Community College Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Charles Cole returns for his fourth year as ESCC coach. This year’s squad includes sophomores: Martika McLeod, Ozark; Kiara Henderson, Opp; Tylesha Brown, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Kendra McKinney, Daleville; Kesia Williams, Hartford; and Camille Watkins, Montgomery.
Freshmen on the 2009-10 team are: Catherine Green, Zykeya Barton, Kesha Peterson, and Jameiah Drakeford, all of Brewton; Ashton Coleman, Enterprise; De’Shynic Conner, Ozark; Tayler Byrd, Port St. Joe, Fla.; Chelsea Abbott, Daleville; Latreshia Lymon, Monroeville; and LaShawnda Middleton, Bainbridge.
Cole is assisted by Charles Medley and Doug Alexander. Team managers are Amber Frierson, Christy White, and La’Keisha Noethtich.
The Weevil Women will travel to Northwest State in Niceville Tuesday, Nov. 10, and will have their home opener Saturday, Nov. 14, against Darton College at 2 p.m.
Middleton and Gildersleeve Sign With ESCC
07/22/09 - LaShawnda Middleton played her high school basketball in Bainbridge, Ga. She’s beginning her college basketball career at Enterprise State Community College.
“I like the school and the people,” Middleton said during recent freshman orientation.
“As important as big players are in the modern game of basketball, the smaller player, the point guard, who has good skills and desire can still compete,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole. “Middleton is 5’6” and she can play the game.
“In two-year basketball programs players have little time to adjust to this level no matter how much they’ve played in high school, so it’s up to them to work hard on their own in preparation for their freshman season.
“The first step is to be in top physical shape. The college game is demanding. We cannot hold organized practices until October 1, so they have almost two months to get in shape after they get here.
“The time also gives them time to adjust to their classes, and to work out against returning players, so they can easily see what they need to do to get themselves ready to play at this level.”
“My style and personality make me unique,” Middleton, a nursing major, said. “I’ve always played basketball and soccer, and I was Best Defensive Player and (won the award for) Most Assists. I was first team All-Region. Sports mean a lot to me; they show dedication and cooperation.”
Middleton, who has plans of a career in anesthesiology, averaged eight points, 10 rebounds, and 12.5 assists per game as a senior.
She said sleeping and hanging with friends are her hobbies. Hot wings are her favorite food, “Life” is her favorite movie, and “House of Payne” is her pick in TV programs.
Rhythm and blues and hip hop are Middleton’s musical favorites and Kobe Bryant is her favorite athlete.
Until now, Middleton said, few people know she is “goofy.”
Gleneicia Evon Gildersleeve is one of the most recent women’s basketball signees at Enterprise State Community College.
The Wilcox Central High School graduate is 6’ tall and is figuring heavily into 2009-10 plans made by the team’s coach, Charles Cole.
“We need players with good height to play in our conference,” Cole said. “There has never been a coach who’s said ‘we need shorter players.’ Our league is tough to compete in, because the modern inside player needs to be tall and must have good basketball skills.”
“I chose this college because I think that my interest in the future starts with my basics I can get here,” Gildersleeve said. “My personality, attitude and my education make me unique. I love basketball, and I give it my all.”
Gildersleeve, a heath information technology major, who played for Coach Robin Williams in high school, has plenty of basketball experience.
“I’ve been playing basketball ever since fifth grade,” she said. “I play center and power forward. I won MVP my 12th-grade year. In my 11th-grade year I got Best Player and Most Outstanding (Player).
“Sports mean hustle, to give it your all, and never give up, even when times get hard. Always stick with it.
“My dream job is to become a registered nurse in a hospital. I love to help and care for people, even when I have problems of my own.”
Gildersleeve, who averaged 13 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists her senior year, figures heavily into Cole’s plans.
“We need her to come in ready to play,” Cole said. “School starts in a few weeks and when Oct. 1 rolls around, we can start practice, and we’ve got to hit the floor running.”
Gildersleeve said basketball, dance, and having fun with friends are her hobbies.
“Mac and cheese” is her favorite food; “Love and Basketball” is her top movie and she enjoys “Spongebob Squarepants” on TV.
She prefers gospel, hip hop and rhythm and blues music, and said many people don’t know she can be shy at times.
Brett West signs with ESCC
07/15/09 - Brett West missed most of his senior football season at Enterprise High School due to injury, but he recovered in time to enjoy his final high school baseball season.
Now healthy, West is set to continue his baseball career at Enterprise State Community College.
“I chose ESCC because it’s in town and I grew up watching them, hoping I could play some day,” West said.
West, an infielder/pitcher, follows in the footsteps of his older brother Matt who recently completed his sophomore season at ESCC.
Brett West, an electrical engineering major, said he’d put an engineering career on hold for one reason.
“My dream job would be to be a professional baseball player because there’s nothing like doing what you love and making millions doing it,” West said.
The son of Keith and Eileen West said he’s prepared to do what it takes to play baseball in college and hopefully beyond.
“I think what makes me unique is my drive and how I am always going to work harder and harder,” he said. “I’ve played baseball and football my whole life; my senior year in baseball I got the ‘Most Athletic’ award. Sports mean life to me, because ever since I was little, I breathed and slept sports.”
The 5’10” 175-pound West said playing sports, chilling, and fishing are his hobbies. Mac and cheese is his favorite food and “Field of Dreams” is his pick in movies. “Mananswers” is West’s favorite TV show; he listens to all kinds of music and said Albert Pujols is his favorite athlete.
One thing people haven’t known about West until now is that he doesn’t like Korean food.
ESCC Softball Signees
06/25/09 - Enterprise State Community College softball coach King Jones had a gigantic hole to fill following the end of the 2009 season.
“We had to replace our entire starting team,” Jones said Thursday, moments before seven recent high school graduates, mostly from Southwest Alabama, signed scholarships as their parents, siblings, and friends looked on in the ESCC Multi-Purpose Room.
Moments earlier, Jones had welcomed those in attendance and opened his comments on a serious note.
“If you want to play (softball) in the spring, you have to pass your classes in the fall,” the veteran coach advised. “We have an excellent school here, and we’re recognized as one of the top schools in Alabama. You are here first and foremost to get an education.”
Recent Weevil Women have realized that.
“All of our sophomore graduates but one will be going on to a four-year school,” Jones said. “One was ready to go to work; she was tired of school. We lost all but five players this spring, and I expect these girls we sign today and the ones we signed earlier in the spring to come in here and get their grades and help keep this softball program headed in the right direction.”
Thursday’s signees are:
Kristen Lee Brand, an outfielder/pitcher from Foley;
Jordan Taylor Corban, an outfielder from Foley;
Racheal Suzann Fowler, a shortstop from Chipley, Fla.;
Aleigha Christyn Goss, a infielder/pitcher from Ashford;
Amanda Erin Hines, an outfielder from Foley;
Courtney Layne Lollar, a utility player from Satsuma; and
Heather Racell Norwood, a shortstop from Satsuma.
“These girls represent the future of Enterprise State Community College for the next couple of years and we’re excited to have them join us,” Jones concluded. “We have been to the state playoffs the past three years and that is where we’re expecting this year’s team to go.”
Kris Brand, a 2009 graduate of Foley High School, was among seven softball players to sign with Enterprise State Community College June 25.
“Kris is a pitcher/outfielder who has a strong arm,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “She is a strong player who hits for power and who also has very good speed.
“We are looking forward to Kris coming to ESCC and helping us both as a pitcher and as an outfielder.”
“I chose ESCC because it's giving me the opportunity to play softball,” Brand said. “Softball keeps me focused.
“I started playing softball when I was 3 years old. My mom was the coach. I played travel ball every year until 10th grade...because I moved.
“I love competition, and I love sports because they let me compete. Sports keep me focused and happy.”
The daughter of Catherine and Artie Childs is focused upon a career.
“I want to be a veterinarian,” Brand explained. “I want to work with small animals, like house pets. I want to do surgeries and make animals feel better if they get sick.”
Brand, who hit .439 as a senior, said softball, Jesus, church, reading her Bible, coloring, and singing are her hobbies. Chicken is something she “loves,” and “Elf” is her favorite movie. “American Idol” is her top TV program; “anything Christian” is her favorite musical form; and Jordan Corban is her favorite athlete.
Most people don't know Brand's secret, but it's not something she's trying to hide.
“I have an awesome identical twin sister,” she said. “Her name is Caitlin Brand and she is my role model. For real, we are four minutes apart.” |
One of the new faces representing Enterprise State Community College during the 2009-10 season is Jordan Corban, who played her high school softball at Foley High School, the same school that once produced Kenny Stabler, and a former Boll Weevil baseball player, pitcher Jamey Paul.
”Jordan is a strong, fast outfielder who can also play shortstop,” said veteran ESCC coach King Jones. “She has been an All-County high school softball player who earned nine varsity sports letters at Foley High School.
“She holds the Foley record for triples, and we expect her to come in and help us with our outfield, which has been decimated by graduation.”
“I chose ESCC because I got a scholarship for softball,” Corban said. “And (because) Coach Jones is the coolest coach.”
With plans to one day become a nurse, Corban said, “I like to joke and play around. I have played (softball) my whole life. Sports mean everything to me!”
As a senior, right-handed hitting Corban batted .360; she hit .267 for her career.
Softball and tanning are her hobbies; pizza is her favorite food; and “P.S. I Love You” is her choice in movies.
Corban watches “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” enjoys all kinds of music, and said Amanda Hines is her favorite athlete.
“I can't tell you something no one knows about me,” Corban concluded. “Because then you'll know.” |
Racheal Suzann Fowler is one of the reason Enterprise State Community College softball coach King Jones was all smiles recently; she has the tools Jones said college softball players need.
“Racheal is a graduate of Chipley (Fla.) High School and is a strong shortstop, “Jones said. “She has a great glove, a strong arm, has been selected team Most Valuable Player, and had the highest batting average, over .420, for her team.
“With her impressive bat and excellent defensive skills, we are looking for Racheal to make a strong statement at ESCC.”
“I chose ESCC because it seems like a really nice school,” Fowler said following signing ceremonies.
An education major whose dream job is to become a teacher, Fowler said she's reserved around strangers.
“I don't like to talk a lot, but when I get to know you, I'll talk your head off,” she smiled. “Playing sports means a lot to me because it gives you an opportunity to get outdoors and have fun.”
The daughter of Ricky Fowler and Sheryl Jones, Fowler is a 5'7,” right-handed hitter who said basketball, swimming, and hanging with friends are her hobbies.
Fowler's favorite meal is hamburgers and fries. Her favorite movie is “A Walk to Remember,” and her pick in TV shows is “George Lopez.” She enjoys all kinds of music and said Chipper Jones is her favorite athlete.
Her ability to rollerblade, until now, Fowler said, is something people don't know about her. |
Unlike most of her fellow signees, some from Foley and Satsuma, Aleigha Goss isn't beginning her college career far from home.
“Aleigha comes to us from Ashford High School where she was the 'go-to' pitcher this year with an 18-7 record,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “She batted .353 to help her team on offense.
“Aleigha was voted to the All-Conference Team in the Wiregrass Athletic Conference and won the Coaches' Award, both in 2008. She was voted to the All-Conference Team and was the Ashford MVP, both in 2009.
“She is also an excellent student and graduated with honors from Ashford High School.”
The daughter of Chris and Brandi Goss has definite career plans.
“My dream job would be to become a pharmacist,” Goss said. “I have wanted to be one since I was a little kid.”
An opportunity to get a quality education steered Goss to ESCC.
“I believe that it is a good community college that will help me further my career,” Goss noted.
Sports are important to Goss.
“Sports push me to be a better person and they teach me responsibility,” she said. “I'm not the fastest pitcher, but I have a lot of movement. I never give up and always give my best.”
The 5'1” Goss hit .353 for her career, and compiled an overall 40-12 record as a high school pitcher.
She prefers Mexican food, said “ Twilight” is her favorite movie, and “Grey's Anatomy” is her pick in TV programming.
Softball and volleyball are Goss' hobbies, “country” is her favorite music, and Roger Federer is her favorite athlete.
She has no secrets she wishes to share. |
Unlike most of the other recent softball signees at Enterprise State Community College, Amanda Hines is a left-handed hitter.
“Amanda is an outfielder from Foley High School, who is also an accomplished left-handed, bunt-slapper,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “She was elected to the Baldwin County All-County Softball Team for the 2009 season.
“Besides her softball activities, Amanda is an accomplished artist and has been rewarded for her efforts by winning the Merit Award at the Faulkner State Community College Art Fair in March 2009, and first place in the MARC-ART Juried Art Exhibition in April.
“We are looking forward to Amanda's joining our team this fall.”
Hines said ESCC was a good fit and she chose it for simple reasons: “It's close to home and I have family here,” Hines said.
Sports play an important role in Hines' mind.
“Sports are life!” she said. “They are why I live! I've played softball since I was seven.”
Hines likes adventure.
“I'm very funny and I like to try new things,” she said. “My dream job would be to shop and get paid for it.”
The daughter of Ed and Cindy Hines said softball, shopping, and going to the beach are her hobbies. Her favorite food is pizza, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” is her favorite movie, and “The Game” is her top TV show.
She prefers rap music and said Jordan Corban is her favorite athlete. |
“Courtney Lollar is from Satsuma High School and every time I watched her play - and I did on several occasions - she was in a different position,” said Enterprise State Community College coach King Jones. “She is a true utility player that can move from infield and back again seamlessly.”
Lollar believes her decision to begin her college career in Enterprise is the best one.
“I have always heard that ESCC is a great college, and that's why I came, to try out for the softball team,” Lollar said.
“Courtney has accumulated several honors as a softball player,” Jones said. “Among them, she has earned the 2007 Defensive Award, All-County, All-State Honorable Mention in 2008, and Player of the Week and All-State Honorable Mention both in 2009.
“We expect Courtney, with her flexibility, to be a real asset to our program.”
“My personality is what makes me unique,” Lollar said. “I'm definitely going to give 110 percent in practice and at games, and have fun at the same time.
“Sports mean a lot to me. If I didn't have softball, I wouldn't be the person I am today.”
Lollar anticipates a career in social work and said her dream job would be “to work for the government and help (keep) small children from being abused by their parents.”
The daughter of Donnie and Melissa Lollar bats and throws right-handed, and said swimming, shopping, and going to the beach are her hobbies.
Mexican food is her choice and “What Happens in Vegas” is her favorite movie. “What I Like About You” is her pick in TV shows, and rap and country are her favorite music forms. Cat Osterman is her favorite athlete, and a desire to sky dive one day is something people haven't known about Lollar until now. |
Heather Norwood wants to be the next Enterprise State Community College shortstop.
“Heather is from Satsuma High School and is an excellent shortstop with quick feet and a strong arm,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “She helped take her team to the state tournament where they finished second.
“She was voted Best Defensive Player and was Player of the Week in the South Alabama area. With her extremely smooth play at shortstop, I am sure Heather will be a real asset to our team!”
“I chose ESCC because I wanted to play softball and I wanted to get out of my little town and expand.
“I plan to study elementary education but my dream job would be in criminal investigation. My personality and how I don't follow and that I am a leader make me unique.
“I've played softball for almost 15 years and for Satsuma High School for five years, and it was all the best experience. Sports are very, very important to me and I take them very seriously.”
The daughter of Donnie and Rachell Norwood is 5'4” and throws right-handed. Softball and shopping are her hobbies, and Chinese is her favorite food.
Norwood said “Twilight” is her favorite movie and “George Lopez” is her favorite TV show. She enjoys all types of music, Lisa Fernandez is her favorite athlete, and she is now an admitted nail-biter. |
Jerome Walton
06/19/09 - The only thing to ever keep Jerome Walton from doing what he's wanted to do in baseball since he was a youngster in Newnan, Ga., has been injuries.
Walton, the 1989 National League Rookie of the Year, said despite having his career cut short by a series of injuries, he wouldn't change anything.
“I had a good career,” he said in a Wednesday conversation. “I would've liked for it to have lasted longer, but, no, I wouldn't change anything.”
For the record, Walton played 10 years in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays. He batted .269 during his career.
Walton looked like anything but a future Major Leaguer the summer after he graduated from Newnan High School. At 6'1” he looked more like a beanpole than a ballplayer.
After having drawn little if any attention from any college baseball coach, Walton came to then-Enterprise State Junior College for a tryout, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“I knew how to play the game when I was in high school,” Walton said. “I thought I knew all I needed to know, but I didn't. I'd just been getting by on athletic ability.
“Coach Ronnie Powell gave me a scholarship and he tweaked what I was doing and made a big difference in my game.”
Walton hit a woeful .190 as a freshman outfielder/pitcher, but with Powell's guidance and his own hard work, and despite existing on little but tuna sandwiches, he became a .430+ hitter as a Boll Weevil sophomore.
He also pitched a complete game and earned ESJC's only victory in the 1986 state tournament played at Montgomery's Paterson Field.
Fast as greased lightning, Walton drew the attention of the Chicago Cubs organization - as an outfielder - was taken in the '86 draft, and left Enterprise for rookie league baseball in Woodfield, Va.
In 1987, Walton played in Peoria, Ill., in A ball, and in 1988 was in Pittsfield, Mass., then the Cubs AA affiliate.
Walton made the Cubs 1889 roster in spring training, and 162 regular-season games later was named the league's top newcomer.
He co-wrote a book about his whirlwind rise to fame and fortune, and settled in for what he felt would be a long career, based in no small part on the fact, then as now, as the old baseball adage goes, “speed don't have no slumps.”
But Walton's body didn't cooperate, and it still isn't. He continues to recover from an accident suffered in August 2008.
“I fell off a ladder while trimming some tree limbs and broke my leg really bad,” Walton said. “I've had several operations and have two more to go before it's fixed. It was so bad that at one point they told me they were going to have to take the leg off.”
That would've been unfortunate not only for Walton, his wife of 15 years, Michele, and children Jarmar, Jerrell, Jalen, and Mikayla, but also for young baseball and softball hopefuls in Atlanta, and possibly even for their counterparts in Enterprise.
“I've worked with a lot of youngsters over the years, and have sent some down to Enterprise, Walton said, naming Jonathan Sholar, who enjoyed a productive season at Enterprise State Community College this season, as one of his most notable pupils.
“I really want to have my own baseball school,” Walton said. “Atlanta is a hotbed of baseball talent, but there's so much competition among baseball schools here that I've thought I really wouldn't mind moving back to Enterprise and putting one in there.
“I understand there's a lot of travel ball and a lot of league baseball and softball going on down your way, and I'm serious, I wouldn't mind coming down that way again to live.”
Prior to his August injury, Walton was coaching a travel team with Marquis Grissom, a 17-year Major Leaguer and Atlanta native.
“Hopefully, my leg will be well so I can get back into coaching this fall, but my dream has always been to have my own school, and I know there's a lot of talent in the Enterprise area.
“I've been blessed with the ability to watch someone hit, throw, and field and be able to find those things that just need tweaking, like Coach Powell did with me. I do not believe every hitter in the line-up should have the same, exact swing.”
Evidence Walton is a good teacher currently exists in the Major Leagues.
“I had been sent to the minor leagues by the Florida Marlins in 1989, and while I was there, they sent Derrek Lee to AAA for a week,” Walton explained. “He was really struggling, and we got to talking and I picked up on some minor things; he listened, made the changes, and hit 5-6 homeruns, which is phenomenal for a week, was called back up, and never played in the minors again.”
Lee, a first baseman, is a 13-year Major League veteran.
“A couple of years ago, I told a friend of mine that story,”Walton said. “And he didn't believe it, so when Derek was in Atlanta during the season, we went to a game, went down to the dressing room, and I told my buddy to ask him who helped him turn his career around.
“Derrek quickly said, 'Jerome Walton!'”
Walton is itching to get back into baseball.
“What I want to do from now on is to teach kids what I know about baseball and fast-pitch softball,” he concluded. “I can keep on teaching private lessons, but I really want to open a baseball school.”
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