ICC/Will Kollmeyer
ICC Inks Pair of Alabama All-Stars
Itawamba Community College has added a pair of Alabama All-Stars to its 2008 women’s basketball recruiting class. Lady Indians head coach Nanci Gray signed Tuscumbia’s Ashleigh Jackson and Erin “Birdie” Bowens to national letters of intent. Both Jackson and Bowens, who each made the All-County, All-Area and All-Region squads after their 30-4 senior season campaign, represented their homestate in the annual Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Classic at the Pelham Civic Center (Ala.) on March 20th.
Jackson averaged 18.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, five assists and three steals a game in helping Deshler make the Class 4A championship game. The 5’9 guard, who was the Region Most Valuable Player, scored a regional-record 42 points against Brooks in the title tussle. Bowens, who holds the school record for most 3’s in a game with 9, averaged 18.6 points, five rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.5 steals per game for the Tigers. She was also a Class 4A Player of the Year finalist.
“These are two special ladies that we’re thrilled to have now in our ICC program,” said Gray, who pointed out the 6’0 Bowens could play either the 3 or 4 position on the floor next year for her Lady Indians, who captured last season’s MACJC State Championship.
“Ashleigh and Birdie accomplished so much in high school under one of the best coaches in their state, Jana Killen. She’s made eight straight trips to the Alabama Class 4A Final Four.”
Both Jackson and Bowens mentioned after they signed with ICC on Tuesday afternoon that it was important to play at a college that is winning because they’re not used to losing and they feel Gray’s Lady Indians are ready to continue their winning ways in the future.
ICC signs Clinton cornerback
Itawamba Community College has added a defensive back to its 2008 recruiting class. Indians head coach Jeff Terrill, whose program is the only one in the state to make it to the MACJC state playoffs the last four years, announced that Clinton High School cornerback Deangelo Buckner (6’1, 190) has signed to play for his Indians.
“We’re excited to have Deangelo a part of our team,” said Terrill, who has led ICC to a 24-5 record in its last 29 regular season games. “We thought we had him signed back in February but thankfully he changed his mind back in our favor and he’s a guy that can contribute for us next fall.”
Terrill and his staff will welcome Buckner, two of his all-star wide receiver teammates at Clinton, and the rest of the 2008 edition of ICC football in July with the first game scheduled on August 28th at Jones County, a team that finished 5th in the final poll of the 2007 season. The complete schedule will be released in the near future.
The ICC coaches were still smiling this (Monday) morning after Friday’s huge turnout for the annual ICC Football Golf Classic. All five counties of the College’s district were represented as nearly 100 took part in this year’s four-person scramble at River Birch in Amory.
