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Coach Marty Cooper announced his intentions to step down as ICC Indians head basketball at the end of the season. (Lee Adams/ICC Public Relations)

FULTON, MS — Itawamba Community College Athletics Director Carrie Ball-Williamson announced that college basketball’s only husband-wife coaching tandem, Marty and Jennifer Cooper, will be stepping down at the end of the season.

“This is something we’ve been thinking about for a couple of years and more seriously before the season,” said Coach Marty Cooper. “Family time with our daughter McKenzie (11) is very important for both Jen and I and that’s something we as a family are really looking forward to being a bigger part of our lives.”

Marty will be assuming responsibilities in the college’s graduation initative while Jennifer will remain an instructor in the Natural Science Division at ICC.

During his 14 years at ICC, Cooper has won four MACJC North Division titles (2002, 07, 08), one MACJC championship (08), three NJCAA Region 23 champions (02, 07, 08) and three NJCAA tournament appearances (02, 07, 08). He has a career record of 250-134 while at ICC and coming into this season his program had won the most Region 23 games (110), the best Region 23 winning percentage of .728 (110-41) and has the most wins in the North Division (45) in the past five seasons.

“After being a head coach for the past 21 years, I’ve reached the point in my life where I’m ready for a new challenge and hopefully with my new position I’ll have a larger impact on our students than just the basketball team,” Cooper said.

After six seasons as a collegiate assitant coach, the Jackson, Ohio native earned his first collegiate head coaching job at East Central Community College, where he led the Warriors to two South DIvision championships, two South State championships and three-straight MACJC championship games, winning the 1993 title. He left Decatur for Fulton with an overall record 116-81.

“I am extremely thankful for all the players that have come through our program, Carrie Ball-Williamson, Mike Eaton and of course, Dr. David Cole,” said Cooper. “I also want to say a couple of special thanks to the guy who hired me here at ICC, Roy Cresap, and for all of the help I received over the years from the legendary coach Buster Davis.”

Ball-Williamson says the search for the next men’s basketball coach will start immediately.

“Coach Cooper had a great run during his 14 years as our basketball coach,” said Ball-Williamson. “Although he will be serving the college in a different capacity, he will certainly be missed on the court.”

For more informtion on ICC basketball and the eight other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

FULTON, MS – Itawamba Community College has announced its cheerleading clinic and tryout dates for 2012-2013 athletic seasons.

The first of two tryout clinic will be held March 28^th and 29^th from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the ICC Fitness Center located next to the Davis Event Center on the Fulton campus. The second clinic will be a mandatory clinic for those interested in trying out and will be help April 11^th and 12^th from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the ICC Fitness Center. The cost is $35 for one clinic or $50 for both clinics.

The official tryout date is set for Friday, April 13^th at 4:00 p.m. at the ICC Fitness Center.

Tryout registration forms are available on the college website and anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian signature. For more information contact Cathy McCarthy at 662-862-8173.  

For more information on ICC cheerleading and the 10 other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

ICC to host Pink Zone games Thursday night

FULTON, MS – The Itawamba Community College basketball teams will participate in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “Pink Zone” initiative when they play host to Mississippi Delta Community College at the Davis Event Center on Thursday.

The Lady Indians (16-2, 7-0) will tip the MACJC North Division match-up at 6:00 while the Indians (7-11, 3-4) follow at 8:00 p.m.

Fans wearing pink to the game will be admitted free of charge.

THE WBCA began the WBCA “Pink Zone,” formerly known as “Think Pink,” in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women’s basketball, on campuses and in communities. Overall, “Pink Zone” events have raised nearly $3.3 million, have reached almost 2.7 million fans and have unified over 4,700 participants in only four years.

For more information on ICC basketball and the eight other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

ICC to host Alumni Night on Thursday

FULTON, MS – The Itawamba Community College Alumni Association will host Alumni Night this Thursday at the Davis Event Center.

The Lady Indians (16-2, 7-0) will tip the MACJC North Division match-up at 6:00 while the Indians (7-11, 3-4) follow at 8:00 p.m. Fans presenting their current Alumni Association membership card will be admitted free to both games.

For more information contact Mark Todd, Director of Alumni Affairs, at 662-862-8176.

For more information on ICC basketball and the eight other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

FULTON, MS — Former ICC Indian standouts Jake Sloan (Hatley) and Ladarrius Cole (Nettleton) have been named to the initial watch list for the 2012 Tino Award for the most outstanding player in DII college baseball.

Sloan, a junior DH from North Alabama, batted .359 with a .605 slugging percentage and .409 on-base percentage. He scored 38 runs and driving in a team-high 51 to go along with his 20 doubles and seven home runs while successfully steal 14 of 17 attempts. He led the team with 16 multiple-hit games and had the longest hit streak of the season recording a hit in seven-straight games.

Cole, a junior outfielder at West Alabama, started in all 41 games last season for the Tigers. He had a team-high 59 hits and 47 runs scored in 166 at-bats. He finished third on the team with a .440 slugging percentage and second with a .432 on-base percentage while successfully stealing 21 bases on 21 attempts.

“We are excited for both these guys,” said ICC head baseball coach Rick Collier. “It’s a great honor for them to be recognized for this award, but it comes as no surprise because of their work ethic and dedication to the game of baseball both on and off the field.”

Nominations for the award were made by baseball sports information contacts and media members.

The list will be updated with a mid-season release in April. Semi-finalists are scheduled to be announced in early May with the finalist to be named later that month. After the finalists are named fans will be invited to vote online to help determine the winner, which will be announced after the conclusion of the DII Baseball Championship.

The annual honor is named after former University of Tampa standout, Olympian and MLB All-State, Tino Martinez.

For more information on ICC baseball and the nine other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

Front row, from left are Tina Little, Tyler Nelms and Stanley Nelms. Back row, from left are Kossuth head coach Daniel Threadgill and ICC head coach Rick Collier. (Lee Adams/ICC Public Relations)

FULTON, MS – Itawamba Community College head baseball coach Rick Collier announced two of his newest signees during a press conference from the Davis Event Center on Friday.

Kossuth’s Tyler Nelms and Brayden Owen of Tupelo both signed national letters of intent to play baseball for Collier and the Indians next season.

“I feel real good,” said Nelms. “This is what I’ve been working for since I was in ninth grade, trying to play somewhere else.”

“Tyler means the world to me, not just as a player as a person too and he means a lot to the Kossuth baseball program,” said Kossuth head baseball coach Daniel Threadgill. “Coming off the mound he’s done a lot for us in the past two years, and this year being his senior year, we look for him to be even better than the last two years.”

“I’m excited about Tyler coming,” said Collier. “Tyler wants to be an Indian and he was excited about it. He’s a big right hander that has a lot of arm and he sat on 86, 87 when I went and worked him out and we’re just very excited to have him.”

Front row, from left are Kim Owen, Brayden Owen and Curt Owen. Back row is ICC head coach Rick Collier. (Lee Adams/ICC Public Relations)

“I’m pretty excited to be part of ICC baseball,” said Owen. “They have a good past of winning, good coaching and I’ll be surrounded by a good bunch of guys.”

“Brayden is the type of guy that’s a utility type player,” said Collier. “He can play the middle infield, play outfield and he can even come in and give you some innings on the mound if you needed it. He’s just a good all around athlete.”

For more information on ICC baseball and the nine other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

Tishomingo County standout Emilee Henderson is joined by family and coaches after signing her letter of intent to play softball for the ICC Lady Indians next season. Front left to right: Melissa Henderson, Emilee Henderson, Eddie Henderson. Back left to right: Coach Andy Kirk, Coach Beck Brawner, Coach Malcolm Brown, Coach Cary Simmons. (courtesy photo)

IUKA, MS – Itawamba Community College softball coach Andy Kirk announced the signing of Tishomingo County standout Emilee Henderson on Friday.

“I’m excited about it,” Henderson said about signing with the Lady Indians. “It’s been a long high school career and I’m ready to keep it going on the next level at ICC. I took my visit a couple of months ago and felt good about the school and the program because it has always been one of the top programs.”

Henderson has a .406 career batting average with 26 double, four homeruns, 72 RBIs and 41 stolen bases while earning All-Division honors in both slow and fast pitch during her 9th, 10th, and 11th grade seasons.

“Emilee has been a big part of our program,” said Tishomingo County fast pitch coach Malcolm Brown. “She is a four-year starter for us and has probably played every position expect pitcher. She has a good arm, good hand-eye coordination with the bat, puts the ball in play, and she’s a leader both on and off the field.”

During this past slow pitch season, she batted .446 with 22 RBIs, 12 doubles, one homerun and 15 stolen bases to earn the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Player of the Year honors. Henderson named 1-4A offensive MVP and was selected to the NEMS Daily Journal All-Area team in 2010.

“Emilee comes from a great program at Tishomingo County,” Kirk said about his newest signee. “She’s an all-area type player and a tremendous athlete with a great arm, speed and can hit for a lot of power. We are looking for her to come to ICC and be able to continue her playing days past our level.”

For more information on ICC softball and the nine other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

Itawamba Community College head football coach Jon Williams announced the addition of new offensive coordinator Jason McManus to the Indians coaching staff. (Kim W Williams/ICC Public Relations)

FULTON, MS — Itawamba Community College head football coach Jon Williams announced the addition of new offensive coordinator Jason McManus to the Indians coaching staff on Monday.

“Jason is a great person that is going to add a lot to our staff, our institution and our community” said Williams. “He has a wealth of experience with a majority of it coming at the Division 1 level and I think it’s good for our players to have a coach that will be able to give them a lot of guidance along the way.”

McManus coaching career includes stops at Gardner-Webb, Middle Tennessee State, The University of the South, Tusculum College, UT-Chattanooga and Troy University.

“I’m really excited about being part of the coaching staff at ICC,” said McManus. “I want to thank Coach Williams, Dr. (David) Cole and the board for giving me this opportunity. Throughout my coaching career I have recruited the Mississippi junior colleges so I know the level of football, the competition, and what type of players are in this league.”

The 11-year coaching veteran spent last season as the offensive coordinator at York Comprehensive High School, who finished 10-4 and led Region 4-3A and the upstate area in total offense with 2978 yards rushing and 1864 passing.

While at Troy, the Trojans earned 2010 SUNBELT Conference Co-Champion while leading the conference in scoring offense, total offense, pass offense, first downs and third down conversion under his guidance. He worked closely with Jerrel Jernigan, who led the SUNBELT in receptions per game and finished the season with 77 catches for 774 yards.

“I’ve learned under a bunch of great coaches,” McManus said about his successful coaching career. “I feel like I am well rounded in the area of football, but more importantly I’ve been around a lot of good coaches that have taught me about life and family when dealing with the players. I hope to be able to use all that experience and bring a well-rounded approach to ICC and put a product on the field that gives us the best chance to be successful.”

The Newton, NC native also brings an extensive background in academics working as UT-Chattanooga’s Academic Liaison and will serve the same role at ICC.

McManus graduate from Gardner-Webb in 2000 with a degree in Physical Education. He was a two-year letter winner for the Bulldogs then worked as a student assistant coach in the spring of 2000. He earned his master’s degree in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State in 2001, while in Murfreesboro, McManus worked as a graduate assistant coach for the Blue Raiders, assisting with the wide receivers, secondary and special teams.

For more information on ICC football and the nine other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

FULTON, MS — Vechatita Bonner and Jameika Hoskins each turned in double-double performances in the Lady Indians 70-58 win over the Northwest Lady Rangers on Thursday.

Bonner scored a team-high 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds with Hoskins adding 16 points along with 12 boards.

LaPrecious Naylon dished out 10 assist while Jasmine Hampton added 10 points in the win.

The Lady Indians improve to 12-2 on the year and 3-0 in MACJC North play.

Rangers 77 Indians 61

DJ Gardner scored a season and game-high 27 points and Deontaye Ewing added 18 points in the Indians’ (6-8, 2-1) first MACJC North loss of the season.

For more information on ICC basketball and the eight other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.

FULTON, MS – The ICC Lady Indians and Indians picked up a pair of wins over Copiah-Lincoln Community College on Thursday.

Freshman Ty-Nita Baker (Houston) came off the bench to score a game-high 22 points in the Lady Indians’ 78-70 win over the Lady Wolves while fellow freshman Anthony McDonald (Aberdeen) also scored a game-high 20 to lead the Indians to an 86-69 win over the Wolves.

The Lady Indians (10-2, 1-0 MACJC North) got 12 first-half points from sophomore Vechatita Bonner (Wayne County) to scrap their way to a 34-32 halftime lead before Baker poured in 19 second-half points to help ICC head coach Nanci Gray pick up her 549^th career victory.

“The win tonight was a big one for us as a team,” said Gray. “It’s a good thing the way we’ve come off our Christmas break with the girls playing so well, but now the real test begins when we start division play.”

Jameika Hoskins (Aberdeen) scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while LaPrecious Naylon (Greene County, AL) added 12 and Bonner finished with 19 points in the win.

The Indians (5-7, 1-0 MACJC North) saw McDonald connected on four-of-seven from behind the arch while DJ Gardner (Okolona) added 15 with Nick Moncure (Wingfield), Deontaye Ewing (Tupelo) and Quintin Lee (Ripley, TN) all added 11 points each.

“I’m proud of the way the guys finished tonight,” said Indian head coach Marty Cooper. “They were able to get the lead and Co-Lin started make a comeback but the guys came together to be able to finish the game on both sides of the floor.”

ICC will re-open MACJC North Division play when they travel to Mississippi Delta Community College on Tuesday before returning to the friendly confines of the Davis Event Center when Northwest Community College comes to Fulton on Thursday.

For more information on ICC basketball and the eight other intercollegiate athletic programs visit the college website at www.iccms.edu.