Two local prep athletes recently committed to continue their basketball careers at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Parklane Academy’s Tootie Carter and Tylertown’s Mylicia Harness bring versatility to the Lady Bears’ squad, according to head coach Brent Harris.
“Tootie, I think she can play different positions,” he said. “She can probably play inside, which she got to do a lot at Parklane, but I think toward the end of the year, they were able to kind of step her away from the basket and I got a chance to see her play in the summer. She can step out and shoot it a little bit.”
Harness, who is a little bigger and more of a post player than Carter, also brings versatility to the Lady Bears, who lost several post players to graduation.
“She’s not just a post player who is one dimensional. She can move and she’s very versatile,” Harris said. “We haven’t been the best in the league at scoring in the paint and I think she’s going to have the potential to be one of the better ones we’ve had at that position.”
Carter said after meeting the staff at SMCC it was an easy choice to head to Summit.
“It’s friendly, it’s close to home and plus I don’t like to be away from home that much, so I want to kind of work my way into going off and being off and being able to be in college and away from home...” Carter said. “They were so nice. They’re funny, they interact on your level where you can understand and talk to them at the same time.”
Carter was the leading scorer on the Lady Pioneers squad that reached the semifinals of the Class 4A bracket, as well as the overall tournament.
“I saw her in the summer and that’s where your eyes got big and she’s out on the perimeter and not just catching in the half court,” Harris said. “She was making plays like a guard on the fast break situation. It wasn’t hard. It was smooth. That kind of got us fired up.”
Harness averaged double-digit points and helped lead the Lady Chiefs to a 23-2 record overall and an undefeated district record.
“She fits a huge need for us,” Harris said. “She can do a lot of different things. She has some agility as well.”
Harris said they have about five other players who committed to the program and with the two local players, and players returning, the goal is reach new heights next season.
“They come in and allow us to play so many different styles, maybe press a little more,” Harris said. “Their versatility allows us more versatility. … There’s not seven or eight returning, but they played a lot of important minutes. Hopefully we can combine them and do something special next year.”
