Marcus Slippin couldn’t help but shake his head in disbelief as he gazed over the schedule for his South Pike Lady Eagles’ upcoming basketball season.
Welcome to Class 4A ball.
After racking up six 20-win seasons during Slippin’s eight-year tenure as South Pike head coach — two of them 30-win seasons, including a Class 3A state title in 2007 — the Lady Eagles find themselves challenged to keep that history of winning intact with a more difficult slate of games in 2009-’10.
“We’re going to have our hands full (in Class 4A), Slippin said. “The past three years, we’ve been probably the best team south of Jackson. Now we may be the fourth-best team in Pike County.
“If there’s going to be down while I’m here,” Slippin added, “this will be the year. I’m not saying we’re going to be down. We’re going to play hard. We’re South Pike. We’re gonna come after you.”
The Lady Eagles’ season opens Nov. 7 at the Jefferson County Classic against defending Class 6A state champ and grand slam champ Jackson Murrah.
“I don’t mind losing to get better,” Slippin said. “We’ll use that game as our measuring stick.”
Slippin can certainly depend on the Lady Eagles having an experienced starting five that includes three seniors.
The team is led by senior point guard Raven Ashley, who returns after averaging eight points and five assists per game as a junior.
“We’re going to depend on her to lead us,” Slippin said of the 5-foot-5 Ashley.
Senior Tomika Cook will open the season at the post. Slippin said Cook (5-9) will give South Pike a strong inside presence.
Senior Shantae Clark will open as the Lady Eagles’ three guard.
“She’s a pretty good shooter,” Slippin said. “I’m expecting her to give us some scoring this year.”
Rounding out the starting five will be junior shooting guard LeDestine’ Gordon and power forward Kevenesha Felder (5-8), niece of South Pike assistant coach Janice Felder, herself a former All-American at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Slippin said that while this will be Felder’s first season on the court for South Pike, she brings plenty to the table.
“She’s a good shooter,” Slippin said. “She can run the floor. She hustles all the time.”
The reserves this season include sophomore post player Briana Cockerham, junior guard Keshunda Magee, sophomore wing/post player Milesha McNulty and senior guard Chimaz Jackson.
Slippin said the team also will include nine talented freshmen that he expects will make an impact in the coming seasons.
The group includes Tremayia Weatherspoon, Jamaya Carter and Akayla Pyle.
“They’re the best overall group I’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “Any chance I get to play them, I’ll play them.”
According to Slippin, the Lady Eagles will run an open post offense with plenty of motion.
“If you don’t get in our face, we’ll shoot the 3,” he said. “If you handle us too much, we’ll find a way to score. Anything to get the shot off.”
On defense, South Pike will employ plenty of pressing and trapping.
“One of our strengths this year,” Slippin said, “is our ability to pressure people.”
The Lady Eagles will compete on Saturday in the Tylertown jamboree. They will play one half against Bassfield and another half against Columbia.
