Enterprise State Community CollegeSports News

Enterprise State Community College assistant men’s coach Jermaine Williams said fans would see a different Boll Weevil team Thursday night at home against Pensacola Community College, (6-2).

Williams and head coach Charles Cole took a different approach in preparation for Thursday’s game in an attempt to get the team’s first win of the season; ESCC was 0-6 as the night began. The plan was to take advantage of the Weevils’ outside shooting abilities.

The coaches’ new way of thinking hit the mark from the opening tip-off as the Weevils broke out on top early and, after leading by as many as 21 points, were 55-38 at intermission after connecting on 13 three-point shots in the first 20 minutes of play.

But then the wheels came off as the Weevils faltered under Pensacola’s full-court, pressure defense that forced numerous turnovers, and a penetrating offense by the visitors completely changed the game.

Despite double-digit scoring by Shaquille Harris, Maliek Daniels, Damien Carr, Jeremy Ingram, and Corey Whitehurst, Pensacola overcame the halftime deficit and tied the game, 93-93, with 47 seconds to play.

Enterprise fell behind early in the five-minute overtime, but Pensacola grabbed the lead and never trailed after the 3:26 mark en route to its 109-106 win.

November 17, 2010 -The Enterprise State Community College Lady Weevils can’t seem to catch a break…or win a game, as they fell to 0-6 in Americus, Ga., Tuesday with a 71-43 loss to Southwest Georgia Technical College.

Charmaine Ward had 15 points to lead ESCC and was the only Weevil in double figures.

“We couldn’t score and couldn’t stop them from scoring,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We’re improving but sometimes it looks like for every step forward we take, we take two backward.”

Thirteen players dressed out for Enterprise and nine scored. Jackie Murphy and Ashton Coleman had six points apiece in the loss, while Mayia Williams and Shawnda Middleton added four each.

November 16, 2010 -The 2010-11 Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils will have to wait until Thursday for another opportunity to gain their elusive first win of the season; the ESCC Men fell to 0-5 in Panama City Monday night with a 96-81 loss to Gulf Coast.

“Year-in and year-out, Gulf Coast is among the best teams in our part of the country,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “Competing with them is a good measuring stick for us; but we’re beyond time when we need to win some games.”

Shaquille Harris led Enterprise in scoring with 28 points; Jeremy Ingram added 15 and was the only other Enterprise player in double figures.

Nine of the 13 ESCC players who dressed out for the game scored. Maliek Daniels and James Lodman had nine points apiece for the Weevils.

November 13, 2010 -The Enterprise State Community College basketball teams both needed a win Saturday to keep from starting the 2010-11 season 0-5.

As luck would have it for the Lady Weevils, their Saturday night opponent was the visiting 1-4 Lawson State Lady Cougars from Birmingham.

Enterprise, plagued by missed lay-ups and other shots near the goal through their first four games, got off to a quick start and led by as many as 12 points in the early going.

But by intermission the Cougars had clawed their way back to trail, 38-31, as the buzzer sounded sending the teams to their dressing rooms for halftime.

“We should be ahead 20-25 points,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “I’m going check the rule book and see if making lay-ups is illegal.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. We’re wide-open and can’t make a lay-up. We practice, practice and practice them and still can’t make them!”

Enterprise’s lead vanished less than four minutes into the second half, and Lawson surged ahead, 41-39, with 16 minutes to play with Cole scratching his head as shot after shot went awry for ESCC.

But as the second half unfolded the Weevils stayed close, and momentarily matched their opponent basket for basket, turnover for turnover until late in the game when Lawson pulled away for the win.

“We’re young and we’re going to make mistakes, but that’s the same excuse most folks arrested on “Cops” say every Saturday night.

Charmaine Ward led ESCC with 28 points, Ashton Coleman had 28, and Shawnda Middleton added 11.

November 10, 2010 -The 2010-11 home basketball season for the Enterprise State Community College Lady Weevils began with ESCC shooting free throws against Albany Tech College in a rare Wednesday night game.

The technical free throws came from failure to list every player on its roster by Albany State, not because the game began at 5:20 p.m. as result of the Lady Titans arriving at Ray Lolley Gym 20 minutes late.

Enterprise took an early, 1-0, lead, and then scored from the outside and under the basket to hold a 12-point lead midway through the first half.

“We started out hitting our shots while Albany State was cold,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole at halftime. “Then the game did a complete turn-around.”

ESCC maintained a small lead until 13:21 remained in the game when Albany State forged ahead, 40-39. Enterprise lost control of the game at that point and never regained it.

The Weevils trailed by 10 points with 7:02 to play and when all was said and done, the Titans won, 66-60.

“It wasn’t that we didn’t take good shots,” Cole said. “The problem was we didn’t make good shots. We missed enough layups to last a season. There were times in the second half when it appeared we didn’t know what to do.”

The ESCC men’s team was also looking for its first win after opening the season with three losses in two trips to the Florida Panhandle.

The first half of Wednesday’s game saw both teams play erratically at times, with the Weevils playing a bit more solidly for a 31-25 lead at intermission.

The second half all but belonged to the visiting Titans until nine seconds remained in regulation play. That’s when a 3-pointer by Raymond Johnson knotted the score, 70-70.

“They made their free throws and we missed ours,” Cole said of the eventual 99-76 ESCC loss. “Men’s basketball at this level is played at an up-tempo speed, and teams have to be able to take advantage of as many possible opportunities as possible.

“This game boiled down to basics: lay-ups and free throws. We were our own worst enemy tonight.”

The ESCC men’s team was also looking for its first win Saturday, but Lawson State’s Cougars came to Ray Lolley Gym with a 3-1 record ready, willing and able to grab their fourth victory.

Lawson broke out on top following the opening tip and began pulling away early; the Cougars led 51-32 at halftime en route to a

“We were not mentally ready to play tonight,” Cole said. “We have to learn to step up and play the game. We can’t let other teams push us around in our own gym.”

Leading scorers for the Weevils were: Shaquille Harris with 36 and Jeremy Ingram with 14.

Enterprise travels to Gulf Coast Monday and will entertain Southwest Georgia Tech Tuesday.

The 2010-11 home basketball season for the Enterprise State Community College Lady Weevils began with ESCC shooting free throws against Albany Tech College in a rare Wednesday night game.

Enterprise took an early, 1-0, lead, and then scored from the outside and under the basket to hold a 12-point lead midway through the first half.

“We started out hitting our shots while Albany State was cold,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole at halftime. “Then the game did a complete turn-around.”

ESCC maintained a small lead until 13:21 remained in the game when Albany State forged ahead, 40-39. Enterprise lost control of the game at that point and never regained it.

The Weevils trailed by 10 points with 7:02 to play and when all was said and done, the Titans won, 66-60.

The ESCC men’s team was also looking for its first win after opening the season with three losses in two trips to the Florida Panhandle.

The first half of Wednesday’s game saw both teams play erratically at times, with the Weevils playing a bit more solidly for a 31-25 lead at intermission.

The second half all but belonged to the visiting Titans until nine seconds remained in regulation play. That’s when a 3-pointer by Raymond Johnson knotted the score, 70-70.

“They made their free throws and we missed ours,” Cole said of the eventual 83-76 ESCC loss. “Men’s basketball at this level is played at an up-tempo speed, and teams have to be able to take advantage of as many possible opportunities as possible.

“This game boiled down to basics: lay-ups and free throws. We were our own worst enemy tonight.”

November 9, 2010 -The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils third game in the Florida Panhandle produced the same result as a pair of games over the weekend: a loss.

After losing a pair of games in tournament action at Chipola over Friday and Saturday, the Weevils traveled to Pensacola Monday and were handed an 88-55 loss.

Shaquille Harris, a sophomore from Americus, Ga., led Enterprise in scoring with 20 points, and was the only ESCC player in double figures.

Damien Carr, a freshman from Camp Hill, and Dominique Gilberry, a freshman from Haines City, Fla., added nine points apiece to the ESCC total.

Also scoring for the Weevils were James Lodman, Corey Whitehurst, Jaymal Rodgers, and Raymond Johnson.

“We finally get to play at home now,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We played some really tough teams to start the season, hoping that when Southern Division games begin in a few weeks, experience against tough teams will pay off for us.”

The Weevils host Albany Tech Wednesday. Tip-off follows conclusion of the Weevil Women’s game.

November 9, 2010 -The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women are still looking for the elusive first win of the 2010-11 season, but there was a noticeable gleam in the eye of veteran coach Charles Cole following Monday’s 74-67 road loss to Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga.

“We had a little freshman guard from Dothan put on a clinic,” Cole said. “Charmaine Ward scored 30 points – including 17-of-19 from the free throw line – and she had seven steals and a blocked shot.”

Enterprise native Ashton Coleman, a sophomore, added 20 points as the Weevils fell to 0-3 on the year.

Shawnda Middleton, a sophomore from Bainbridge, Ga., had nine points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

“We should be at full strength Wednesday,” Cole said. “We have a long way to go to becoming the kind of team I believe we can be. We need maximum effort from all our players in practice and in games, and we haven’t gotten that yet.”

Wednesday’s tip-off is set for 5 p.m. in the Ray Lolley Gym on the ESCC campus; the men’s game will follow.

November 8, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women opened their 2010-11 season over the weekend in the N.W. Florida Classic in Niceville, Fla., and came out on the short end of the stick in two games.

“They could just stand out front and shoot ‘3’s’ and there was nothing we could do to stop them,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole. “I was proud of our effort but the results weren’t anything I care to repeat.

Ellysia Ward had 12 points to pace the Weevil Women; Ashton Coleman added nine for ESCC.

Saturday, Enterprise faced another powerful team, Northwest Florida State, formerly Okaloosa-Walton, and lost, 79-54.

Ward, a freshman from Dothan, again led Enterprise, this time with 26 points. Coleman and Ashley Holman-seth added 10 points apiece.

“We only played eight girls in this game and I have never been more proud of a team’s effort than I was in this game!” Cole explained. “They played hard and proved they have gotten themselves in shape for the season.”

The Weevils traveled to Cuthbert, Ga., for a game with Andrew College Monday, and will host Albany Tech Wednesday; a 5 p.m. tip-off is scheduled for the home-opener.

November 8, 2010- The eighth-ranked Chipola College Indians played up to their ranking Friday downing the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils, 105-60, in the Chipola Classic in Marianna, Fla.

Shaquille Harris had 18 points in the season-opener for the Weevils; Jeremy Ingram added 16. James Lodman, Louis Williams, Jamyal Rodgers, Corey Whitehurst, Hudson Cadet, and Erc Van Beek also scored for ESCC.

“They played a stifling defense and denied us the boards,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole.

Saturday, Enterprise tangled with Lamar State College, a Texas school that handed the Weevils an 82-69 loss.

Harris and Ingram had 18 points apiece to lead the Weevils. Whitehurst had 10 points and Rodgers had eight as the Weevils fell to 0-2.

“We’ve got work to do,” Cole said. “But that’s why we play quality teams early, to see where we are so we’ll know what we need to do to get where we’re headed.”

Enterprise traveled to Pensacola Monday and will play its home-opener Wednesday against Albany Tech.

Or in the case of Enterprise State Community College, the 2010-11 Boll Weevils need Hart, as in James Hart, a 6’5” Geneva native.

“Size and height have become such factors in college basketball, you’ve got to big players to compete, and you need lots of them,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We are pleased to have this young man from Geneva on our team.”

Hart, who averaged eight points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game as a senior playing for Michael Crews, plans to major in international studies.

“He is a work-in-progress who is adjusting to the quicker pace of the college game,” Cole said. “Like most of our players, you can see James improving with every practice.”

“To be honest, my sports history has been an uphill battle, with many trials and tribulations,” Hart said. I (only) played one year (my senior year) and was MVP in the Headland game.

“Sports, to me, mean teamwork and determination. My dream is to play overseas one day. I would like for people to say that I am a hard-worker and a worker for God.”

Hanging out with friend and playing video games are Hart’s hobbies. “Sports Center” is Hart’s favorite TV show. He’s not a picky eater, and said rap is his choice in music.

The Boll Weevils are competing in a jamboree in Columbus, Ga., this weekend. The men’s team plays Sunday and the Weevil Women play Saturday morning, also their first outing of the fall.

Enterprise has additional practice games scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15, in Montgomery against Faulkner University, and in Andalusia, Oct. 23 and 30th.

October 5, 2010- Hudson Cadet isn’t hard to spot on the Enterprise State Community College gymnasium floor; at 6’9” he’s one of the tallest players ever to suit up for the Boll Weevils.

But he’s not the only tall Weevil player: Jelle Vermeyen is also listed at 6’9.”

“We have more size this season than we’ve had,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole who, after having headed the Weevil Women’s team several years, is now coaching the Weevil men’s team for the first time. “We’ve been under-sized in almost every game we’ve played, so it’ll be good to have players with size.”

Cadet is an electrical engineering major from Chicago who scored 12 points and averaged 11 rebounds as a senior at Liberty High School.

“My hope is to get an electrical engineering degree, then maybe play professional basketball overseas,” Cadet said.

“I’ve only been playing on a team since my sophomore season,” said the basketball and track MVP who holds the record for rebounds in a game at Liberty High.

“Sports mean a lot to me!” Cadet, the youngest Weevil, said. “I want to just be successful and a blessing to those around me.”

Fried pork is Cadet’s favorite food, and “The Lion King” is his choice in movies. He watches “The Good Guys” and “Prison Break” on TV. He listens to hip hop music and said Michael Jordan is his favorite athlete.

Vermeyen, the other half of Cole’s Twin Towers, is a native of Antwerp, Belgium, who averaged 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists as a senior at Crenshaw Christian Academy in Luverne.

As far as basketball is concerned, Vermeyen, like his teammates, is a work in progress.

“My size and technique help me,” he said. “I think I can shoot pretty good.”

“I’m glad the season is finally here,” Cole said of the season-opening games in Columbus, Ga., Saturday and Sunday. “I’m really excited about watching this team play. You can only practice so long and so much before you need to play some games. We’re at that point.

“Obviously, I’m excited about having these two big guys this year. We’re going to need them from the start.”

Vermeyen was the 2008-9 Defensive MVP at Crenshaw Christian, where he broke the school record for blocked shots. In 2009-10, he made the AISA All-Star Team, made the All-State Tournament Team, and won back-to-back state titles.

“Sports mean a lot to me,” he said. “Sports help me in life, and they’ve added a lot to my personality. I hope I can play somewhere one day and make a good living. I hope I’m happy when I retire.”

Vermeyen said hanging out with friends is his hobby and said pizza is his favorite food.

“Man on Fire” is his top movie and he enjoys “Sons of Anarchy” on TV. Hip hop is his musical preference and Michael Jordan is his favorite athlete

October 5, 2010- D.C. Condrey is a 6’1” point guard from Ashford who is planning on playing a major role on the 2010-11 Enterprise State Community College basketball team when the season starts Saturday in Columbus, Ga..

“D.C. can score,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “He’s a hard-worker who will get his points and help the team in a number of ways.”

Condrey averaged 25.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists during his high school career.

“I came here because of the good coaching,” the criminal justice major said. “I love to work hard on and off the court; I’m cool and funny to be around. My dreams are one day at a time.”

Condrey was on the All-Conference team in 2005-6, and was his team’s Most Valuable Player three times. He was on the All-Elite Team from 2007-09 and was on the 4A All-State team both years.

He was the 2007-08 “Player of the Year,” and was the first to score 2,700 points in a four-year career at his school.

“Sports mean everything, and playing ball is where I wanna leave my heart,” Condrey said.

Playing with his nephews and nieces is Condrey’s hobby. Reese’s candy bars and honey buns are his favorite foods. “The Wash, The Wood,” is his top movie and he watches “Jamey King” on TV.

Anything by Lil-Wayne is his favorite music and Dawayne Wade is his favorite athlete.

September 27, 2010- Shaquille Harris grew up in Americus, Ga., and as a high school senior averaged 22 points and five rebounds per game.

Now, Harris is a 6’1” freshman at Enterprise State Community College, and veteran coach Charles Cole is proud that he is.

“We need players who can score every game,” Cole said. “We’re looking for consistency and Shaq brings that ability to us.”

“I came here because I was given a scholarship,” the electrical engineering major said. “I’m self-motivated and I have a 3.8 grade point average.”

The Boll Weevil guard was First Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-State, Team Most Valuable Player, and recipient of the Principal’s Award in grades 10-12.

“Sports mean everything to me, after God, family and school,” Harris said. “My dream is to become a professional ballplayer, in the NBA or overseas.”

“Blue Hill Avenue” is his favorite movie and “Criminal Minds” is his choice in TV programming.

September 20, 2010- Malick Daniels averaged scoring 15 points per game at Shaw High School in Columbus, Ga., playing for Coach Terry White.

Enterprise State Community College coach Charles Cole is in hopes the 6’4” business major can keep that total going for the 2010-11 Boll Weevils.

“If every player who gets into our games could score at least 15 points, we’d be in really good shape in most games,” Cole said. “And if they could all average eight rebounds a game like Malick did, we’d be at the top of the league.

“We’re excited to have Malick with us; he played in a highly competitive high school league, so he knows how to play against really good opponents like we face.”

“I chose ESCC because the school is in a great environment and the business program is a good one,” Daniels said.

When asked what he brings to the team in terms of personal uniqueness, Daniels quickly responded, “I’m disciplined and well-rounded.”

Daniels was an All Bi-City first team selection as a senior, and he holds the record for rebounds at Shaw with 832. He was also selected for the Region 3-AAA first team.

“Sports mean loyalty and honesty to me,” Daniels said. “My dream is to go overseas and become a pro athlete.”

Daniels said basketball and bowling are his hobbies and hot wings are his favorite food.

“Friday” is Daniels’ pick in movies; “House of Payne” is his TV show, and rap is his preferred type of music.

Daniels said Serena Williams is his favorite athlete, and admits to having a shoe fetish.

September 16, 2010- One day Cynthia Calixto will be a nurse, or at least that’s the plan for the Enterprise State Community College freshman who is direct when asked why she chose to attend ESCC.

“I want to spend two years here getting my AA (Associates in Arts) Degree and then go on to a university. I chose ESCC because of the opportunity to play basketball,” the Orlando, Fla., native said. “My dream is to work in a children’s hospital one day.”

“We have been able to recruit several girls from the Orlando area the last couple of years and we feel like Cynthia is one player who can come in and contribute early,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We’re looking for the student/athlete, not the athlete/student…because grades MUST come first!

“We’re also looking for team players who respect the importance of teamwork and coaching. We’re looking for players who respect themselves because all that is what it takes to succeed at this level.”

“I get along with almost everyone,” Calixto said. “And I show good leadership.”

The 5’2” Calixto played varsity basketball two years, varsity flag football, jayvee volleyball two years, and was on the AAU Florida Remix Comets.

“Sports are a motive to keep me focused and healthy with discipline,” the Boone High School graduate said.

Spending time with family and playing basketball are Calixto’s hobbies. She prefers Italian food and enjoys comedy movies. Calixto watches the Food Channel and listens to rap and hip hop music.

September 16, 2010- Dominique Gilberry plans on a career in athletic training or coaching and he’s beginning pursuit of that dream at Enterprise State Community College where he is a member of the 2010-11 men’s basketball team.

“We are proud to have Dominique on our team,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “He’s 6’6” and knows how to play the game.

“We have an all-new team this year, so all of our players will have to adapt to the college game quickly. We have a jamboree in Columbus, Ga., starting October 9, so we don’t have much time to get ready.”

“I chose ESCC to study and graduate as a student, and to play basketball,” Gilberry said. “I’m outgoing and I love sports.”

Gilberry said fish is his favorite food and “Friday” is his choice in movies. “The Boondocks” is the Haines City, Fla., native’s favorite TV show. He listens to rap music and said Lebron James is his favorite athlete.

Gilberry averaged 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game at Kathleen High School under Coach Andrew Taylor.

“Our guys are working hard right now,” Cole said. “We have a heavy fall schedule and a lot to work on between now and the start of our conference season.”

September 9, 2010- One day Elizabeth Wood plans to be a nurse. Between now and then, the 6’2” Luverne native will be going to school and playing basketball at Enterprise State Community College.

“Education was my main concern (in choosing ESCC),” Wood said. “I wanted to play ball and have a good education. ESCC is friendly; everyone treats you like family. I like that.”

“We are excited to have Elizabeth on our team,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole. “There aren’t enough tall players to go around most of the time; for us to get a player her size and with her abilities is truly special. On top of that, she is very coachable.”

“I do what I’m supposed to do,” Wood said. “NO complaining…and I’m willing to learn.”

Wood played volleyball and basketball beginning in ninth grade, and was team captain in volleyball in 2009-10, and in basketball in 2010. She was basketball MVP and the top rebounder as a senior.

“To me sports are a way to show myself as I am,” Wood said. “My dream is to be successful and happy. I want people to remember me as a good person.”

Wood said she loves to cook and to garden in her spare time. Zipper peas are her favorite food and “Remember the Titans” is her choice in movies.

Wood likes oldies music and admits most people don’t know “I’m horrified of the dark. I have low confidence; I don’t like little dogs, and I love to garden.”

August 31, 2010- Enterprise State Community College is pleased to announce its new coaching staff for men’s and women’s Basketball for the 2010 –11 academic year.

Veteran Charles Cole, ESCC women’s basketball coach the past five years, will become head coach for both men’s and women’s Boll Weevil squads.

Jermaine Williams will join the new coaching staff as the assistant. head coach for men’s basketball. Coach Williams has previously served head coach for the Enterprise Thunder AAU Team, and also served from 2007-09 as an assistant men’s coach at Enterprise State.

In addition, Charles Medley and Doug Alexander will serve as volunteer assistant coaches for both basketball teams; previously they served in the role of volunteer assistant coaches for the women’s basketball team.

Dr. Jeffrey Coats, Dean of Students and Athletic Director, said, “I am very pleased and excited about this upcoming basketball season.”

“I believe we have the right coaching combination to make both our teams competitive in a highly competitive league this year,” Cole said. “We have talented players on both teams; we will be young, though, and what matters is how quickly our players adjust to the level of competition they will face.

“I am happy to have coaches Williams, Medley and Alexander on hand. They can make a difference in the lives of the young women and men on our teams.”

Note: This is a profile of a new member of the Enterprise State Community College baseball team.

Daniel Bahr plans to major in architecture and play baseball at Enterprise State Community College, and ESCC coach Tim Hulsey intends to help the 6’2” 195-pound Bahr do just that.

“He has good size and knows how to compete,” Hulsey said of the Geneva native. “And, he’s a left-hander who can throw hard.”

“I chose ESCC because it’s close to home,” Bahr said. “I am a hard worker; I give 100 percent every time. I’m always trying to get better.

“My dream is to be successful and live comfortably. My dream when I was younger was to be a pitcher for the New York Yankees, but that has changed to becoming a great architect…although I’d still love to play pro baseball.

“I played football and baseball in high school; I was the Defensive Most Valuable Player for my high school team. Sports mean everything to me; they’re my life. I’ve been playing sports forever. Sports are all I know.”

Bahr’s hobbies are fishing and playing video games, and his favorite food is spaghetti. He enjoys action movies and “House” is his pick in TV programs. Bahr enjoys rock music and said Derek Jeter is his favorite athlete.”

“We’re proud to have Daniel,” Hulsey said. “We’re going to need him and others we’ve signed to come in and quickly get ready to compete in our league. We were in the state tournament in the spring and our returning players want to do more than just get into the tournament and win one game.”

Note: This is another profile of recent athletic scholarship signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Taylor Marshall, a recent graduate of Mosley High School in Panama City, Fla., is one of the newest members of the 2010-11 Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils baseball team. An outfielder, Marshall batted .400 as a senior and .387 for his career.

“My dream is to play pro baseball for the Atlanta Braves,” he said. “I chose ESCC for its good baseball program and academics. I plan to go as far as I can in baseball, and pursue a career in athletic training afterward.”

“We're proud to have Tayler join us,” said veteran ESCC coach Tim Hulsey of the fleet outfielder. “We play in a highly-competitive league and it takes guys with talent, desire and a strong work ethic to compete at this level while also maintaining their grades in our strong academic environment.”

“I have played baseball since the age of 3, and I also wrestled in middle school,” Marshall said. “I have been an all-star almost every year. I love to hunt and fish, and I am a hard worker, and am always wanting to get better.

Marshall said his favorite food is tacos and “Anchorman” is his favorite movie. “Ghost Adventures” is his choice in TV programs; country is his favorite style of music; and Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward is his favorite athlete.

Note: This is another profile of a scholar/athlete who recently signed a scholarship with Enterprise State Community College.

Robin Hoffpouir is one of two players from Gulf Breeze (Fla.) High School – Stephen Robbins is the other – to recently agree to play baseball and study business at Enterprise State Community College. The 175-pound, 5’10” right-handed hitter and thrower is an infielder who’s played third base, shortstop and second base.

“We need versatile players,” said ESCC baseball coach Tim Hulsey, now in his 25th season in Enterprise. “He comes from a solid program and knows that baseball requires hard work.”

Hoffpouir, who batted .333 as a senior and .319 in his career playing for Randy Renfroe, quickly realized ESCC was where he wants to be this fall.

“I chose Enterprise because of the great location and the opportunities it offers,” Hoffpouir said, adding that he believes he’s prepared for what lies ahead as he adapts to college life.

“I have a great work ethic; I am very persistent,” he said. “I’ve had 15 years of baseball and was All-Area in 2009 and was an All-Star in 2010. Sports are what I use to learn life lessons and grow as a young man.

Hoffpouir said fishing, swimming and eating are his hobbies, with seafood at the top of his favorites. The infielder enjoys movie comedies and said “Sports Center” is his pick in TV shows.

Hoffpouir said Chase Utley is his favorite athlete; he enjoys country music and admits to singing in the shower.

Note: This is another profile of a recent scholar/athlete signee at Enterprise State Community College.

Opp native Britt Wilson doesn't necessarily fit the mold of a typical 2010 collegiate baseball pitcher, but the 150-pound, 5'7” right-hander is the newest member of the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevil pitching staff for one obvious reason.

“He has a wicked slider,” said veteran ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, now in his 25th year at the Weevil helm. “He's the kind of pitcher who can get people out,and we're proud to have him join us.”

As for Wilson, the decision to attend ESCC was simple.

“Enterprise has a good baseball and education program,” Wilson said.

Though undecided on a major field of study, Wilson has academic, athletic and career goals in mind.

“I would like to make it as far as I can in baseball,” he said. “I want to be successful in the career I choose.

“Sports mean a lot to me; you get to show you have talent and show your love for the game.”

Wilson enjoyed a successful career in youth baseball and as a multi-sport athlete as an Opp High School Bobcat.

His Dixie Youth Baseball team won a state championship in 2008; the Bobcats went to the second playoff round in both football and baseball in 2009-10; he won the pitching and captain's awards in baseball, and was the defensive MVP in football; Wilson was the basketball team captain.

Wilson said baseball, football, basketball, hunting, and fishing are his hobbies. Pork chops are his favorite food; “Blind Side” is his pick in movies, and “CSI” is his top TV show.

Wilson enjoys country music and said Vladimir Guerrero is his favorite athlete.

“I'm a competitor; I hate losing,” Wilson concluded. “I'm a hard worker.

June 21, 2010- This is another entry in a series of profiles of recent athletic scholarship signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Enterprise State Community College women’s basketball coach Charles Coles was looking for height and was doubly pleased when 5’9” Mayia Williams of Dothan High School, and 6’2” Elizabeth Wood of Luverne signed basketball scholarships with ESCC recently.

“A basketball team can never have too many tall players,” Cole said. “We’ve not had much height in recent years so signing these two players goes a long way in filling a definite need.”

Williams and Wood also filled a need when they became scholar/athletes at ESCC.

“I chose this school because I think it’s a decent school and location,” Williams, who hasn’t declared a major, said. “I want to successfully finish college with good grades.”

“Sports mean dedication and commitment to me,” she said. “I did basketball and track in the ninth, 10th and 12th grades.”

Williams said singing in the choir is her hobby and admitted ribs are her favorite food. “Love and Basketball” is her choice in movies and Dave Chappelle is her favorite TV personality. Williams prefers gospel and rhythm and blues music and Maya Moore is her favorite athlete.

“I chose ESCC because it is a good school,” Wood, who has her eye set on a career in nursing, said. “My dream is that I’m a good mother and that I made a difference with my life.

“I work hard; I listen to everything; and I’m willing to learn. Sports mean everything to me. I’m very competitive and sports give me a chance to be myself.

“I was the volleyball MVP in 2007-08 and won the offensive volleyball award in 2008-09. I played volleyball for five years and played basketball four years.”

Wood, who averaged 12 points, 14 rebounds and three assists as a senior, said band, volleyball and gardening are her hobbies. Creamed corn is her favorite food, “Lords of Dogtown” is her choice in movies and “The Office” is her pick in TV shows.

Old rock is Wood’s favorite musical genre and Candice Parker is her favorite athlete.

As far as something few know about her, Wood said she is very shy and afraid of the dark.

“We are pleased to have these two scholar/athletes join our team,” Cole said. “They will need to play early and help us get off to a good start in the 2010-11 season.”

June 15, 2010-This is the seventh in a series of profiles of recent scholar/athlete signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Like many athletes at small high schools, Kirstie Ross has been a three-sport competitor for several years; unlike many such athletes, the former G.W. Long Lady Rebel is taking her abilities to the college level. Ross is among the recent basketball signees at Enterprise State Community College.

“We are delighted she decided to join us at ESCC,” said Weevil Women coach Charles Cole. “We are always looking for local players who have done well in the classroom and on the basketball court. Our players are scholars first, athletes second.”

Ross, a math education major, averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists as the Rebel point guard.

“She knows how to play the game, has a good work ethic and a good attitude,” Cole said.

“I chose ESCC because it is a good college and is close to home,” Ross said. “My career plans are to become a math teacher and coach.

“My dream is to be a good teacher and a successful coach. When I retire, I would like to be able to say I had impacted my students’ and players’ lives in a positive way.”

The collegiate point guard is a leadership role, a situation Ross learned both on and off the basketball court.

“I am the oldest of five kids,” she said. “I am goal-oriented, determined, coachable, and I work well under pressure.

“I started on the varsity volleyball team since eighth grade; I was named to the Wiregrass Athletic Conference All-Conference Team and WAC Elite Team.

“I started on the varsity basketball team since ninth grade, and was chosen WAC small-school MVP this year. I started on the varsity softball team since eighth grade. Sports, to me, model life; they teach you many life lessons.”

“Anyone who juggles all three sports and manages to make good grades is the type player we’re looking for,” Cole said. “Kirstie knows how to manage her time and that is an adjustment to college life many freshmen lack. We are expecting great things from her.”

Ross lists sports and spending time with family as her hobbies, and said peach cobbler is her favorite food. “The Guardian” is her favorite movie and “Grey’s Anatomy” is her pick in TV programs.

She listens to a variety of musical genres, said John Smoltz is her favorite athlete, and said the fact she “cleans up well” is something not everyone knows about her.

June 11 2010, This is the sixth profile of recent athletic scholarship signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Jacqueline Murphy graduated from Enterprise High School less than two weeks ago, but when she makes her first basketball practice at Enterprise State Community College, she won’t have to adjust to the Lolley Gym court.

Murphy, now an alumnus of Enterprise High School, played her home basketball games in the ESCC gym the past three years following the March 1, 2007, tornado that destroyed EHS.

“I chose ESCC because it is close to home and next season I will not have to make a drastic change due to moving,” she said.

While Murphy averaged 8.4 points per game at EHS, it was another aspect of her game that caused veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole to recruit her.

“She is a really good defensive player who hustles all over the court,” Cole said. “I’ve watched her grow up and play a lot of basketball, and I know she comes from a solid high school program. I anticipate her making a major contribution to our team early in her collegiate career.”

“I have played basketball the past 10 years,” Murphy said. “Being coached by Melissa White the past four years, I have received multiple all-tournament team awards. I have been on an area championship team, in 2009, and have also received team motivator/hustle awards and defensive and offensive awards.

“Sports mean a lot in my life. I think playing basketball or another sport keeps a person motivated and also (provides) a way to stay away from the negative things in life.”

Murphy said she is unique in one respect: “It takes a lot to bring me down,” she said.

While she is undecided upon her major field of study, Murphy does have future plans.

“I really don’t have a dream,” she said. “But I desire to live a long life and at the end look back wealthy, and say all of my hard work really did pay off.”

June 11, 2010- This is the fifth in a series of profiles of recent Enterprise State Community College athletic scholarship signees.

Nikia Powell was a three-sport athlete at Greenville High School, but at Enterprise State Community College this fall, the 5’8” forward/center will play basketball for veteran coach Charles Cole.

“We are extremely proud to have Nikia on board,” Cole said. “She has good size; she comes from a sound basketball program; and she knows how to work hard.”

“I chose ESCC because it’s a great school to me,” Powell said. “My plans are to go there for two years and transfer to Auburn University.”

“My personality is what makes me unique,” she said. “I am a hard worker both on and off the court.

“I played volleyball, softball and basketball. I played basketball and softball all four years in my high school career. I was the MVP for softball, 2008-09, and I won MVP in the area basketball tournament.

“Sports mean the world (to me). It’s like I was born to play; I play with all my heart. My dream is to play pro basketball. If I don’t make it, I want to be a hall of fame coach. When I retire I just want to say ‘I made it!’”

Powell enjoys fishing, hunting, ATV riding, shopping and playing with her niece and nephew. She favors Chinese food, and lists “Coach Carter” and “Glory Road” as her favorite movies. “The Hills” is her favorite TV show.

Powell enjoys a variety of styles of music and said Maya Moore is her favorite athlete. She also admits to enjoying watching NASCAR events.

ESCC Signee

June 8, 2010- This is the fourth in a series of profiles of recent athletic signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Diane McCalla is the kind of versatile player Enterprise State Community College women's basketball coach Charles Cole likes to see in a Weevil Women's uniform. McCalla played guard and a post position at Poinciana (Fla.) High School.

“She's 5'6” and likely to get a little taller while she's with us,” Cole said. “A successful team has to have players who are familiar with more than one position and who can go all-out in practice and in games for the sake of the team.”

McCalla, a business major, is pleased to have found a home for the next two years.

“I chose ESCC because I got another shot at doing what I love, which is basketball,” McCalla said. “I'm very energetic and am well known in my area (for that). I will always do my job, no matter how hard it is; I am a hustler.”

“College basketball is work,” Cole said. “A player is a student first here at ESCC, and an athlete second. Basketball takes a lot of time, hard work, and dedication, and it requires players to work through minor aches and pains when they don't feel like practicing.

“Being a part of college athletics is an excellent way of preparing someone for life. We feel like Diane is a player who possesses what it takes to play at this level.”

McCalla, a two-time Player of the Year, expects to succeed in college basketball.

“Sports, to me, mean the enjoyment of being part of a team and the challenge, sweat and tears that are required,” she said. “My dream is to become an entertainer and to relate to people,” she said.

McCalla averaged 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists per game in her high school career. Her hobby is playing Call of Duty 4; crab legs and shrimp are her favorite foods; “The Departed” is her favorite movie and “Family Guy” is her top TV program.

McCall enjoys rhythm and blues and hip-hop music and said Rashaad Lewis is her favorite athlete.

5/28/2010- The first of four weekly sessions of the 2010 Enterprise State Community College Baseball Camp begins Monday, June 7.

The four-day per session camp offers modern applications of proven, traditional baseball skills dating from the days when Baseball Hall of Famer John McGraw played third base for the original Baltimore Major League Baseball franchise in 1891.

Campers will be taught basic, intermediate, and advanced skills in the following areas: hitting, base running, pitching, fielding, and catching. The camp will be centered on needs for players 7-14.

Cost is $100 per player per week, but discounts are available for those who attend more than one session.

During each 8 a.m.-noon session, campers will be presented baseball methods as taught by Baseball Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby, Frankie Frisch, and Leo Durocher, and the legendary Eddie Stanky, the long-time Major League player, coach and manager under whom ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, the camp director, served as a graduate assistant at the University of South Alabama.

“Learning from Coach Stanky was a unique experience and a glimpse into baseball's past.” Hulsey said. “I developed a love for the game when I was a boy, but I really gained insight from Coach Stanky. What Stanky stressed was the complete understanding of the game and the particular position a player holds.”

Stanky played for Durocher, who played for Hornsby and Frisch, who earlier played for McGraw in the big leagues.

“It's good to able to share with today's young players the tried and true fundamentals, understanding and the lore of the game,” Hulsey said.

The ESCC Camp also offers a Team Concept for summer league and travel teams.

“All-Star season is upon us and we're available to work with the teams during the day when their coaches are working,” said camp co-director Will Hulsey. “We encourage these coaches to bring their ideas to us so we can give players what their coaches want them to get.”

Campers in both individual and team camps will get a t-shirt, video analysis, and evaluation report cards, and will be provided with age-sensitive, off-season conditioning programs.

This year's camps are dedicated to the memory of former Boll Weevil T.J. Fleming who lost his battle with cancer, at age 20, on Tuesday, May 25.

For more information, contact Tim Hulsey at 347-2623 ext. 2291 or at 447-1319.

5/26/2010- This is the third in a series of profiles of recent athletic scholarship signees at Enterprise State Community College.

Enterprise State Community College women’s basketball coach Charles Cole is hopeful Tanesha Jones continues putting up numbers like she did in her career at Ashford High School where she averaged 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

“We have to have players who can score no matter what defenses they face and Tanesha is one of those players,” Cole said. “We’re really excited about her coming to school at ESCC!”

“I chose ESCC because I see how interested they are in my basketball abilities as well as the hard work I have shown them,” the 5’8” Jones said. “The ESCC assistant coaches and head coach did not give up; they kept pushing me and encouraging me to do what I had to do so I could be part of the ESCC basketball family.

“I am a very hard-working player and student. I am very outspoken and willing to become a leader and the best player that I can be to get the team where it needs to be.

“I am a very giving person and if I want to be the best I work first then become the best. I never like having anything given to me.”

“I played basketball and volleyball and (ran) track,” Jones said. “My honors include being all-conference, all-tournament, All-WAC Player, Hustle Award, and 2009-10 MVP for volleyball, all-conference, all-tournament, All-WAC, outstanding player, Super 12, and 2008-9 MVP.”

Sports have long been an important part of the medical assistant major’s life.

“Sports mean hard work; sports require skills, practices, commitment, player leadership, encouragement, education, determination, dedication, and dependability,” she said. “Life is hard, but through all my ups and downs the Lord made a way to see me through. I wanted to give up so many times, but the Lord told me to wait just a little while longer. I have been so strong in my life through my situations and I never let those situations take over what the Lord has for me.

“They say the Lord takes people through situations for them to have something to tell the next person how the Lord brought them through the same situations they are going through. I thank the Lord, my mother, Grandmother, Granddad, and every one of the ESCC coaches and teachers – but none of this would be possible without the Lord as the head of my life.

“I would like to go to the WNBA if it is the Lord’s will for me to go and become a leader for every child that has a hard life.”

Basketball, volleyball, track and working out are Jones’ hobbies. She said chittlings are her favorite food. She likes all Denzell Washington movies and said Labron James is her favorite athlete.

5/24/2010-This is the second in a series of profiles of recent Enterprise State Community College athletic signees.

Jalisa Kincey is prepared to leave Headland High School behind to begin taking steps toward a degree in physical therapy at Enterprise State Community College, where she is a welcome addition to the women’s basketball team.

“She comes from a solid basketball program and we’re convinced she will bring that winning spirit to our team,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “She already knows that being a student/athlete requires work and dedication.”

Kincey averaged 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and six assists per game as a Lady Ram guard.

“I chose ESCC to be the foundation of my career,” Kincey said. “My personality and dedication to succeed (make me unique). I am eager and willing to learn.

“I am spontaneous and my dedication and passion for my education, and athletic skills are exuded in my everyday endeavors.”

“I played basketball for four years, and I also played softball for two years,” she said. “I was a member of the marching band for six years, and I am currently a member of HOSA, FBLA, and Key Club.

“I received the WAC All-Tournament (award) for 2005-08, and the All-Elite Tournament team 2008. I was also awarded the “Super 12” award for 2008-09.”

“Sports are a form of discipline and collaboration,” she said. “When one is active in a sport, he or she can cooperatively learn from their peers. They can learn how to get along with each other socially; they can learn sympathy and empathy of emotionally and conditioning physically. Discipline comes when respect and a pleasant attitude are exemplified.

“With my dedication and God’s grace, I will become a professional basketball player.”

The 5’6” Kincey said basketball, singing, and playing the guitar and drums are her hobbies. Chicken is her favorite food; “Love & Basketball” is her choice in movies and “House of Payne” is her top TV program.

“I have a big heart and a strong mind,” she concluded. “Whatever I think and believe, I can do!”

5/21/2010- First in a series of profiles of incoming athletes at Enterprise State Community College Ashley Holman-Seth, from Kissimmee, Fla., can play guard or post. She is 5’7” and averaged eight points, five rebounds, and three assists as a senior at Osceola High School. “A successful team must have players who can play more than one position,” said Enterprise State Community College women’s basketball coach Charles Cole. “Ashley has good size and can play the game; she is a welcome addition to our team.” “I chose ESCC because the (basketball) program is great, and I know they are going to help further me in basketball and my education,” Holman-Seth said. “I have been playing basketball since I was 7 years old, and this is definitely what I hoped my future would hold.” Sports have always been important to the Floridian. “They mean discipline, dedication, hard work, teamwork, and succeeding in the end,” Holman-Seth said. “It’s easy to recognize players who have prepared themselves to play at this level,” Cole said. “Like everyone, Ashley will have to adjust to college basketball but I feel confident she will do that and will become an important part of our team quickly.” Success for Holman-Seth won’t be confined to a gym. “I want to have my Ph.D. in sports medicine,” she said. “I want to be financially stable, and I want to be able to say I strived through a lot of hard obstacles. Giving up for me was never an option. I want to be an example of what you can do with hard work and dedication.” Holman-Speth enjoys shopping, hanging out and traveling. She said burritos are her favorite food; “Love and Basketball” is her favorite movie; and “Spongebob Squarepants” is her pick in TV programming. She prefers hip hop and R&B music and said, “Bowling is my family’s sport and if weren’t for basketball I would be bowling.”

May 9, 2010- OZARK – After losing its opening state tournament game to Marion Military Institute Saturday in a game that ended after 11 p.m., the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils avoided elimination in the Alabama Community College Baseball Tournament with an 8-6 win in a Sunday afternoon Mother's Day special that sent the Calhoun Warhawks home to Decatur.

The win gave the Weevils, 21-23, a 9 a.m. Monday date with the loser of the Shelton State vs. Northwest Shoals game; Shelton is the top-ranked team in the Northern Division.

Enterprise had to wait 90 minutes after the appointed starting time for its Saturday game, due to an extra-inning affair between Faulkner and Wallace-Hanceville, and had to wait about the same amount of time to start Sunday's outing due to the length of the Wallace-Hanceville/Wallace-Dothan game.

But the second delay didn't seem to faze the Weevils who never trailed against the 'Hawks.

The Weevils scored three runs in the top of the second inning, and were tied after Calhoun scored solo runs in the fourth fifth and sixth frames.

That's when the fireworks began for ESCC.

Catcher J. Ryan Resspies, who bats eighth in the Enterprise order, led off the seventh inning with a single. After Trey Boothe struck out, Courtney Jefferson singled. Both runners moved up when Seth Currie was retired.

Then, Xavier Randolph blasted an estimated 410-foot home run out of massive Eagle Stadium.

“It felt really good doing that in front of all the fans and the state commissioner,” Randolph said after the game. “It feels good to get another day of baseball tomorrow!”

Calhoun, though, wouldn't go away after the tape-measure homer flew over heir heads.

The 'Hawks scored a lone run in the bottom of the seventh, but lost more ground in the eighth when Junior Jones smashed a two-run homer that plated J.L. Thomason, and provided Enterprise's “pitch-by-committee” formula a little cushion.

The Weevils needed all the padding they could get as Calhoun scored a solo run in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings before heading to their team bus.

Brad Griffis, who allowed three hits and one run in relief of starter Zach Jadofsky, got the win; Justin Chambers closed and allowed four hits and two runs over two innings.

Jadofsky surrendered nine hits, three runs and struck out two in the second-lowest-scoring game in the first six games of the event.

Thomason, 2-for-3 with a walk, Jones, was 2-for-4, and Resspies, 2-for-3, were the only Weevils with multiple hits.

“It's always a good feeling to win, especially in this tournament, and in this ballpark, “said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, who had led the seven previous Weevil teams to the post-season. “But we can't celebrate long; we've got to play Monday morning before the dew gets off the ground.”

Saturday sorrow

The Weevils, after being the 10th and final tournament qualifier, looked to launch a rags-to-riches story against Marion Saturday night, but the Tigers had other ideas and claimed a 13-9 win in a game that Enterprise pitchers Will Dismukes, Griffis and Channing Ellis all struggled in keeping the camouflaged-clad cadets off the bases.

Dismukes was saddled with the loss.

Enterprise scored a run in the top of the first, but after Marion scored two in the home half, the Weevils never led again, and left the bases loaded in the ninth inning.

Currie had a pair of hits as did Zach Kles, Thomason, and Michael Harrington.

And the Enterprise State Community College baseball team is hot, red hot; the Boll Weevils have won six of their last seven games, and each of those wins had to happen for ESCC to qualify for the state tournament which begins in Ozark Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Weevils played a nine-inning, play-in game against the Southern Union Bison at Auburn University/Montgomery and claimed an 8-3 win to claim the fifth and final playoff spot in the Southern Division.

The Weevils used strong pitching, clutch hitting and decent defense – Enterprise was charged with two errors – Wednesday to earn the right to face Marion Military Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ozark’s historic Eagle Stadium, the host venue for this year’s state tournament.

Enterprise scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning and was never headed. The Weevils added two run in the bottom of the fourth and single runs in the sixth and eighth innings. Southern Union got all three of its runs in the top of the seventh off starter Justin Chambers.

Chambers and reliever Will Dismukes, who worked the last two innings, held Southern Union to five hits.

Tiring in the seventh, Chambers walked two Bison and hit the next batter to load the bases; all three runs scored on a double to centerfield.

Dismukes allowed an infield single and a single to left but struck out two batters in the eighth inning. The freshman from Autauga Academy then struck out the side in order in the ninth to preserve the win. All three Bison batters took called third strikes.

Offensively, Enterprise got but six hits, but three were home runs and another was a double.

Courtney Jefferson went 1-for-4 and had one of the homeruns; the freshman from Phenix City drove in two runs.

Michael Gomilla, who hit the first of the day’s three homers went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI’s. Catcher J. Ryan Rennspies drove in three and scored a run as he went 1-for-4 with a home run.

Michel Harrington, 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, Junior Jones, 1-for-4 with two runs scored, and Seth Currie, 1-for-4, accounted for the other ESCC hits.

“Tomorrow is another day,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, who is taking the Weevils to the state tournament for the first time since 2003, in his 24th season at Enterprise. “The guys got the job done today, but we go back to work tomorrow getting ready for Saturday.”

In addition to giving themselves a spot in the state tournament, the Weevils also claimed their 20th win of the season; Enterprise is 20-22 entering the post-season.

The state tournament is double-elimination and runs through May 13 in Eagle Stadium built in 1946, and once home to a team in the Class D Alabama-Georgia League.

“It’s a great place to play,” Hulsey said. “It’s been modernized recently and watching and playing games there has an old-time baseball feel about it.”

Ten days ago the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils faced a rough road to qualify for the state baseball tournament that begins Saturday at Eagle Stadium in Ozark.

“The guys knew they had to win five or six games to get into the tournament,” said ESCC assistant coach Will Hulsey. “They knew what they had to do…and they did it.”

The Weevils swept Jeff Davis on the road April 22 and 24, then beat Central Alabama two of the three games played at ESCC last weekend to advance to a one-game play-in game against Southern Union Community College to be played at Auburn University at Montgomery Wednesday at 4 p.m.

The winner of the game will face the No. 2 team from the Northern Conference, Marion Institute (18-9), a team ESCC swept at Marion earlier in the season.

“We plan on throwing Justin Chambers Wednesday,” Hulsey said. “He’s a freshman but he’s got nine wins this season, and that’s the most we’ve had around here in some time.”

Chattahoochee Valley, 24-3, Faulkner, 21-6, Central and Wallace-Dothan, both 15-12, have already qualified for the state tournament from the Southern Division.

Shelton, 20-4, Marion, N.W. Shoals, 16-10, Calhoun, 15-12, and Wallace-Hanceville, 14-13, are the northern qualifiers.

May 1, 2010- It took 25 innings and the better part of two days for the surging Enterprise Community College Boll Weevils to keep hopes of a playoff berth alive in the final three-game weekend series of the regular season.

The Weevils entertained the Central Alabama Trojans Friday and Saturday, battled through a rain-induced suspension of Friday's game, and came from behind in all three games, twice successfully.

A deluge caused Friday's nine-inning game to be suspended in the bottom of the sixth with Central ahead, 7-2, and the Weevils batting with two on and one out.

Enterprise failed to score that inning, but staged a major comeback and claimed a 9-8 win, which kept the Weevils (13-12) tied in conference standings with Southern Union, which defeated Wallace-Dothan (14-11) Friday.

Central Alabama fell to 14-11 in conference play with the loss, then fell to 14-12 when Enterprise again came from behind and for the second time Saturday scored the walk-off winning run in a 4-3 decision.

Meanwhile, Southern Union downed Wallace-Dothan in a three-hour game played at Wallace, leaving Wallace-Dothan, Central Alabama, Enterprise and Southern Union all temporarily tied at 14-12.

Saturday's third game on the ESCC campus was a slug-fest as both teams ran out of fresh pitchers and used every available arm to decide a 15-9 Central win.

The win gave Central Alabama a 15-13 conference record and Enterprise a 14-13 mark and a one-game playoff date against the loser of the third game between Wallace-Dothan and Southern Union zt a site and time to be determined.

Both Central and the winner of the third Wallace-Dothan Southern Union advance to the state tournament which begins Friday in Ozark's Eagle Stadium.

The winner of Enterprise's playoff game claims the fifth playoff spot in the Southern Division.

“Even though we lost the third game, anybody who loves baseball had to love today's games,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey. “The kids played hard, had fun and bounced back time and again.”

Individually for the Weevils, in the first game against Central Alabama, Xavier Randolph was 4-for-5 with two RBI's; J.L. Thomason was 2-for-5 with a run scored; Zach Kles was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI; and Michael Gomilla was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Courtney Jefferson was 1-for-3 with two RBI's and a walk; Seth Currie was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored; Junior Jones was 1-for-4 with two runs scored; Michael Harrington was 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI's; and J. Ryan Rennspies was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

Harrington got the game-winning hit.

Zach Jadofsky was the winning pitcher.

In the second game, Jones was 1-for-2; Jefferson was 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored; Currie was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI; Randolph was 1-for-3; Thomason was 1-for-3 with a run scored; Rennspies was 1-for-3 with an RBI; Kles had an RBI; and Gomilla had a run scored.

Justin Chambers was the winning pitcher.

The winning run scored off a bad throw by Central's pitcher who'd cleanly fielded a Weevil bunt.

In the third game, Trey Boothe was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored; Kles was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI; and Harrington was 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Thomason was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI's; and Jones was 1-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored, three RBI's and was hit by a pitch.

Currie was 1-for-5 with a run scored m an RBI, and a walk.

Channing Ellis was the losing pitcher.

April 28, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils returned to Brewton Tuesday to complete the final two games of a three-game conference series with Jeff Davis.

After Thursday's win in the series' opener, the Weevils played with one purpose in mind Tuesday: win and get in...in the playoffs.

Enterprise did what it needed to do, winning Tuesday's first game, 10-4, with Justin Chambers notching the victory.

Courtney Jefferson was 3-for-5 with three doubles; Xavier Randolph was 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI's; and J.L. Thomason went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBI's.

Zach Kles was 3-for-5 with a triple, a double and four RBI’s; Michael Harrington was 2-for-5; Seth Currie was 2-for-5 with a double; and Junior Jones had a double and an RBI.

Only three Weevils had multiple hits in the 9-1 nightcap win, but they were timely and for extra bases.

Currie was 3-for-5 with a double; Jefferson was 2-for-4 with a home run; and Jones was 2-for-2 with a home run.

Michael Gomilla was 1-for-3 with a homer; Thomason was 1-for-4 with a double; and Kles was 1-for-4.

The sweep left the Weevils in the thick of the post-season race as both Enterprise and Southern Union enter the final weekend of conference play with 12-12 conference records.

Chattahoochee Valley leads the conference with a 22-2 record. Faulkner, 20-4, is second; Central Alabama and Wallace-Dothan are tied for third at 14-10.

The top five teams qualify for the state tournament which will be played in Ozark’s Eagle Stadium.

“We need to do one better than Southern Union this week,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey.

Enterprise hosts Central Alabama while Southern Union tangles with Wallace-Dothan at Napier Field.

The Weevils and Trojans take the field Friday at 1 p.m. for a nine-inning game. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at noon on the ESCC field.

News for the Weevil Women's softball team was glum Monday in Bay Minette against the Faulkner State Lady Sun Chiefs.

“We lost the first game, 6-0, and the second, 5-3,” said veteran ESCC coach King Jones.

“We only had one hit in first game,” Jones said. “Savannah Kirkland had the hit, and she also pitched the game, with Desiree Bridges closing.”

“Jordyn Taylor pitched the second game and had two hits,” Jones said. “Courtney Lollar, Adrienne Bradley, Kirkland, Rachael Fowler, and Amanda Hines all had a hit in the second game.”

April 22, 2010- So far, so good!

Likely needing to win their final six conference games to get into the playoffs, the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils took a step in the right direction at Jeff Davis Thursday.

After leading most of the regulation game, the Weevils had to go to extra innings before winning, 3-2, in 13 innings

Enterprise starter Will Dismukes pitched the first eight innings for ESCC.

“Dismukes pitched well and only allowed one run,” said Enterprise coach Tim Hulsey. “Then we brought in Zach Jadofsky, who pitched the ninth through 12th innings and only allowed a run.”

In the top of the 13th stanza, J. Ryan Resspies, 1-for-5, hit a solo home run for the game's final score.

Enterprise sent Justin Chambers to the mound for the 13th and what proved to be the final inning as the Weevils held on for the win.

“The guys know what they've got to do to get into the playoffs and today they did it,” assistant coach Will Hulsey said. “We pitched well and got the hits we needed to win.”

Trey Boothe and Seth Currie were 2-for-5; Junior Jones was 2-for-6 with an RBI, and Michael Gomilla, Xavier Randolph, and Zach Kles all went 1-for-5. Kles had a ground-rule double.

“We've gotta keep playing and winning,” Will Hulsey said. “It's out there for us; we just have to go get it.”

The Weevils return to Brewton for a doubleheader Saturday. The first game is set for a noon first pitch.

ESCC Baseball

Matters didn't go the way of the visiting Enterprise State Community Boll Weevils Thursday at Chattahoochee Valley as the home team scored seven runs off starter Will Dismukes in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 13-3, mercy-rule game.

Dismukes worked four innings and was replaced by Channing Ellis who went the rest of the way in the seven-inning game. Combined, the duo walked nine, hit four and struck out six.

“We just couldn't throw strikes today and when you're playing a team that's 18-1 in conference games, that won't get the job done,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey. “And when you have six hits and 10 strikeouts against a pitcher who's already signed with Auburn University for next year, you're not going to win.”

Xavier Randolph's home run was the offensive highlight for the Weevils. Junior Jones and Zach Kles had doubles but there was little else to cheer about for the visitors who have to return to Phenix City Saturday for a doubleheader against the state's top team.

“We almost have to win one of the two games Saturday if we plan to get into the playoffs,” Hulsey said. “If we don't, we'll have to win six straight games to end the regular season to get in, and that's not an easy thing to do.”

The old saying has it that “you win some, you lose some and some are rained out..”

That held true recently for the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women, but just not in that order; the Weevils had two games rained out Thursday, won two on Friday and lost two on Sunday.

The wins came at Bishop State in Mobile.

Enterprise won the first game, 7-0, with Jordyn Taylor on the mound. She allowed two hits, walked two and struck out six in a complete-game effort.

Offensively, Heather Norwood went 2-for 3, with a double, and a run scored. Savannah Kirkland was 2-for-4 with an RBI; Mercedes Sanders was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI; Kristi Garlock was 1-for-1; Rachael Fowler was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI; and Courtney Lollar was 1-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of runs batted in.

“We hit the ball well in the first game, and also in the second,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “And we got good pitching in both games and we won on the road so that's all good.”

Desarae Bridges got the complete game, 6-3, win in Friday's nightcap. She allowed 11 hits but only three earned runs, walked one and struck out one.

Lollar was 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI; Kirkland was 3-for-4 with a run scored; Garlock was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a pair of RBI's; Adrienne Bradley was 2-for-4; Fowler was 1-for-3 with a run scored; and Morgan Musick and Sanders were 1-for-4 with a run scored each.

Then came Sunday at the ESCC ballpark with Alabama Southern as the opponent; the visitors swept the doubleheader, 4-1, 5-2.

Bridges went the distance in the opener and despite allowing but six hits and four runs while striking out one and walking one, Enterprise bats had cooled off since Friday resulting in the loss.

ESCC got some hits but didn't cluster them as Bradley led the charge with a 3-for-3 performance that saw her drive in a run.

Fowler had a double and went 1-for-3, and Norwood and Kirkland also went 1-for-3. Lollar and Taylor were 1-for-4. Taylor scored the lone ESCC run.

Taylor went the distance in Sunday's nightcap, surrendering eight hits, two of which were home runs, four earned runs, and four walks, while striking out one.

Fowler had a double and scored a run in a 2-for-3 performance; Bradley was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Norwood went 1-for-3 with two RBI's, and a double; Hines was 1-for-3; and Lollar and Kirkland were 1-for-4.

“We didn't get timely hits Sunday,” Jones said. “and Alabama Southern made us pay for it.”

The Weevils have a busy week, making up rain-outs plus two scheduled dates. Enterprise hosts Bishop Friday, plays at L.B. Wallace Sunday, and at Wallace-Dothan Monday, April 19.

The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils and the visiting Alabama Southern Eagles played 14 innings of baseball over two games Saturday on an ideal afternoon for the Weevils.

“These kids can play the game and when teams get pitching like we got today, they win,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey of complete-game performances by Justin Chambers and Brad Griffis.

Chambers, a right-handed freshman, scattered five hits and struck out five in a nine-inning masterpiece Enterprise won, 9-1.

Not to be outdone, freshman southpaw Griffis allowed but two hits in a 17-0, five-inning classic nightcap in which the Weevils played as close to perfect baseball as can be played.

Griffis struck out four and walked one.

Eagle pitchers, on the other hand, didn't stand a chance Saturday; Enterprise got 16 hits and suffered but three strikeouts in the first game, while beginning a day that saw the Weevils put up some interesting numbers besides final scores.

First baseman Xavier Randolph went 3-for-5, homered, scored two runs, and drove in two, and designated hitter J.L. Thomason also went 3-for-5 and had a double and an RBI to lead the opening-game charge.

Eight of the nine Weevil batters in the opening line-up had hits, and the one who didn't, shortstop and lead-off hitter Junior Jones, had a sacrifice and an RBI.

Elsewhere through the batting order, Seth Currie was 2-for-4, with a stolen base, an RBI, and a run scored; catcher J. Ryan Resspies, who was hit by a pitch, was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and an RBI; and right fielder Michael Gomilla, who was also hit by a pitch, went 2-for-3, stole a base and scored a run.

Zach Kles was 2-for-5; Courtney Jefferson was 1-for-4 with a run scored; and Michael Harrington was 1-for-5 with two runs scored.

The weevils scored one run in the second, five in the fourth and one each in the fifth, sixth and eighth. Alabama Southern scored its only run of the day in the top of the ninth.

Junior Jones didn't go hitless in the second game; the shortstop went 3-for-4, with a home run, three RBI's, and four runs scored to lead the 11-hit, nine-walk Weevil attack.

Jefferson was 2-for-3, with a run scored and two driven in; Kles was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored; and Randolph was 1-for-1, with a sacrifice, a walk, two runs scored, and he was hit by a pitch..

Currie was 1-for-2, with two walks and three runs scored; Harrington was 1-for-3, with a double, three runs driven in, and one run scored; and Gomilla was 1-for-3, with a walk and a run scored.

Jake Wright didn't have an official at-bat, but drew three walks and scored twice; and Thomason went 0-for-2, but walked, was hit by a pitch, scored a run and had an RBI.

Enterprise scored three runs each in the first two innings and 11 in the third.

“Days like this are really fun,” Hulsey said. “You don't get that many of them so you'd better enjoy them when they come.

“Baseball is a strange game; on Friday hits fell for Alabama Southern and not for us, but today was our day. The kids worked hard in practiced and had fun today.”

The Weevils travel to face league-leading Chattahoochee Valley on Thursday, and again on Saturday.

April 8, 2010

The visiting Alabama Southern Community College Eagles got seven Texas League singles among their 13 hits and cruised to an 11-5 win Friday to open a three-game weekend conference series against Enterprise State.

Will Dismukes was tagged with the loss; he worked 4 1/3 innings, surrendered seven hits, seven runs, walked three, struck out two, and hit one batter before being relieved by Zach Jadofsky, who went the rest of the way in the nine-inning game.

Jadofsky allowed six hits, four runs, and didn't walk or strike out an Eagle.

Ninth-place hitter Trey Boothe led the Weevils offensively with a 2-for-3 performance that included a double, a stolen base, and a run scored.

Lead-off hitter Junior Jones went 2-for-4, reached on an error, and scored a run. Xavier Randolph was 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored; designated hitter J.L. Thomason was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in, and catcher J. Ryan Rennspies was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Seth Currie was 1-for-4, including a double, with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Zach Kles added a hit and an RBI, and Michael Harrington had a double and walked.

“Our trouble was flyball outs,” said veteran ESCC coach Tim Hulsey. “We had 16 of them, several came when we had runners in scoring position.

“We left the bases loaded one inning. Lately, we tense up at critical times and that makes the difference in games.”

The Eagles and Weevils play a doubleheader Saturday with the first game set for a noon start.

Enterprise State Community College’s women’s basketball coach Charles Cole was all smiles Thursday as five players signed scholarships to become Weevil Women when the 2010-11 school year begins in August.

“We signed these young ladies because they are students first, and athletes second,” Cole said. “When they signed their scholarships, they became student/athletes in every sense. We are delighted to have each and every one of them.”

Kirstie Ross, an Ozark native now a senior at G.W. Long High School, is a 5’4” guard who averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists as a senior. She is a math education major.

Jalisa Kincey, Newville, attends Headland High School where, as a senior guard, she averaged 18.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and six assists per game. She stands 5’6” and is a physical therapy major.

“A team can never have too many quality guards,” Cole said. “Just like there has never been a baseball team with too much pitching, there’s no history of any basketball team having too many quality guards who can play the game.”

Beth Wood, a senior at Luverne High School, is a 6’2” inside player with the ability Cole feels the Weevils must have.

“Whenever a young lady that tall walks into our gym I’m going to offer her a scholarship,” Cole smiled. “And when they have talent as Beth does, it is a plus any way it’s figured.

Wood, a nursing major, averaged 12 points, 14 rebounds and three assists as a senior.

Ashley Holman-Seth, from Kissimmee, can play guard or post. She is 5’7” and averaged eight points, five rebounds, and three assists as a senior at Osceola High School. She will major in athletic training.

Dianne McCalla, a business major, is 5’6” and has played guard and post positions as well. She is a product of Poinciana High School, in Poinciana, Fla., where she averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game.

“I am excited about signing all these young ladies,” Cole said. “We have the nucleus of a team returning, but these five have the ability to come in and help us immediately. How hard they work will determine how much they play.

“We still have several scholarships to give, and I’ve seen many prospects who’d like to have one of them. But we don’t give scholarships to young women who want scholarships given to them; we award scholarships to young women who demonstrate a willingness to work to get them, and who will work to keep them.”

Miscues were the difference in winning and losing for the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils in Birmingham Tuesday; costly errors allowed Jeff State to claim a 6-3 win.

Starting ESCC pitcher Zach Jadofsky worked into the fifth inning, and after loading the bases, was replaced by Brad Griffis. Two errors and a walk later, the game was all but over for the Weevils.

“Hey, those mistakes killed us,” said veteran ESCC coach Tim Hulsey. “We hit the ball well; we got 10 hits but they weren’t enough.”

Junior Jones led the Weevils with a 2-for-4 performance and a run scored. Zach Kles went 2-for-5 and drove in a run, and J. Ryan Rennspies and Seth Currie went 1-for-3 with an RBI apiece.

Brian Steigleder, playing before his hometown crowd, was 1-for-1. Xavier Randolph, Michael Harrington, and Trey Boothe all went 1-for-4. Harrington scored a run, as did Courtney Jefferson.

Weather permitting the Weevils will host conference rival Alabama Southern Thursday at 2 p.m.

The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women found ways to lose on the road Saturday at Jeff Davis in Brewton.

Enterprise fell behind, 3-0, early in Saturday’s opener, before tying the score, 3-3, but that was as close as the Weevil Women would get to a win all day.

In the 5-3 loss in the first game, Jordan Taylor was the pitcher of record for Enterprise; Taylor allowed six hits, walked one and struck out two while pitching a complete game.

Offensively, two freshmen from Enterprise High School led the charge. Adrienne Bradley was 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Mercedes Sanders went 2-for-3, with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in.

Saturday’s nightcap wasn’t pretty as the Weevils made eight errors in an 8-0 mercy-rule loss that saw Desarae Bridges tagged with the setback. Bridges surrendered six hits, eight runs, walked one, and struck out one across five innings.

“Spring break got us again this year,” said veteran Enterprise coach King Jones. “After spring break last year we also played Jeff Davis. In both years we played our absolute worst games of the season against Jeff Davis.”

Enterprise takes to the road again Thursday at Faulkner State in Brewton. Enterprise then plays Bishop State in Mobile Saturday.

Neither game of Saturday's doubleheader between the visiting Bishop State Wildcats and the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils was a pitcher's duel.

The Weevils played catch-up baseball all afternoon and ended the day splitting the doubleheader after having won Friday's game.

After falling behind, 4-0, before they ever came to bat, Enterprise battled back for a 10-6 win in Saturday's opener.

In the nightcap, the Weevils trailed, 11-3, after the top of the fifth inning, but rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the fifth.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Bishop scored a pair of runs in the top of the seventh then held on by the skin of their teeth for a 13-12 win; Enterprise's hopes for a win were dashed when the tying run was thrown out at the plate ending the game.

Courtney Jefferson blasted a pair of two-run homers, and Justin Chambers and Zach Jadofsky all but stymied the visiting Bishop State Wildcats as the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils claimed a 9-2 win Friday afternoon to open a three-game conference series.

The game wasn't a runaway as Bishop scored a run in the third and another in the fourth before Jefferson's first four-bagger, to right center, knotted the score in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Weevils scored two more runs in the sixth, one in the seventh, and four in the eighth to ice the game.

Meanwhile, Chambers pitched eight complete innings, allowed eight hits, walked two and struck out four before Jadofsky came on in the ninth and retired the Wildcats in short order.

Jefferson had a perfect day at the plate. Besides the two home runs he also had a single and drew a walk, and ended the day with four RBI's and three runs scored.

Junior Jones was 1-for-3 and also had a walk. Jones stole a base, scored twice and reached on a Bishop error.

Seth Currie was 2-for-4 with three RBI's and also reached on a fielder's choice. Michael Harrington was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Xavier Randolph was 1-for-4 with a run scored; and J. Ryan Rennspies was 1-for-3, hit by a pitch and scored two runs.

Enterprise and Bishop play a Saturday doubleheader with action beginning at noon on the ESCC campus.

March 23, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils tuned up for this weekend's critical three-game conference series at Wallace-Dothan by downing visiting L.B. Wallace, 9-6, Tuesday afternoon.

Southpaw Brad Griffis, a freshman from MacClenny, Fla., got the win for scattering eight hits across six innings in which he allowed one run and struck out four.

Enterprise never trailed; the Weevils scored a run in the first, two more in the third, four in the fourth, and one each in the sixth and eighth innings.

After scoring one run in the top of the sixth, the Saints did most of their damage in the seventh when they plated five runs, four of which came off Jeff Smith, a freshman right-hander from Leeds, who failed to get an out, and was relieved by sophomore Trey Boothe, who surrendered the final LBW run in the seventh.

Boothe surrendered three hits, struck out two and was victimized by an error in notching the save.

Offensively, Joey Jones, J. Ryan Rennspies, and Courtney Jefferson were all 2-for-4; DH James Thompson was 2-for-5 with an RBI; Michael Harrington was 1-for-4 with a double, three runs scored, and two RBIs; Seth Currie was 1-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI; and Zach Kles was 1-for-5 with three RBIs.

“We have to just let them go out and play,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, now in his 24th year with the Weevils. “We're playing a lot of young kids and they're going to make mistakes. They've made most of our games interesting so far.”

There is a three-way tie at the top of the Southern Division with Chattahoochee Valley, Wallace-Dothan and Faulkner State sporting 8-1 conference records.

Southern Union, 6-3 is in fourth place; Central Alabama and Enterprise are tied for fifth at 5-4; Jeff Davis is 3-6; Alabama Southern and Bishop are 1-8; and Wallace-Selma is 0-9 entering the weekend in March.

“We've got a lot of work ahead of us but if the guys will stay in the moment, we can do OK,” Hulsey said.

March 22, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils lost two close games at Faulkner State over the weekend but managed to win a third close outing to avoid being swept by the Sun Chiefs.

Friday, ESCC managed seven hits in a 5-2 loss to open the conference series. Shane Adkinson was tagged with the loss; he worked five innings, allowed seven hits and struck out two.

Matt Jadofsky worked the final three innings.

Offensively, Michael Harrington was 3-for-3 with a home run; Michael Gomilla was 2-for-4; Xavier Randolph was 1-for-2; and Zach Kles was 1-4. Faulkner pitchers struck out 15 Weevils.

Saturday's first game was the heart-breaker in the series as the Chiefs rallied to tie the score in the ninth inning then got the win in the 10th when the winning run scored on a two-out, bases-loaded walk.

Channing Ellis, who pitched the final 52/3s innings, got the loss in relief of starter Will Dismukes. Ellis walked five while Dismukes issued four bases-on-balls.

Offensively, Courtney Jefferson was 2-for-4; Harrington was 2-for-4 with a four-bagger and a triple; Jake Wright went 2-for-3; and J. Ryan Rennspies was 1-for-5 with a double.

Saturday's nightcap saw the Weevils escape town with a 6-5 decision. Justin Chambers got the win and Brad Griffis got the save.

Kles was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs; Wright was 2-for-4 with two runs driven in; Jefferson and Ryan Johnson were both 1-for-3.

The Weevils host L.B. Wallace Tuesday at 1 p.m. and will be on the road to face Wallace-Dothan in a crucial conference series Friday and Saturday.

Thus far in the season, Kles is leading Enterprise hitters with a .451 average; the Georgia sophomore has 32 hits in 71 at-bats and has hit six home runs and seven doubles.

Randolph is hitting .362 and has four round-trippers.

Center fielder Seth Currie has a .329 average; Harrington is close behind at .328; James Thomason is hitting.310; and Jefferson is at .304 to lead the regulars.

Wright is hitting .429 in 21 plate appearances.

Chambers leads the pitchers with a 4-2 record. Dismukes is 3-1 and Adkinson is 1-2.

Basketball players named

Two ESCC Weevil Women were recently named to all-star teams.

Kendra McKinney, a sophomore from Daleville, was named First Team All-Region and First Team All Southern Division.

In 15 games in the 2009-10 season, McKinney averaged 13.67 points, good enough for seventh in the state and fourth in the Southern Division.

McKinney led the region and conference in field goal percentage, .842, and free throw percentage, .900. She also had had 3.1 rebounds and one steal per game.

Kiara Henderson, from Opp, averaged 10.37 points per game, which ranked 13th in the Southern Division and 22nd in Region 22, which is the state of Alabama.

ESCC Baseball

March 16, 2010 - Friday’s baseball game against Enterprise State Community College was a big one for Southern Union as the Bison’s new $4 million dollar stadium was dedicated on the Wadley campus; Southern Union won, 7-3.

Enterprise took an early 2-0 lead but couldn’t hold it and in the process lost its first conference game of the season after sweeping Wallace-Selma the previous week.

Justin Chambers, a freshman from Chipley, Fla., was tagged with the loss.

Leading the Boll Weevil attack were Xavier Randolph, 1-for-3 with a home run; Seth Currie, 3-for-4; Zach Kles, 2-for-4; and Jr. Jones, 1-for-3. Michael Harrington also had a hit in the loss.

The Weevils evened the series in Saturday’s first game as Enterprise bats came alive in an 8-3 win. Freshman Will Dismukes went six innings and got the win.

Currie went 2-for-3; Jones, James Thomason, and Courtney Jefferson were 2-for-5; Kles was 1-for-5 with a home run; Trey Boothe was 1-for-3; and Michael Harrington was 1-for-4. Randolph, who was 6-for-8 in the series, also had a hit in the victory.

Close didn’t count in Saturday’s nightcap and Bison pitching cooled even the hottest Enterprise bats; Southern Union won, 8-7, with southpaw Brad Griffis taking the loss for ESCC.

“We got decent pitching all weekend,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, now in his 24th season at ESCC. “They had good pitching, too, and we played three good games.”

Enterprise again broke out on top early but couldn’t hold the lead.

Kles, 1-for-3, had a three-run triple with two outs; Currie was 1-for-3; and Jefferson was 1-for-3 with a home run.

The Weevils, 7-8-1 overall, and 4-2 in conference games, travel to Faulkner State for a three-game conference series beginning Friday.

Enterprise will next play at home Tuesday, March 23, against L.B. Wallace.

ESCC Softball

March 12, 2010 - A first-inning deluge set the tone for Friday's conference match-up between the visiting Lady Govs of Wallace Community College and the Enterprise State Weevil Women.

The deluge wasn't rain from threatening skies; it was an outbreak of Wallace hits.

Threes grew on trees or rather in those trees beyond the outfield fence in the first game as three-run home runs in the first and fourth innings, and a two-run shot and another run in the third gave the Govs a 9-0, mercy-rule, five-inning win.

Desarae Bridges was tagged with those loss

While Wallace is a long-ball team, the youthful Weevils are a slap and dash squad that relies on ground balls to the opposite field, bunts, and speed to generate runs.

Friday, Dothan pitchers baffled ESCC hitters and impressive defense made matters even worse for the Weevils all day; Wallace won the nightcap, 1-0 with Jordyn Taylor taking the loss for Enterprise.

Savannah Kirkland, one of only four sophomores on the ESCC squad, was 1-for-2 at the plate in the first game, as were Kristi Garlock and Amanda Hines. Taylor was 1-for-1 and was hit by a pitch.

Enterprise native Mercedes Sanders was 2-for-3 in the nightcap. Kirkland, Adrienne Bradley, Garlock, and Hines were all 1-for-3.

“Hitting. We've got to work more on our hitting,” said veteran ESCC coach King Jones as he strode toward the post-game right field huddle with a bucket of softballs in his hand.

The Weevils, 0-4 in conference games, travel to Monroeville to face Alabama Southern Sunday.

March 10, 2010- Twelve seniors from eight high schools in three states signed softball scholarships in ceremonies held at Enterprise State Community College Wednesday morning.

Two Enterprise High School seniors, Hannah Martin and Terra Rasmussen, were joined by three Kinston Lady Bulldogs – Amanda Crohn, Whitney Hercus, and Latasha Jones – and by players from Ariton, Skipperville, Slocomb, Eufaula, Panama City, Fla., and LaGrange, Ga., who are scheduled to play for King Jones beginning in August.

“Our 2009 team members made a strong statement about the ESCC softball team with their skills and enthusiasm,” Jones said. “They had a good season and made it to the state (tournament) for the fourth consecutive year by winning against some very strong teams.

“The 12 players that are signing today – nine outfielders/catchers/utility players, two pitcher/infielders, and one pitcher/outfielder will make the team stronger. These girls represent the softball future of Enterprise State Community College for the next couple of years.”

Martin is a an outfielder/catcher for Coach Ben Thompson at Enterprise High.

“She brings a lot of tools to the game,” Jones said. “She was a .340 hitter in 2009; she has some serious pop in her bat; and she stole 24 bases a season ago.”

Rasmussen is a pitcher/outfielder for the Lady Wildcats of EHS.

“She is undoubtedly going to be a dominating pitcher even as a freshman,” Jones said. “(And) over the last two years she has consistently hit over .300 and has had 10 homeruns. She has hit seven home runs already this season and has a batting average over .500.”

“I'm proud of both these players and I know they will continue improving the rest of their senior season with us and again at ESCC,” said Thompson, a former Boll Weevil pitcher. “This is a big day in their lives and I couldn't be any happier for them.”

The trio of Kinston Lady Bulldogs is expected to come in and compete quickly. All three were on the KHS state championship team in 2007.

Crohn, an outfielder, was an All-State selection a year ago. She's also won the Hustle Award and Most Improved Player Award at Kinston.

Hercus, an outfielder/third baseman, is a proven clutch hitter who carries a better than .300 average. Jones is an infielder who has led Kinston in RBIs each of the past four seasons. She was an All-State performer in 2007.

“We're really looking forward to having these players with us next season,” Jones said.

Slocomb pitcher/infielder Lacy Williams had a 14-1 record with a save and a 2.41 ERA last season. In 2009, she hit .418 and had a .426 on-base-percentage. She was an All-State selection last season.

Ariton Lady Purple Cat Ciara Baker hit .406 as a junior infielder/outfielder. She won the Outstanding Hitter award the past two seasons.

Infielder/pitcher Kaylie Pierce attends G.W. Long High School. She is a switch-hitter who compiled a .454 batting average and a .599 on-base-percentage as a junior Lady Rebel. She is 4'11” and, Jones said, “adds meaning to the term 'dynamite” (that) comes in small packages.”

Infielder/catcher Jessica Richards, from Eufaula, carries a .300 batting average with some serious pop in her bat, Jones said. She's been a varsity player at the 5A school since eighth grade.

Two seniors at Mosley High School in Panama City will join the 2010-11 Weevils.

Michelle Quesenberry, an outfielder, and Candyce Hill, a pitcher/infielder, are welcome additions to the ESCC team.

Quesenberry has a .300 batting average and was All-County the past two seasons. Hill has pitched for seven years and played third base for three. She carries a .360-plus batting average and has power to all fields.

Infielder Carrie Harper, from Troup High School in LaGrange, is a multiple award-winner who had a .576 average in 2008, and hit .498 last year. She has power and in the past two seasons combined, she had 14 doubles, 15 doubles, and four homeruns. She also had 36 career steals as an underclassman.

“These girls have played travel ball for several years,” Jones said. “We are really excited to have them join us. They will add excitement to out team the next two seasons.”

March 9, 2010- The Enterprise Community College Weevil Women split a doubleheader with the visiting Lady Saints of Lurleen B. Wallace in Enterprise Tuesday, and will host conference rival Wallace-Dothan Friday.

Tuesday's split has no bearing on conference standings since L.B. Wallace dropped to Division 2 a couple of seasons ago.

The Saints broke out on top early in the first game off ESCC starter Savannah Kirkland, and added to its 3-0 lead midway through the seven-inning, 7-0, Wallace victory. The visitors had two unearned runs.

Kirkland helped her cause with a 2-for-4 plate performance, and teammate Courtney Lollar matched it. Adrienne Bradley and Amanda Hines were both 1-for-3.

“It's pitching,” said veteran ESCC coach King Jones. “You have to get good pitching or you'll get beat in this league. LBW got good pitching in this game and we didn't. And we're not going to win any games when we don't score.”

Turnabout proved to be fair play for the Weevils in the nightcap as Desarae Bridges went the distance in a 7-3 Enterprise win.

ESCC scored two runs in the first inning, one each in the second and third frames, and three in the bottom of the fifth off Enterprise native Kayla Beth Logsdon.

Bradley was 3-for-3 and reached on an error to lead Enterprise. Morgan Musick was 2-for-4 with a run scored; Heather Norwood was 1-for-4 with an RBI; and Kayla Garlock had an RBI as did Racheal Fowler.

The Weevils and Lady Governors are set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on the ESCC field Friday.

March 6, 2010 - The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils weren't content with a 10-run victory against the visiting Wallace-Selma Patriots Friday; the Weevils came out smoking again Saturday and swept a doubleheader, 8-7, 11-0, to improve to 3-0 in conference games, 6-6-1 overall.

Enterprise got 10 hits in Saturday's first game with lead-off hitter Seth Currie setting the pace with a 3-for-5 performance and three runs scored. Currie is a sophomore outfielder from Pensacola, Fla.

Zach Kles,a sophomore third baseman in his first year at ESCC, was 2-for-4 with a run scored; Trey Boothe was 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored; shortstop Junior Jones, who made an electrifying leaping catch and turned it into a double play, was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored; James Thomason was 1-for-4 with a sacrifice; Ryan Johnson was 1-for-4, scored a run and reached on an error; and Michael Gomilla was 1-for-4.

Will Dismukes was the winning pitcher. Coming off a combined no-hitter in his last outing, didn't go the distance. Brad Griffis worked in relief, and Channing Ellis came on the earn a save.

Weevil bats stayed hot in the nightcap, and when combined with Shane Adkinson's four-hit pitching effort, ESCC made short order of the 11-0 game. Adkinson struck out five and walked two in the abbreviated five-inning game.

Kles, Jones and Xavier Randolph led the long-ball Enterprise attack.

Kles was 2-for-3 with a massive home run, a double and two runs scored; Jones was 2-for-3, reached on an error and scored two runs; Randolph was 1-for-2 with a homer and a sacrifice.

Boothe, 1-for-2 with a run scored, Thomason, 1-for-2 with a walk and run scored, and Courtney Jefferson, 1-for-3 with a run scored accounted for the other Weevil hits. Michael Harrington walked and scored a run in the win.

“It's nice to come out and win like this,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey, now in his 24th season at the Weevil helm. “Winning is never easy in our league, and you've got to win conference games at home to get to the playoffs.”

The Weevils travel the next two weeks, and will be at Southern Union Friday and Saturday for a three-game series.

ESCC Softball

March 6, 2010 - Opening day in the Southern Conference wasn't pleasant for the ESCC Weevil Women who were swept by the visiting Faulkner State Lady Chiefs, 8-5, 12-0.

Faulkner took an early lead in the first game but Enterprise battled back to cut the lead to 6-5 after the sixth inning. But Faulkner rallied for the win in a game that ended in the bottom of the seventh with a double play.

Desarae Bridges was saddled with the loss for her six-inning effort that saw her allow 10 hits and six earned runs. She struck out three and was victimized for three homeruns. Aleigha Goss pitched the seventh inning, allowed two hits and two runs and struck out two.

Jordyn Taylor and Morgan Musick both went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored apiece and led the ESCC offensive effort. Kayla Garlock, 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored; Heather Norwood was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored; and Courtney Lollar and Racheal Fowler were 1-for-4 and drive in a run apiece.

Taylor and Musick got the only Enterprise hits in the nightcap.

Starting pitcher Savannah Kirkland couldn't get out of the first inning in which she allowed four hits – one a homer – and five earned runs before being replaced by Goss, who went the rest of the way in the five-inning game.

ESCC will host L.B. Wallace Tuesday in another conference doubleheader. Action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

March 5, 2010 - The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils got their 2010 conference baseball season started in a big way Friday afternoon hosting Wallace Selma in the first of a three-game season.

Led by Zach Kles, who was 3-for-3 with two home runs and two runs scored, ESCC took an 11-2 win.

Kles, a sophomore from Jefferson, Ga., now has five homeruns in 11 games.

Sophomore Michael Harrington was also 3-for-3, and he scored three of Enterprise's runs.

Trey Boothe, 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored, Seth Currie, 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored, and Ryan Johnson, 1-for-3, with a walk and a run scored also reached on an error to add to the Enterprise offense.

Justin Chambers earned the win; the freshman from Chipley, Fla., allowed one earned run, struck out five, walked three, and surrendered four hits before being relieved by Zach Jadofsky, who allowed one hit.

“We gotta win the ones we gotta win,” said ESCC assistant coach Will Hulsey. “We're in conference play now and every game counts for something. If we play like we did today, we'll be OK. Our guys know what to do, so now it's a matter of doing it.”

Enterprise and Selma play a doubleheader Saturday with the first game beginning at noon at Weevil Field.

March 5, 2010 - The Wallace Community College Lady Govs broke out their bats and bunched their hits to win a non-conference doubleheader from the Enterprise State Weevil Women Thursday in Enterprise.

In the opener, Wallace scored a come-from-behind, 10-4, win.

Savannah Kirkland was the losing pitcher for ESCC; she allowed nine hits, walked three, and struck out seven before being relieved by Desarae Bridges.

Enterprise showed some firepower of its own as both Kirkland and Racheal Fowler homered. Kirkland was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two RBIs, while Fowler was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Heather Norwood was 2-for-4; Courtney Lollar was 1-for-4; and Kristi Garlock was 1-for-3.

Jordyn Taylor was the loser in the second game, an 8-5 Wallace win. Taylor pitched the complete game, allowed 15 hits, eight runs, walked three, and struck out one. She was 2-for-3 with a run scored offensively.

Lollar was 3-for-4 and scored twice in the nightcap. Fowler and Adrienne Bradley both went 1-for-4 with an RBI apiece; Kirkland was 2-for-4; and Norwood was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

“We just couldn't get the third out when we needed it most,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “We're putting eight freshmen on the field and it's typical that young teams make mistakes. We're learning, but it's a process.”

The Weevil Women return to action Saturday hosting Faulkner State at 1 p.m.

March 1, 2010 - Playing in the Gulf Coast Community College Tournament in Panama City over the weekend, the Enterprise Community College Weevil Women split a pair of games Saturday, but failed to get a win in two games on Sunday.

The Weevil Women opened with a 7-6 win against Southeast Community College, an Iowa team, Saturday, with Jordan Taylor on the mound. Taylor allowed five runs off four hits and four walks; she also struck out four.

Desiree Bridges got the win in relief; Bridges pitched three innings and allowed one run off three hits.

Offensively, Amanda Hines was 3-for-3; Christie Garlock was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI; Courtney Lollar was 2-for-4 with a run scored; Adrienne Bradley was 2-for-4 with double and two RBIs; Savannah Kirkland was 2-for-4 with three RBIs; Morgan Musick was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI; and Taylor was 1-for-2.

Enterprise next played the nation's No. 2 team, Wallace-Hanceville, almost to a standoff before losing, 2-1. Bridges took the loss for ESCC.

Rachael Fowler went 1-for-3 at the plate; Garlock and Hines were both 2-for-3; and Bridges was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

“Desarae pitched her best game, so far,” said ESCC coach King Jones. “Hanceville has a really good team and we stayed with them.”

Sunday wasn't a good day for the Weevils, Jones said.

Enterprise lost to St. Pete Junior College, 12-5, to start the day.

“We just about had more runs than hits,” Jones said.

Bridges was the losing pitcher.

Heather Norwood went 1-for-2, drove in two runs, scored twice, and drew a walk; Loller was 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI; Kirkland was 1-for-2 with an RBI; Garlock was 1-for-3, and Hines was 1-for-1 with a walk.

In ESCC's final game, Lake Land of Illinois, after having gained a split with the Weevil Women in Enterprise earlier in the week, won the rubber game, 6-1.

Kirkland was the losing pitcher but got only four hits in support of her mound efforts.

Lollar was 2-for-2 with a walk; and Mercedes Sanders and Hines were 1-for-3.

“Their pitcher was throwing gas,” Jones said. “She was really good.”

Enterprise hosts Wallace-Dothan in a non-conference game at 1 p.m. Thursday, and will open conference play at home Saturday against Faulkner State.

March 1, 2010 - The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils broke the pattern of losing in the last inning in a big way on the road in Gadsden Saturday.

After losing two games last week in the last inning, the Weevils rebounded to sweep a doubleheader Saturday, to improve to 3-6-1 on the season.

The Weevils got off the bus ready to win Saturday but couldn't have imagined what was about to happen as Will Dismukes, Channing Ellis, and Zach Jadofsky combined for a no-hitter in an 8-1 win; Gadsden's lone run came in the third inning and was the result of walks.

James Thomason, Junior Jones, J. Ryan Rennspies, and Trey Boothe had a pair of hits apiece in the victory. Seth Currie had a triple and Zach Kles and Xavier Randolph contributed hits to the Enterprise attack.

Enterprise was not done for the day.

The Weevils scored half of their 12 runs in the first inning of the nightcap and cruised to a 12-0 win.

Justin Chambers was the winning pitcher. Jones worked in relief.

Currie and Michael Gomilla had two hits each to pace ESCC. Kles and Jones drove in three runs apiece and Randolph plated four. Jake Wright and Boothe added hits to the winning effort.

The Weevils are scheduled to travel to Birmingham to face Lawson State Tuesday, weather permitting, and will be at home Friday and Saturday for a three-game conference series with Wallace-Selma.

February 26, 2010- For the second time in as many outings, the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Tuesday, the Weevils blew a three-run, ninth-inning lead against L.B. Wallace; Friday, ESCC blew a six-run lead in the ninth and fell to 1-6-1 with an 11-8 loss to the visiting Marion Tigers.

“We just aren't finishing games,” said ESCC coach Tim Hulsey. “These guys like to play, like to compete, but we're not closing games.

“We had four errors, and a couple of mental lapses in the field in the ninth inning. We walked batters and didn't challenge them with the game on the line.

“Our young pitchers are getting plenty of work early this season and facing the top quality teams we're facing, they sometimes get roughed up. Hopefully, this experience will help us when we get into conference play in early March.”

In Friday's loss, Michael Gomilla went 2-for-3 and had a pair of walks; Zach Kles went 3-for-5, with a double and three RBIs; Xavier Randolph was 2-for-5 with a double; and Jr. Jones drew a pair of walks.

Shane Adkinson was tagged with the loss in relief of starter Brad Griffis.

The Weevils boarded the team bus following the game for a junket to Gadsden State for a pair of games Saturday.

February 15, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils would have liked a win against Southern Union Monday night to avoid must-win games in their final three games in order to qualify for the post-season.

Southern Union entered the game third in conference standings with an 8-4 record while the Weevils were tied with Bishop State with 5-7 conference records.

Southern Union earned an 82-56 victory by denying Chris Blount his usual shots in the middle and Jason Silavent his customary three-point shots.

Add to that, the Weevils turned the ball over throughout the game and dug themselves a deep hole in the early going and were down, 46-26, at intermission.

“Whenever we play a good team, we have to play an almost perfect game and we didn’t do that tonight,” said ESCC coach Wesley Person. “We didn’t get the rebounds we needed and we turned the ball over too many times.”

Despite the defensive game plan on Blount Southern Union used, Blount still scored 25 points. James Lodman had 12 for Enterprise.

The Weevils travel Thursday for a conference game against L.B. Wallace in Andalusia.

February 15, 2010 - Charles Cole was shaking his head at halftime of Monday’s basketball game between Southern Union Community College and Enterprise State played in Ray Lolley Gym.

“It’s hard to believe a team can score only 24 points and be ahead at halftime of a college basketball game,” the veteran coach of the Weevil Women said. “But that’s what happened here.”

“And it’s hard to believe 10 of our points came on free throws,” Cole added. “Every game is different; every half is different, and I can’t wait to see how this one ends.”

Charles liked what he saw at the end as Enterprise held on and earned a 62-57 win that improved the team’s record to 4-7 in conference games, 11-11 overall.

“We played double defense in the second half,” Cole said. “We held Southern Union to 36 points and with all the turnovers and missed lay-ups, we held ourselves to 38. But, hey, it’s a win and we’ll take it any night.”

Kiara Henderson led ESCC with 15 points; Tylesha Brown and Kendra McKinney had 14 apiece; all McKinney’s points came in the second half.

Enterprise has three games remaining, all on the road, beginning Thursday at L.B. Wallace in Andalusia

February 13, 2010- Playing any conference opponent twice in a week is never easy when the opponent has a 10-1 conference record and is ranked second only to an undefeated team

After losing to Faulkner State Community College 80-63 in Brewton Monday, the Enterprise State Boll Weevils were looking for revenge in Ray Lolley Gym Saturday.

Since close counts in horseshoes but not basketball, all ESCC had to show at the end of Saturday’s game was a loss, a 67-63 loss.

“Our guys deserve a steak dinner and a standing ovation,” Enterprise coach Wesley Person said after the heart-breaking setback. “A crucial turnover and a shot we needed at the end but didn’t get cost us the chance to win.”

The six-man Enterprise squad trailed, 36-29, at halftime, but rallied and was down a basket, 65-63, with 7.5 seconds to play.

Chris Blount led the Weevils with 32 points. Wesley Person had 12, and Tremon Spencer had 11.

Enterprise fell to 5-8 in conference play , 9-18 overall, and will be at home against Southern Union Monday.

February 13, 2010- “For the longest I was worried that we wouldn’t score,” he said of the game that saw the Sun Chiefs open an 8-0 lead until 14:30 remained in the first half when a free throw broke the ice for ESCC.

Six minutes remained in the opening half when the Weevils cut Faulkner’s lead to 25-10.

“During that time I was also worried we’d have more turnovers than Carter’s got little liver pills,” Cole said. “We almost had more turnovers than points in the first half.”

Faulkner led, 30-19, at intermission en route to improving to 7-3 in conference game with Saturday’s 72-61 win in Ray Lolley Gym.

“We played our freshmen quite a bit and I saw good effort; we had bodies flying around like you used to see in Roller Derby matches,” Cole said. “We had nine players score and three hit double figures.

Enterprise trailed by 20 in the second half and cut the lead to 60-53, with 3:54 to play but could get no closer.

Daleville sophomore Kendra McKinney had 25 points; Opp’s Kiara Henderson had 13, and Tylesha Brown, of Brooklyn, N.Y., had 12 points.

Enterprise concludes its home season Monday against Southern Union. A 5:30 tip-off is expected.

All that and more happened to the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils as they started their 2010 baseball season over the past weekend.

Enterprise and Jeff State of Birmingham were scheduled for a three-game series Friday and Saturday, but rain forced the series to be postponed until Sunday and Monday.

In Sunday’s season-opener, the Weevils came out slugging and took a 10-4 win with Justin Chambers earning the victory.

Michael Gomilla, 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, Seth Currie, 1-for-2, Michael Harrington, 2-for-4, and J.L. Thomason, 1-for-3 with a homerun, provided the firepower.

In Sunday’s second game, the teams battled to a 7-7 tie, despite the fact the Weevils didn’t get to hit in the last inning due to darkness.

Brad Griffis started on the mound and was relieved by Zach Zadofsky. Channing Ellis closed the game for ESCC.

Currie was 1-for-3; Junior Jones was 1-for-2, and Zach Kles was 1-for-2 with a homer in the nightcap.

Thomason provided a double and a homerun in three at-bats; Xavier Randolph was 3-for-4, Currie was 2-for-5, and Jones was 1-for-4. Kles scored one of the two Enterprise runs.

Wednesday, the Weevils travel to Dothan’s West Gate Park for a non-conference battle with the Wallace Govs at 2 p.m.

“It ended up that way but could have been worse,” first-year ESCC coach Wesley Person said. “They had a couple of good big men inside and some decent guards; we were no match for them.”

The 2010 Weevils might be best described as “The Seven Dwarfs” as night after night they face teams with more than two reserves on the bench, and teams with bigger men at every position on the court.

“This was a wake-up call for us,” Person said. “It was a rude awakening.”

Chris Blount had 38 points to lead ESCC and Jason Silavent had 13 points that included four 3-point baskets.

Person, who played at Auburn University and then spent more than a decade in the NBA, said some good will come from Thursday’s game.

“It’s a measuring stick,” Person said. “We now know what we have to do to get to the next level, the level where Faulkner and Alabama Southern are now.”

Enterprise, now fifth in conference standings takes its next step Monday, on the road to Mobile to play the No. 6-ranked Bishop State, 4-7.

The Weevils travel to Monroeville to face Alabama Southern Thursday and will be home against Faulkner.

Or at least it didn't in Bay Minette Thursday when the Faulkner State Lady Sun Chiefs came from behind to register a 74-63 victory against the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women.

“We had the best start I can remember us having,” said veteran ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We broke out to an 18-point lead in the first half, but Faulkner came back and led by two points at intermission.

“We just couldn't handle them in the second twenty minutes and that's all there was to it.”

Kendra McKinney netted 21 points and was the only Enterprise player in double digits.

“We don't score when we don't shoot,” Cole said. “Some of our players were tentative at times, and against a good team like Faulkner, that's the recipe for disaster.”

Faulkner improved to 6-2 in conference games and is second in the Southern Division to Alabama Southern, 7-1, entering Thursday's games.

Enterprise fell to 3-4 in conference games, 10-8 overall, and despite the loss, held onto possession of third place.

Febraury 4, 2010- Fresh off an opening-day split at home, the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women hit the road Saturday for a rematch with Andrew College, their opening day opponent, in Cuthbert, Ga.

Jordyn Taylor, a freshman from Rehobeth, who pitched a three-hit shutout to win the first game against Andrew College last weekend, and sophomore Savannah Kirkland, also of Rehobeth, who took the loss in the second game, head the 2010 mound corps that also includes freshmen hurlers Desarae Bridges, who played at Ashford Academy; Aleigha Christyn Gross, who played at Ashford High; and Kristen Lee Brand, of Foley, who also plays in the outfield.

Other sophomores on this year’s team are: Kristi and Kayla Garlock, of Greenville, who both split time between the infield and outfield; and Hannah Haynes, of Wellborn High School, who splits time between second base and the outfield.

The additional 2010 freshmen are: Mercedes Sanders, third base/catcher, from Enterprise; Morgan Musick, Lakeside School, outfield; Adrienne Bradley, Enterprise, catcher; Heather Norwood, Satsuma High, shortstop; Courtney Lollar, Satsuma High, outfield/infield; Jordan Corban and Amanda Hines, both of Foley, outfield; and Racheal Suzann Fowler, Chipley, Fla., infield.

Aaron Curenton, Enterprise; Clay Stewart, Rehobeth; and Don Dwain Rhoades, Kinston, are this year’s managers.

In the second half of the doubleheader, Norwood went 2-for-3 with a double; Bradley was 1-for-3 with a homerun; Kirkland went 1-for-3 with a double; Lollar went 1-for-2; and Musick and Fowler both went 1-for-3.

Note: Opening day for the ESCC baseball team, due to inclement weather, has been changed to Sunday against Jeff State. The teams will conclude their three-day series Monday.

February 2, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women are accustomed to winning far more softball games than they lose, and in the process, earning post-season playoff berths.

But Enterprise is also used to having more than three sophomores on the diamond.

“We’re playing seven to eight freshmen this season,” said veteran ESCC coach King Jones.

Enterprise lost three key players mere days before the start of the 2010 season. Gone from the team are the starting shortstop, second baseman and center fielder.

“We only have players for two years anyway, but it’s tough to lose three key, starting players right before the season,” Jones said. “They were our fastest players and all three had decent batting averages.”

Despite the loss of players, the Weevils opened their season Sunday against visiting Andrew College and managed to split a doubleheader.

The Weevils won the first game, 2-0, as Jordan Taylor struck out eight en route to the win. Enterprise lost the second game, 9-2, with Savannah Kirkland taking the loss.

“We actually had more hits in the second game than we did in the first,” Jones said. “We had to manufacture our runs in the opener. Andrew College is much improved over previous years.”

Enterprise and Andrew meet again Saturday in Cuthbert, Ga. Doubleheader action is slated for a 1 p.m. start.

February 2, 2010- As has been the case in almost a quarter century at the helm of the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils, Tim Hulsey is looking for the ESCC pitching staff to again set the table for the baseball team's success.

The 2010 Weevils return some experienced sophomores to the mound. Included are Zach Jadofsky, of Chipley, Fla., and Enterprise's Shane Adkinson, a right-hander, the only pure pitchers in the sophomore class.

Other Weevil sophomores will split time between the mound and other positions. These multi-position, second-year performers include: Michael Harrington of Panama City, who also plays second base; and Jerome Jones Jr., of Tallahassee, Fla., who normally starts at shortstop.

Freshmen contending for mound time include: southpaw Courtney Jefferson, of Phenix City; lefty Brad Griffis of MacClenny, Fla.; and Justin Chambers, right-hander, Chipley.

Freshmen pitchers who'll serve dual duty are: middle infielder Brett West, of Enterprise; Channing Ellis, outfield, of Tallassee; Aaron Dampier, first base/third base, Gainesville, Fla.; and Will Dismukes, of Millbrook.

Sophomore position players set for this week's opening day are: infielders Zach Kles, Jefferson, Ga., third base; Xavier Randolph, Griffin, Ga., first base; Ryan Johnson, Enterprise, first/third base; and Trey Boothe, Citronelle, who also plays the infield corner positions.

Freshmen infielders are: Brett Bowers, Phenix City, who may also play outfield; Jeffery Smith, Leeds, third base; Jake Jadofsky, Chipley, first base; Laramie Dryden, Marianna, Fla., second base; and Curtis Pryor, Ozark, third base/first base.

Sophomore J. Ryan Rennspies, Cantonment, Fla., provides experience at catcher while freshmen behind the plate this season are: Cody Weems of Opelika; Jake Wright, Freeport, Fla.; Alex Garcia, Enterprise; and Birmingham’s Brian Steigleder, who also plays first base.

Veteran outfielders are: Seth Currie, Pensacola; James Thomason, Holt, Fla.; and Matt Gomilla, Panama City.

The Weevils open the season Friday at home entertaining Jeff State at noon. The teams also play Saturday at noon.

January 29, 2010- The Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils improved their conference record to 4-4 Thursday night with an 80-75 win against Jeff Davis Community College in a game played in Brewton.

“It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win and I’ll take it,” said first-year Weevil coach Wesley Person. “Anytime you win on the road in any league is special.”

Enterprise, with only 6-7 players eligible for play in January, improved to 8-16 overall.

Chris Blount led the Weevils with 20 points and seven rebounds. Wesley Ware had 18 points and eight rebounds; James Lodman had 17 points and seven rebounds; and Jason Silavent added 11 points for the winners.

Monday’s home game against Faulkner State has been rescheduled for Feb. 13, but the two teams will meet Thursday in Bay Minette.

January 21, 2010-Now that he has seven able-bodied players with a will to compete, Enterprise State Community College men’s basketball coach Wesley Person has enjoyed not having to come from behind by 16-18 points in this week’s two games.
Thursday, the Weevils were tied by Chattahoochee Valley, 35-35, by two free throws after time had run out in the first half, and led most of the way until the 8:02 mark when CVCC took the lead, 51-50, en route to a 72-66 win.
Enterprise clawed back and was within a basket with under a minute to play when an unforced turnover gave Chattahoochee the break it needed for the win.
“It was the case of a turnover making a difference and the loss of focus making the difference,” Person said of the loss that dropped ESCC to 2-4 in conference play.
All seven Weevils played and six scored in the homecoming loss. Cary Foster and Tremon Spencer scored 18 points apiece to lead ESCC. James Lodman had 12 points and Jason Silavent had 11 for Enterprise.
The Weevils host Wallace-Selma Monday with a 7 p.m. tip-off set.

January 21, 2010-“I was beginning to think we were getting ready for the dance way too soon late in the first half,” said Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women’s basketball coach Charles Cole. “We just couldn’t score until just before intermission.”
Enterprise was tied, 16-16, with Chattahoochee Valley with nine minutes to play in the first half of its homecoming game, but trailed 41-27, at halftime.
The final 20 minutes of the 84-78 ESCC win, however, belonged to the Weevils, who tied the score, 41-41, with 16:53 to play, and kept gaining ground.
“No. 33 was the key,” Cole said of freshman Latrecia Lymon who had a hot hand and scored her 14 points midway through the second half. “She was on fire. I challenged her yesterday and she responded well.
“We got a lot of put-back baskets and we rebounded on their end of the court and that made the difference.”
Kendra McKinney had 25 points; Kiara Henderson and Tylesha Brown had 14 points apiece; and Kiara Henderson had 12 in the win.
The victory gave the Weevils a 2-2 conference record and brought their overall mark to 7-9.
Enterprise hosts Wallace Selma Monday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

January 19, 2010- Hard work in practice paid off for the Enterprise State Community College Boll Weevils Tuesday as they defeated the visiting L.B. Wallace Saints, 65-57.
“It was defense, rebounding, and a positive attitude that made the difference,” said first-year ESCC coach Wesley Person. “I’ve kept telling the guys to stay positive and to finish and tonight they did both.”
ESCC improved to 2-3 in conference play with the win.
At halftime, Person said the first 20 minutes had been “like pulling teeth,” as points were hard to come by; the Weevils led, 31-26, at intermission of the defensive struggle.
The Weevils were led by Tremon Spencer’s 21 points. Chris Blount had 17, and Cary Foster had 11 for the Weevils.
James Lodman had nine points, but his ball-handling, especially late in the defensive struggle, was a major key to the victory.
The Weevils entertain Chattahoochie Valley Thursday for homecoming. Tip-off is tentatively set for 7 p.m.

January 19, 2010- In one word according to the team’s coach, the fundamental portions of basketball as played by the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women Tuesday against L.B. Wallace, was “bad.”
A 73-67 loss was the result.
“If lay-ups were a dime a dozen, we didn’t even get a nickel’s worth,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “And we ‘paid’ dearly for the ‘free’ throws we missed.
“At times it looked like we were just playing for the fun of playing. We turned the ball over, missed lay-ups, didn’t rebound, and didn’t do much right down the stretch even though we had the lead with less than 10 minutes to play.
“We are a work in progress, but we’ve got to quit beating ourselves before we can beat anyone else.”
Enterprise is now 6-9 overall, 1-3 in conference games.
Kendra McKinney had 21 points to lead ESCC. Kiara Henderson had 16 points and Ashton Coleman had 15 for the Weevils.
Thursday is homecoming at ESCC; Chattahoochee Valley is the opponent. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

January 15, 2010- The road was unkind to the Enterprise State Community College Weevil Women Thursday as a virus that claimed two post players during the game in Wadley combined with turnovers and missed lay-ups to produce a 77-72 conference loss to Southern Union.
Enterprise fell to 1-2 in conference play and 6-8 overall.
“We had more than 30 turnovers and that killed us,” said ESCC coach Charles Cole. “We actually outscored them, 48-43, in the second half, but when it came down to the end we were only swapping baskets with them and that’s not how you win.
“Turnovers were frustrating. We’d steal the ball from them then give it right back. We’ve got a lot to work on right now. We’re young but we’re getting better.”
Kendra McKinney led ESCC with 20 points. Tyleshia Brown had 14 and Kiara Henderson had 13 for the Weevil Women.
Enterprise hosts L.B. Wallace Tuesday at 5:30, and will celebrate homecoming against Chattahoochee Valley Thursday.

January 11, 2010- Nobody clad in white with green lettering, and seated on the Enterprise State Community College bench in Monday’s game against the visiting Alabama Southern Eagles begged Boll weevils Woach Wesley Person to “put me in coach!”
Injuries and academics combined created the situation the team faced with only five players eligible to play in what proved to be a 73-60 loss.
ESCC finished the game with four players on the court.
But it wasn’t being tired or out-manned or intimidated or undersized that caused the Weevils to fall behind 36-20 at halftime, and remain behind the rest of the way as they fell to 1-2 in conference play.
Simply put, ESCC’s shots would not fall in the first half and despite their tenacious, full-court pressure defense, the Weevils couldn’t climb out of the hole they dug for themselves.
“We missed our shots, didn’t get second shots, missed lay-ups and turned the ball over too many times,” said Person.
Cary Foster and Chris Blount had 15 points apiece, and Cortez Chaney had 12 for the Weevils.
Enterprise travels to face Southern Union in Wadley Thursday.

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.

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 State 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.

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 escc 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

“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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

“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.

“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.”