ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats enjoyed a banner season last year.

In fact, the Lady Bobcats won the MACJC championship, advanced to the Region 23 semifinals and posted an impressive 23-7 record. Eleventh-year head coach Sandra Sumrall hopes this year’s team can use last year’s championship to its advantage.

“Winning the state title was wonderful,” said Sandra Sumrall. “We are going to get that banner up and the freshmen see the rings we have and it is a motivator. It is a great feeling and they want to do it again. But it is also a motivator for our opponents.

“Our team wants to do it again and that is what they are setting their goal to be.”

It will be a challenge to repeat. Jones lost nine players off of last year’s team and returns only four sophomores this year. Sumrall said the young players would have to grow up quickly this season.

But the national pollsters are taking notice in the Lady Bobcats. JCJC received votes in the NJCAA preseason rankings. (For a complete look at the poll, go to www.njcaa.org).

“We have an awful lot of new kids,” she said. “And a lot of them are going to have to play different positions than what they did in high school. It’s been a big adjustment for a lot of them. They are not completely there yet, but they are working hard.

“Our sophomores are stepping up and showing good leadership. But we have a long ways to go and a lot of work to do. But the players always give good effort.”

Returning sophomores are 6-foot forward/center Ashley Lee of Taylorsville, 5-foot-9 forward Brigit Taylor of Jackson Jim Hill, 5-foot-7 guard Erica Moore of Grove Hill, Ala., and 5-foot-6 guard Dominique Evans of South Jones. Sooby Cooks, a 5-foot-5 guard from Quitman, sat out most of last year and returns. Erin Griffin, a 6-foot-2 center, is a sophomore from East Rankin Academy who did not play last year.

Lee averaged 11 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season, while Taylor averaged 6.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Moore scored 8.3 points and 2.7 assists per game, while Evans scored 4.0 points per contest.

“Ashley Lee is doing an awesome job of trying to get better, working hard and being a leader,” Sumrall said. “Brigit, Erica and Dominique are doing well, too. Sooby is back with us and is working hard.”

Sumrall said the Lady Bobcats would have to rely on defense if they are to have a successful season.

“We’ve got some good shooters, but we’ve still got to work on our defense and our transition game,” she said. “We give really good effort in practice, but it is an adjustment for a lot of these kids. High school ball is much different than playing at this level.

“It is a faster pace and a much more physical game.”

JCJC opens the season at East Mississippi at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. The home opener will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, against Delgado Community College (La.).